April 12, 2016: Dr. Harris Pastides has been the president of USC since 2008 having arrived at a time of a major nationwide recession. Non-the-less his outlook for the university as to improvements and growth was positive. And there has been both growth and change at USC. SAT entrance exam scores are the highest in the nation. The HONORS COLLEGE is ranked as the best in the nation. As a fellow Rotarian he believes that the spirit of Rotary should be imparted to all students. They should be encouraged to vote, and to devote time for the improvement of their communities. Students should learn to provide for future generations, not just focus on their own lives. He is “bullish” on students but not as optimistic about what is taking place in the state capitols and in Washington, DC. He feels strongly that public officials should act as Americans first and do what is required of them. Conversely the students coming to the campus do have a spirit of optimism. There have never been more applications to the university, which now has an enrollment of over 37,000. One half of the students attending college in South Carolina attend schools in the state system. USC has a growth plan to admit 100 more freshmen each year.
Today’s students are outgoing and do not hesitate to approach him on the campus and ask to take a “selfie”. He does have great concern over the time students are spending on their smart phones. Smart phones are fine as a source of basic information, but they do not aid in experiencing creativity and initiative. Students sitting in the classroom are “dying” to answer the buzz of a text message, which in all probability is of little importance. They have admitted to being addicted to their phones. This addiction is quite visible when one observes people seated in a restaurant texting instead of talking to one another. “Take time for yourself and turn the phone off!”
He noted that the law school auditorium looked spectacular in the recent national debate, but this appearance was due to a whole week of decoration. In reality the building is in need of a major remodeling effort. This may come about with the building of a whole new law school.
He challenges students to vote. Some respond that they do not like any of the candidates, to which he tells them to look at every individual issue and if one person is even a little bit better than another on an issue, that person should get the vote. Voting is a vital part of citizenship. He recalled that his parents were Greek immigrants who vigorously studied the citizenship examinations that were required in the 1950’s.
He praised the city of Charleston and revealed that his long range plan is to retire to Charleston [and hopefully join our club!]. In his view Charleston is a global city, one with “something special”. He praised the partnership that is developing with companies like Boeing who feel that they are a better company for locating here.
On the fast track at USC is a new Cyber Security Center which will address the major challenge of information theft. Scams, both by computer and phone, are a major problem. Nothing is secure as everyone’s records are in some computer network. The new center will train students to be far more protective of the use of their smart phones.
Finally, he urges everyone, including USC students, to set their goals high. He wishes that EVERYONE belonged to a Rotary Club.
— Fred Sales, Keyway Committee