[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2232-E2233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. ROBERT ALEXANDER UPON HIS RETIREMENT 
             FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AIKEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDSEY O. GRAHAM

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to recognize the 
impressive achievements of Dr. Robert Alexander. On June 30, 2000, Dr. 
Alexander retired from his position as Chancellor of the University of 
South Carolina at Aiken. He has been a leader in the Aiken community 
and his retirement leaves a great void in South Carolina Higher 
Education.
  Dr. Alexander was born in the small coastal town of Kinston, North 
Carolina. A product of the public school system, Dr. Alexander earned a 
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University, and later a 
Masters of Divinity.
  In addition, Dr. Alexander received management certification from the 
University of South Carolina and the Harvard Business School.
  Before earning his Doctorate in Higher Education in 1977 from the 
University of South Carolina, he held a number of administrative posts 
in student services. Following receipt of his doctorate he became an 
Associate Professor in the College of Education and later served as an 
Associate Vice President of the University of South Carolina system.
  In 1983, Dr. Alexander, his wife Leslie, and their son Robert moved 
to Aiken.
  From the beginning, Dr. Alexander used his management expertise and 
experience to magnify the University of South Carolina at Aiken's (USC-
Aiken) already vital role in South Carolina. He worked tirelessly with 
leaders from business, government, and the education communities to 
forge new avenues of cooperation that benefited USC-Aiken and the 
people it serves.
  Under Dr. Alexander's leadership, USC-Aiken, once a small branch of 
the University of South Carolina, is now thriving. Enrollment has 
doubled, and student/faculty ratios are among the lowest within South 
Carolina's state assisted four year public institutions. Undergraduate 
degree programs have tripled, and several graduate programs have become 
a part of the university.
  USC-Aiken has seen dramatic improvements in its infrastructure during 
Dr. Alexander's tenure. Among them are the expansion of the Gregg-
Graniteville Library and the Etherredge Center for Fine Arts in 1986, 
and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the School of Nursing 
Building in 1999; construction of a state-of-the-art Sciences Building 
in 1989; the Children's Center and the Ruth Patrick Science Education 
Center in 1991; the Business Education Building in 1994; the DuPont 
Planetarium in 1995; the natatorium in 1997; relocation of the historic 
Pickens-Salley House to the USC-Aiken Campus; and acquisition of Pacer 
Downs student apartments.
  Due in large part to his efforts, the endowment of USC-Aiken is now 
more than $11 million with 13 endowed faculty chairs. This endowment 
allows USC-Aiken to offer programs and services not usually found at 
state-assisted institutions of similar size.
  He worked diligently with the US Department of Commerce and the 
BellSouth Foundation to create the Rural Alliance for Teaching 
Enhancement. This Alliance significantly enhances the educational 
opportunities of students in rural public schools in a 10 county area 
by providing technological support.
  Recently USC-Aiken received significant awards from the National 
Endowment for Humanities, the John Olin Foundation, and the National 
Science Foundation. These awards will contribute to the operations of 
the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and the Economic Enterprise 
Institute.
  Perhaps the most significant legacy of Dr. Alexander is the enhanced 
regional, state, and national reputation USC-Aiken has developed during 
his tenure. In 1999, U.S. News and World Report recognized USC-Aiken as 
one of the top three regional public liberal arts colleges in the 
Southeast. In their 2000 rankings, USC-Aiken is ranked second. The 
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National League of 
Nursing, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher 
Education also recognize the many quality educational programs offered 
at USC-Aiken.
  Dr. Alexander's commitment to the community does not end with the 
university. He is an honorary member of the USC-Aiken Alumni 
Association. He also is an active member in the Aiken Rotary Club where 
he served as a member of the Rotary International District Scholarship 
Committee and on its board of directors. He also served on the 
Executive Committee of Security Federal Bank, the Executive Committee 
for the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield 
Counties, as a member of the board of trustees for Aiken Regional 
Medical Centers, on the vestry of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, and 
continues his work with the Diocese of Upper South Carolina's youth 
programs.
  He once served as Chairman of the Savannah River Regional 
Diversification Initiative created by the US Department of Energy. He 
served on the board of directors for the Greater Aiken Chamber of 
Commerce where he was president in 1987, the United Way of Aiken 
County, and the Business Technology Center. Dr. Alexander held 
positions on the advisory board of Citizens and Southern National Bank 
of South Carolina, and the Aiken County Commission on the Future. He is 
also a past trustee of Hopeland Gardens and a chairman of the Peach 
Belt Athletic Conference.
  He served as the Chairman of the South Carolina Council of State 
College and University Presidents as well as their representative on 
the Business Advisory Council of the South Carolina Commission on 
Higher Education, on the executive committee of South Carolina 2000 
where he spearheaded the development of the South Carolina University 
Research Consortium, as a member of the Commission of the Future of 
South Carolina, South Carolina Council of Economic Education, Vice 
President of the Strom Thurmond Foundation, Board of Visitors for the 
Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Nationally, 
Dr. Alexander was appointed to the National Advisory Committee of 
Student Financial Assistance in 1991 and served as the committee chair 
from 1995-1997, past chair of the Modernization Task Force of the 
American Association of State Colleges and Universities, past member of 
board of director for the Institute for Continuing Education for the 
National University Continuing Education Association, and past member 
and institutional representative for the Association for Higher 
Continuing Education.
  Through all of his hard work and determination to make a difference, 
Dr. Alexander has collected many deserving awards and honors.
  In 1999, he received the Earl Kaufftman Award from the USC-Aiken 
Academy for Lifelong Learning for his commitment to providing 
educational opportunities for senior citizens. The Student Personnel 
Association at the University of South Carolina awarded him the 
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1996. In 1990, the University of 
South Carolina Black Faculty and Professional Staff Association honored 
him with an honorable mention award for Affirmative Action. The South 
Carolina Association of Higher Continuing Education presented him with 
the Outstanding President's Award in 1987. In 1985, Dr. Alexander was 
selected as Man of the Year by the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce.
  He reached the pinnacle of service to the State of South Carolina in 
May of this year when he was bestowed the Order of the Palmetto, the 
highest designation the governor awards to an individual.

[[Page E2233]]

  Dr. Alexander's retirement as Chancellor of USC-Aiken closes a 
successful chapter in the school's history. He developed the university 
and its students in every way by surpassing his required duties in all 
areas. His years of service leave an indelible mark on the institution. 
Dr. Alexander's accomplishments will benefit countless others in the 
future, and his legacy will be solidified by the successes of future 
generations. A leader in the higher education field and a dedicated 
community citizen, Dr. Alexander will be sorely missed as Chancellor of 
USC-Aiken.

                          ____________________