[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 27300-27301] [From the U.S. 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 [[Page 27301]] 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. 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. ____________________