Conversations
Dr. Leroy Davis Sr., former president, South Carolina State University
After years of planning and preparing, on Thursday, April 28, 2011, South Carolina State University dedicated the new home for the Department of Biology and Physical Sciences. It features an office tower, research space, two auditoriums, five conference rooms and state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories.
The building is named after its former president, Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr.
During his six year tenure, Leroy Davis obtained reaffirmation of accreditation for the university by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, Davis initiated a Bachelor of Science degree program in Nuclear Engineering, the first such program of its kind in the state of South Carolina. He also established a University Center of Excellence in Transportation and increased annual giving from $419,000 in 1996 to $2.1 million in 2001.
MidlandsBiz:
What is your education and background?
Dr. Leroy Davis Sr.:
I was born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the town where South Carolina State University is located. I served as the eighth president of South Carolina State University, retiring in 2002. By training and profession, I am a molecular biologist. I spent most of my career at SC State, first as an undergraduate and then as a graduate student. In 1979, I earned a PHD in microbiology from Purdue University.
The list of alumni university presidents who also grew up in the town where the university is located is small. This town and university are very dear to my heart.
I currently serve on numerous boards across the country, including the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, South Carolina. I serve as executive director of Voorhees College's Center of Excellence in Rural and Minority Health, designed to help persons in rural communities with health challenges to gain resources necessary to improve the quality of health. I also act as a consultant on higher education for the Southern Education Foundation.
MidlandsBiz:
What are the origins of this new Leroy Davis, Sr. Science and Research Complex?
Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr.:
The vision behind this new 57,000 square foot science building started back ten years ago during my presidency; it was one of my signature projects. A decade later, I am thrilled and honored, both personally and professionally, to have the building named after me.
MidlandsBiz:
Why did it take a decade to complete?
Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr.:
The challenges that we have faced to complete this building are not unique to a project of this size. First, you have to go through years of approvals. When I retired in 2002, we had received an initial appropriation of $10M from the General Assemble to complete the project. Over time, the design of the building underwent a series of changes and the costs escalated to $17.5M, so, we had to raise additional money. I am thrilled to see the finalization of this wonderful addition to the university science department.
MidlandsBiz:
How will this building impact the university?
Dr. Leroy Davis, Sr.:
This university has a great tradition of producing top notch scientists. This building will act as a catalyst for continuing to attract talented students and faculty to our university and thereby enhancing research.
There is a big push nationally to promote science, technology, science and math (STEM) education. This country needs to produce more scientists to compete with the incredible number of graduates that are coming out of India and China. In many ways, it is a matter of national security. As a sub line, we also need to push hard to increase the number of minority students matriculating in these STEM areas.
My life was transformed by this university; my goal is to see the lives of young, bright students transformed as well. I am a passionate advocate for this university and for STEM education.
The completion of this science building, and also our new engineering building, will position this university to grow rapidly coming out of this recession.
