ORANGEBURG — For only the second time in 55 years, Essie Mae Washington-Williams visited the South Carolina State University campus Friday, where her alma mater awarded her an honorary degree.

The recognition marked another chapter in the unfolding life of Strom Thurmond’s eldest child, who startled the world when she came forward in 2003 to claim her place in history.

Buoyed by news this week that state lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to add her name to a State House monument erected in honor of her late father, Washington-Williams spoke warmly about the reception she has received over the past six months.

“I just love the people of South Carolina,” said Washington-Williams, who lives in Los Angeles. “They are so loving ... so receptive.”

“I feel very much at home,” she added.

At the urging of her father, Washington-Williams, whose mother was black, enrolled at S.C. State in 1946 and studied there for three years. She left before earning her degree to marry and raise a family.

She finished work on bachelor’s and master’s degrees in southern California, where she spent much of her adult life working as a teacher and counselor to adult education students.

About 10 years ago, before she became known as Thurmond’s daughter, Washington-Williams quietly visited S.C. State, which she found to be a much smaller than the sprawling campus with few buildings after World War II that she remembered.

Washington-Williams, now 78, called the university’s gesture of awarding an honorary doctorate a surprise.

“It feels wonderful because I know how long it takes to get it,” she said with a chuckle.

Whether she’ll write about being an honorary degree-holder in a book she’s working on, Washington-Williams did not say. But she teased onlookers during a public appearance before Friday evening’s commencement that her life story will contain surprises heretofore undisclosed.

The book, which her attorney said commanded a “high six-figure advance,” is due to be published in the spring of 2005. A made-for-television movie is scheduled to follow.

In the meantime, she said she’ll be making two more visits to South Carolina this year, first to Charleston in two weeks and then Clemson in the fall, as part of a speaking tour.

Flanked by her daughter Wanda Terry, who is planning to open a branch of her California-based technology business in Eastover, Washington-Williams hinted that she might some day relocate to the Palmetto state.

Washington-Williams did not speak to graduates during commencement, but said she would encourage young people “to get their degrees and go as far as they can with that.”

Washington-Williams said her life has been “constantly busy” since she and Thurmond’s family acknowledged their relationship.

She met Thursday with Strom Thurmond Jr., the U.S. attorney, whom she described as low-key but pleasant.

Washington-Williams also said she’s “been in constant touch” with Nancy Thurmond, the late senator’s wife. Although she did not elaborate, she said Nancy Thurmond has “done many things to try and help me.” “My experiences have been just wonderful,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”

Reach Robinson at (803) 771-8482 or brobinson@thestate.com.