Joint projects between Lander and the Historical Preservation Site

DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS (LEFT) WITH DR. LARRY JACKSON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF LANDER COLLEGE

LANDER NAMES FIRST RECIPIENT OF

DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS ENDOWED CHAIR

By Eric Lawson

LANDER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF HISTORY KEVIN WITHERSPOON HAS BEEN NAMED THE INAUGURAL HOLDER OF THE DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS ENDOWED CHAIR.

With his selection, Witherspoon will teach a newly-created course on Mays and the evolution of civil rights in the United States each academic year. Witherspoon will also coordinate special events that celebrate the many contributions Mays made through joint projects between Lander and the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site in Greenwood, including opportunities for Lander students through internships and research.

The Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Endowed Chair was created in 2020 through a gift to The Lander Foundation from Doug and Sally Kauffmann. Doug is the former chair of The Lander Foundation board of directors and Sally is a 1975 alumna. The Kauffmanns’ gift created the second-ever endowed chair at Lander University and the first in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Mike Worley, Executive Director of The Lander Foundation, said, “Their transformative gift will help continue the work of Mays in the Greenwood region, South Carolina and beyond. The Kauffmanns’ investment in this Chair is a direct reflection of their commitment to elevating the important intersection of higher education with social justice issues.” more about Mays after attending a 2017 panel discussion at Lander on Mays’s life that was co-sponsored by the Mays Site. “That event ignited an interest within us about Dr. Mays,” explained Doug. “He’s so undervalued in spite of his contributions, and in my mind, he’s the greatest person the state of South Carolina has ever produced. Through his personal work ethic, character and drive, he achieved the American dream.”

Witherspoon explains, “Dr. Mays, who has been called the ‘Schoolmaster of the Civil Rights Movement’ for his mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other civil rights leaders, represents the very best that higher education has to offer: courage, wisdom, academic rigor and a ceaseless drive for equality and fairness. As

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Endowed Chair

much as one can, I aspire to follow the example he set for all of us.” He added, “In that tradition, I am humbled and honored to have been named the inaugural holder of the Mays Endowed Chair and deeply grateful to the donors who made it possible.”

Mays was born in Greenwood County in 1894. The son of former slaves, his childhood was touched by acts of racial violence and forced segregation in the American South. Having witnessed angry mobs and lynchings, Mays realized that he wanted something better and developed an insatiable desire to get an education. Angering his father by leaving the farm, Mays headed to attend Bates College in Maine and later earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago. Mays would go on to serve as president of Morehouse College for 28 years, where he became a

mentor and close friend to King. He delivered King’s final eulogy following the civil rights leader’s assassination in 1968. Mays was a frequent speaker on civil rights and equality and served as an adviser to U.S. presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Carter. C

In 1974, then-Lander College presented an honorary Y Doctor of Humanities degree to Mays. “Dr. Mays was greatly honored to have Dr. Larry Jackson (President of Lander College) bestow the Doctor of Humanities degree upon him. To Dr. Mays, it was like a commemoration that his life had come full circle. It was a confirmation that his life and efforts were not in vain,” said Chris Thomas, director of the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site.

“Dr. Witherspoon joined the Lander faculty in 2006 and continues to provide excellence in teaching, research, and service to the university,” said Dr. Scott Jones, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lander. “His expertise in the history of the 20th century and publications that tie to the topics of race and civil rights enable him to teach a course on Dr. Mays, and he has a record of coordinating high-quality programs for our campus and local community. Dr. Witherspoon has already built a strong relationship with the Mays Site, work that began when he led a U.S. Department of Education multi-year grant for enhancing the teaching of American history to teachers across the Lakelands. Dr. Witherspoon is prepared to fulfill the donors’ wishes to bring more attention to Benjamin Mays, and Lander is excited to draw our collective attention to this educator and role model.”

