N.C. State University on Tuesday dedicated a court yard in memory of former Tar Heel governors Kerr Scott (1949-53) and Bob Scott (1969-73.)
About 150 people showed up at the McKimmon Center on Tuesday morning for a brunch and remarks by former University of North Carolina President Bill Friday, Rob Christensen reports. The group then traveled to the heart of the campus to view a new marker.
The Scotts, father and son, were both State grads, both farmers, and both went on to lead the state. Their marker stands near Scott Hall, which is named after Robert Scott, Kerr's father.
Recalling Kerr Scott's penchant for cigar smoking, Friday recalled that the executive committee of the university board of trustees would meet in governor's office.
"The great past time among the members was whether the session would last one cigar or two," Friday recalled.
Of all Kerr Scott's accomplishments, the most dramatic was his appointment in 1949 of UNC president Frank Porter Graham to the U.S. Senate. Even though Graham was defeated the next year in a race-baiting campaign, Friday said Graham's progressive views on race helped set the state on a new course.
"In my life time, I have known no more dramatic moment of history than what he did that evening (in announcing the appointment of Graham)," Friday said of Kerr Scott.
He said Bob Scott did much to reorganize the university system, which had broad implications for the growth of the Research Triangle Park.
"They were men of the soil," Friday said. "They were devout men of the church. Both were men of tradition. They were men of courage and good will who understood the measure of one's usefulness was their degree of commitment and service to their fellow men."
