CU mourns passing of Gressette

Clemson University learned Friday of the loss of one of its emeriti trustees, Lawrence Marion Gressette Jr. of Columbia.  He served as a trustee for 18 years. A Clemson alumnus, he joined the university’s board of trustees as a Successor Trustee in November 1989. He was named vice chairman in September 1994 and became the 13th chairman of the board in July 1995. Gressette’s contributions and loyalty to the university earned him the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award, the Clemson University Foundation’s Volunteer of the Year Award, the President’s Award and the Clemson Medallion, which is the university’s highest public honor. Gressette and his wife established the Felicia and Lawrence M. Gressette Jr. Presidential Scholarship, which provides financial support for students from South Carolina. In 1996, he received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina.