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TO CONGRATULATE DR. BENTON BOX, FORMER VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has learned that Dr. Benton Box, former vice chairman of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, retired from that body on January 16, 2014, after thirty-five years of outstanding service; and
Whereas, as a leader among professional foresters, Dr. Box long has served South Carolina as a committed educator in the fields of forestry and natural sciences and has shared generously his extensive knowledge and skill with our state's landowners and institutions; and
Whereas, in preparation for his life's work, Benton Box first attended Southeastern Louisiana College. After service in the U.S. Air Force, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in forestry from Louisiana State University (LSU) and a doctorate in forestry from Duke University; and
Whereas, he served fifteen years at LSU in teaching, research, and extension, after which he took up his duties with Southern Forest Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, as executive vice president; and
Whereas, in 1978, he came to Clemson University as dean of the College of Forest & Recreation Resources. He served as acting vice president of agriculture and natural resources at Clemson (1986-1987), before becoming dean and executive assistant to Max Lennon, president of that institution. Dr. Box guided the drive for increased funding for directed research and the establishment of initiatives such as the Institute for Wildlife Ecology and Toxicology; and
Whereas, from 1994 to 1998, he served as executive director and CEO of Greenville University Center and became a consultant to the center in January 2000 before retiring some years later; and
Whereas, Benton Box believes strongly in personal involvement with his community, and his convictions have led him to serve that community, as well as the broader community of South Carolina, in numerous capacities. These include past or present service on the South Carolina Forestry Association Board (chairman, 1992), South Carolina Forestry Commission, Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board, Greenville Rotary Club, Leadership Greenville Class XXIV-Board of Regents, Junior League of Greenville Community Advisory Board, and Greenville Education Network Advisory Committee; and
Whereas, in recognition of his accomplishments, Benton Box has been granted such honors as the South Carolina Forestry Association Distinguished Service Award (2013) and LSU School of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Alumnus of the Year Award (1997); and
Whereas, the General Assembly, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Dr. Box has bestowed on this great State, takes great pleasure in wishing him well in his retirement from the South Carolina Forestry Commission and trusts he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Benton Box, former vice chairman of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, on the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Dr. Benton Box.
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