Darla Moore calls on S.C. to match $5M gift; Haley gives chilly reception

COLUMBIA — Darla Moore donated $5 million today to the University of South Carolina for the creation of an aerospace innovation and research center, but she wants the state to match her gift.

Gov. Nikki Haley indicated that she was not willing to see the state make that investment at this time, although she called the gift generous and thanked Moore for her commitment.

“While the governor and Commerce Director Bobby Hitt both support and continue to work hard to bring aerospace companies and jobs to our state, they both believe the budget request for this project was premature in a budget year where we have millions of dollars in budget shortfalls and we are focused on returning to the basic core functions of government,” Haley’s press secretary Rob Godfrey said in a statement.

An effort in the House to get cash to establish an aerospace center was shot down last week when the chamber approved its version of the $5.3 billion budget. Budget deliberations are continuing in the Senate.

Haley’s comments came the day after USC students and alumni protested Haley’s decision to remove Moore from the board. The rally did not convince Haley to change her mind.

Moore, a Lake City native and New York financier, visited her alma mater to thank students and the community for an outpouring of support this week. Haley said she chose to remove Moore — the university’s largest donor with $75 million in gifts to date — from the board in favor of a “fresh set of eyes.”

Moore never mentioned the governor during her remarks. She said her “singular focus” on strengthening the university and the state could come whether she served on the board or not.

She said the occasion was intended to reaffirm her love for the university and the state.

“We can compete at the highest level,” Moore said. “Just because I no longer serve on the board does not mean for one second that I will be deterred in my efforts to expand our reach for excellence.

“I am sure y’all have noticed I don’t need a title or position to speak out. I just need a voice, my vision and a forum to be heard, just like you did this week. That’s a good lesson in this. I will not allow our university to become a discounted graduation mill. I want you to be proud of your degree. I want you to be first in line for the best jobs available and I want you to stay in South Carolina, to be part of our effort to make our state great.”

Moore wants the center named for the late South Carolina-born astronaut Ronald E. McNair, whom she called an American hero and one of the South Carolina’s proudest sons. It is expected to have a presence in the Charleston area to help feed aerospace giant Boeing Co.

Boeing spokesman Candy Eslinger said the company supports such educational efforts.

“Boeing is supportive of efforts to create centers for higher learning in the state of South Carolina that will advance innovations in aviation and aerospace technology, materials and products,” Eslinger said. “We believe that such efforts will help attract high-quality, high-technology jobs to South Carolina.”

Rep. Bakari Sellers, a Democrat from Denmark and a USC graduate, told USC President Harris Pastides that he would get to work trying to secure the funds for the center.

“I think it’s definitely a priority in the state,” Sellers said. But to make it a reality, Sellers said, Haley may have to be on board.

“I think with the climate the way it is, unless Nikki Haley wants to do it, it may not get done.”