The Milliken Medal of Quality was established to recognize South Carolinians of extraordinary vision who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and outstanding achievement in implementing quality systems in their organizations and communities, and who have been an inspiration for others to follow. Frampton and Thornley have each provided extraordinary vision and leadership in implementing the principles of quality management, respectively, in state government and higher education, according to Suzanne Rast, chair of the South Carolina Quality Forum.

Greg Frampton's leadership and dedication to quality management was recognized in 1994 when the South Carolina Department of Revenue became the first state agency to receive the Governor's Quality Achiever Award.  He championed the establishment and served as the first chair of the South Carolina State Government Improvement Network which has helped instill the quality process throughout state government.

Frampton was one of the early leaders in the Quality Forum and, through his involvement, helped establish the South Carolina Governor's Quality Award process that is celebrated each year at the conference.

Dr. Thornley embraces the servant leadership principles and has modeled to the college and the community a willingness to communicate, to change, to participate and to empower. In 1992, she personally taught the introduction to Quality course to over 500 employees of the college and continues to lead the same seminar for all new employees.

Dr. Thornley is a founding and executive board member of the Trident Area Community of Excellence (TACE) which promotes continuous improvement in goods and services of business, industry and government in the greater Charleston area.  In 1998, Dr. Thornley was awarded the ASQ Quality Management Division, Partners for Quality Award for her support of quality management at the local and national levels.

Both Frampton and Thornley have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement within their organizations, communities, and at the state and national levels.  To participate in the Governor's Quality Conference, register on line at www.scquality.com or call 1-888-231-0578.