Dr. Sinclair E. Lewis

1958, B.A. History, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina

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Graduating high school, our country at war in Korea and no means to attend college, Sinclair Lewis enlisted in the US Air Force and served two tours in the war zone.

Following his return to civilian life, he enrolled as a day student at The Citadel and the following year transferred to the University of South Carolina. While at the university, he became actively involved in student affairs and in Sigma Nu Fraternity. 

IT WAS AT SOUTH CAROLINA THAT HE FOUND AND MADE HIS COMMITMENT TO GOD, CHURCH AND THE AMERICAN LEGION PROGRAM TEACHING YOUNG MEN THE VALUES OF GOD AND COUNTRY, PALMETTO BOYS STATE.

Feeling the call to active Christian ministry, Sinclair sought advice of South Carolina President, Dr. Donald Russell, whose wise and caring advice led him to enroll at Duke Divinity School.  It was at Duke University that he earned his Doctor of Divinity and met the woman he was to marry, Betty Ratliff.  In the fall of 1961, Sinclair was given his first appointment as a minister in the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, serving parishes across South Carolina, retiring in 1998 to Anderson, SC.