Rising enrollment, advocating for social justice and bolstering tutorial packages to fulfill workforce wants are among the many objectives of the president of the state’s solely public traditionally Black college.
Alexander Conyers was inaugurated as South Carolina State College’s thirteenth president on Saturday afternoon at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Heart.
The event was delayed a day by Hurricane Ian, however that didn’t deter Conyers’ pleasure at being chosen to guide the college he graduated from in 1989.
“What an exquisite day. I am grateful to your efforts to nonetheless be right here with us. … I sit up for main South Carolina State onward and upward with integrity, dedication and excellence,” Conyers mentioned.
He turned performing president in July 2021 and later interim president. The retired U.S. Military colonel was named president in April.
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Conyers thanked his household, together with his mother and father; spouse, Agatha, and kids, Aly and Ace, for his or her help, together with the numerous different family and friends from his hometown of Manning and past, together with his Head Begin instructor, Mary Cooper, who was in attendance.
He issued a particular thanks to the scholars of the college for, “the chance to permit me to be just right for you.”
The president mentioned he took his often-touted theme, “You’ll be able to go wherever from right here,” personally, significantly since he was a first-generation school pupil who went on to achieve the army and past.
“I provide myself up for example,” Conyers mentioned. He additionally referenced a quote from the late skilled basketball participant Invoice Russell: “The sport is scheduled. We’ve to play, so we’d as properly win.”
“We would as properly win. … Let’s prepare to revive, reengage and, extra importantly, reinvest,” Conyers mentioned.
Conyers mentioned he’s as much as the duty, with objectives to not solely improve pupil enrollment and the diversification the scholar physique, but additionally the recruitment of out-of-state college students and the enhancement of educational packages and curricula to fulfill workforce wants.
The college may also advocate for social justice and be certain that college students have entry to assets together with, however not restricted to, new tutorial buildings.
“I’ll lead the cost,” the president mentioned.
He additionally urged stakeholders to appreciate the significance of sustained giving to the college and making an elevated dedication to its success a precedence. He mentioned stakeholders embrace school, employees, alumni and the state’s Basic Meeting.
“We should not journey over issues which are behind us. … We are able to accomplish all of these items plus extra,” he mentioned.
Conyers drew parallels between himself and Thomas E. Miller, a legislator who served as the primary president of S.C. State. He helped established what’s now S.C. State in 1896 and served as its first president till 1911.
Conyers mentioned Miller, like himself, not solely delivered newspapers as his first job, but additionally put his college students – and never himself – first as president of S.C. State.
He mentioned Miller’s “Bulldog tenacity” and mission to teach college students and guarantee their success was very similar to his personal.
Conyers additionally identified that Miller began out with a category of 960 college students in 1896, whereas his incoming class of scholars contains, however will not be restricted to, 956 first-time freshman.
He mentioned the college is poised for fulfillment, however should work as one workforce to perform its objectives.
“Now could be the time for everybody to lean in. … One workforce, one struggle,” Conyers mentioned.
Claflin College President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, whose personal inauguration was delayed greater than two years by the coronavirus pandemic, pledged to help Conyers and the college.
“The most effective is but to return. … We shall be united,” Warmack mentioned.
U.S. Military Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Flowers and U.S. Home Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, an S.C. State alumnus, each despatched video messages of congratulations to Conyers.
“Alex is a novel particular person. He possesses the qualities of somebody who can soak up data, contemplate what must be carried out after which search steerage and get it carried out. He is a person of excessive character,” Flowers mentioned.
Clyburn mentioned, “I can not consider a greater particular person to have on the helm than President Conyers.”
Manning Mayor Julia Nelson, Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler and Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. had been amongst those that attended the inauguration and delivered their properly needs to the president and congratulated Conyers on his management.
Butler offered the president with a proclamation declaring Saturday, Oct. 1 as Col. Alexander Conyers day within the Metropolis of Orangeburg.
Contact the author: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Comply with “Good Information with Gleaton” on Twitter at @DionneTandD