Buyck to get honorary degree, deliver USC commencement speech
Dwight Dana/Morning News
Published: May 7, 2008
Published: May 7, 2008
POST YOUR COMMENT
FLORENCE — Longtime Florence attorney Mark Buyck Jr. will become “Dr.” Mark Buyck Jr. following graduation ceremonies Saturday at the University of South Carolina.
Buyck will not only receive an honorary doctor of laws degree, he will also be the graduation speaker at the USC School of Law commencement Saturday morning on the university’s historic horseshoe.
“I never thought I would get an honorary doctor of laws degree from Carolina,” Buyck said. “I’m truly honored and grateful.”
The horseshoe is familiar territory for Buyck. He lived in university housing there during his undergraduate years from 1952 to 1956 and while attending law school from 1956 to 1959.
“In my talk I’m going to say that perhaps 50 years from now one of the graduates will be asked to speak by this law school to those graduating seniors,” Buyck said. “Then they will know and experience the thrill I feel today as I look out over these bright young graduates who are about to go forth to change the face of South Carolina and the nation and to conquer the world.”
Buyck is a Gamecock through and through. His grandmother lived on Pendleton Street just three blocks from the USC campus. Both of his parents went to South Carolina.
“I knew I would be going to USC,” the St. Matthews native said. “If I ever misbehaved, my mother would say, ‘You better watch out young man or else we’re going to send you to Clemson.’”
Buyck’s undergraduate degree is in journalism. He was editor of his high school’s newspaper in St. Matthews. And during polo season in Camden while he was attending USC, he reported the results to The State newspaper.
Buyck even thought about going into journalism before enrolling in law school. But he had second thoughts when the highest newspaper job offer he received was for $75 a week.
He was well prepared for law school. Among other things, he worked as a page for six years under the tutelage of the late Marion Gressette, the legendary and powerful state senator from Calhoun County.
Buyck roomed with Dr. Eddie Floyd of Florence and Dr. Bob Wimberly of Sumter while attending USC. He grew up in St. Matthews with Wimberly.
And all three were known to make appearances at the Purple Onion in Columbia when they needed a little rest and relaxation after taking care of their studies.
Buyck met his future bride, Julia Willcox, while attending law school. They are parents of three grown children. All received degrees from South Carolina.
Buyck is a member of the USC board of trustees. He was named the Distinguished Alumnus of his alma mater in 2005.
And he has received the Order of the Palmetto — the state’s highest award — from two state governors.
Advertisement
View More:
No tags are associated with this article
Not what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Advertisement