Posted on May 20, 2009 - 08:56 PM

S.C. Hall of Fame Invites Public to Nominate 2010 Inductees

http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/05/SCHOF logo-thumb-181x169.jpgThe board of trustees of the official South Carolina Hall of Fame now invites individuals and organizations to nominate 2010 inductees. Previously, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the executive council of the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies nominated these prominent individuals, both deceased and contemporary.

"Making the Hall of Fame nomination process more accessible to the public will ensure that more people can be involved, and our board will have a greater pool of outstanding candidates," said Dr. Leo Twiggs, Hall of Fame board of trustees chairman.

Persons eligible for induction are those born in South Carolina who obtained recognition elsewhere, and those born elsewhere but who lived and obtained recognition in the state. One contemporary citizen and one deceased citizen may be inducted annually. Deceased nominees must have died at least 10 years prior to being nominated. Past inductees include President Andrew Jackson, jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, Sen. J. Strom Thurmond, astronaut Charles M. Duke Jr. and more than 70 others.

Those wishing to nominate inductees should consider the following criteria for evaluation:

State, national or international recognition
Contributions that stand the test of time
Achievement that has contributed significantly toward improving the quality of life for others

"We are expanding the nomination process so that any person or organization interested in South Carolina history and culture can nominate someone to the Hall of Fame," said Dr. J. Tracy Power, a historian at the Department of Archives and History and staff liaison to the Hall of Fame. "We hope to receive many first-time nominations this year as well as repeat nominations for persons previously considered but not yet inducted into the Hall."

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History works with the executive council of the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies to review and evaluate all nominations. Each of the confederation's 10 districts selects one contemporary and one deceased nominee annually, a total of 10 contemporary and 10 deceased nominees, for consideration by the Hall of Fame board of trustees.

The board of trustees meets each fall to select the deceased and contemporary inductee for that year. Those finalists not selected are automatically considered for the following year along with any other nominations submitted that year. The induction ceremony to honor the two individuals selected is typically held in February or March.

Nominations should consist of a cover letter with contact information (address, phone number, e-mail address), a one- to three-page statement indicating why the person should be nominated and photocopies of pertinent biographical sources on the nominee, which should be sent to:

Dr. J. Tracy Power, Staff Liaison

South Carolina Hall of Fame

South Carolina Department of Archives and History

8301 Parklane Rd.

Columbia, SC 29223

Nominations must be received by June 5 to be considered by the executive council of the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies.

The official South Carolina Hall of Fame, a nonprofit corporation conducted under state charter, is located in the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and is sponsored by the state of South Carolina, city of Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit SouthCarolinaHallofFame.com or contact Power at power@scdah.state.sc.us or (803) 896-6182.