Clinton Moore explores a new culture during his travels to Oaxaca, Mexico. Alumni News A Family Affair When Clinton Funderburk Moore ’03 accepted his diploma in May, he joined the ranks of the fourth generation of his family to graduate from <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong>. He’s now taking a global approach to walking in their footsteps. It’s been more than 100 years since Clinton Funderburk Moore’s great-grandfather attended <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong>. Carrying on the family tradition and proud of it, Moore is now a fourth generation <strong>Smith</strong>ite with some giant shoes to fill. Moore, who attended preschool at JCSU, could have potentially gone anywhere he chose, but he applied to two schools—<strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> and Morehouse College—and was accepted into both. “I was strongly encouraged to attend <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong>,” he says smiling, “but I didn’t mind because I knew firsthand the end product of a <strong>Smith</strong> education. I have a successful path to follow.” Moore’s path starts from a long lineage of accomplished JCSU graduates. His great-grandfather, Lewis Funderburk, attended the school when it was named Biddle <strong>University</strong> in the late 1800’s. William L. Funderburk ’15, his grandfather, was the first African-American in Lancaster, SC, to receive a BS degree. Dr. William Funderburk ’52, Moore’s uncle, graduated magna cum laude, went on to medical school, became a surgeon and ultimately founded the first ambulatory hospital owned by an African American. His mother, Dr. Maxine Moore ’65, who is now Dean of the Honors College at JCSU, was married with children when she graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian. And his aunt, Louilyn Hargett ’53, wife of Trustee Emeritus James Hargett ’52, graduated summa cum laude with three majors in three years as valedictorian of her class. Two other uncles, John Funderburk ’70 and Henry Funderburk ’86, returned to JCSU and graduated. “So you see I’ve got a lot to live up to. My family is so wellspoken, intellectual, charming and successful. I want to emulate that success,” Moore says. For him, growing up with a family full of alumni not only meant hearing countless Golden Bull stories during holidays and reunions, but it also meant that Moore had to find a place at JCSU that was his own. “Even though I was blessed, it was far from easy,” he says, “It’s almost like I had to prove that I could be successful at <strong>Smith</strong> on my own merit.” Moore has taken advantage of the opportunities he has received at JCSU to the fullest. In addition to being an Economics major, an Honors College student, a campus leader and a third generation member of the Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Moore has traveled the world while at JCSU. As part of the Russian Language and Culture Program (RLCP), he went to Russia in 2001. RLCP is a proficiency-based instructional program, designed to improve and expedite the acquisition of Russian language and cultural knowledge through a series of language study and practice opportunities. Then, he lived in Mexico for two months and was immersed in the culture and the language. “I fell in love with the Spanish culture—the sights, sounds, language, smells, food and the music. It’s just intoxicating,” says Moore. He now speaks Spanish fluently and is competent in Russian. “I’m ready to travel abroad again. I want to retire in Spain,” says Moore. The experiences that he gained while he was a student at JCSU has led him to think globally. Next year, he plans to combine law and graduate schools to study International Law and Latin American Studies. Eventually, he wants politics—to be Governor, then President. “It’s going to happen,” he says. Moore understands the opportunities to pursue his interests in international studies and global economics would not be possible without the support he received at JCSU. He tapped into the heart of the <strong>University</strong>’s vision to help students think and understand on a global scale. When he graduated, Moore received lots of advice from his family of alumni about his next steps. “My mother just told me ‘Don’t stop here,’ and I have to honor that,” he says. He’s looked back at his heritage and realized the sacrifices his family made to enter the realm of success, and he has to do the same. He shares his philosophy, “For every goal I achieve, for every victory I gain, there must be some type of sacrifice to merit my success. So if I strive to be successful in whatever God may give me, it will merit the greater things I will receive.” Receiving a diploma from JCSU is just the beginning for the motivated young man. Now, Moore must carry on the tradition that his great-grandfather started—not just the JCSU custom, but the tradition of establishing a legacy of which future generations can be proud. Moore, whose family endowed a scholarship last year, knows that he will always remain connected to <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> because of what was given to him. “Life isn’t about us—it’s about the progression of the world. I must contribute ten times as much as I’ve been given,” he says. <strong>2003</strong> Commencement Recap 2
Commencement <strong>2003</strong> 3
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