SCETV documentary tells story of Harvey Gantt’s journey to Clemson

Published: February 5, 2013

CLEMSON — SCETV will tell the story of Harvey Gantt and his struggle to desegregate Clemson University as its first African-American student. The documentary “The Education of Harvey Gantt” will air on SCETV at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.

The documentary recounts Gantt’s legal battle to enroll at Clemson with the help of attorney Matthew J. Perry. In January 1963, Gantt won his lawsuit and was allowed to enroll at Clemson, where he studied architecture. Gantt graduated from Clemson with honors in 1965. He later moved to Charlotte, N.C., where he founded Gantt-Huberman Architects, sat on the Charlotte City Council and, in 1983, was elected to serve as Charlotte’s first African-American mayor.

Award-winning ETV producer Betsy Newman directed the documentary, which features narration by Tony Award-winning actress and singer Phylicia Rashad and historic photographs by Cecil Williams.

ETV Radio also featured Gantt’s story Friday, Feb. 1, on “Walter Edgar’s Journal.” That program, which included an interview with Clemson history professor Vernon Burton, is now available online as a podcast.

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