David H. Wilkins Legislative Leadership Program

(l-r) David Wilkins, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, recipient of the Wilkins Award for Excellence, and Secretary Richard Riley

Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter receives the David Wilkins Award for Legislative Leadership

The Fourth Annual Wilkins
Legislative Award Dinner
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
January 12, 2009

David Wilkins, the former Speaker of the South Carolina House who currently serves as U.S. Ambassador to Canada, was the keynote speaker when the Riley Institute at Furman University hosted its fourth annual Legislative Award Dinner in Columbia on Monday, January 12th.

The event, which is named in honor of Wilkins, was held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The evening began with a 6 p.m. reception, and dinner and the award presentation followed at 7 p.m.

Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives who represents Orangeburg County in District 66, received the Wilkins Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership. Former U.S. Secretary of Education and S.C. Governor Richard W. Riley was in attendance to honor Cobb-Hunter. For Gilda Cobb-Hunter's complete biography, click here; to view the program, click here.

The Wilkins Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership award is given annually to a state legislator who “embodies the highest principles of leadership based on integrity, compassion, vision, civility and courage.” The previous winners have been John Drummond, President Pro-Tem Emeritus of the Senate; Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the House; and Senator Hugh K. Leatherman.

The Riley Institute at Furman created the David H. Wilkins Legislative Leadership Program in 2006. In addition to the awards dinner, the Wilkins Fellows program allows Furman students to work as interns in the state’s legislative offices. In time, the program will establish an endowed professorship in South Carolina politics.

Before being named U.S. Ambassador to Canada by President George W. Bush in June of 2005, Wilkins spent 25 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He served six years as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and two years as speaker pro tem before being elected speaker, a position he held for 11 years. A native of Greenville, Wilkins graduated from Greenville High School and received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

The Riley Institute at Furman, named for Furman graduate Richard Riley, offers a broad array of programs designed to engage students and citizens across South Carolina in the various arenas of politics, public policy, and public leadership.

To read articles about Gilda Cobb-Hunter being named the recipient of this award, click The Greenville News , The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SCBIZ News, and Furman's press release; for an article following the event, click The Times and Democrat and SCBIZ News .