Clemson Public Service Activities recognizes Sen. J. Yancey McGill with Leadership Award

Published: August 11, 2010

GEORGETOWN — Clemson University Public Service Activities recognized S.C. Sen. J. Yancey McGill of Kingstree Aug. 10 with the 2010 Leadership Award for his dedication to the university and the people of his district.

McGill is chairman of the Natural Resources subcommittee of the Senate Finance committee. He also is a member of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

In these roles, McGill has championed legislation supporting Clemson’s plant and animal regulatory programs, thorough which Clemson aids farmers and agribusinesses in producing safe and marketable products. 

He also is chairman and founding member of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA), an alliance of 10 northeastern South Carolina counties.

John Kelly, Clemson University vice president of public service and agriculture, said McGill is a long-time supporter of Clemson University and a champion for Public Service Activities (PSA) in its mission to serve the agriculture and natural resource industries in South Carolina.

“Sen. McGill works tirelessly to secure funding for Clemson’s public service programs and to minimize the impact of budget cuts during these tough economic times,” Kelly said.

In particular, in 2005, McGill worked to secure funding for the new research and education building at the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science.

The 12,600-square-foot facility has room for 14 faculty and staff members and includes large multipurpose rooms and smart classrooms that connect Clemson students statewide. In March, the facility earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

“This state-of-the-art research and education center is the result of his hard work and support for Clemson PSA and the Georgetown community,” Kelly said.

Further, this year, McGill led the fight in the Senate to successfully override budget vetoes that would have meant deep cuts to many public service programs, which would directly have affected the citizens of South Carolina, Kelly said.

McGill represents District 32, which includes Florence, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties. He has been a state senator since 1989.

He also as been mayor and a city council member in Kingstree, a board member of the Waccamaw Regional Planning and Development Council and member of the S.C. Democratic Party executive committee.

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