Leaders in business, education, and politics visit campus to speak about issues facing the world today. You’re welcome to learn from the distinguished leaders who speak on campus.
Signature Events
Signature Events
Business
Annual BB&T Lecture
The annual Annual BB&T Lecture is part of the Department of Economics and Business Administration’s program for the study of capitalism. Sponsored by the BB&T Foundation, the series exposes PC students and members of the public to ideas on free-market economics. Speakers have included Wall Street Journal reporters, think-tank supporters, and other academicians.
Robert M. Vance Lecture Series on Business Ethics
High-profile leaders in the business world speak about how to run a successful business that maintains a moral code in which employees can take pride and use as a guide for day-to-day activities. The late Robert M. Vance considered ethics, honesty and integrity to be extremely important. He lived these qualities as a business leader in Clinton, S.C. Funded by the Bailey Foundation, this program is a tribute to the late businessman’s legacy and his numerous contributions to the Clinton community. The speakers, CEOs and other top managers address business ethics as the overall theme.
2024 Robert M. Vance Lecture Series Speaker: Steve Smith '84
The Robert M. Vance Lecture Series will take place on Tuesday, September 10 in Edmunds Hall at 7:00 p.m. This year’s lecture series speaker will be Steve Smith ’84, the President & CEO of Swagelok North Carolina/East Tennessee.
The Robert M. Vance Lecture Series in Business Ethics is funded by a generous gift from The Bailey Foundation and is named after the late Clinton, S.C. businessman.
Robert M. Vance considered ethics, honesty and integrity to be extremely important and lived these qualities as a business leader in Clinton, S.C. The Robert M. Vance Lecture Series in Business Ethics serves as an opportunity for business leaders to speak with PC students about how to run a successful business that maintains a moral code in which employees can take pride and use as a guide for day-to-day activities.
The program is a tribute to Mr. Vance’s legacy and his numerous contributions to the Clinton community. Each year, CEOs, presidents and other top managers address the topic of business ethics.
Past Speakers
- Steve Smith ’84, the President & CEO of Swagelok North Carolina/East Tennessee
- Norman Scarborough, Former South Carolina Professor of the Year and Director of the Technical Analyst Department at the S.C. Public Service Commission.
- Mr. Charles Brewer, the founder of MindSpring Enterprises, Green Street Properties, and Las Catalinas resort Town, Costa Rica.
- Robin Boren ’97, Southern Company Vice President
- Chad Prashad ’02, president and CEO of World Acceptance Corporation
- Retired Brigadier General E. Eric Porter, United States Army
- Pete Selleck, Former President and CEO of Michelin North America
- William Barnet III, CEO of Barnet Development Company and former mayor of Spartanburg
- John Allison, Chairman and CEO, BB&T
- Walter Alessandrini, Former South Carolina Entrepreneur of the Year
- Mike Baur, CEO, ScanSource
- Bert Gall, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice
- Bob McCoy, former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wachovia
- Jim Micali, Chairman and CEO, Michelin NA
- Danny Morrison, President, Carolina Panthers
- Jim Rosenberg, President and CEO, Burroughs and Chapin
- Jim Samples, President, HGTV
- Minor Shaw, Chair of The Daniel-Mickel Foundation
Society for the Advancement of Management Speaker Series
Professionals from the business world visit campus in the fall and spring to talk to students and the community about what it’s like to work in their industries. This series includes speakers from local, state and regional business communities. Speakers have included realtors, media executives, financial advisers, restaurant owners, as well as professionals from business, insurance, sales, marketing, law and more.
Education
Charles Chadwell Special Education Institute
The Charles H. Chadwell Endowment for Special Education was established at PC in 1984 by Francis E. Cothran and his wife, Jean Syminton Cothran. Part of the endowment provides seminars, lectures, and workshops led by recognized authorities in fields related to special education. These events promote a better understanding of the circumstances faced by individuals with disabilities and their families. The events are intended for teachers and require registration.
Political Science
Samuel Calvin Waters Lecture Series in Political Science
In this annual series, notable political scholars and practitioners help to enrich the academic experience for PC students as well as engage members of the local community. Samuel C. Waters, a graduate of PC and the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, established the series to highlight the value and relevance of the study of politics and contemporary issues.
2025 Speaker
Creighton Waters
Chief Attorney for the State Grand Jury section of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office
March 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Edmunds Hall