Clark: Appointees signify university’s trajectory of growth

SC State University President James E. Clark announced the appointment of several key executives to his leadership team, including the university’s first female chief financial officer, during a called Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, July 19 . He also named a permanent director to lead the award-winning Marching 101.

With nearly a decade of experience in senior administrative roles in the Division of Academic Affairs at SC State, Dr. Learie B. Luke has been named the chief academic officer. The university’s first female vice president for Finance and Management, Teare Brewington, was promoted to her new position after serving three years as controller. Attorney Mercedes Pinckney Fabers, who joined the university family in May, has been named the chief legal officer. Fabers is believed to be the first female general counsel in 14 years at SC State. Dr. John Robinson, the interim band director of the Marching 101, is now director of university bands.

“The recent appointments of key SC State leadership signify the university’s steady trajectory of growth. This previous year, the university made significant strides in the areas of academics and finance. Much of the progress is attributed to the remarkable work of Dr. Luke and Mrs. Brewington, who developed various strategic initiatives to enhance their respective areas. As the cornerstones of the executive team, their demonstrated leadership will be integral to the university’s continual progress as we seek to be recognized as a premier institution of higher learning, committed to responsible stewardship. With this advancement comes new opportunities through partnerships and collaborations, research and development, as well as increased chances to leverage the SC State University brand to generate additional support.  Attorney Fabers’ acumen in legal affairs of higher education will ensure that the university’s best interests are protected while we venture into new landscapes. She has already demonstrated the significant value that she brings to the SC State enterprise,” said President Clark.

“Finally, Dr. Robinson’s ability to maintain a highly successful, quality band program despite recent university challenges shows he possesses the strong leadership skills and foresight necessary to increase the level of excellence for all university ensembles, most especially the Marching 101. Furthermore, critical to his selection his focus on academics first,” Clark continued.

 

Below are brief profiles of the new appointees.

Dr. Learie B. Luke, Provost

Since 2008, Luke has held numerous senior administrative roles in the Division of Academic Affairs, most recently as acting and interim provost.  The tenured associate professor of history, formerly served as interim associate vice president for Faculty and Programs and interim associate vice president of Academic Affairs.

Luke has published numerous works including his book, Identity and Secession in the Caribbean: Tobago Versus Trinidad, 1889 to 1980. He has served as principal investigator of various funded projects since 2006 worth over $1.5 million covering issues dealing with the integration of technology and instruction, faculty development and the internationalization of the university.

Luke, who serves as a commissioner for the S.C. Department of Archives, has earned graduate degrees in history from Morgan State University and Howard University.  He holds undergraduate degrees in theology and history from Caribbean Union College and Andrews University, respectively. He and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 23 years, and have a teenage daughter, Sharlene.

 

Teare Brewington, Vice President for Finance and Management

 

 

As SC State’s chief financial officer, Brewington brings more than 20 years of progressive experience in the areas of accounting, auditing and management. She has been employed with the university since July 2014 when she was hired as controller. In her current role, she provides strategic vision and leadership for fiscal and administrative support service units of the university.

 

Brewington has worked in both public and private sector organizations, including controller at Livingstone College, director of Finance and Administration at a large not-for-profit in Cleveland Ohio, and she has worked in public accounting, servicing public and private entities.

She earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from The University of Akron, and is a certified public accountant licensed in Ohio and North Carolina. She holds numerous professional association memberships such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and National Association of College and University Business Officers.

 

Mercedes Pinckney Fabers, General Counsel

 
A native of Ridgeville, South Carolina, Attorney Fabers is the former assistant general counsel of the College of Charleston.

She earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the College of Charleston, and was awarded her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Fabers also studied intercultural human rights at St. Thomas University School of Law, where she earned a Master of Laws degree.

With active bar licenses in North Carolina and South Carolina, Fabers is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, South Carolina State Bar, Charleston County Bar Association and the National Association of College University Attorneys, for which she served on the 2016-2017 membership committee.

 

Dr. John Robinson, Director of University Bands

 
In addition to his recent appointment, Robinson is associate professor of music at SC State University. Prior to his current role, he was assistant professor of woodwinds at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where he also was an active band staff member of the “Marching 100” from 2004-2009.

He has served as a guest clinician for numerous schools, conducted double reed clinics and master classes in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. He founded and coordinates the biennial artist symposium giving students the opportunity to perform with guest artists in Florida and South Carolina.

 

He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in woodwind performance from the University of Georgia, and received the Doctor of Music degree in oboe performance and certification in early music from Florida State University. Among the many organizations in which he holds membership, Robinson is active in the International Double Reed Society, the South Carolina Music Educators Association and College Band Directors National Association.

 

Founded in 1896 as a land grant institution with a mission of providing service to the citizens of the state, South Carolina State University has evolved from a small teachers’ college into a major University center of learning and research. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., with a student population of some 2,600, South Carolina State offers more than 50 different fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels. South Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools.