Dedication and Naming

Transcription

1 Milton Kimpson Center for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Dedication and Naming Friday, April 19, :00 p.m. Columbia, South Carolina Dr. David H. Swinton President and CEO

2 Biography of Dr. Milton Kimpson As a sharecropper growing up in Calhoun County, there was the realization that education was key to a better life.. From the cotton fields of Calhoun County to the cabinet of a South Carolina Chief Executive, Milton Kimpson has traveled a path of great achievement and service to his state, family, community and fellow man. Kimpson was one of four children who grew up in a sharecroppers family. Kimpson s parents, Melton and Ruth Kimpson, struggled to send all of their children to. After graduating from in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a stint in the United States Army during the Korean War, Kimpson began his teaching career at Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia as a mathematics teacher. Kimpson later distinguished himself as a principal at two of the city s elementary schools before being selected as a State Supervisor of Elementary Education at the South Carolina State Department of Education. He later was appointed the first Executive Director of the Community Relations Council of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, Kimpson was appointed Executive Director of Health, Education and Human Services by the Honorable Richard W. Riley, Governor of the State of South Carolina, where he was responsible for the supervision and administration of the State s efforts in education, health, community

3 services, employment and training. It was during his tenure that Kimpson provided leadership and assistance to the Governor in the passage of the landmark Education Improvement Act of Governor Riley thereafter appointed Kimpson to the South Carolina Worker s Compensation Commission, where he later served as Chairman. After serving as an Associate Commissioner to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, Kimpson retired from state government in 1994, as the Deputy Commissioner for Program Services at the South Carolina Department of Corrections. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Benedict, Kimpson earned a Master s degree from the University of Wisconsin and has furthered his education at the University of Georgia, Syracuse University and the University of Miami. Kimpson has also received Honorary Doctorate degrees from and Wofford College. Among his many honors and awards, Kimpson has received the Order of the Palmetto from the Governor of South Carolina; Colonel of the Staff award from the Governor of Mississippi; Arkansas Traveler award from the Governor of Arkansas; Man of the Year award, NAACP, Manning Branch; Distinguished Service Award, South Carolina State College; Public Servant of the Year Award, South Carolina Association of Minorities for Public Administration; the Friend of Education Award, South Carolina Education Association; the Columbia Urban League s Whitney M. Young Award; the Benjamin E. Mays Academy for Leadership Development Award; and the Dorcas J. Elledege Award from the Eau Claire Community Council. Kimpson s commitment and service to has been unparalleled. He served continuously on the Board of Trustees for fortyone (41) years and also was its Vice-Chairman during his tenure. He was elected to Board Emeritus status in During his time on the Board, Kimpson was a member of the Search Committee that selected Dr. David Swinton as President of the College. He also has served on various renovation and reorganization committees that have spearheaded much of the growth Benedict enjoys today. He has been an active member of the Columbia Alumni Club for many years. Kimpson is married to Wilhelmina Page Kimpson and they have three sons, three daughters-in-law and three granddaughters. Kimpson and his family are members of the St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, where he is the Chairman Emeritus of the Deacon Board, serves on the Advisory Committee of the Preschool Education Board, and is a former member of the Senior Musical choir and a former Sunday School Teacher. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and the North Columbia Eau Claire Rotary Club.

4 The Litany of Dedication All: The Lord be with you. And with you, also. Let us pray... Invocation Amen. For the continuing education, enlightenment, and empowerment of the student, for the enhancement of career opportunities, and improved financial stability of the individual, family, and community, We dedicate this building. For the edification of all who seek knowledge, truth, and the absolute freedom that education brings in great abundance, to spread fledgling wings and soar to heights unexpected, We dedicate this building. For the exposure to cultural awareness, for the spark that would ignite a desire for a life of service and for the acquiring of skills that can be used for the greater good, We dedicate this building. In a spirit of faith, hope, and love, through the bonds of humanity, and in recognition of the preeminent educator for whom it is named, We dedicate this building. We, who are assembled here, from the College and the community, are mindful of our ancestors faithfulness, toil, and sacrifices, as well as our responsibility to advance that heritage, we do now dedicate ourselves to the use of the Milton Kimpson Center for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, for its noble and proper purposes, to the ultimate service of Almighty God. AMEN.

5 Dedication/Naming Program Ms. Kymm Hunter, Assistant Vice President Communications and Marketing, Presiding Dedication of the Building Invocation/Litany...Dr. Benjamin D. Snoddy President, The Baptist E&M Convention of SC Welcome/Greeting...Dr. David H. Swinton President and CEO, Introduction of Guests...Ms. Kymm Hunter Presentation of Keys...Dr. Charlie W. Johnson Chairman, Board of Trustees Dr. David H. Swinton Acceptance of Keys...Dr. Burnett Joiner Dean, School of Continuing Education Naming of Building Dr. Janeen P. Witty Vice President, Academic Affairs Remarks...Mr. Vince Ford Member of Board of Trustees Honoree s Response...Dr. Milton Kimpson Unveiling of Building Plaque...Honoree s Family Concluding Remarks...Dr. David H. Swinton Benediction...Dr. Jamey O. Graham Pastor, Saint John Baptist Church Columbia, South Carolina

6 Building Facts Milton Kimpson Center for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Location: 111 Doctors Circle Columbia, South Carolina Building: The 35,000 sq. ft. office building sits on a 2.60 acre lot with 200 parking spaces. The building is a two story commercial-grade structure built in It was the corporate finance building for Palmetto Baptist Hospital prior to the College s ownership in October In 2011, McCrory Construction Company LLC was awarded the contract to perform a total demolition and renovation of the building in two phases. Phase I is the completed renovation of the first floor s 17,500 sq. ft., which now houses the Continuing Education Program. The second floor renovation will eventually be home to the Graduate Studies Program. The property is convenient to downtown Columbia as well as I-277/I-26. Floor Space: 17,500 sq. ft. renovated space first floor. Renovation Cost: $1.8M Special Features: A 131-seat lecture hall, 10 classrooms, 1 multi-purpose room, 1 conference room, 1 library-resource room, 1 staff lounge, 1 student lounge, 11 offices, 1 work room, 1 reception area, and 1 lobby. Contractor: McCrory Construction Company LLC.

7 Dedication/Naming Committee Mrs. Barbara C. Moore Mrs. Doris W. Johnson Co-Chairs Mr. Haywood M. Bazemore Ms. Mary L. Davis Ms. Kymm Hunter Dr. Burnett Joiner ROTC Mrs. Jenny L. Screen Mr. James B. Stewart Mr. John H. Tucker Dr. Ruby W. Watts Mrs. Carolyn G. Wigfall Mrs. Jacqueline Williams Dr. Janeen P. Witty Special Acknowledgements The Dedication/Naming Committee would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their outstanding services, which aided in the success and splendor of this special event: GCA Perkins Management Ricoh Copy Center Student Hosts

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