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Retiring USC president gives final commencement speech
5/10/2008 1:24 AM   0 comments on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By KATRINA A. GOGGINS Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- New graduates of the University of South Carolina should strive to bring the sense of community they shared at the school to the new places they will live, retiring president Andrew Sorensen said Friday during his final commencement speech.
"You and I are Gamecock family," he said before a crowd of around 7,700. "In the years that lie ahead, I pray that you will take with you the message of making a big university small and translate it into making a big community -- everywhere you live."
Sorensen will preside over two ceremonies on Saturday at the university, but will not deliver commencement addresses, university spokesman Russ McKinney said. The school's Columbia campus will award more than 3,400 degrees over the weekend.
Meanwhile at Clemson University, more than 2,300 degrees also were scheduled to be awarded over the weekend. South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Cooper addressed Clemson graduates on Friday and was given an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
"If you take anything from address to you today, take away the knowledge that there is no substitute for hard work and that little humility will serve you well," he said. "Recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses."
Sorensen is slated to retire at the end of July but will remain in the position until USC officials find his replacement. He announced plans to retire last December, citing the university's need for a president who could see a long-term fundraising campaign through from start to finish.
McKinney said he could not comment on the school's presidential search. A call to a USC board of trustees member was not immediately returned Friday.
Since taking office in 2002, Sorensen has bolstered the school's push to develop a research campus. He helped nearly double the university's donations in 2007 to $36 million, up from $16 million the year before. He guided the university last fall after six students and another who attended Clemson were killed in a North Carolina beach house fire.
Known for his penchant for bow ties, Sorensen was affectionately called "Andy" by some students at the university.
Ashley Williams, 24, who receive a degree in pharmacy, said Sorensen was instrumental in merging pharmacy schools at the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina. She said she hopes the next school president will continue to show attention to the school of pharmacy "and the university and all other academic programs."
Tearing up near the end of his speech, Sorensen -- a Presbyterian minister -- referenced a biblical passage to give graduates one last bit of advise.
"My final benediction upon you is this sage advice from the prophet Isaiah: 'May you rise up with wings as eagles, may you run and not be weary, may you walk and not faint," said Sorensen, who bowed as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.



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