Thomas A. Roe

[2] He graduated from Furman University in 1948, and worked as a research assistant in their cancer center, which was sponsored by a grant from the Carnegie Foundation.

[1][2] He received a business degree from La Salle Extension University and a certificate in advanced studies from the Brookings Institution Program on Urban Policy.

He started a telecommunications company for long-distance calls, later purchased by MCI Inc.[2] He also served as vice president of American Holdings, a firm with ice cream, refrigerator, and furniture manufacturing interests in the United States, along with land holding and air cargo operations in the Dominican Republic.

[2] His donations to his alma mater, Furman University, led to the construction of The Thomas Anderson Roe Building on its campus, named in his honor.

[2][8] He received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Furman University in 1980 and the Order of the Palmetto of the State of South Carolina in 1995.