Our History
SCSL was founded in 1956 by Dr. Douglas Carlisle. The organization drafted a constitution and incorporated itself under the motto of "Our Freedom, Our Liberty, Our Responsibility."
SCSL has been a breeding ground for future news-makers. Among the organization's former members are:
SCSL has been a breeding ground for future news-makers. Among the organization's former members are:
- Former Republican strategist Lee Atwater
- Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army
- Former SCGOP party chair Van Hipp
- Former Secretary of State candidate Rick Wade
- Former US Representative Liz Patterson
- Governor Henry McMaster
- State Representative Alex Harvin
Our Founder
Douglas Hilton Carlisle was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on July 27, 1919. He attended Mississippi College and after graduating from college he attended the University of North Carolina, where he earned a master's degree in Political Science. He had hoped to go on for a Ph.D., but World War II intervened. Before receiving his orders he married Carol Whitt Jones of Lakeland, Fla. After the war, Douglas and Carol returned to Chapel Hill to continue their graduate studies. They interrupted them to teach at the University of South Carolina, Douglas in Political Science and Carol in English but returned to Chapel Hill at various times to complete work toward the Ph.D. They both received their degrees on June 4, 1951, and returned to Columbia. In 1955 Douglas founded the South Carolina Student Legislature. In addition to giving the opportunity to hundreds of students to develop their critical thinking, speaking, and political skills, SCSL served as the model for several other student legislatures in other states. Dr. Carlisle taught at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, USC, and the University of Tennessee. Dr. and Mrs. Carlisle retired in 1986. Dr. Carlisle was active in politics and the community and advocated the further involvement of women in politics. Dr. Carlisle passed away on August 26, 2010. His memory will live on forever through the lives that he touched.