Retired businessman Lumus Byrd of Clinton is this year’s Honorary Alumnus. 

A Clinton native and S.C. State University graduate, Byrd is a tireless champion for his community and a longtime supporter of PC. 

He is the former winner of the Martha Anne Green Service to Church and College Award, a member of the advisory board that helped launch the PC School of Pharmacy, a provost search committee, and a former chair of the PC Board of Visitors. He has been a frequent member of the Scotsman Club and is frequently seen on campus at various events. 

Byrd began his professional career as an educator, teaching chemistry, physical science, and biology at Burke High School in Charleston. In 1969, he joined the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company as a sales representative and was promoted to district sales manager in Oakland, Calif.

In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles as director of sales for Greyhound Lines Inc. In 1978, he was promoted to director of marketing and sales with the parent company, the Greyhound Corp., in Phoenix, Ariz. He left the company in 1985 to become vice president and general manager of the Willie Davis Distributing Co. in L.A.

Byrd founded Byrd Enterprises Inc. in California in 1988. The company acquired T&T Iron Works soon after with Byrd as chairman and chief executive officer. He divested the company in 1992, retired, and returned to his hometown to become one its most active civic leaders. 

In addition to his service to PC, Byrd has served on the District Appeal Board for the U.S. Selective Service System, and as member of the executive council for the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  He is also currently serving the Laurens County Community Foundation as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.