Cougars in the House

A Crowd gathered in the lobby of the S.C. State House. The large doors opened and the sergeant-at-arms, brandishing the S.C. Sword of the Senate, led dignitaries from one end of the lobby to the other for a rare joint session. There in the shadow of a full-size statue of John C. Calhoun, a sense of grand formality hung in the air. Some of the state’s top powerbrokers – 46 senators in all – smiled, waved and pointed in recognition to the crowd of onlookers, a group of lobbyists, lawyers, schoolchildren and tourists.

It was a dignified moment, the stuff of history books. And then following the last senator and the security detail, Clyde the Cougar – a shot of color in a parade of government gray – danced his way across the carpeted path, like a court jester following a king’s procession to the throne.

Smart phones and digital cameras were whipped out as Clyde shimmied and jiggled to music heard only by him. But one thing was for sure, the Cougars were in the house.

As President Glenn McConnell ’69 knows, the General Assembly plays a critical role in the business of the College. And the former longtime senator and lieutenant governor does not want his alma mater to fall prey to the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” mentality that can hinder state lawmakers when looking at the higher-education landscape.

This year marked the first “College of Charleston Day” at the S.C. State House, with academic deans, top professors, trustees, alumni and College staff setting up information tables and booths to highlight some of the College’s programs as well as the College’s impact on the state. It also provided an opportunity for legislators in both the House and the Senate to recognize the many accomplishments of the institution, with the College community seated in the gallery.

“This was an important day for us,” notes Shirley Hinson ’92, director of government relations. “We are a small university in the grand scheme of things. And in higher education, competition is fierce. We’re all fighting for the same dollars. And being here allows us to have that conversation and talk about the issues legislators want to know about – like our degree programs, our student experience and the jobs awaiting our graduates.

“But for me,” Hinson laughs, “the true highlight was Clyde the Cougar. Somehow, Clyde just tied it all together.”

– Photo by Kip Bulwinkle ’04