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Glen Ward Has Made Impressions a Lifetime of Fun

Glen Ward
Courtesy of Glen Ward

Humorist and inspirational speaker Glen Ward left a comfortable job at a bank 25 years ago and took a leap of faith into a venture he’d long been doing as a  sideline – public speaking, including both inspirational messages and impressions of well-known personalities.   It worked out, because a quarter century later, he travels the country bringing South Carolina humor to 36 states and counting.  Whether he’s imitating famous Palmetto State politicians such as former U.S. Senators Strom Thurmond and Fritz Hollings or singers from Johnny Mathis and Aaron Neville to Willie Nelson, he always entertains, and always takes pains to keep his presentations family-friendly. 

Longtime friend Jerry Pate tells us that Ward has the ability to connect with something within every group of people he addresses.  The speaker developed his talent as a child, mimicking relatives at family reunions, people at his church or his school teachers.  "I began doing this, and got laughs, and it’s something that's just stayed with me all the way along," he says.   But in the end, Ward wants to inspire, not just entertain, and leave his audiences with a message "not in a power point, not in a handout, but just  from my heart to theirs."

Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.