USC president: Graduate high school, college

GRANITEVILLE -- Leavelle McCampbell Middle School didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides Monday.

Actually, he was far more pleased to see a USC banner in the media center during a visit to the school Monday.

As he told the students later during an assembly program, libraries are among his favorite places to learn.

"My parents didn't get to college," Pastides said. "They were immigrants and weren't able to help me very much in school. But they knew it was important for me to get an education, and they looked at my report card very carefully."

The university president spent the day with USC Aiken Chancellor Dr. Tom Hallman. They visited Bridgestone Firestone, and met with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions executives. After Pastides spoke to the Aiken Rotary Club, he and Hallman returned to USCA, where they heard faculty and student research efforts.

Pastides' visit to Leavelle McCampbell coincided with a community breakfast that Principal Jackie Barnwell hosts periodically for businesspeople, PTO and School Improvement Council members.

She pointed out that, for the past two years, USCA and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center have collaborated with the middle school, providing professional development, field trips at no cost to the students and other activities.

The students are focused on reading, said Assistant Principal Brad Weston.

"Mrs. Barnwell wanted that incorporated into the school day this year," he said. "On three days each week, the students eat lunch for half of the 50-minute period. During the other half, the classes read a novel with thier teachers, using student 'think-aloud' strategies to raise their reading achievement."

Pastides urged the children to strive to get through middle school and high school.

"I want to see the hands of every one of you that you will graduate from high school and go on to college," he said. "College is the key to a successful life. It's less important about what you want to do, but you need to start by being a college graduate. USC is the largest college in South Carolina, and it's 208 years old. There will be a place for you at USC or any other college you want to go to."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.