Trustee Emeritus Baxter Wynn receives Order of the Palmetto

Civic leader, retired pastor and Furman University Trustee Emeritus Baxter Wynn received the Order of the Palmetto on May 7. 

The state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto recognizes lifetime achievements and contributions to the State of South Carolina and the recipient’s community.  Wynn’s nomination was kept under wraps as the people who know and love him worked behind the scenes. 

“In a million years I wouldn’t have thought it,” Wynn said. “When my wife told me you could have blown me over with a feather. I shouted, ‘I’m not worthy!’” 

Trustee Emeritus Baxter Wynn

The people who know him would disagree. Wynn may have retired after 28 years as Minister of Pastoral Care and Community Relations at First Baptist Church in Greenville, but his record of civic leadership spans decades across many community boards and organizations: United Ministries, the Community Foundation of Greenville, the Chamber of Commerce of Greenville, Greenville Forward, United Way of Greenville County, Leadership Greenville, the Alliance for Quality Education, Genesis Homes, the YMCA and the Urban League of the Upstate. 

“Dr. Wynn’s life exemplifies decades of principled leadership dedicated to strengthening communities, advancing equity, and improving quality of life for South Carolinians – especially in Greenville and the Upstate,” said Furman President Elizabeth Davis. 

As chairman of the Urban League of the Upstate Community Housing Corporation, he navigated partnerships with other local organizations to revitalize the Viola Street neighborhood. He championed unity and understanding across differences, co-chairing an initiative that invited people of different backgrounds to share a meal with one another. 

He raised $11.1 million for human services as chairman of the 2000 United Way Campaign and helped raise more than $8 million to help McCall Hospice House of Greenville continue providing compassionate end-of-life care. 

At Furman, Wynn chaired the Board of Trustees’ Special Task Force on Slavery following the 2018 Seeking Abraham report – work that continues to shape Furman’s commitment to building an inclusive community. 

“Baxter’s calling has always been a distinctive blend of pastoral ministry and community service,” said Tony McDade, Furman trustee. “He is a true servant leader. While First Baptist Church – Greenville has been Baxter’s flock, Greenville itself has been his parish.” 

Receiving the Order of the Palmetto was surreal and humbling, Wynn said. He’s been dreaming of cutting the proclamation he received into hundreds of pieces to hand out to everyone who has been part of the initiatives and groups he volunteered his time to. “It’s never a single person, it’s an entire team that’s responsible for these,” he said.