Presbyterian College President John Griffith
By George MacBain
     
John is a native of Hamilton, NY and has an undergraduate degree from Dickenson College, Masters from Harvard Divinity School and a PhD. from Syracuse University. His business career includes 10 years at Davidson College as Dean of Admissions and Director of Development, President of Arkansas College and since 1997, President of Presbyterian College (PC).
 
PC has a fascinating history that I read on the website and have include just a bit here.
 
Founded by Dr. William P. Jacobs after the Civil War, Dr. Jacobs had led the organizing of the Clinton High School Association in 1872 as part of the general movement in the South to build a new civilization after the impoverishing blows of Civil War defeat and Reconstruction. The Association renovated the old pre-war academy building on the northern edge of town. William States Lee, a College of Charleston graduate from Edisto Island, S. C., with more than 20 years experience as an educator, was hired as principal and teacher. By the fall of 1880, W. S. Lee's high scholastic standards had included in the school program some work of college-level quality. So the High School Association changed its name and started making plans for bigger things. Almost all of the Association members being Presbyterians, they transferred their stock to the session of the Clinton Church. The first mention of the college in the session minutes of this church read simply: "October 11, 1880: The College of Clinton, to be under Presbyterian influence and control, was organized today."
 
Today PC is a 1,200 student co-ed Liberal Arts College still located in Clinton, SC.
 
Griffith, a gifted orator, shared his opinion that education perpetuates the past and prepares leaders to move society and organizations forward. His primary message today was there are three primary challenges facing liberal arts colleges in America.

• Charlotte Rotary welcomes Lynn Wheeler. Lynn, introduced by Tim Newman, is president of Wheeler Communication Group and works to provide public relations, public affairs, lobbying and media training. Contact Lynn at lynn@wheelercommunicationgroup.com.
    
• George Thompson will have quadruple heart bypass surgery at CMC, probably within the week; Shannon Young has been released from CMC.
   
• Contact Terri DeBoo for details on the Charlotte Chamber's annual membership and sponsorship drive.
   
• Ed Kizer, Warren Kean and Ed Wadsworth will discuss sponsorship opportunities available in Arequipa, Peru following next week's Rotary meeting. If you are interested in traveling to Peru next year or learning more on how to support the Peru effort, you will want to join this group in the State Room (down the hall from the lunch area) at 1:30 on April 22nd.
  
• Dave Adams is looking for a group to join in the wine tasting tour on Saturday, April 26th. Plans are to drive to Childress Vineyard for a tour, tasting and lunch ($20 per person, plus lunch), then on to RayLen Vineyards ($8). Contact Dave at 704-400-7302 or dave@absolutedirectmailservices.com.
       
• Rick Jackson announced a couples golf outing planned for June 27-29 at Pinehurst. Chip & Chris Scholz and Rick & Gina Jackson need 2 more couples to join them. Accommodations are available at The Holly Inn or 2-bedroom condo ($874), Carolina Deluxe Room ($934), or The Manor ($754). For additional details, contact Rick at rjackson@greatermediacharlotte.com or 704-374-3954.
   
• David Zimmerman will host the next dinner at his home on April 26th. Sign up is available on the website.