The Donald S. Russell Lectureship will honor the man who was USC’s president from 1952 through 1957, and who went on to become Governor of South Carolina, United States Senator, and both United States Circuit and District Judge. It will allow the library to sponsor presentations by renowned speakers and scholars through South Carolina Political Collections, thus enriching the academic life for countless students, faculty, and citizens. The Honorable Donald S. Russell was responsible for moving the University of South Carolina along a path of enormous success that is recognized to this day. The Class of 1956 pays tribute to former USC President Russell by ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are provided with opportunities to learn from an array of noted guest lecturers.

More information about South Carolina Political Collections can be found by clicking http://www.sc.edu/library/scpc.

Bernard Baruch leads Dr. Havilah Babcock’s "I Want a Word" class in a song.

The Class of 1956 will officially be recognized when the library’s two new wings are completed in 2008. The two wings to be added to either side of the Thomas Cooper Library will total 72,000 square feet of new library space. The west wing will house Rare Books & Special Collections and the east wing will provide the first permanent home for the South Carolina Political Collections. These new wings will provide enhanced facilities for researchers such as reading and research areas, climate-controlled storage areas for books, manuscripts, and framed materials, enlarged and improved exhibit galleries, dedicated space for teaching and public programs with smart classroom technology and a digitization center.

Make your secure online gift today at the University Libraries Gift Online site http://www.sc.edu/library/develop/donate.html.

Mary Alice Winkles interviews Mrs. Donald Russell in the President’s House garden.

For more information about your class gift, contact Lola Mauer, Director of Annual Giving at 803-777-4092 or lmauer@gwm.sc.edu. You may also reach the office of Annual Giving at 1600 Hampton St., 7th floor Columbia, SC 29208.

The Class of 1956 reunion took place during Homecoming 2006.

Class of 1956 Yearbook - Now Available Online

Class of 1956: The University of South Carolina yearbook has been digitized, so it can now be viewed online. Click http://www.sc.edu/library/digital/collections/GB1956.pdf to view the yearbook from 1956. Thank you to the Thomas Cooper Library staff for adapting the yearbook to this format.