Cox, Walter T. (Walter Thompson), 1918-2006

Walter Thompson Cox was born on September 19, 1918 in Belton, South Carolina, the son of Walter T. and Grace Campbell Cox. He entered Clemson College in the fall of 1935, graduating with a degree in General Science in 1939. Returning in 1940 during a year of post graduate study, Cox anchored the offensive line while playing for the football team. The season was a success, as Clemson defeated Boston College 6-3 in the Cotton Bowl. It was the Tigers' first post-season appearance. After serving in the United States Army during the years 1942-1943, Cox returned to Clemson. During the 1940s he served in a variety of athletic positions including assistant football coach, ticket manager, baseball coach, and IPTAY promoter. In 1951, he assumed dual responsibilities as Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs as well as assistant to President Robert F. Poole. In 1955 Cox was named Dean of Students (later Vice President for Student Affairs), a position at which he served until 1985. At the request of the Board of Trustees, he left the student affairs post in July 1985 to become Clemson's tenth president. He was the third Clemson graduate to assume the school's presidency, serving until Max Lennon took the position in March 1986. Cox officially retired in 1987, though he continued to be involved in development activities on behalf of Clemson University until his death in 2006. Cox married the former Mary Johnson in 1940. Together they had four children: Walter T. III, Frank, Grace, and William. After Mary Johnson Cox's death in 1985, Walter Cox was remarried to the former Jenelle Garrett Cox in November 1986.