The West Forum was founded in 2002 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia
by former Governor John C. West. It transferred to Winthrop University in 2008. In
his career the former governor, then professor, worked to highlight the importance
of civic education and citizen participation in South Carolina and around the world. Governor
West also wanted a means for South Carolina students to learn about civic engagement
and political issues in the state. He envisioned the West Forum as a place where students
could be informed about issues and trained to fill important positions in the state
in the future. The West Forum seeks to promote leadership and educate students to
become engaged and effective citizens of South Carolina.
