Dear Clemson:
Walter T. Cox, Jr. passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2006.
The word "legend" is often used too lightly, but every now and then, a man comes along for whom such words are not descriptive enough. Walter Cox was such a man. With the death of the former student, coach, administrator and president who will always be known simply as "Dean Cox," Clemson University has lost one of its greatest treasures. Walter Cox personified one of Clemson's core values: the students come first.
As Dean of Students and later as President, Walter Cox helped shepherd Clemson through some of its greatest challenges. He was there when we welcomed women and African Americans to campus. He was there when we made the transition from college to university. He was there whenever we needed someone who could make tough decisions, generate confidence, heal rifts, and build bridges. Whenever Clemson called, he answered.
No one ever loved Clemson more or asked for less in return than Walter Cox.
When I began my service as President I asked Dean Cox to serve on the President's Cabinet to provide perspective from his 70 years of service to Clemson. Often we reached a point in our deliberations where the challenges looked impossible for Clemson to be successful. At that point Dean Cox's voice was always clear and strong saying, "We've done it before and we will do it again, because Clemson has never been stronger than we are now." I will always be encouraged by that voice and that message.
Thousands of words will be written about his life, by authors far more skilled than I. Leaders of government, industry and academia will offer tributes. The most meaningful will come from the thousands of former Clemson students — Jim Barker among them — who will simply say, "He changed my life."
Sincerely,
James F. Barker, FAIA
President