A South Carolina business magnate and University of South Carolina donor has resigned from the school’s presidential search committee in protest, The State has learned.
Lou Kennedy, the owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, sent a resignation letter to board Chair Dorn Smith. “When you said, during Thursday’s meeting, that my invitation to be part of the search process was a ‘courtesy,’ I felt as though it diminished the priorities I brought to the table. As far as I am concerned, this is unacceptable.”
The letter, sent Monday on Nephron Pharmaceuticals letterhead and signed by Kennedy, said Smith apologized to her after the incident.
“I want to reiterate this is a unique opportunity for the Carolina community — and that includes members of this board — to stand up and embrace the chance to consider candidates for this critical role, who reflect the diversity that makes our state great,” Kennedy wrote.
USC is searching for a president after Robert Caslen resigned earlier this year. The committee interviewed candidates for the job on Nov. 9 in Atlanta.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.