Three Clemson Cooperative Extension professionals whose careers helped shape South Carolina agriculture, strengthen youth development programs and expand the reach of Extension education have been inducted into the A. Frank Lever Hall of Fame, Clemson Extension’s highest honor.
Raymond Sligh, John Irwin, and William R. “Rusty” Thomson were recognized for careers serving South Carolina communities. Through their work with agricultural producers, youth organizations and Extension programs, they helped connect Clemson University’s research-based knowledge with practical solutions.
“The Lever Hall of Fame honors people whose work has changed lives across South Carolina,” said Tom Dobbins, Clemson Extension director. “We celebrate these inductees not only for their professional accomplishments, but for the relationships they built and the generations of people they influenced. Their careers reflect the vision Frank Lever had for Extension education and service.”
Established during Clemson Extension’s centennial celebration in 2014, the Lever Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to Extension programs and South Carolina agriculture. The hall is named for South Carolina Congressman A. Frank Lever, a Clemson trustee and co-author of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.
The Smith-Lever Act created the Cooperative Extension System. More than a century later, Clemson Extension continues that mission.
Raymond Sligh
Throughout a career spanning more than 30 years, Sligh became known for his commitment to both agriculture and youth development. Serving Clemson Extension from 1978 to 2010 in Chester, Lancaster, Saluda, Union and York counties, as well as in regional leadership roles, Sligh helped countless young people discover opportunities through 4-H and agricultural education.
Among his many accomplishments was the development of a successful Loan-A-Calf program that gave youth hands-on livestock experience and leadership opportunities. He also coached multiple state championship livestock, dairy and poultry judging teams while helping agricultural producers address challenges and improve their operations.
“Raymond Sligh is a Hall of Fame county agent,” said Phil Perry, former Saluda County Extension agent and Lever Hall of Fame member who nominated Sligh. “He is a worker, encourager, supporter and giver. His induction recognizes a lifetime of service that strengthened agricultural programs and youth leadership development throughout South Carolina.”
Sligh said helping people improve their lives was the most rewarding part of his career.
“I was happy to be able to work with youth and adults to help them improve their lives,” Sligh said. “I traveled with youth and showed them places and things they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to see. I helped adults with tasks like navigating the Dairy Buyout Program. I built relationships with people so we could get things done. The hardest thing for me to do was to leave.”
John Irwin
For 30 years, Irwin dedicated his career to helping South Carolina livestock producers strengthen their operations and prepare future agricultural leaders. As an Extension animal scientist from 1979 to 2009, Irwin played a key role in developing and implementing industry programs, including S.C. Pride, S.C. Quest and South Carolina Beef certification initiatives.
His expertise helped producers improve herd health, nutrition, breeding practices and marketing strategies. Beyond his work with producers, Irwin invested heavily in youth development through 4-H and Future Farmers of America livestock programs, mentoring generations of students who would go on to become agricultural leaders themselves.
“Success as an Extension agent begins and ends with building relationships,” said Lee Van Vlake, director of Clemson Extension’s Livestock and Forages Program Team, who nominated Irwin. “As a young agent, I remember watching Dr. Irwin and other agents as they worked with their constituents and thinking, ‘I want to be like these guys.’”
Irwin credits his family and colleagues for helping make his career successful.
“Extension is a wonderful career,” Irwin said. “Working in Extension allowed me to serve the great people who live in South Carolina. Clemson Extension is a family, one I’m proud to be a member of.”
William R. “Rusty” Thomson
For farmers across South Carolina, Thomson became a trusted advisor and champion for innovation. During his Clemson Extension career from 1977 to 2003, Thomson served in Union and York counties before becoming an area livestock agent supporting multiple counties.
He helped develop programs that changed how producers manage and market cattle, including the Clemson University Management Assistance Program (CUMAP), S.C. Pride and Carolina Quest. His work provided producers with practical knowledge in herd health, genetics and forage management, helping many farming operations become more profitable and sustainable.
“Rusty has always been a cow man,” said Wallace Wood, who nominated Thomson. “He was very instrumental in helping producers learn how to market their cattle so that they could benefit. By building relationships, he earned the trust of the people he served.”
Relationships were at the heart of Thomson’s Extension career.
“I was honored to help people,” Thomson said. “From traveling with youth and teaching them about agriculture to helping farmers develop business plans that allowed them to keep their farms, those experiences created a lot of great memories.
“Building relationships is an important part of working in Clemson Extension. To active agents, I suggest creating relationships with their people to learn how to be a better agent.”
A lasting legacy of service
While their careers followed different paths, Sligh, Thomson and Irwin shared a common purpose: helping people succeed. Their work strengthened South Carolina agriculture, expanded opportunities for youth and built relationships that continue to benefit communities across the state.
Chalmers Mikell, assistant director of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation’s government relations division, said Extension professionals devote extraordinary time and effort to serving communities.
“Today is a special time as we recognize a few of the giants in the Extension field,” Mikell said. “Being an Extension agent is a calling. It’s not a 9-to-5 job. Extension agents put in a lot of time and make sacrifices to serve.”
Dobbins said the accomplishments of the inductees also reflect the strength of Clemson’s land-grant mission.
“The expertise of our Extension agents is enhanced by research from our College and research stations and is linked to the needs of our state’s citizens, which include their well-being, the economy and the environment,” he said.
Matthew Holt, dean of Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, said dedicated Extension agents are essential to serving South Carolina communities by helping the University meet its land grant mission.
“We need to remind ourselves of our land grant mission,” Holt said. “The founding principles of the land grant system are as relevant today as they were when they were established.
“Induction in this Hall of Fame is an indication of a lifetime of dedication to Clemson Extension.”
Holt also reflected on Lever’s legacy and the enduring impact of the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service.
“Mr. Lever made a real difference by starting Extension to help people,” Holt said. “It’s a great honor for these agents to be recognized for helping South Carolinians.”
Asbury Frank Lever, the son of a farmer, understood the importance of agriculture to communities throughout South Carolina. Lever served in the U.S. House of Representatives and, alongside Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia, authored the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which created the Cooperative Extension Service and established a system for delivering research-based agricultural and food-science knowledge directly to the public.
Frank Lever III said public service was central to his grandfather’s vision.
“He had a vision to help the people of South Carolina,” Lever III said. “People have visions all the time, but to have a vision that has lasted for more than a century, that’s something to be proud of.”
Although the word “education” does not appear in the original text of the Smith-Lever Act, Lever III said it remains the foundation of the legislation’s impact.
“Extension is the greatest kind of education,” he said. “My grandfather believed this and I know he’s smiling right now.”
2026 Lever Hall of Fame inductees and their families
