Richard W. Riley ’54 and Former Trustee Merl Code Receive Statewide Awards

Former U.S. Secretary of Education and two-term Governor of South Carolina Richard W. Riley ’54 was recently honored by the state Supreme Court with the Chief Justice’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Legal Profession, known as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Riley was recognized by South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge and Justice Gary Hill alongside his colleague and friend, former Ambassador and Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives David Wilkins, at the annual Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Awards Dinner held in Columbia on January 14, 2025.

Merl Code, a former Furman University trustee, received the Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Civic Leadership Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award reflects superior legal competence and excellence; an unwavering commitment to professionalism, honor and civility; and exceptional service to not only the legal profession, but the broader community as well.

In his remarks, Hill reflected on Riley’s unwavering character throughout his time in public office.

“In both of these offices at the pinnacle of government power, Dick Riley was a transformative figure. Although the force of his leadership was such that he fundamentally changed both those offices, he himself never changed. When he left the governor’s mansion and when he left Washington, his sterling reputation and uncompromising integrity were untarnished,” said Hill.

The surprise award was bestowed upon Riley, who served in the Clinton Administration, and Wilkins amid a leadership awards ceremony that bears their names. The Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Leadership Awards, which are given each year by Furman’s Riley Institute, honor individuals who demonstrate principled leadership and exercise empathy, collaboration, perseverance and an overriding commitment to the wellbeing of the people of South Carolina.

Former Furman University Trustee Merl Code was the 2025 OneSC Civic Leadership Award honoree. Code, who is Greenville’s first African American municipal court judge, was recognized for the courage his many “firsts” took, as well as his willingness to speak out on behalf of underrepresented minority interests.

Winner of the 2010 OneSC Civic Leadership Award, Minor Mickel Shaw, presented Code with his award, remarking on his lifetime of advocacy on behalf of underrepresented communities.

“Merl has worked throughout his life and career to improve the lives of all South Carolinians by raising his hand as a principled leader in countless boardrooms, backrooms and places of leadership across his community and throughout our state. Merl’s work has been fueled by unwavering commitment to address inequities and change the trajectory for communities of color and for other community members whose voices have historically not been heard. Time and time again, Merl’s courageous leadership has broken down barriers and has opened doors to opportunity.”

Code was celebrated alongside former South Carolina Senator Katrina Shealy, who served in the senate from 2012-2024. When she was elected, she was the only woman in the South Carolina Senate. Throughout her tenure, Shealy served as an advocate for children, families, the disabled and the elderly.

The OneSouthCarolina Awards Celebration is held each year following the opening session of the South Carolina legislature, setting the tone for a cooperative, bipartisan spirit. This year, roughly 500 leaders from across South Carolina attended the event, including high-ranking members of state government from both sides of the aisle and nonprofit and business partners of The Riley Institute.

In his acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Riley remarked, “I thank you for being here. The OneSouthCarolina idea—the idea of everybody pulling together—is the thing we are about, and that’s why you’re here.”

Next year’s celebration will take place on January 13, 2026. Learn more about OneSC here.