USC Upstate Celebrates 43rd Annual Founders’ Day

Honors those who have made outstanding contributions

SPARTANBURG, SC – February 15, 2011 – The Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education will hold its 43rd annual Founders’ Day Celebration on Thursday, February 17 to honor friends and supporters who have been instrumental in the development of the University of South Carolina Upstate. The event will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Campus Life Center Ballroom.

“The annual Founders’ Day celebration provides the Commission an opportunity to pay particular tribute to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in support of USC Upstate and on behalf of the people we serve,” said James R. Smith ‘72, chairman of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education.

The G.B. Hodge, M.D. Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest recognition the Commission can grant and is designed to recognize a lifetime of history altering influence on the shape, character and destiny of the University of South Carolina Upstate. This award will be presented to Cleveland S. Harley (pictured right).

As a founding charter member of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education, Harley played a pivotal role in the establishment of USC Spartanburg in 1967. During the numerous meetings and negotiations that took place to establish a University, Harley’s wisdom, keen business sense, and innate people skills were legendary. Harley has given very generously to USC Upstate of his time, talent and resources. Aside from his tremendous commitment to the Commission, Harley has mentored students, donated to student scholarships, supported a golf tournament that bears his name, established the Curtis R. Harley Art Gallery and the Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park.

Just as Cleveland has served USC Upstate, he has served his community. He was a Founding Board Member of Mary Black Hospital and the Founder and Chairman of Community Action Program. Additionally, he has served in leadership roles with Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way of the Piedmont, Greenwood Methodist Home, and Charles Lea Center. He is a Master Mason, a member of Masonic Lodge #333, and has been a Masonic State Constable for more than 50 years. Cleveland received the State of South Carolina Order of the Silver Crescent in 2005.

For more than six decades, Cleveland has led his family’s business ventures and is well-known as an astute businessman. In 1970, he served on the President’s Council American Institute of Management. From 1970 to 1983, he served as President of the Harley Corporation. And from 2006 to the present, he has served as the General Manager of Harley Holdings, LLC.

“Cleveland Harley has been a key leader in bringing USC Upstate to life,” said Smith. “For the past 44 years, Cleveland has been intimately involved with all of the University’s undertakings and by presenting this award to him we celebrate and acknowledge his tremendous contributions to USC Upstate and to higher education.”

The Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education Founders’ Day Awards provides recognition to those persons in the larger community who have been of exceptional assistance to the University. Receiving the Founders’ Day Awards are Dr. Harris Pastides and the late Dr. James “Eb” Barnes.

Above photos: Receiving the Founders’ Day Awards are Dr. Harris Pastides and the late Dr. James “Eb” Barnes.

Dr. Harris Pastides was named the University of South Carolina’s 28th president on August 1, 2008, following a decade of service at Carolina as a professor, dean and vice president.  He served as vice president for research and health sciences from 2003-2008 and as dean of the University’s Arnold School of Public Health from 1998-2003. Before joining the USC faculty, he served as a professor of epidemiology and chairman of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He received his masters of Public Health and his Ph.D. in Epidemiology degrees from Yale University. With Focus Carolina, one of his first major initiatives as University president, Pastides launched the most comprehensive strategic planning initiative in the University’s history.  The effort is expected to result in transformational goals that will steer a course for the University’s long-term future.  Advance Carolina, the next phase of Focus Carolina, will put goals into action. That includes plans for becoming bigger and better—increasing the number of state citizens with baccalaureate degrees and engaging in more impactful research and artistic creation. Pastides has identified sustainability, innovation, the University’s role in development of a knowledge economy, more access to education for South Carolinians, and stronger cohesion among the University’s eight campuses among his major goals.

The late Dr. James “Eb” Barnes had a cheerful face that was easily recognized around the USC Upstate campus, and was well-known for donning a red Santa Claus hat to match his long, white beard during the Christmas season and at December graduation. From 1975 to 2003, he served in many capacities at the University – professor of physics, acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and as coordinator/director of USC Upstate in Greenville. His students remember him as an educator who cared as much about their personal lives as he did about their grades. It was in his position on the Greenville Campus that Barnes delighted in his passion for helping non-traditional students explore pathways to a bachelor’s degree, and he was able to communicate wonderfully with non-traditional students from diverse backgrounds. Barnes became a coach, counselor and mentor for countless adult students who pursued their dreams of earning a bachelor’s degree. Barnes earned a bachelor’s degree at King College, a master’s degree at Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. at Clemson University. Prior to coming to USC Upstate, Barnes taught at University of Kentucky Hopkinsville and Western Carolina University.

The Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education will present two Awards for Distinguished Service in honor of long and distinguished careers of service to the University that is characterized by exceptional dedication, exceptional work ethic and persistent commitment to quality. Receiving the Awards for Distinguished Service are Dr. Julian “Chip” Green and Mr. Glenn C. Landrum.

Above photos: Receiving the Awards for Distinguished Service are Dr. Julian “Chip” Green and Mr. Glenn C. Landrum.

Dr. Julian “Chip” W. Green originally came to USC Upstate in 1988 to serve as dean of the Library and to teach geology on a part-time basis. From the mid-1990s, until his retirement in 2010, he taught full-time. During Green’s time at the University, his career highlights include implementing a higher level of library services focused on students, renovating the library, working to increase environmental awareness on campus, introducing new geology courses based on case method, interdisciplinary approaches, and online teaching methodologies. Green earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in geology at Dartmouth College. He also earned a master’s degree in information science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. in earth sciences at Harvard University.

In 1973, Glenn Landrum came to work at USC Upstate as a building and grounds specialis
t. Although he officially retired in 2002, Landrum chose to return to campus to work on a part-time basis. His co-workers describe him as a kind and joyful person, one who never says “no” to any task or favor when asked. With a quiet demeanor, Landrum will take time to perform each task to the best of his ability and will stay with it until the task is completed. A native of Spartanburg, Landrum is humble in spirit, always has a smile and never complains. He is always willing to help people and is an example to all.

“The service of the Founders’ Day and Distinguished Service Honorees is what has made this University one of the finest, strongest and fastest growing in the State of South Carolina,” said Dr. John Stockwell, chancellor of USC Upstate.