[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. LEROY DAVIS

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2011

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of South 
Carolina's outstanding academic leaders as he is honored by his alma 
mater. On April 28, 2011, South Carolina State University is dedicating 
Leroy Davis Sr. Hall, a science and research complex, in honor of the 
former student who returned to S. C. State as a professor and went on 
to serve as its eighth President. I can think of no one more deserving 
of this honor.
  Leroy Davis was born in Garden City, South Carolina, and is a 
graduate of the old Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg. He attended 
South Carolina State College (now University) and graduated in 1971 
with a B.S. degree in Biology. The following year, he earned a master's 
degree in Microbiology from Purdue University. In 1979, Dr. Davis 
received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology.
  After earning his academic credentials, Dr. Davis returned to his 
roots and took a position as an assistant professor of biology at South 
Carolina State. He went on to become a full professor, and published 
numerous articles and papers in general and technical journals.
  Dr. Davis continued to climb the professional ladder at South 
Carolina State, successively holding positions as Program Director for 
Talented and Gifted Workshops; Director of Academic Counseling and 
Tutorial Programs; Director of the Office of Institutional Self 
Studies; Vice Provost for Academic Administration; Vice President for 
Student Services; and Interim President.
  On April 10, 1996, Dr. Davis became President of South Carolina State 
University by a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees. He took over 
during a troubled time at the college, becoming the second president in 
just 3 years.
  During his career at South Carolina State he accrued a number of 
honors, including Outstanding Young Men of America 1978, 1979 and 1980; 
``Teacher of the Year'' in 1985 and South Carolina Business Visions Top 
25 Influencers for 1997.
  After 6 years as President, Dr. Davis retired from South Carolina 
State on June 30, 2002. The highlights of his tenure include securing 
$10 million in federal funds for the James E. Clyburn Transportation 
Center, renovations to Lowman Hall, expansions of the Whittaker Library 
and Hodge Hall, improving Internet accessibility on campus and allowing 
students to register for classes by computer. He successfully completed 
construction of the 1890 building that had been mired in contractual 
disputes for years.
  In addition, he secured $9.5 million for a fine arts center, oversaw 
enhancements to the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Monument, and erected an 
SHM historical marker for the three students killed in the Orangeburg 
Massacre. He also led the effort to establish the Nuclear Engineering 
program at S. C. State, the first degree program of its kind at a 
historically black college.
  Today, Dr. Davis serves as Executive Director of the Center of 
Excellence in Rural and Minority Health and Distinguished Professor of 
Biology at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina. He is also a 
leading consultant with the Southern Education Foundation's Center to 
Serve HBCU Leadership Project.
  He is also very active with the Southern Association of Colleges and 
Schools, SACS, and has chaired many visiting committees, presented 
workshops and symposia, and served on special committees. In 2002 he 
was awarded the SACS Distinguished Service Award for his long-term 
service and commitment to SACS.
  Dr. Davis holds membership in numerous professional and civic 
organizations, including the American Council on Education, Sigma Pi 
Phi Fraternity, the New York Academy of Science, and Rotary 
International.
  He also sits on a number of boards and commissions including the 
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Board of 
Trustees, the Jessie Ball Dupont Fund Board of Trustees, the 
Southeastern Council of Foundations Board of Trustees, the Mt. Calvary 
Baptist Church Board of Trustees (Chairman) and the Purdue University 
College of Science Advisory Board. He previously served on the boards 
of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, NCAA, the Southern 
Association of Colleges and Schools, SACS, the South Carolina Aquarium, 
and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, 
NAFEO.
  Dr. Davis is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including 
South Carolina's highest civilian award--the Order of the Palmetto--and 
honorary degrees from Tuskegee University, Francis Marion University, 
South Carolina State University, and Purdue University.
  Dr. Davis is married to the former Christine McGill of Kingstree, 
South Carolina and they have two adult children--Tonya and Leroy, Jr.--
and five grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Dr. Leroy Davis on an extraordinarily distinguished career in academia. 
It is fitting that he is being recognized for his lifetime of 
contributions to South Carolina State University. I add my voice to 
those celebrating his commitment to his Alma Mater. It has been my 
honor to work closely with Dr. Davis, and I look forward to his 
continued contributions to academia and society as a whole.

                          ____________________