'The Chairman' says farewell to SCSDB board

ASHLEI N. STEVENS, Staff Writer

Some kids call him Mr. Pulliam. Others call him Mr. P.

And for those who can't remember his name, they recognize the friendly brown-haired man as "Mr. Board Chairman" and affectionately give him a hug.

"When the kids run up to me and give me a hug, that's what makes it all worthwhile," said Norman F. Pulliam.

For the past 20 years, Pulliam has served on the Board of Commissioners at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. For the last 13 of those years, he's been chairman.

Last week, his tenure as one of the longest-serving trustees at SCSDB officially ended, as he has been appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford to serve on the board of the state's Department of Natural Resources.

SCSDB students and staff celebrated Pulliam on Tuesday in Pulliam Auditorium -- named a few years ago in his honor -- with songs, kind words, a luncheon, and fond memories. They honored a man who "brilliantly led the school into the 21st century," according to board member Ashton Cribs III.

"It's been my honor to serve five governors as member of the board of commissioners for this wonderful school," Pulliam told the audience, which included his wife, Jo, and daughter, Tracey,

Pulliam Rogers. "I've had the opportunity to work with many organizations, but never one with such committed staff and students."

Pulliam remembers taking his three children to church-league basketball games on the campus of the SCSDB in the early 1980s. But he didn't know then just how close he would one day grow to the school.

In 1985, Gov. Dick Riley appointed the Spartanburg real estate investor to serve on the school's board.

"I took a real liking to the school. I jumped to the chance and just couldn't let go," said the 63-year-old grandfather of three.

Since that time, teachers, students and staff have not only recognized him as someone who made important decisions in the boardroom, they also say he was actively involved on campus in matters that affected the classroom.

"One thing about Mr. Pulliam is that with him, it's always been about the kids and what he could do for the kids," said SCSDB president Sheila Breitweiser. "I feel like I'm losing my best friend."

Breitweiser remembers her job interview ten years ago, when Pulliam and the other nine trustees were considering her for the position.

"Mr. P leaned over and said something to someone sitting beside him and I thought he said, 'He doesn't like me," Breitweiser recalls.

"And I said, 'Let's hire her right away,' " Pulliam responded with a laugh. "When people ask me my number one accomplishment is, I say I hired Sheila. They've got wonderful leadership from the president on down."

Students from the Blind School wore sparkly red dresses and performed a song they wrote called "Norman," which was sung to the tune of "Sunny," a 1960s song by artist Bobby Hebb.

School staff and state legislators presented a framed photo of Pulliam with children, a framed resolution, and a scrapbook filled with letters from staff, politicians and even colorful drawings from kids. They also gave him a 4-foot tall report card, rating his service as an A plus with a gold star.

"I don't think he expected anything like this," said Jo Pulliam, his wife of 40 years. "This is probably one of the most special days of his life."

Pulliam will continue serving on the Walker Foundation Board, which is the fundraising arm of the school. The co-founder and chairman emeritus of First National Bank, he will continue in his job as real estate developer.

He also said he'll still attend campus events, as he says "my heart's in it."

Ashlei N. Stevens can be reached at 562-7425 or ashlei.stevens@shj.com