R.C. Edwards: 1914-2008
Share your memories of Dr. Edwards and your thoughts about his legacy and impact on Clemson University. Send your comments using this form.
Your thoughts and memories of Dr. Edwards
RC will be missed by the Clemson family. It is hard to think about Clemson without Mr. Edwards.
Moye Graham
Moye Graham
What an honor to have his signature on my two diplomas! He is the only President to honor the wishes of Thomas G. Clemson in every decision he made about the future of Clemson. He really loved the students of South Carolina and always wanted what was best for them. Too bad we can't clone him to be the next President of Clemson. He will be missed for his wonderful, kind personality and his dedication to all the students of Clemson. What a loss for all of us who had the honor to know him as a leader and as a person! I am sure he had no regrets about his life with Clemson and now he is at home again with his loving wife, right where he wanted to be. Long live Dr. Edwards!
Martha Mann Baker
I didn't know him because I wasn't alive yet and I was reading his Bio. I'm sorry that you lost a man that was so happy at Clemson.
Brett Ashworth
As a member of Clemson's Student Government in the early 1970s, I had the privilege and joy to work with Dr. Edwards on a number of projects and initiatives to improve the quality of student life and academics. He was an incredibly open, accessible and most of all, caring administrator who put students above all else. Even when the Student Senate would pass a resolution that was a good idea in theory but not feasible as enacted, Dr. Edwards would first listen carefully to the request, explain what were the obstacles barring its success and then help us amend it so that it would work. Some of the most valuable lessons I had at Clemson were not the ones in the classroom but the things I learned about honesty, fairness and leadership from watching Dr. Edwards in action. All of us at Clemson who had him as our president were fortunate but those of us who the special honor of getting to know him up close and personal were truly blessed. Goodbye, R.C., we will miss you!
Michael E. Newman, Class of 1978
Michael E. Newman, Class of 1978
In 1978 I had the honor and privilege of being hired by Dr. Edwards as Dean of the College of Forest and Recreation Resources. From day one he was always interested in our goals and objectives and frequently discussed them with me. He welcomed me and my family to the campus and gave to us a genuine sense of belonging. Dr. Edwards made a lasting mark on Clemson University, the community, and the state of South Carolina. He was a great President and will be sorely missed by all who knew and appreciated him. Sallie and I extend our most sincere condolences to the family.
Ben Box
Dr. Edwards would always be at our Thursday football practices to check on us and see if we were ready to play for that following Saturday. For some reason he always found me and asked how I was doing and asked if my family was coming to the game. For him to take the time to see if I was O.K. and was happy at Clemson meant the world to me. It always reassured me that Clemson was the best place for me. Dr. Edwards was Clemson University and he will always have a place in my heart.
Chris Lancaster '89
Chris Lancaster '89
What I will remember about Dr. Edwards is when I would enter Jervey Athletic Center to work out and seeing him as he prepared to work out. By witnessing that it showed me a few things about him his strength, his dedication, and his great spirit for anything that was associated with Clemson. Dr. Edwards was also a very approachable person, and always willing to give any advise helpful to anyone.I feel proud as a former athlete in football at Clemson to have had the chance to meet and talk with Dr. Edwards it was an honor. May God forever bless his soul.
David O'Neal Davis
Clemson University has lost yet another icon who epitomized dedication and devotion while playing a major role in our growth as one of the best universities in the country. It is a sad day to lose someone whose blood truly ran orange. With less than a week left in his life he was still the devoted fan as he left Hospice to visit the football team as they prepared to face U.S.C. As it has on so many occasions, I'm sure his inspiration played at least a small role in yet another Clemson victory. As he leaves us, I'm sure that he would not want us to be sorry for the major asset that we lost but for others to follow in his footsteps with the same devotion, dedication and love to Clemson University. For it certainly is true, "There is something in these hills."
Garrett Gillian, Class of '08