Governor Joins Hundreds in Honoring DeLoach at Coker College Dedication
August 25, 2014
“Harris and Louise, you are at the center of all of this,” said Wyatt before an audience of some 600 students, faculty, staff, community members and donors. “Your guidance and service to the cause of improving educational opportunities in Hartsville has inspired this college, this community and hundreds in the region who have been involved in building this Center.”
“I hope this building reflects our deep appreciation for the good work of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the administration of Coker College,” Harris DeLoach said. “More importantly, however, we want it to reflect how passionately we believe in the role that education plays in the success of the people of this community.
“In this structure, Coker College students will learn invaluable life and business lessons about competition and teamwork,” DeLoach continued. “I also believe that this complex will become an important centerpiece for the people of Hartsville to gather and celebrate competition at its best.”
When Gov. Haley delivered her remarks, she stunned DeLoach when she awarded him the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, which was given in recognition of the business leader’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the state.
“From your outstanding leadership at Sonoco Products Company, to your extensive involvement in civic affairs, you have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to excellence, and your contributions will have a lasting impact for years to come,” Gov. Haley said.
Harris E. DeLoach Jr. served as chairman and chief executive officer at Sonoco before he retired in 2013. He is Executive Chairman of Sonoco’s Board of Directors and a Trustee of the Duke Endowment. In addition, he serves on the boards of Duke Energy and Milliken & Company and, locally, on the boards of the Byerly Foundation and the TEACH Foundation.
At 71,000 square feet, the Harris E. and Louise H. DeLoach Center, which opened earlier this fall, is the largest campus expansion in institutional history.
The multi-purpose facility includes a main gymnasium that seats 1,908 in stadium-style retractable bleachers and an auxiliary gymnasium. Level one of the facility also includes a strength and conditioning room, a Cafe and dining area, athletic training and rehabilitation/therapy rooms, sport-by-sport locker rooms, state-of-the-art classrooms and more. Level two features, among other things, a large Cobra Club, athletic offices and a walking track.
Other members of the platform party for the dedication ceremony included Sen. Gerald Malloy, Rep. Jay Lucas, Coker College Chair of the Board of Trustees Cindy Hartley, The Reverend John Foster III and students Hailey Yohn and Kendrick Reed, both seniors.
