[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 186 (Thursday, December 11, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING ROBERT COOK EDWARDS

 Mr. GRAHAM. Madam President, I ask my fellow colleagues to 
join me in honoring the memory of a dedicated educator and innovator, 
Clemson University president emeritus Robert Cook Edwards. After a 
lifetime of unprecedented service to his students as Clemson's longest 
serving chief executive, Dr. Edwards passed away in Seneca, SC, on 
December 4, 2008, at the age of 94.
  Dr. Edwards will be remembered for his legendary leadership, strength 
in business negotiation, and passion for Clemson football. Known as a 
giant in the history of Clemson University and affectionately referred 
to as ``R.C.'' by his students, he led the institution through a period 
of peaceful integration and phenomenal growth to become a thriving, 
coeducational, and diversified university.
  Born and raised in Fountain Inn, SC, Dr. Edwards attended Clemson 
College at the young age of 15. He went on to graduate with a bachelor 
of science degree in textile engineering in 1933, and after a 
successful career in the textile industry, he returned to Clemson as 
the university's first vice president for development in 1956. Dr. 
Edwards became acting president in 1958, after the death of President 
Robert F. Poole, and was eventually elected president on April 9, 1959, 
by the board of trustees. He became the eighth chief executive of 
Clemson and the second alumnus to hold the position.
  Dr. Edwards peacefully led the university through racial integration 
when its first African-American student was enrolled in 1962. Despite 
the recurring turmoil of racial tensions during the 1960s, President 
Edwards handled those challenging times without incident. His brave 
actions resulted in progress and advancement of equal civil rights 
throughout the State of South Carolina.
  By the time of his retirement in 1979, Dr. Edwards had awarded over 
28,000 diplomas, which represented more than 70 percent of all the 
undergraduate degrees and doctorates awarded in Clemson's history to 
date, the student body had grown to 11,000 students, 4 schools had 
become 9 colleges, and the students could choose from over 60 majors. 
Because of Dr. Edwards's oversight, leadership, and enthusiasm for 
growth, his influence has stretched beyond the gates of the university 
to impact the lives of men and women all over the country.
  Dr. Edwards was predeceased by his wife Louise Odom Edwards, who died 
on July 29, 2008. She was affectionately referred to as ``Moon Pie'' by 
Clemson students and alumni and was said to be a perfect compliment to 
her husband, ``R.C.''
  Robert Cook Edwards's legacy will live on not only in the hearts of 
his students and fellow educators, but through the developments and 
achievements he has accomplished at one of our Nation's finest 
institutions. I ask that the Senate join me in commemorating Dr. 
Edwards's lifelong dedication to higher learning and to the State of 
South Carolina.

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