The 1959 Byrnes Scholars Comment

John David Monroe graduated from Clemson University.

Thomas W. Molair earned his degree in business administration from USC. He is a self-employed claims adjuster as the owner of his own company. He and Ruthie have two children, William and Allison.

Donna Allison Messerschmidt attended Emory University.

Jeannie McMillin VanWinkle has two children, David Emerson Wood and Elizabeth McMillan Farrar. Jeannie, a professor of pathology, earned her BA in chemistry at Converse College, graduating cum laude, and her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina. She was a Fulbright Fellow in Chemistry.She was awarded an honorary D.Sc. degree from Converse in 1986. Besides being a member of numerous professional organizations, Jeannie serves on the editorial boards of several scientific publications and on several national committees. She has published nearly one hundred articles on subjects in her field. She writes: "I am pleased to see that so many people have been helped. I have very pleasant memories of the Byrnes' home and all of the autographed photos of very famous people."

Katherine O. McCoy graduated from Lander College. She is a Grants Administrator with a major public university. She served as a Byrnes Scholars director 1974-81.

James W. Burns graduated from Furman University.

Owen Mitchel Martin Jr., earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and also earned his MS in management. He and his wife have two children, Steve and Kate.

Robert R. Mallard received his BA degree from the Citadel and his JD degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He and Ruthie have five children, Robert, Timothy, Scott, Sissy, and Patrick. Bobby is a retired family court judge who has been called back to "active duty." He served as Byrnes Scholars Director in 1965 and president in 1966. He was a Byrnes Foundation Director from 1973-94, serving as vice-president from 1988-94. He received the Jake Salley Award in 1985. The Mallards take a personal interest in the Charleston area Scholars, hosting the fall dinner each year. He is probably best known among the Scholars for his rendition of "On Top of Old Smoky" at the Super Weekend each spring.

Charles (Charlie) Grover Coble majored in agricultural engineering at Clemson. He earned both his MS and Ph.D. degrees at North Carolina State. He is a professor a major agricultural university. He and his wife, Sally, have two sons, Bradley and Todd. Charlie says, "My last contact with Governor Byrnes was at a luncheon and I do not remember which year. He was an excellent host and introduced the speaker. Many South Carolina politicians were in attendance. He spent most of his time talking with Scholars."

Jane Kinard Bourdon graduated from the University of Tennessee.

Thomas Hollingsworth received his BS in chemistry from Newberry College. He is vice-president of a major textile firm. He and his wife have four children, Barker, Martha, Ruth and Croft.

Jean Gasque Hilton graduated from Columbia College. She is an accounts analyst. She has one daughter.

Patricia Herlong Fralick received her BS in education from Winthrop. She has three children, Christy, Lisa and Rusty.

Beth George Wright graduated from Furman University with a BS in chemistry.

Lorraine Mahaffey Waterfall is a graduate of Converse College, earning her masters in speech pathology from USC. She and her husband, Gaillard, have two sons, Charles and Christopher. She is a speech and language pathologist.

Rebecca Wilburn Whelan graduated form Brenau College.

Elizabeth Weeks Whetsell graduated form the University of South Carolina.

Anne Swygert Shealy received her BA in education from Winthrop. She and her husband have a son, William.

James T. Rambo received his BS in accounting from Erskine College. He is plant controller for a major textile firm. He and Louise have a son, Jimmy, who is a college student. Jimmy served as Byrnes Scholars Director eight years and was president of the scholars organization in 1980-81. He was awarded the Jake Salley Alumni Service Award in 1988. He is a member of Gideons International and the Lions Club. Jimmy says: "When I received my scholarship in 1959, the scholarship winners spent a Saturday at the Byrnes home. This really impressed me. I will never forget that day."

Samuel Pinckney Purcell graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Linda Weathers Dudycha graduated from Columbia College.

Harry Waikart graduated from Furman University.

Sam C. Weigle earned his BS from USC and his M.D. from MUSC. He is an anesthesiologist. He and his wife, Linda, have two children, Samuel Jr., and Daniel.

Carolyn Wingate Neyman received her BA from the University of South Carolina.

Rebecca Morrell Roach graduated from Winthrop College with a BA in sociology and psychology. She recently retired from government service, having worked for the social security administration for 35 years. She received numerous awards for superior service. She has two sons, John and Daniel. She has three special memories of Gov. and Mrs. Byrnes: "(1) having lunch with Gov. and Mrs. Byrnes at their home; (2) corresponding with Gov. and Mrs. Byrnes; (3) attending several annual meetings of Byrnes Scholars when Gov. and Mrs. Byrnes were present."

Felicia Sloan Henry graduated from Winthrop College.

Nancy Norton Poston earned her BA in English from Francis Marion and her masters in social work from USC. She has four children, Ray, David, Elizabeth, and Robert. She and her husband, Jerry, are enjoying her recent semi-retirement. She is now working as a contract social worker. Nancy serves as secretary for the James F. Byrnes Foundation Board of Directors. She was awarded the Jake Salley Alumni Service Award in 1996. She says: "I remember the first time that I met Mom and Pop Byrnes and the shyness and awe that I felt in their presence. It wasn't long, though, before they put me at ease with their graciousness and warmth."

Judy Moseley Rougeau graduated from Columbia College and received her MS in education from California State University. She is a reading specialist and has been recognized numerous times for her work, including Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator. She is married to Paul Rougeau. She is grateful for the scholarship that made it possible for her to graduate from Columbia College, where she made many lasting friendships.

M. Franklin Scott graduated from Furman University.

Deceased: Mary Wheeler Davis.