M

CM MY CY CMY K

Beautifully Restored Historic Train in Greenwood, SC

Open Every Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

for tours from May 15 – September 25

From the 1906 Baldwin Steam Engine to the 1914 Executive ‘Carolina’ car, you will see some of the most beautiful train restorations in the Southeast, including 3 of the existing 4 cars from the old P&N Railway! Plus, Pullman Passenger and Sleeper cars, and the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car #746. Call for a private tour for any day but Sunday.

LANDER UNIVERSITY INAUGARAL CLASS, SPRING 2021

AS THE INAUGURAL HOLDER of the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Endowed Chair at Lander University, Professor of History Kevin Witherspoon will teach a newly-created course on Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and the evolution of civil rights in the United States each academic year. The inaugural course was taught during the spring semester of 2021. The student testimonials and reflections from this course give us insight to civil rights for the next generation.

STUDENT HIST 250 CIVIL RIGHTS AND BENJAMIN MAYS

MACKENZIE HOUSEAL

I took this course because as an African American I think it is very important to know my background. I did not want to sit around and be clueless to history and I felt like this course would help add to what I already know. I have attended a previous Race and Identity Dialogue session before and gained some knowledge on Dr. Benjamin E. Mays whom I had never heard about prior to joining the session. The background knowledge that I learned and brought to class was that he was from Greenwood, South Carolina and he taught Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was not much prior knowledge. I just especially remember him being from Greenwood. There are many aspects of his life that have made strong impressions on me. He was the youngest of eight children and they lived in a decent sized house. He interrupted his graduate studies multiple times to accept teaching jobs, including one at Morehouse College, and positions with the National Urban League and the YMCA, but he always returned to his chosen course, earning his master’s degree in 1925 and his doctorate in 1935. During these years, he was also ordained into the Baptist ministry. He never gave up he always continued he was too far ahead. He was a model for one of his Morehouse students, Martin Luther King, Jr and did the eulogy at Dr. King’s funeral. He even knew President John F. Kennedy and was saddened by his assassination. That made him write the letter to Dr. King which really spoke volumes. The lessons that can be applied in today’s society is determination no matter how hard life is if you just keep trying you will succeed. I will apply this into my own life as well as just be you.

HERBERT FOSTER

I took this course because I always wanted to take an African-American history course and this was the first year this course was offered on campus. The only background knowledge I had of Dr. Mays was he was a Greenwood native and an important figure in black history, I didn’t know what for yet. These past few weeks I have learned a lot about Dr. Mays but one aspect of his life that made an impression on me was his never ending fight. From the time Dr. Mays was born until the time he died he fought to learn, live, and be free. He overcame his educational back track, he overcame racism in the south, and he helped changed a whole nation. A lesson we can apply to our own lives from Dr. Mays is to never give up even after being denied or told you can’t, find a way or make a way. I plan on using this lesson throughout my adulthood.

TESTIMONIALS & REFLECTIONS

ANTHONY BOWERS

Dr. Mays overcoming so many obstacles and achieving the great things that he did made a very strong impression on me. Seeing the conditions that he was born into at the Mays Site made me realize just how hard he had to work to get an education. I think that seeing the challenges that Dr. Mays faced puts our own struggles into perspective. It makes me incredibly grateful that I was able to get a good educational foundation. The story of Dr. Mays also shows how important it is to encourage people to accomplish things that they may not think that they can accomplish.

JANAE JACKSON CHRISTOPHER COPPINGER

I have gained a more dynamic perspective of the Civil Rights Movement and all of its working parts. A lot happened behind the scenes that I had no idea about, such as Dr. Benjamin E. Mays himself. Learning about Dr. Mays has humbled me in a way that made me realize I do not know everything because, before this class, I thought I knew a significant amount of the content on the Civil Rights Movement. My view has most certainly changed, as my knowledge has expanded. I would tell other students interested in this class to take it; it is a life-changing experience.

