This month our Hometown Hero is Dr. James Bernard Washington. Dr. Washington was born and raised in Walterboro and started his education at St. Joseph’s Catholic School where his father, James Frederick Washington, was a teacher that later went on to teach at Green Pond Elementary/Middle School. His father eventually retired from Colleton Middle School. Bernard’s mother, Shirley Stevens Washington, was a nurse at Colleton Regional Hospital
forty years. He grew up in a neighborhood where a lot of folks were teachers, and during that time, if you did something in the community, that you didn’t want your parents to know about, word made it home before you got there. So, my parents knew everything that was going on. Washington says, “The neighbors were teachers that knew me, knew my parents, and so they made it their responsibility.”
After graduating high school, Washington went to went to South Carolina State University, Majoring in Counsellor Education. “My dissertation work revolves around higher education in many cases, and the theories and models around villages that have an impact on students growing up and being successful. North Carolina State had a doctoral program. It was a hybrid cohort program for adult and community college education. I was working at Halifax
Community College as a director of admissions and recruitment. I figured this would be a nice opportunity to help me launch into a dean position one day.”
Bernard also served it the military, starting out in the Navy and eventually wrapping up his service in the South Carolina Army National Guard, based in the Hampton Area. He says, “In the military, there were opportunities to teach basic skills. The master’s degree in the military was at Chapman University a well-known private institution. It was in human resource management and development. I did have the opportunity to work in the corporate level at Kimberley Clark Corporation as part of the human resource management team with a focus on training and development. When Kimberley Clark transferred me up north, I was able to help me to connect with a Delaware National Guard Armory where I left as a Chief Warrant Officer.
Washington has two children who attended school in California, they came back here and attended school in Walterboro. They went on to Clemson University. His daughter Katrina became a civil engineer, and his son James studied Packaging Science.
Dr. Washington returned to Walterboro at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie as an Admissions Representative for the Palmetto College online Bachelor’s Degree Program, Palmetto College is part of the University of South Carolina. They offer online bachelor’s degrees for students who need to complete their core courses, as well as online bachelor’s degree completion programs for students who have at least 45 hours of college credit. USC
states, “The goal of Palmetto College is to make a USC college education convenient and accessible to everyone. We do this through online learning programs throughout the state. This allows students to start their education wherever they are, without having to relocate or commute.”
Since its inception, the USC Palmetto College online program has approximately 7000 students that have participated in the online bachelor’s degree completion program every semester. Students graduate each semester and have the option to participate in the actual graduation and have their families attend the ceremony.
Palmetto College Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs are eligible to apply for scholarships. Up to 92% of our students are financial aid eligible and veterans can apply to participate in the program. There is a tuition waiver for seniors. Washington adds, “The classes are designed to where you sign in at a time is convenient for you, so there’s not a scheduled time to sign in. We encourage students that are in the same class to form their own study groups. We have
resources at the USC Salkehatchie campus to utilize such as the USC Salkehatchie Library.” The Palmetto College graduates, they have access to the same career placement facilities that as all the rest of the college on campus students. Washington says, “Our students can utilize our Career Services Department and at any one of the USC four-year campuses. They assist with the resume building, the mock interviews, and put them in touch with companies that are hiring.”
Washington is very busy, but in his spare time, he likes to go to the gym, exercise, read, and visit with relatives. He has sailed with a sailing club in North Carolina for a year and a half. He also hopes to travel overseas when he retires.
I asked Washington if there was anything he would like to add, “My siblings went to school here. I’m really thankful for the folks here in Walterboro, they really encouraged me and believed in me. You have your moments where there’s trial and error. There’s a great deal of challenges, but people here believe in me and helped or encouraged my progress.
Education is something that no one can take away from you. Coming back to Walterboro is an opportunity to pay it forward. You know the cliché “It takes a village to raise a child.” I was fortunate to have that experience here in Walterboro. I am happy to be hear at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, where it’s considered a community for Academic excellence.
I enjoy working with students and to help them to realize their goals. So, I’m happy to be back and contribute to the community.”
