Photos by Stefan Rogenmoser/Journal Scene

CSU President Jairy Hunter poses with Sen. Chip Campsen, who had just awarded Hunter with the Order of the Palmetto award from Gov. Mark Sanford (not present).

Charleston Southern University President Jairy Hunter was in for a big surprise Sept. 9 as he sat inside the Lightsey Chapel Auditorium at the school year’s first convocation. The event was dedicated to Hunter’s 25th year as president of the private Christian university.

Just before 11:20 a.m., Sen. Chip Campsen handed Hunter an enormous framed plaque that is the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award given by Gov. Mark Sanford. It recognizes lifetime achievement and service.

Hunter became the second president of Baptist College at Charleston, as it was called then, in April 1986. In 1990 the name was changed.

Under Hunter’s presidency, the university opened a nursing building in 1995, a science building in 2005 and a Wingate Inn — an on-campus hotel — in 2008.

The school opened its doors in 1964. The Class of 1969 — the first graduating class — includes North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. Earlier this summer, Summey named July 15 “Jairy and Sissy Hunter Day” in North Charleston.

Campsen gave a heartfelt congratulations to Hunter.

“The governor has asked me to present to Dr. Hunter the Order of the Palmetto, which I understand is a surprise to him, but should be no surprise to us because of the great work he has done at Charleston Southern,” Campsen said from the podium, as his voice drifted in surreal echoes throughout the auditorium.

Campsen then read from Sanford’s letter to Hunter: “It would be easy to point to specific accomplishments that merit the Order of the Palmetto, but in fact, your entire life and career have been marked by a level of commitment and achievement that brings enormous credit to our state . . . In short, this award honors a life well lived. Thank you for upholding the highest ideals of servant leadership in everything you do.”

Campsen said when he was in high school he would turn off his truck’s lights to avoid security guards and sneak into the woods behind the college to hunt duck. His other connection, he said, is that his wife’s grandparents — whom the chapel is named after — helped found the school.

The CSU wind ensemble then performed “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” ending it with three modulations and getting a tremendous applause from the audience that had by then packed into the auditorium.

While Hunter hardly spoke, there were three more guest speakers who delivered spiritual messages. Hanahan High School Principal Glenda Gibson Levine, who got her master’s degree from CSU, spoke along with Bo Barton, a special agent at SLED who earned his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from CSU. Melissa Gore — a 2008 CSU graduate, a first grade teacher at Summerville Elementary School and Spann Elementary School’s ‘08/’09 Rookie of the Year — also spoke.

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