ZANIYAH LEVELL

Last semester I attended a Race and Identity Dialogue talk and the topic was Dr. Benjamin E Mays and his life’s work. I found the conversation very intriguing and when I heard about the new history class that was coming I was excited to sign up. I knew that he had made an impact on the people who were the face of the Civil Rights Movement but we had never learned his name. And like so many other black scholars he was a hidden figure that our History textbooks left out. Also knowing that he was originally from the Greenwood area was super cool because he is the definition of a Hometown Hero which just made me want to learn more about him. I believe that this class is very important right now and unfortunately relevant. I believe systematic racism exists so strongly in America because influential black figures like Dr. Mays are never spoken of or talked about. History education in America all too often treats black Americans like a footnote in our history rather than truly part of it. Far too many teachers jump from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement without discussing any black figures who rose up in the decades in between. Fredrick Douglass to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and no one in between. That is what is so great about Mays’ story though, his life is that time in-between.

Taking the History 250 course has allowed me to gain knowledge on things that I was truly unaware about. To begin, I came into this class with no idea of who Dr. Benjamin E. Mays was. I so far have confronted my ignorance of this great man and applied his own teachings to my life. Dr. Mays’s biography has given me such an influence on the importance of education and how to help within the community as we face these tragic forms of racism. Being able to see an African American man with such great power and high intelligence strive during a time of so much pain and humiliation. If I were to give any insight of this class to other students, I would say to anyone interested in taking this course, it would definitely be a great investment of your time. This class allows you to be opinionated and get involved with classmates as well as the professor.

The most important thing I have learned about this class is even though a person isn’t mentioned doesn’t mean they don’t have a huge impact on history. My understanding and appreciation of others was definitely increased because I got to learn about a new impactful person who made a big difference in the society. I would tell other students that if they want to learn about a new person and only focus on one person in history, I will definitely tell them to take this class because you will learn so much from it. Benjamin Mays was a proud man who only wanted a chance to live equally in freedom and make the world a better place. His God-given perseverance and patience impressed me most. He was very wise in that he knew he could not change the world by himself. Thus, he mentored and encouraged many who could and did help. Andrew Young commented that there would have been no Martin Luther King without a Benjamin Mays. I took this course so that I can further my understanding, and education on civil rights. I want to learn more on civil rights so that I can use it in my future career as a lawyer. I did not have any back ground information on Dr. Mays and his life. I have learned that Dr. Mays has a very long lasting reputation and that he has done a great amount of work in the area of civil rights. I learned that he kept his head high even when dealing with Ku Klux Klan members. We can apply his courage and wisdom to our everyday lives.

GRACE MCMURTURY

What I have gained from taking this class is perspective. We learn about Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in school but other than them and Rosa Parks - we learn about no one else. It was great to hear about another civil rights leader as well as someone from Greenwood who has personal experience and firsthand knowledge what the south is really like. Not to mention someone who recognizes that the progress made was not much to be celebrated.

SHERNESSA GUYTON

I decided to take the Civil Rights/Benjamin Mays Legacy course because I was never offered a class where Civil Rights was the main focus. I was taught by my grandfather the basics of the Civil Rights Movement, but I wanted to dig deeper. I also feel that as an African American woman, I should know the history of what my ancestors faced. The bonus of this class was learning about the wonderful Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Before I enrolled into this class, I had no knowledge on Benjamin Mays. I have learned so much from Dr. Mays. Which I love how he is still teaching even while he is at rest. What I take from Dr. Mays is to keep fighting. Even though people are going try to get you down and do not want to see you successful keep fighting. The best way to fight back is to be exactly what those people do not want you to be, just prove them wrong. One thing that touched my heart was Dr. Mays putting himself first when getting his education. Dr. Mays went to college and that makes me think of how much a privilege it is to be in college now. Leaders like Dr. Mays paved the way for African Americans to be able to go to college. He proved that if he could get through that other African American children can to. Yes, it will take hard work and it won’t be easy, but it is possible. Dr. Mays showed me his confidence, faith, and integrity when reading his book. My biggest lesson learned from Dr. Mays is that all things are possible and to not let anyone change your mind. I am so glad that I decided to take this course.

