Interviewer
Mildred Allen
Files
Date
1-1-1987
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Duration
44:22
Description
Mildred Allen interviews Reverend George Lovell, who was approached about starting a college in Horry County. He helped with the fundraising campaign for a college building, campus planning, and seeking sponsorship for Coastal. Rev. Lovell discusses the contract with USC, keeping ownership of the land and the building, and the distinction that was made between the Horry County Higher Education Commission and Coastal Educational Foundation. - Charmaine Tomczyk
Subject
Oral History--South Carolina;Coastal Carolina University--History;Horry County (S.C.)--History;Conway (S.C.);Lovell, Samuel George, Jr., 1918-1996
Rights
Copyright © Coastal Carolina University. For more information contact University Archives and Special Collections at Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29526.
Extent
Additional files include a transcript (8.5x11in)
Recommended Citation
Lovell, S. George and Allen, Mildred, "Rev. S. George Lovell, oral history interview" (1987). Coastal Founders Oral History Interviews. 12.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/founders/12
Comments
Reverend George Lovell came to Conway in 1954 as pastor of the First Baptist Church. He found it an isolated county. Two deacons in his church, Jessie Lee (manager of Johnson Cotton Company) and J.K. East (Horry county Schools) approached him about starting a college. Their enthusiasm influenced him to help, especially with the fundraising campaign for a building. He walked with E. Burroughs on the campus (swamp with red bugs) along a trail. A space to set up the tent after the county plowed a road to the site. About 200 or 300 people attended the feast and "hillbilly" band. With the help of Blanton and Prince from upper county rural needs for college were expressed. He tells stories of external fundraisers who did not suit. Therefore, E. Prince took control of it. Lovell went to Furman (his alma mater) to seek sponsorship for Coastal. He recalls going to USC and recalls Mitchell's firm rejection. The original tax raised only about $30K - $40K. He and Dick Singleton traveled to Ocala, FL to learn about community, two-year colleges that were state funded, but South Carolina did not consider this. Rev. Lovell discusses the contract with USC, keeping ownership of the land and the building. The clear distinction between the Commission and the Foundation was confirmed due to legal concerns. Each month the Foundation would meet with administration. He recalls one or two Black students applied and were accepted about 1960. He recalls talking to Rotary about supporting the move to a senior four-year college. He sees the change from local input to a larger "cosmopolitan" campus with out of state students. He could not have predicted its expansion. He says "It's something of a miracle." Funded in part by the Horry County Higher Education Commission.