Clemson University celebrates the newest members of the Fort Hill Legacy Society

On November 10, 2023, the newest members of Clemson University’s Fort Hill Legacy Society were inducted into this special group and honored for their generosity with a bronze leaf that represents their commitment to the University: Garrett J. Mobley Jr. ’62 and Linda S. Mobley, and Arthur R. “Buddy” Wallace.

The Fort Hill Legacy Society dedicates a bronze leaf to those who leave $1 million or more to Clemson University. During the Fort Hill Legacy Society Bronze Leaf Dedication, two new leaves honoring Wallace and the Mobleys were placed under the Second Century Oak, which stands at Fort Hill on the historic site of the University’s first Board of Trustees meeting.

“We owe a special debt of gratitude to those whom we honor today as members of the Fort Hill Legacy Society, those who are memorialized by the bronze leaves scattered here under the majestic limbs of the Second Century Oak,” said Antonio Rogers, a senior marketing major and Legacy Student Chair.

His words echo the impact that these generous individuals, forever honored by the bronze leaves, will have on current and future generations of students.

Garrett J. Mobley Jr. ’62 and Linda S. Mobley

Garrett J. Mobley Jr. ’62 embodied the Clemson spirit through his profound love for others and generous heart. His gift to the University, an unrestricted endowment established in 2013 by Garrett and his beloved wife, Linda Mobley, echoed the couple’s profound love for education, their community and each other. Mobley and his wife, Linda Sample Mobley, are remembered as being a couple who cared for the less fortunate, loved their dogs tremendously and enjoyed gardening.

“Garrett was a successful but humble individual. He was devoted to his close circle of friends and family. Most of his leisure time was spent attending IPTAY events and every Clemson Football game possible,” said Mobley’s sister, Sylvia Ford.

The Mobleys’ legacy at Clemson began with Garrett’s grandparents — Jesse Hammond Mobley and Florence Floyd Mobley of Kershaw, South Carolina, and Andrew Clark Rowell and Louzetta Plyler Rowell of Buford, South Carolina. It was a legacy woven together with threads of determination, hard work and a fervent belief in the power of education.

After Mobley established this endowment in 2013, before his passing, he requested that it be honored in his grandparents’ names as a gift for their belief in the higher education of their children. Mobley’s grandparents, each embodying a legacy of hard work and determination, earned their college degrees and were advocates for the power of education.

This endowment, a tribute to the Mobleys’ roots, was a testament to Garrett’s desire to extend the values instilled by his grandparents. The Mobleys’ generous gift will allow Clemson to continue providing a transformational student experience, increasing research and bettering the lives of citizens across the state. Their legacy at Clemson stands as a living testament to the power of education, gratitude and family.

Arthur R. “Buddy” Wallace

Arthur R. “Buddy” Wallace dedicated his life to impactful service and selflessly invested his time in helping others with humility. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words, “The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well,” seemed to echo through all corners of his life, leaving a mark on each individual fortunate enough to cross paths with Buddy.

Buddy, true to his nature, shied away from seeking recognition for himself. He had an innovative vision for healthcare in the Upstate and took action, generously establishing education opportunities for hardworking students who had a passion for serving in healthcare.

Buddy established the William H. Wallace (1919) and Mary Ellen Woodside Wallace Memorial Scholarship Endowment through his estate plan. The scholarship is a loving tribute to his father, a proud Clemson graduate, and his mother, who experienced exemplary nursing care in her later years.

With the demand for healthcare expanding and a shortage of nurses across the United States, Buddy’s gift addresses a critical need. It provides need-based scholarships for students in Clemson’s School of Nursing, removing financial barriers to education and contributing to the fulfillment of critical roles in the nursing workforce.

A former Clemson student himself, Buddy understood the transformative power of education. His gift allows aspiring nurses to focus on their studies without the heavy weight of financial constraints.

The ripple effect of his generosity extends beyond the classroom. It is visible in every care center across the United States, where nurses play a pivotal role in providing care and comfort throughout the unpredictable journey of life.

The Clemson School of Nursing stands forever grateful for Buddy Wallace’s generosity, which will continue to shape the future of nursing, healthcare and the well-being of South Carolina’s citizens and beyond. In the quiet legacy of Buddy Wallace, the impact of his philanthropy will be felt in the halls of Clemson and in the hearts of those who benefit from his visionary gift.