Tri-County Honors the Late Ellison McKissick
By Naming Building in His Memory

CONTACT: DR. DON C. GARRISON, EXT. 646-1773

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/17/2002
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College honored the late Ellison S. (Bubby) McKissick, Jr., former chairman and president of Alice Manufacturing Company and one of the College's founders and longtime supporters, by naming a building in his memory.

The current home of the Textile Management Technology department is now known as The Ellison S. McKissick, Jr., South Carolina Textile Training Center.

E. Smyth McKissick, III, his son, and a representative from Alice Manufacturing Company, unveiled the dedication plaque at a naming ceremony on Thursday, October 17. Tri-County President Don Garrison, along with College Board Chairman Mendel Stewart, presented a resolution recognizing the late Mr. McKissick's service as charter member of the College's governing board, his commitment to textile education and his generous financial support.

Following the presentation, Senators Larry Martin and Marshall Parker, along with Mr. Childress, retired Alice Manufacturing vice president, made testimonial tributes to one of the State's most respected businessmen.

"I knew Ellison McKissick for 35 to 40 years, and I was always impressed with his ability to combine his vision with reality to accomplish things never before done," said former State Senator Marshall Parker, of Seneca. "An example is the way he was able to export textiles successfully and become a leader in the field.

"You always knew where he stood, and he was a true leader," said Senator Parker. "His vision was that training is the key to success of South Carolina's industrial development. He took care of the industry, and he loved his employees and was beloved by them.

"He gave over and over to this great institution. He was always a believer in the technical college mission and in helping to make Tri-County Technical College the people's college," said Senator Parker, who also serves on Tri-County's Foundation Board.

"Ellison McKissick was a great man whom we were fortunate to have among us."

Senator Larry Martin remembered his first conversation with Mr. McKissick – it was at one of the College's textile scholarship banquets held at the Clemson House in the late 70's. "I had the good fortune to be seated next to Bubby. He was in his prime in his business and his life. I knew him by reputation as the owner of Pickens County's largest business. He struck me as genuine, and he could talk about any subject."

One year later, Martin was serving in his first year as a House member and was assessing his career options. He sought Mr. McKissick's counsel about employment. "He offered me a job on the spot, and I accepted. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made," said Senator Martin, who is the safety director at Alice Manufacturing.

"He also believed in education and reinvested in people. And he was generous. He believed in education and the difference it makes in our quality of life. He knew a well-trained workforce is essential to grow and to prosper and to remain competitive," said Senator Martin.

Since 1973, Alice Manufacturing Company has sponsored scholarships for Textile Management students and demonstrated a commitment to the training of textile technicians for Upstate South Carolina in numerous ways.

"Alice Manufacturing Company scholarships have financed the education of deserving students who otherwise might have been unable to attend college," said Dr. Garrison.

Ben Childress, of Easley, a member of the Area Commission and retired vice president at Alice, remembered during the 1950's and 60's when few supervisors had a college education. "Twenty-five years later, 75 percent of Alice associates have gone to college, and many attended Tri-County, he said. "Many couldn't afford college but wanted to go. Alice funded the first five scholarships for program. These first-time recipients now have children who are teachers, lawyers, and doctors. These scholarships represent more than money. Opportunity changes the lives of these men, women, and their families."

Mr. McKissick was a member of the Steering Committee that recommended the founding and selected the site for the College, and he served as chairman of the College's first Building Committee.

"From its inception in 1961, Ellison McKissick was a driving force in the founding and nurturing of the State Tech System that has become a model for the United States," said Dr. Garrison.

"With the leadership of then-Governor Fritz Hollings, chambers of commerce executives joined leaders in the manufacturing arena, like Mr. McKissick, across the state and urged the General Assembly to act expeditiously on the measure to create the Tech System. As a result, the landmark legislation breezed through the General Assembly in record time, and Mr. McKissick was at the forefront of making this happen," said Dr. Garrison.

"When I arrived at Tri-County back in 1971, knowing the importance of establishing and building a close partnership with industrial executives, I soon called on Mr. McKissick," Dr. Garrison remembered. "I made this call early in 1972 when we initiated the planning to establish the associate degree program in textile management. That first meeting with him began a wonderful personal friendship and partnership that continued to grow until his passing. This partnership also fostered a great partnership between Alice Manufacturing Company and Tri-County that continues to grow even stronger to this day. No doubt Alice Manufacturing is one of the very strongest of the many manufacturing corporation partnerships we enjoy today."

Smyth McKissick expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the crowd for attending the naming ceremony.

"If my father were here, he would be the first to congratulate you on your 40-year history as an outstanding technical college. Tri-County has contributed more than you will ever know to the success of Alice and our associates in being the best they can be. We are blessed with leaders who understand that to be a strong state and nation, we must have a strong manufacturing base."
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