Jairy Hunter, left, with Sen. Chip Campsen
Charleston Southern University president Jairy Hunter was awarded the Order of the Palmetto on Sept. 9.
The presentation came as a surprise to the CSU president and was delivered by state Sen. Chip Campsen moments before Hunter’s address to faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends at the first convocation of the 2009-2010 academic year.
“I was completely surprised,” said Hunter after the event. “It’s one of the highest honors of my career.”
The Order of the Palmetto is considered the highest civilian honor in the state. It recognizes a person’s lifetime achievements and contributions to South Carolina.
John Hamrick, founding president of the Baptist College of Charleston, as Charleston Southern University was first known, received the award in 1992.