[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 112 (Wednesday, September 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8817-S8818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               IN RECOGNITION OF DR. JOAB M. LESESNE, JR.

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, now here is one thing with which 
I can

[[Page S8818]]

agree, and not be in a minority. Dr. Joab M. Lesesne, Jr. has not only 
headed Wofford College with distinction for 28 years, but he has 
brought luster to the National Association of Independent Colleges and 
Universities as its Chairman. A man of many talents, Joe served as a 
general in the South Carolina National Guard and is presently Chairman 
of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Governing Board. 
Dr. Shi, the eminent President of Furman University, cites this record 
better than I in a recent editorial in the Greenville News. I ask that 
the editorial be reprinted in the Record.
  The material follows:

               [From the Greenville News, Sept. 17, 2000]

               Joe Lesesne Stands as a True American Hero

                             (By David Shi)

       In an age with few heroes, it becomes even more important 
     to honor those who stand above the crowd. Last week, Furman 
     University had the privilege of bestowing an honorary 
     doctoral degree on Joab Lesesne, the recently retired 
     president of Wofford College. He had served it well--with a 
     special genius that everyone observed yet no one can define.
       Joe Lesesne was raised on a college campus. His father, a 
     Wofford graduate, served as president of Erskine College. 
     After graduating from Erskine, the younger Lesesne went on to 
     earn his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from the 
     University of South Carolina. He began his career at Wofford 
     in 1964 as an assistant professor of history, and he soon 
     distinguished himself in the classroom. Lesesne was a 
     luminous teacher who made the past shine with interest and 
     significance.
       Professor Lesesne was appointed assistant dean in 1967. 
     Soon thereafter, he implemented the college's interim term, a 
     four-week winter learning program that has become an 
     indispensable part of a Wofford education. He later became 
     director of development and then dean of the college. In 
     1972, at the ripe age of 34, he was named Wofford's ninth 
     president.
       Lesesne quickly realized that going from the faculty to the 
     presidency means abandoning righteousness for pragmatism. He 
     also discovered that a college president needs the endurance 
     of an athlete, the wisdom of a Solomon and the courage of a 
     lion. But perhaps most important is to have the stomach of a 
     goat in order to accommodate all of the civic club luncheons, 
     campus banquets and meals-on-the-run.
       As a resolute champion of the distinctive virtues of 
     residential liberal arts colleges, Lesesne led Wofford 
     through a remarkable era of progress, change and achievement. 
     The college's endowment soared during his long tenure, new 
     buildings were constructed, and he helped attract a stronger, 
     more diverse faculty and student body. Along the way, 
     President Lesesne displayed extraordinary composure and 
     resilience. Hard to surprise and even harder to shock, he 
     displayed the magnanimity of a saint in dealing with 
     complaints and crises.
       President Lesesne became a leader of national prominence 
     within the higher education community. He was the first 
     Southerner to chair the board of the National Association of 
     Independent Colleges and Universities, and he headed the 
     council of presidents of South Carolina's private colleges. 
     In addition, he is a retired major general in the South 
     Carolina Army National Guard, and he continues to chair the 
     South Carolina Commission on Natural Resources.
       Yet the real value of a career can sometimes be better 
     gauged by a person's character than by a public portfolio. 
     Joe Lesense is a genial representative of a fast vanishing 
     world of grace, civility, loyalty, faith and moral rectitude. 
     A warm man with a big heart, he has no enemies--even among 
     those who disagree with him. Known for his casual intensity 
     and refreshing humility, he loves to tell stores and to catch 
     fish.
       For almost 30 years as a college president, Joe Lesesne 
     manifested unshaken nerve, rescuing wit, and, above all, a 
     love for Wofford that has never waned. He had a special 
     affection for students. He teased them, entertained them, 
     inspired them and guided them. They responded with equal 
     affection.
       It has been invigorating for those of us still in our age 
     of impetuous vanities to associate with such a wise 
     colleague. I cannot imagine anyone more effective at helping 
     the people of this state appreciate the important role played 
     by Wofford and the other private liberal arts colleges. Joe 
     Lesesne is one of those refreshing people who prefers to grin 
     rather than scowl, banter rather than pontificate. What a 
     wonderful mentor he has been to me and many others.
       In his compassionate awareness of others, in his 
     instinctive respect for them, in his declared willingness to 
     help, in his courtesy, tolerance and gentleness, Joe Lesesne 
     demonstrated that the highest intelligence is at its most 
     fertile and expressive when allied to the deepest humanity. 
     As to all of these traits, he has provided us the great gift 
     of his example. Blessed are those who perform good works and 
     earn our respect and admiration. Thanks, Joe.

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