Encyclopedia

McDuffie gained national attention during the nullification crisis. He believed nullification to be a legitimate extraconstitutional measure with secession as its logical conclusion. His fiery speeches in support of nullification, and their appeal among South Carolina voters, may have forced Calhoun to realize that his state and many of its politicians were more radical on the issue than he was.

In 1960 the air installation was briefly renamed the Congaree Air National Guard Base, but on October 16, 1961, its name was changed to McEntire Air National Guard Base to honor Brigadier General Barnie B. McEntire, the South Carolina Air National Guard’s first commander, who had been killed in an air accident in May 1961.

McGowan’s commitment to education was reflected in her other activities in public life. She became involved with the Commission on Interracial Cooperation in 1922 and served as chair of the commission’s South Carolina chapter through much of the 1920s and 1930s.

When the University of South Carolina hired McGuire to be the head basketball coach in 1964, no one dreamed that he would change the face of basketball in the Palmetto State forever. His teams started playing in the old 3,200-seat field house, but part of the deal that brought McGuire to Columbia ensured that a new coliseum would be built. In four years the team moved into the 12,401-seat Carolina Coliseum, one of the finest facilities in the South and soon to be known as “the house that Frank built.”

In 1941 the Palmetto State Teachers’ Association commissioned McKaine to conduct a survey of the salary disparities between white teachers and black teachers. He was instrumental in devising the “Teachers’ Defense Fund,” which collected money to finance the subsequent equal pay litigation. McKaine also was deeply involved in consultations with Thurgood Marshall, the chief national legal counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In 1929 McKinney toured Europe as a cabaret performer, singing in major nightclubs in Paris and London

McKissick’s career in textiles began in 1899, when he began working as an engineer for the Pelzer Manufacturing Company, where his father-in-law served as president. In 1902 McKissick became president of Grendel Cotton Mills in Greenwood.

McKissick Library, now McKissick Museum. McKissick was built in 1940 as the University's new main library, and was originally called the University Library. It is situated at the head of the Horseshoe, on the site of the original President's House, and is the only twentieth century building on the Horseshoe. The shelving units are actually part of the building's structural support. The name was changed to McKissick Library after the sudden death of USC President J. Rion McKissick in 1944. After an undergraduate library was built in 1959, McKissick became the graduate library. In 1976, the undergraduate library underwent a major expansion to become the main campus library (Thomas Cooper Library) and McKissick Museum was established by the University Board of Trustees to bring together under one roof the many object collections housed in various departments and colleges throughout campus. Today the museum has outstanding collections and is nationally recognized for its Southern folk art programming.

McKissick led the university through the tumultuous times of the Great Depression and World War II. With help through the New Deal, McKissick presided over the construction of a new library and five dormitories, as well as a general refurbishment of the campus. During World War II, McKissick guided the university into the war effort, establishing civilian pilot and laboratory technician training programs, adjusting the curriculum to include defense-oriented science and engineering courses, and establishing the nation’s first Red Cross nurse’s aide course.

Since beginning his coaching career at Summerville High School, McKissick’s teams have won thirteen lower state titles and ten state championships. He has compiled more than six hundred victories, which surpasses by far the victory totals of all other football coaches at any division or level.

As a member of the House from 1892 to 1897, McLaurin increased his influence in state and national politics. On the national scene he was a strong advocate of free silver, frequently using his oratorical talents throughout the nation.

Front of postcard showing black-and-white photographic illustration of the McLeod Infirmary. On back, handwritten correspondence with postmark from Florence, South Carolina, and 1-cent United States postage stamp.

Inaugurated on January 16, 1923, McLeod took office amid a prolonged statewide agricultural depression. Despite the economic crisis, McLeod advocated increased legislative spending on public education. As governor, he signed the 6-0-1 Law, which guaranteed all children in South Carolina at least six months of schooling annually.

McMillan’s tenure as chief highway commissioner was one of unparalleled growth. He created a division to oversee license examinations and the Highway Patrol; survived a struggle with Governor Strom Thurmond over converting the patrol into a state police organization; and created a public affairs office. In 1950 he successfully lobbied for a one-cent increase in the state gas tax to fund construction and maintenance of South Carolina’s burgeoning highway system.

Photograph of Ronald McNair statue from McNair Park, Lake City, SC on 14 January 2008 by Efy96001.

Except for the tragedy at Orangeburg in February 1968, McNair saw the state peacefully through the stormy times without yielding on major policy issues. Settlement of the Charleston strike without union recognition in 1969 and keeping USC open in 1970 without serious injury to students were foremost among many public demonstrations in the state in which his moderate leadership was credited with minimizing violence.

The second African American in space, McNair made his first flight in February 1984 aboard the space shuttle Challenger.

McSweeney’s tenure as governor was generally disappointing. He presided over the opening of the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition in Charleston, which failed in its design to revive the city’s status as a major Atlantic port. McSweeney also failed to convince the General Assembly to increase funding for public education.