J. Harold Chandler, a native of Belton, SC, graduated from Wofford in 1971 and continues to be a vital asset and philanthropist to Wofford College. An exceptional athlete and student in high school, Mr. Chandler continued his athletic and academic excellence at Wofford. Mr. Chandler was the captain and quarterback for the Terriers during the 1970 National Championship game, and graduated summa cum laude, earning the valedictorian honor in his graduating year. After his years at Wofford, he continued his education at the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a Masters in Business Administration. In 1986, Mr. Chandler completed the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
Mr. Chandler has been an exceptional business leader within the state of South Carolina, and his quick assent of the business ladder, coupled with his philanthropic attitude towards Wofford College, earned him Wofford’s Young Alumnus of the Year award in 1983. Throughout the course of his career, Mr. Chandler has maintained a steady rise through the banking industry, where he has held executive positions with: Citizens and Southern National Bank, 1972–1990; C&S/Sovran, 1990–1991, executive vice president of corporate marketing; 1991, Washington, D.C., bank, president; NationsBank Corporation, 1991–1993, president of Mid-Atlantic Banking Group; Provident Companies, 1993–1999, chairman, CEO, and president; UnumProvident Corporation, 1999–2003, chairman, CEO, and president.
Mr. Chandler currently serves as the Vice-Chairman on the Wofford Board of Trustees, and is currently leading a campaign to have the entire Wofford College athletic program completely endowed. With the help of several other generous donors, Mr. Chandler hopes that Wofford can reach this extraordinary goal. Mr. Chandler currently has an endowed scholarship, with a matching gift from the estate of
Mrs. Homozel Mickel Daniel, directed towards a member of the Terrier’s football team.
Delores Chandler, J. Harold Chandler’s wife, also has an endowed scholarship given in her honor.