ROSE WHITE

This class has been very impactful on how I view the Civil Rights Era. From what I was taught in public schooling, there was only two civil rights leaders mentioned. Most people went into exuberant amounts of information about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., considering how short this unit typically is. The other leader that is mentioned briefly is Malcolm X. Little is explained about Malcolm X other than he was violent in the beginning and while he had the same goal as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. he took a very different approach over all on how to gain rights for all races. This class expanded my view upon the Civil Rights Era and those that lead it. It not only introduced Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, it also introduced several other prominent members of the Civil Rights Movement.

One aspect that left a strong impression on me is actual when his father didn’t want him to go to school to get an education. I find that to be powerful because of what Dr. Mays did after when he did decide to go to school and accomplish huge things in his life. But it also showed that maybe his father was afraid because he knew that his son was heading down a path that could get him hurt or worse. As a parent, he knew that this is what his son wanted but was afraid for his wellbeing. I think his father would be proud of him. Another aspect is what he was able to achieve in his life. Becoming president of Morehouse, mentoring a young leader in Dr. King, and having 50 plus degrees is one heck of a feat. That is something that demands respect because it takes a lot to do that during that time. When entering the class the knowledge I had of Dr. Mays was the extent of a street sign in Greenwood. Being from Greenwood I had knowledge of the Greenwood, Ninety Six and Epworth area, and of course I had knowledge on the Civil Rights Movement. I literally went into the course blind; but I am glad that I did. I have already learned so much about Dr. Mays. Being a Greenwood native I was ashamed that I was unaware of Dr. Mays and the legacy he had created. The admiration of Dr. Mays for learning is incredible. He continued to strive past his presumed future to accomplish his goals that others thought to be far-fetched. Dr. Mays’s desire for further education inspires me. From reading Born to Rebel and visiting the Mays Site, I have learned a lesson that I can apply to my daily life. Dr. Mays’s ability to keep silent when needed was admirable. His eagerness to fight through all the obstacles that could have prevented his success, taught me that I (with far less issues) can too reach my goal.

JAQUAN RAGIN

I learned a numerous amount of things while taking this class. Without taking this class I wouldn’t even know who Dr. Benjamin E. Mays was. Throughout my first 12 years of school I never even learned about Dr. Mays it was always slavery, civil rights, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every single time in the same order. So actually my first time hearing about Dr. Mays was actually when I signed up for the class last semester and I was always interested in black history. I always wanted to know more than just the same programmed basics that the education system teaches us because there is more to it than just slavery, civil rights, and Dr. King.

ANTHONY STEWART

The most important things I’ve gained taking this course is learning how much Dr. Mays did for America. I know how much Dr. Mays had such a big impacted on MLK. I learned that the sign I passed leaving school and coming to school has a bigger meaning to it than just a regular old sign. Learning about Dr. Mays has made me think a little harder about my roots and ancestor. I took this class trying to learn more about the Civil Rights movement a how blacks in America were treated but I learned way more than I thought I was. I find my understanding for others very much. I would tell other students that if you’re thinking about taking this course then take it and educate yourself on someone that has really represent our state very well. I would tell students come to class open minded and you must keep up with your reading or you will get lost in the wonderful life of Dr. Mays.

KATLYN FOSSETT

There are two lessons by Mays that I think society would benefit from applying, and that I would benefit from applying. Those two lessons came in the form of quotes by Mays. Benjamin E. Mays once said, “We make our living by what we get. We make our life by what we give”. This is saying that you make a living by earning money, but to truly live a life you must give. Life is not just about receiving, but also giving. Mays also has another quote that says, “The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency, not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little, not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities”. Sometimes, we are too afraid to strive for greatness, because we don’t think we are capable of it, and according to Mays, that’s how true failure occurs.

