Interviewer
Mildred Allen
Files
Date
8-18-1986
Loading...
Duration
30:19
Description
J. K. and Leona East visited Coastal Carolina College for an interview concerning the role which he played in the beginning of Coastal Carolina College. Mr. East reminisced and told of his dream prior to moving back to Horry County after six years away. He was working as Director of Instruction for the County Department of Education and during this time he worked to promote the idea of higher education in Horry County. Through his efforts a group of interested citizens met and discussed the possibilities. He was successful in getting the College to sponsor a college program here for the Fall of 1954. During the early years of the college, he was a great promoter and was very much involved in the operation until he moved to Columbia to accept a position with the State of South Carolina Department of Education. - Mildred Holmes Allen Prince
Subject
Oral History--South Carolina;Coastal Carolina University--History;Horry County (S.C.)--History;Conway (S.C.);East, Joseph Kenyon, Sr., 1913-2011
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
East, Joseph Kenyon Sr. and Allen, Mildred, "Joseph Kenyon East, Sr., oral history interview" (1986). Coastal Founders Oral History Interviews. 7.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/founders/7
Comments
J.K. East, Sr. talks about his time in South Carolina and his desire for a college in Horry. Thurman Anderson asked him to be Director of Instruction for the county but with the intention to be involved in higher education here. He visited every college in the state for sponsorship for Coastal, except for College of Charleston. All turned them down, but Anderson encouraged him to contact College of Charleston and Dr. Grice said yes. J.K. East also was invited by Grice to speak to his Board about approving it. Mr. East says that USC planned to erect a college in Conway or Georgetown if we did not go with them. So we decided to let them sponsor us, but our own Board (Foundation / Commission) made local decisions. The Board was represented by the eight school districts. The first enrollment was 53. Mr. East believes the most exciting time was his conversation with Dr. George Grice of College of Charleston. Another excitement was donating $1000 in 1954 from 16 of the original members so the faculty salaries could be guaranteed, even without knowing enrollment. An anxious time was when Grice invited him to talk with his Board (from whom Grice had not gotten approval of his decision yet!). He sees education as a whole, not in segments of elementary, middle, secondary, and higher education. He supports their linkage. He gives accolades to the whole Board including James Blanton, Joseph Holliday and others as well as the commitment of the county people to tax themselves (first county to do so in the state). Funded in part by the Horry County Higher Education Commission.