Dr. Robert Claytor Named to Tri-County Technical College Governing Board

CONTACT: DR. ROBERT CLAYTOR, 261-1107

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/11/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Dr. Robert B. Claytor, of Anderson, has been appointed to the Tri-County Area Commission for Technical Education, the governing board of Tri-County Technical College.

Governor James Hodges appointed Dr. Claytor to the Board effective July 13 upon the recommendation of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. His appointment is through April 2003. He takes the seat occupied by David Murdock, of Anderson.

Since 1983 Dr. Claytor has been chaplain and director of pastoral services at Anderson Area Medical Center. He is responsible for patient and staff pastoral counseling and educational programs for staff and area clergymen.

Prior to moving to Anderson, Dr. Claytor was dean of students at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C., from 1977 – 1983. From the early to mid 70's, he was the director of the Scholar -- Leadership Enrichment Program at the University of Oklahoma and an instructor for the Center for Studies in Higher Education. He was the associate dean of students at Berea College from 1970 – 72 and prior to that, he established the chaplain's program at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center during 1969 – 70. He began his career at Duke University where he served as hospital chaplain and divinity school instructor from 1960 – 68.

Dr. Claytor holds an associate in arts degree from Bluefield Junior College, a bachelor's degree from Berea College, an M. Div. in theology and a Th.M. in pastoral psychology from Duke University Divinity School. His Ph.D. is from the University of Oklahoma. He is board certified by the National Association for Professional Chaplains. He is board certified by the National Association for Professional Chaplains.

"As president of Tri-County Technical College, I believe the College is very fortunate to have a person of Dr. Claytor's stature and experience in higher education," said Dr. Don C. Garrison. "He has a track record of experience in many endeavors of service to people in our community," added Dr. Garrison.

"I've known Dr. Claytor for many years and hold him in high esteem," said Bob Sharpe, of Anderson, who serves as secretary of the College's Area Commission. "As chaplain, he has rendered valuable services to the patients at Anderson Area Medical Center, and he will be a great asset to Tri-County's board, faculty, staff and students," said Mr. Sharpe.

Dr. Claytor frequently serves as guest minister in area churches, conducts seminar for adults in district Methodist churches and conducts regular training for workshops for clergy in hospital ministry. He is a visiting professor at the Erskine Theological Seminary.

He is a member of the Anderson Rotary Club, where he has served as board member and program chair, the Alliance for Local Leadership, and is an executive committee member and former president of the S.C. Chaplain's Society of South Carolina Hospital Association.

He serves on the board of directors for the Anderson County Arts Council, the Traveler's Aid Society in Spartanburg and the Hospitals and Homes of the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is a former board member of the Literary Society of Anderson,

He is former president and board member of American Cancer Society (Anderson Chapter) and the Family Counseling Center of Anderson.

Professional affiliations include membership in Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, American College Personnel Association, the Southern College Personnel Association, the North Carolina College Personnel Association, and the Committee on Religion and Medicine of the South Carolina Medical Association.

Dr. Claytor and his wife, Joann, live in Anderson and have two adult children.

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