New S.C. State president a risk-takerSays he's a competitor and will push school to excel By Diane Knich (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, July 18, 2008
Grace Beahm Diane Cooper and Dr. George Cooper walk into a reception held in honor Dr. Cooper, the new president of S.C. State University. The couple have been married for 40 years. ORANGEBURG — It was only his second day on the job, but South Carolina State University's new president said Thursday that he's ready to make changes. George Cooper, 63, said he accepted the job because many others at the school also were ready to improve the academic program, bring in more resources and become more accountable and transparent financially. They are ready "to be different and to do things differently," he said. And that's important to him, he said, "because I'm competitive in what I do and I want (S.C. State) to be the best university in South Carolina." Hundreds of S.C. State supporters turned out to meet the school's 10th president at a welcoming reception Thursday, smashing the image of a sleepy summer day on campus. Cooper and his wife Diane, who have been married for 40 years, have taken a risk by leaving Washington, D.C., and moving to Orangeburg, he said. But the couple was ready to meet new people and experience new things, he said. George CooperBirthplace: Tallahassee, Fla. Family: Wife, Diane Cooper, adult children, Nikki and Carey Cooper. Education: Ph.D., animal nutrition, University of Illinois, 1972; master of science, animal science, Tuskegee University, 1969; bachelor of science, animal husbandry, Florida A&M University, 1967. Former employment: Deputy administrator, Science and Education Resource Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cooper had worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 1991, most recently as the deputy administrator for Science and Education Resource Development. Maurice Washington, who is chairman of the university's Board of Trustees through the end of September, said Cooper's salary is $200,000. About $145,000 will come from the state and $55,000 from the University Advancement Foundation, he said. Cooper will also receive $15,000 for moving expenses, an annual $25,000 housing allowance, use of a car and membership in various social and civic organizations. Cooper said that as president of the state's only public historically black university, he plans to run a "student-centered" institution. "If we're not serving students, we have no need to exist," he said. Evelyn Fields, chairwoman of the university's Department of Teacher Education and president of the Faculty Senate, said most faculty members she's talked with are pleased that Cooper has some experience in academia. Before working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooper was a professor and vice president for academic affairs at Alabama A&M University. He also worked in other academic settings. Faculty members really weren't looking for someone to "run day-to-day activities," she said. Instead they wanted someone who could "cast a vision and articulate it nationwide." Most faculty members, she said, think Cooper will be good for S.C. State. Cooper said he knows that a big part of his job is fundraising, and he's up to the challenge. To raise money, he said, "you have to get out there and tell success stories about the university, and I'm passionate about that." Fundraising, he said, "allows you to celebrate the successes." Cooper said he's not going to focus on past conflicts at the university. Conflict arose between the university's board and some alumni and other campus groups late last year when the board decided not to offer former President Andrew Hugine another contract. Robert Nance, who joined the university's board in May, is the district director on House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn's South Carolina staff. Clyburn, D-S.C., and a powerful alumnus of S.C. State, was critical of the board's decision to let Hugine go. Nance said "the university family is still going through the healing process." But, he said, the excitement and energy around Cooper being hired as president is moving that process quickly forward. "I support President Cooper wholeheartedly," he said. Cooper said he's only looking toward the future. "I'm a visionary," he said. "I believe you find the common ground, reach consensus and move forward." Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 9 comment(s)
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on July 18, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck with the changes you hope to implement that will positively impact SCSU. I hope you receive the cooperation and receptiveness communicated to you by your staff, alumni, and current students.
Posted by summerville_guy on July 18, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Historically black universities...what a joke. Can you imagine the backlash if a school declared itself a historically white university?
Posted by omarro1974 on July 18, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Knew it would not be long before a troll showed up.
Posted by icunvme on July 18, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I WANT HUGINE BACK!!!! HE IS NOT GOING TO GET AS MUCH MONEY FROM PEOPLE AS HUGINE DID!!!!!....I know for sure he wont get MINE!!!
Posted by eyfigueroa on July 18, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
summerville_guy: SCSU is a historically black university because there was a time where Blacks were NOT allowed to attend other colleges. So wealthy benefactors and/or religious organizations created schools whereby blacks (free born and former slaves) could further their education.
Considering that there were black only elementary/high schools those black teachers had to be trained somewhere. Blacks were not able to attend law/medical schools so they also had to be trained elsewhere.
So before you call it a joke, realize that there is truth in the label of "historically black universities".
Just in case you're wondering, a white young man was the valedictorian of the class of 2008 at Morehouse College (an all male private historically black college). Also, whites are NOT prevented from attending these schools in fact they are encouraged to attend and they do in growing numbers because other larger colleges' tuitions are rising exponentially each year.
BTW, if you want to argue semantics Harvard, Yale and Princeton ARE historically White institutions. Look at Bob Jones University; they’ve not too long ago dropped the ban on inter-racial dating. If that isn’t indicative of a historically White institution, I don’t know what is.
So, to rebut your assertion that the label of ‘historically black university’ is a joke, I say nay, your vitriolic response to this article is a joke. The “label” is accurate and in no way denigrates or takes anything away from any other colleges and universities.
Posted by Neponset on July 18, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyf..
What you say is true and SCSU filled this need, however these are new times and there is a need for regional schools - I think it would be good to make this fine school color blind and encourage all in the area to attend. They may even get off the starvation diet of funding.
Posted by preachlove on July 18, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neponset - What in the world are you talking re: color blind? Whites do attend SC State. Once again Eyfigueroa, you presented an excellent post.
Posted by Neponset on July 18, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
prea..
What is the ratio?
Posted by eyfigueroa on July 24, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
neponset: why are you concerned with ratio? Students CHOOSE the schools they attend. No one is FORCED to attend one school over another. If white students choose to go elsewhere then how is it SCSU's problem?
The ratio of Blacks attending USC Columbia hovers right around 13%. Should USC be shut down for not catering to more Black students? Of course not.
And any suggestion that SCSU and similar schools should be shut down because there aren't many White students attending them is patently ludicrous and smacks of (insert word of choice here).
Also you are advocating the need for regional schools. Well then what schools do you sugguest should be shut down? The historically Black schools? The historically Christian schools? The historically single gender schools?
Neponset: please take the time to research subject matters prior to commenting on them. I find it less stressful to debate issues with individuals who actually know what they are talking about.