Meadors, Inc is a Charleston based company, off ering a diverse range of services through our six workshops Architecture & Interior Design, Construc� on, Conserva� on & Preserva� on Planning, Cabinetry & Millwork, Maintenanace & EstateManagement and Design Services.

Our success is founded in a sincere interest and understanding of the history, goals and future ambi� ons of our clients and colleagues and through our partnerships and projects with them. We commit to a wholesome all-rounded approach to projects that encompass more than the skills required to complete them. No ma� er the exper� se required, people and communi� es, rela� onships, hearts, souls and experiences are the founda� on of our work.

We were drawn to, and are excited to be part of the team on the Dr. Benjamin Mays project for all the reasons above. It is a project that honors the life of an extraordinary American and will be a wonderful resource for the community and visitors alike. We would like to thank the community for the trust you have given us and the warmth with which we have been embraced.

Thank you to our colleagues and partners for their shared vision and collabora� ve work on this project.

For access to our project narra� ve scan the QR code.

Follow our workshops on Instagram: @meadorsinc @meadorsconserva� on @meadorsmillwork

www.meadorsinc.com Offi ce: 843 723 8585

INTERNATIONAL CHAPEL COLLOQUIUM OF SCHOLARS

RECOGNIZED FOR DEVELOPING THE MAYS SITE & TEACHING AND PRESERVING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS

The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel is the world’s most prominent religious memorial to Dr. King and the home of many of their signature events, cherished history, and honored traditions.

DR. JOSEPH PATTON & CHRIS THOMAS LOY SARTIN

The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel is a beacon for Morehouse College students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others who seek to realize King’s dream of the Beloved World Economic Community and Howard Thurman’s guidance on the religion of Jesus. Through their transformative, moral cosmopolitan programs, they teach these seekers King’s and Thurman’s evolutionary values of cosmopolitan spiritual ethics, nonviolence, service, and harmony, and encourage all to apply them in every aspect of their lives. Inspired by the possibility of the Beloved World Economic Community as the ethical meaning of the Presence of God, these seekers go forth as transforming nonviolent ambassadors of peace to reveal and co-create a sustainable world in which all people embody their spiritual magnificence by living unconditional love and responsibility with justice.

The Chapel conducts multiple program to sustain and fulfill its mission. The Chapel Assistants program, WorldHouse Wednesdays, Thurman Thursdays, the Sandy F. Ray Preaching Lab, the Seminary Swing, the Vesper Hour, and the College of Ministers and Laity. The College of Ministers and Laity is the Chapel’s signature program. This program attracts some of the brightest minds across disciplines to engage in dialogue, learning, and growing. The College of Ministers and Laity is unique in its juxtaposition of servanthood, scholarship, and leadership as requirements for ministry – whether that ministry is performed through formal religion or any other endeavor.

THIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROVIDES A CREATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CLERGY AND LAITY FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, DISTINCT FAITH TRADITIONS, AND DIFFERENT GENERATIONS COME TOGETHER AS STUDENTS OF DR. KING’S PHILOSOPHIES AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES.

During this annual conference the Chapel inducts members into the distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Board of Preachers and Colloquium of Scholars. The Board of Preachers and Colloquium of Scholars is comprised of ordained clergy from the Christian tradition, as well as faith leaders, such as rabbis, imams, priests, ministers, educators, and scholars. The former CEO of the GLEAMNS Human Resource Commission, Dr. Joseph Patton, and the succession of Directors at the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site, Loy Sartin and Chris Thomas, were all inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Colloquium of Scholars for their work in developing the Mays Site and teaching and preserving the life and legacy of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, the mentor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Loy Sartin was induced in 2011 at the 26th annual conference, and Dr. Joseph Patton and Chris Thomas were induced in 2018 at the 33th annual conference.