Lever Hall of Fame Class of 2015
Lifetimes of service earned seven South Carolinians induction into the Frank Lever County Extension Agent Hall of Fame at Clemson University.
Rowland P. Alston
Rowland P. Alston is a recognizable face to many South Carolinians, having developed, planned and hosted the award-winning television show “Making It Grow” on South Carolina ETV from 1993 to 2012. His commitment to South Carolina agriculture and Clemson Extension goes much deeper, however. A recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of South Carolina, Alston began his career with Clemson Extension in 1970 as assistant county agent in Clarendon County. He also worked as an Extension cotton agronomist (1972-1997); an area field crops agent in Clarendon County (1977-1980); the county Extension chairman for Kershaw County (1980-1981); and the county Extension director for Sumter County (1981-1993).
William H. "Bill" Craven, Jr.
William H. “Bill” Craven Jr. was a firm believer in farmer collaboration. While a county Extension agent in Saluda County from 1956 to 1971, he spearheaded the creation of farmer-owned and –operated cooperatives, such as Central Milk Producers, Saluda Artificial Breeding Cooperative, Ridge Mutual Ginnery and Ridge Farmers Mutual. Author of a weekly news column and host of a regular radio show, Craven long promoted agriculture in South Carolina and was a strong supporter of agriculture research at the Edisto Research and Education Center as well. Before his time in Saluda County, Craven was an assistant county agent in Edgefield County from 1953 to 1956. He continued his Extension career with the University of Georgia until 1989, hosting a regular television show that frequently featured agents and specialists from Clemson Extension.
Robert Calvin "Bob" Hubbard, Jr.
Through “the power of his personality and generosity of his spirit,” Hubbard became one of Clemson University’s most prolific and effective teachers. He began his career at Clemson when he joined Extension in 1942. From 1944 to 1961, he was a county agent in Bamberg. In 1961, he joined the agriculture communications department and was promoted to associate editor in 1964 and department head in 1965. In 1972, he became state director of training, where he served until his retirement in 1978.
Hubbard was cited as “prolific and energetic.” He won numerous awards, including the National County Agent Association Distinguished Service Award. His expertise spanned everything from crops and livestock to marketing and youth development. The award praises him as “a kind, patient and thoroughly dedicated professional.”
John W. "Bill" Riser
John William “Bill” Riser worked for Clemson Extension for more than three decades, from 1957 to 1989, at appointments in Aiken, Saluda and Richland counties, but his service to the citizens of South Carolina did not end there. He served in the S.C. House of Representatives for 11 years following his retirement from Clemson. Riser was instrumental in ensuring a bright future for South Carolina agriculture through his support of 4-H and the development of the Central Milk Producers Show and Sale Arena, as well as the creation of the Saluda County Cattleman’s Association, the Annual Feeder Calf Sales and the Saluda Fatstock Shows at Saluda Livestock Market. A tireless promoter of Clemson Extension and South Carolina agriculture, Riser also was a regular contributor to WIS TV and The State newspaper in Columbia.
John Thomas "Tommy" Walker
Widely known for his “endless energy and enthusiasm,” John Thomas "Tommy" Walker became an Extension assistant county agent in Bamberg in 1979. From 1979 to 1981, he was an area entomologist at Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) in Blackville. For the next 30 years, he worked at the Jasper County office in a variety of capacities as the agronomic row crop agent for Jasper and Hampton counties. He also cheerfully filled in when needed in Allendale and other counties. He helped South Carolina cotton growers cope with a rapidly changing landscape of insect management.
The front seat of his truck was his office away from the office. He was one of the original Certified Crop Advisors in South Carolina, receiving his certificate in 1999. He was named a Distinguished County Agent and was a popular speaker at agricultural events across the Southeast. Over the course of his career, Walker also became one of the most respected growers in South Carolina.
William D. "Billy" Witherspoon
William D. “Billy” Witherspoon’s positive impacts on Horry County and the greater Pee Dee region are still being felt. He began his career at Clemson in 1956 as a York County Extension agent. From 1957 to 1964, he served as a Dillon County Extension agent and was the county’s director in 1964-69. He then served as Horry County Extension director from 1969 to 1990. Following his retirement, he represented the citizens of Horry County for 16 years as a member of the S.C. House of Representatives, District 105, where he became chairman of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, a position he held until his second retirement in 2008.
Witherspoon won numerous awards, including being named to Clemson University’s Commemorative Scroll of Honor and Extension’s Distinguished Service Award. During his lifetime of service, he is known as one of Clemson’s finest advocates.
Wallace B. Wood
Wallace B. Wood began his career as an assistant county Extension agent in 1977. From 1979 to 1984, he was a McCormick County Extension associate leader. From 1984 to 1986, he was an Extension chairman associate in McCormick and then a chairman senior (1986-90) and director senior (1990-93). He became a senior agent for Abbeville, McCormick and Greenwood counties from 1993 to 2000. He finished his career as a distinguished county agent in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood and McCormick counties from 2000 to 2009.
Wood was honored as a “dedicated professional who truly cared about his work. Among his many accomplishments, he built a successful forestry program from scratch, as well as a variety of program for farmers, youth and homeowners.” He won numerous awards, including Extension Superior Performance Award, the National Association of County Extension Agents Distinguished Service Award and the South Carolina Tree Farmer of the Year.
