Dr. Oran Smith Inducted into The Order of the Palmetto

On June 5, at a luncheon in Columbia, Palmetto Promise Senior Fellow Dr. Oran Smith was honored by Governor Henry McMaster with the presentation of The Order of the Palmetto.

The Order of the Palmetto is considered the highest civilian honor in the State of South Carolina. It was first awarded in 1971 by Governor John C. West. It recognizes a person’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the State of South Carolina.

The award comes in the form of a certificate that, in part, reads:

In grateful recognition of your contributions and friendship to the State of South Carolina and her people. I do hereby confer unto you the Order of the Palmetto with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.

Members of Dr. Smith’s family, friends, staff of Palmetto Promise Institute, members of the Board of Trustees of Coastal Carolina University, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, and the Bible Class of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, were also present.

Wendy Damron, President of Palmetto Promise, served as Emcee. Former PPI President Ellen Weaver, State Superintendent of Education, delivered remarks and introduced Governor McMaster.