Jonathan Pinson, the new South Carolina State University board chairman, says every stakeholder of the Orangeburg institution needs to get on the same page.

He acknowledges S.C. State receives more than its share of negative publicity, however the Greenville native says it’s the dawn of a new day.

“We have more positive news going on than negative news,” Pinson said. “If we all start coming together along with the community, it will fuel growth.”

He notes the university is fast becoming a trailblazer in the transportation and nuclear engineering fields. In addition, he said forthcoming construction projects such as the James E. Clyburn Transportation Center will make S.C. State a more aesthetically pleasing campus.

Pointing out those facts is essential to garnering critical financial support from alumni and corporations, he says.

In the past few years, the board has been the recipient of frequent criticism from lawmakers and alumni for infighting, firing former President Dr. Andrew Hugine and getting a reprimand from the Southern Association of Colleges of Schools for overstepping its boundaries.

Pinson believes the perception can be changed but that he can’t do it alone.

“I think it’s going to take everybody getting involved to change that perception. I’m only one person,” he said.

Pinson plans to accomplish the goal by establishing the board as a unified team. A team, he says, that is only there to support President Dr. George Cooper, set policy and bring in donations.

He wants to “allow an environment that lets each board member express and develop their talents so we can utilize them at the university.”

Pinson was elected to the chairmanship after nine trustees voted last month to oust trustee Lumus Byrd from the position. The T&D learned one of the reasons for Byrd’s ouster was altering the payment structure of Cooper’s supplementary salary without board approval.

“A lot of time we get caught up in our issues,” Pinson said.

Focusing more on core issues such as S.C. State’s 2010 SACS reaccreditation and boosting enrollment are the right path for the board, Pinson says.

He believes the future economic health of Orangeburg County is linked to the performance of S.C. State. He said businesses look at local universities when deciding where to locate.

Pinson would like to see the university become more engaged with the community. However, he thinks Cooper is doing a good job in that regard.

Pinson views S.C. State as in a transitional period. In the near future, he expects it to become a prominent research institution that turns out highly-sought-after students.

“I see all of Orangeburg reshaping because of the growth the university will experience the next five years,” he predicts. “At the end of the day, the best marketing news for a university is the students.”

Pinson’ success story could be highlighted as a prime example.

A 1993 S.C. State graduate, Pinson has gone on to become a successful entrepreneur. He is president of the Greenville-based Professional Staffing Solutions and is part-owner of both Travinia’s Italian Kitchen and the Hilton Convention Center Hotel in Columbia.

Recently, Pinson and fellow S.C. State trustee Lance Wright purchased a diaper company that is to create 250 jobs in Mullins.

“I’ve always had that passion for just creating jobs,” he says.

Pinson says the university must tell its own unique story to garner more support from constituents.

For example, he notes the university lifts a lot of kids out of the low-income bracket. He points out Washington Monthly magazine ranked S.C. State as the top school nationally for social mobility.

Pinson believes the cultivation of a positive attitude at S.C. State will breed positive results.

“By coming together and working together, you can make things happen,” he says.

Pinson and wife Pamela have three children. He enjoys traveling to Europe and the Caribbean and spending time with his kids.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesnaddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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