Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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An Intervi Dr. Williai laterview By Kathy Edwards -Kahccw staff Wait.r GAMECOCK: You are about to take over a job that one man has held for 12 years. How can you follow in Dr. Jones' footsteps? PATTERSON: Well, I admire what Dr. Jones did for the University and I think he did a very splendid job. I do feel that if experience is any value for a job of this sort, I have an almost unlimited amount of it. I came here as a student in the 30's and came back to work here in 1943 as an instructor in the College of Engineering. I joined Norman Smith in the President's Office in February of 1950. So for 24 years I have been connected with the administration of the University. I have attended the Board meetings for 24 years. Therefore, I have had a reasonably good chance to become acquainted with the place. GAMECOCK: Since you are 63 years old . . PATTERSON: That is a mistake. I will have to correct that. I am 61-years-old. Retirement age is 65. 1 feel that I serve at the will of the Board. I f they wish to, they could end that tenure at the meeting in Sep tember. Or if they wish to, they could continue me until the state's mandatory age (of retirement) which is 72. I would hope that the former is very unlikely and I feel confident that the latter option is more unlikely. So there really isn't any necessary limitation on my term. GAMECOCK: Michael Mungo (Board Member) has proposed an idea for a President for business affairs and a Chancellor for academic affairs. How do you feel about this? PATTERSON: I would have to admit that I am not sure I un derstand Mr. Mungo's proposal - ew With n H.Pattei "I expect anyone who has given as many years to an institution as I have to this one is gratified to be selected as President." inasmuch as the University, since I have been involved in it, has had a President who was President of the University, and we have always had what has been a chief academic officer. Sometimes he has been named Dean of the University, sometimes Dean of the Faculty. More recently, Provost. This particular individual reported to the President. And since Mr. Mungo's proposal is that they have two individuals of equal rank at the University, I would have to say I would have reservations abat%ome sort of a two-headed monster. GAMECOCK: Then you think it is already taken care of? PATTERSON: If I understand the proposal, I think it is already taken care of. He has also on several occasions said that a Lum 's' Draft Roast * Fish Open Ii Monday ____2005 C Inr son businessman should be in the presidency. I doubt very much that I qualify as a businessman. [AMECOCK: But he would? PATTERSON: Right. GAMECOCK: What events led to your selection as President? PATTERSON: I expect anyone who has given as many years to an institution as I have to this one, is gratified to be selected as President. My own opinion would be, that having attended Board meetings for 24 years, most of the members of the Board of Trustees knew me. If they were going to make a change, at that particular moment, I probably was a fairly logical choice. GAMECOCK: Why was there the hesitation there? We un derstood they may go outside the University in their selection. PATTERSON: To be honest with you, I don't know. When President Jones resigned, I think the Board of Trustees had one of several options. They could have made someone an interim president or a president. They obviously chose the latter route. But I don't think they necessarily had to. But since they did go this route, I have to say I didn't know they were looking on the outside. I would assume my tenure is obviously an indefinite one. It is obviously going to end at some given point. I wouldn't be sur prised at that time if the Board of Trustees looked to the outside. Ifeel sure, as a matter of fact I have discussed this with the members of the Board of Trustees, that there will be a "search committee" established at the proper time to seek a President. And the faculty will .be involved, and I would cer tainly assume that students would be involved. I would hope that they wouldn't set out with a preconceived idea of whether the Specialty Beer Beef & Chips m. until 12 p.m. -Saturday reen Street ave Points "Therefore, I myself would not ri Board rules, we will do our best to President would be inside or F outside. When they find an ap propriate successor, whether he be in or out, he will be the man. r GAMECOCK: Do you think t there is anyone in particular being groomed for the job? 14 PTERfoe, I myeldon'tnot BoAMECCK rue,wa will u be t Prsien "wud bsdeVorim t soutsd.We hyfndand pione r tere GAMECCK:FM youT ER there's an n outstningular .0plol being jo? cluEN:don' thpin so. moh-o majrsifekee systeen yurhgn mon syunas andtc SAELCTI ,quire it. But whatever the pursue it." idministration and Dr. Jones'? PATTERSON: I think the major difference will be one of iming. Dr. Jones' ad inistration was during a period f very large increases in student nrollment. It was a period of xpansion of the physical plant, Please Turn To Page 3 pce of this i system."I r IEER 24I EOSSE his abulus Ponee hig muiIerduto ta idg . di ver I R I 2714Devie St WIEERVIE-W EVC