Having a degree in horticulture from Clemson Agricultural College (now Clemson University), Thurmond eventually studied under his father to become a lawyer, state senator and then judge. After resigning the bench to enter the army in World War, he returned to politics in 1946 running for and winning to become the 103rd governor of South Carolina. As governor of South Carolina, he retained his rank of general in the CS Army reserves, and as such supported Constitutionist candidate General Dwight D. Eisenhower over the democratic nominee. In what some saw as a "military coup" against the leadership of president Truman, Eisenhower chose Thurmond as his vice president. In his role as "president of the Senate," Thurmond successfully thwarted efforts started by Truman towards integration of the