Harvey Peeler

Good things happen to me on August 8^th.  August 8, 1969 – Donna and I were married.  Today is our 40^th wedding anniversary.  August 8, 1970, 39 years ago today, I graduated from Clemson University.  Today, August 8, 2009 – I am receiving this most prestigious degree.  I am honored and humbled beyond words.

Members of the Board of Trustees, President Barker, Distinguished Faculty, Graduates, Guests,  – and Donna and our children, Brantlee, Smith and Boone –  Thank you.  Thank you for the honor and thank you for allowing me a very few minutes to speak with the new graduates.

Clemson University will always have my support as long as I am in the State Senate because Clemson University is one of South Carolina’s greatest assets.  It produces and molds unmatched economic potential — YOU!

We are counting on you to use what you have learned here — and be the solution to our State’s and our Nation’s problems.

Let me give you a couple of reasons we are counting on you.

First — the automobile industry.  The automotive industry of Michigan is dying because of new innovations from other countries.  In the 1970’s, we suffered because we did not change.  We did not adapt.  It was the same as it always had been.  Bigger cars and bigger gas tanks.  Foreign automakers beat us to the punch then and they have been out front lately.  But now we are working to reverse that trend right here at Clemson University with ICAR.

To be able to affect economic change, we all need to bring something to the table.  With Clemson University, the State of South Carolina and private industry working together –  we now have a genuine economic engine that is bringing jobs to the upstate.  It is also building for the future.

I do not have to tell you that engineering is not the easiest major.  But the ICAR program is so popular that the number of students who want to be a part of the cutting edge far outweigh the space available.  You see – these students — and others like them across the country — are eager to learn.  It is that new knowledge – the products of their imagination – and their hard work which will put American back on top.

Now for a personal reason we are counting on you.

H. Smith Peeler feared no man and very few animals.  A member of our Greatest Generation, he was a military policeman – an MP.  I think Mama and the military shaped his personality as much as anything.

If you asked him, he would give you the shirt off of his back — but if he caught you trying to steal gas out of one of his milk trucks, he would shoot you!

Smith Peeler owned and operated a small dairy in Gaffney.  The dairy was responsible for milk – from the cow to the consumer.  He enjoyed competing with the “big boys” and winning.

He liked everyone he met, but he was partial to the ones who could work with their head and their hands — at the same time.

He could fix anything.  I think if he had enough baling wire he could mend a broken heart.

He was admired for his sense of humor and his sense of fair play.

His advice was sought by Presidents and paper boys.

He could preach you a sermon just by looking at you.

Smith and Sally Peeler raised four Clemson graduates.  I am the oldest.  Twins, Bill and Bob.  Twins?  God figured it would take two to compete with me!  And a daughter, Susan.

Bob –  former two-term South Carolina Lieutenant Governor and current Clemson Board Member.

Bill  –  former Chairman of the Board of Deacons at the Gaffney First Baptist Church and a current member of the Board River Electric Co-Op Board of Directors.  By the way, — to our daddy, Lieutenant Governor and Senator paled in comparison to being elected to the Electric Co-Op Board.

Susan –  two high callings in South Carolina are Mother and Classroom Teacher.  My sister is both.

As my friend and confidant, Nicky McCarter would say –  Smith Peeler was an over-achiever.  Some of you are thinking, “this man had it ‘going on’”.  And you would be right.  But there is one thing he did not have.  Smith Peeler did not have what you are about to receive –  a college degree.

Even so, he recognized and understood that if his children and his grandchildren were going to compete in a growing global marketplace — they needed to be better prepared.  And for him — furthering his children’s and his grandchildren’s education became a top priority.

You have earned this degree — with all of its rights and privileges.  By accepting this diploma, you are also accepting a responsibility.  You are responsible for making this a value-added product.  You are responsible for keeping this piece of paper so valuable that some great men die wishing that they had it in their possession.

So I ask you, my fellow Tigers — will you increase its value?