FOREVER BLUE HOSE: JOE NIXON ’62
J
oe Nixon was a student at PC from 1958 through 1962. Then, all freshman and sophomore males who were physically able were required to take ROTC. Mandatory daily drills in ranks and uniform at 8 a.m. and before regular classes were part of being a PC student. Although ROTC was mandatory, the experience prepared Nixon to be the leader he would become. “Military discipline was designed to test and refine certain aspects of character in order to prepare us for leadership,” he said. Nixon played on the Blue Hose football team too and was a member of the 1960 personal courage were consistent with leadership qualities Tangerine Bowl team. required in my job at PC,” Nixon said. While serving as admission director, Nixon earned his He was also a captain on the 1961 team master’s degree in student personnel services and higher education at the University of South Carolina. during his senior year. He continued to serve in the Army National Guard, Nixon completed eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general. Nixon’s ROTC requirements and then received a military service spanned 28 years. In 1977, Nixon became dean of students, a position he commission as second lieutenant in the Army would hold for 25 years. “Action Joe,” as the students dubbed in 1963. He went on him in a comic strip in the 1981 PaC SaC, served the College to serve as a company during long evenings at student events, early morning commander at Fort discipline sessions, countless staff meetings and honor council Benning, Ga. He events. Jean Brock, Nixon’s mother-in-law, established the Bessie thought about extending his Army career, but instead returned to PC as an assistant football coach and head track coach Copeland Nixon Scholarship Fund in 1992 to help students in the ROTC program while also honoring Nixon and his when Assistant Coach Billy Tiller offered him the positions. After coaching for four years, Nixon began serving the mother. In 1996, Nixon retired after a 28-year military career from College as an administrator when he accepted the call to become admission director. Those early morning drills and the South Carolina Army National Guard with the rank of ROTC courses prepared Nixon for his coaching and director Brigadier General. He continued his work at PC and was positions. “Though I probably didn’t “I have been blessed to find and refine my true strengths within the context of recognize or live up to them at the time, Army core values of two institutions where I learned by discipline and example.” – Joe Nixon ’62 loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and
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