NEWS

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Rev. Charles Seastrunk Jr. '55, of Columbia, was unanimously reelected Dec. 6 as chaplain for the South Carolina House of Representatives. This year marks his 20th year in the role, having been first elected in 2002.

"Mr. Seatrunk is a man of service, a man of integrity, a man of goodwill and also a family man. A man who takes pride in his family, spending quality time with his children and his lovely wife. Family is special to him and should be for all of us," said state Rep. Robert Q. Williams, of Darlington, in his nomination speech on the House floor. "Mr. Speaker and members of this great body, I am proud to stand and nominate my good friend, my good prayer partner, who constantly prays for all of us when we are going through our emotional rollercoasters. I am honored to stand here and nominate my friend, Mr. Charles Seatrunk."

At age 91, Seastrunk begins his 11th term as an officer in the chamber. Officers are elected every two years at the start of each legislative session, with non-member officers including the clerk, reading clerk and sergeant-at-arms. The chaplain opens the business of each legislative day with a prayer and provides pastoral counseling for House members.

Seastrunk earned his bachelor's degree from Newberry in 1955, and that same year, he married his classmate and sweetheart, Sarah Truesdell '55. Last month, the couple celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Seastrunk went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1958, and a Master of Arts from Pepperdine University in 1979. Between 1949 and 1984, he served in the South Carolina National Guard, the United States Army Reserve, and he retired as a chaplain in the United States Air Force.