Interviewer
Mildred Allen
Files
Date
9-23-1986
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Duration
27:37
Description
Thurman Anderson and wife Ruth came to Wheelwright Auditorium for an interview. Mr. Anderson gave an early background of events leading to the beginning of Coastal Carolina College. He was Superintendent of Education for Horry County from 1941-1973 and saw the need for higher education, and with this in mind worked diligently to see that this need was met. It was through his efforts that meetings were held to create interest. - Mildred Holmes Allen Prince
Subject
Oral History--South Carolina;Coastal Carolina University--History;Horry County (S.C.)--History;Conway (S.C.);Anderson, Thurman Wilson, 1909-1996
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
Anderson, Thurman Wilson and Allen, Mildred, "Thurman W. Anderson, oral history interview" (1986). Coastal Founders Oral History Interviews. 2.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/founders/2
Comments
Thurman Anderson recalls how Coastal was developed. He discusses years before 1954 that laid the groundwork. From 1941 - 1973 he was Superintendent of Horry County Schools. In July 1941 he saw a need for a college. Most teachers then had very little higher education, but were eager to get more. He began to ask questions about a local college. In 1942 spring there was an Horry County workshop of about 75 teachers that resulted in a curriculum handbook. Still in-service training did not give academic credit. He hired J.K. East to work towards a college here. He reads from his letter of request to the College of Charleston Board who later voted to accept pending a formal contract. Dr. Grice knew and selected Dr. Woodhouse to be the director despite his senior age. He discusses the fundraising efforts. Mr. Anderson served as Secretary of the SC Higher Education Commission. Mildred Allen says Mr. Anderson has earned the title of the "Father of Coastal". He discussed selecting the site for the first Coastal building "in the woods" but thought it might expand to 501 and 544 eventually. He was pleased to know graduate degrees were at Coastal now. Funded in part by the Horry County Higher Education Commission.