TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR DR. HARRIS PASTIDES UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO OFFER HIM BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate recognize the outstanding service that Dr. Harris Pastides has rendered to the University of South Carolina as its twenty-eighth President and in his previous roles as Vice President of Research and Health Sciences and Dean of the Arnold School of Public Health; and

Whereas, during his tenure as President, Dr. Pastides has been a steadfast advocate for students, sharing his passion for teaching and research and encouraging engagement beyond the classroom through leadership, service learning, international experiences, internships, and undergraduate research; and

Whereas, Dr. Pastides has led our State's flagship system of eight institutions in twenty geographic locations to higher achievements and unprecedented growth, including the South Carolina Honors College's rise to the "Nation's Best," continual top national academic program rankings, record levels of research funding, and the surpassing of a one billion dollar capital campaign goal; and

Whereas, Dr. Pastides' leadership has provided greater access, flexibility, and affordability to South Carolinians seeking a higher education degree; and

Whereas, a leader in his field, Dr. Pastides has served as Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Universities Research Association and Chair of the Southeastern Conference, Advisory Board of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and NCAA Division I Board of Directors; and

Whereas, given his many years of experience and expertise, Dr. Pastides has received a number of honors and awards, including the 2016 Global Changemaker Award, prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, South Carolina Urban League 2017 Whitney M. Young Award, and Allen University's 2019 Richard Allen Award; and

Whereas, Dr. Pastides is an alumnus of the University at Albany (SUNY), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, and Yale University Graduate School, where he earned two master's degrees and a Doctorate in Epidemiology; and

Whereas, he and his wife Patricia Moore-Pastides have two children, Katharine Pastides Erickson and Andrew Pastides, and two grandchildren, Penelope and Alice; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the years of dedication that Dr. Harris Pastides has devoted to the University of South Carolina and to higher education in the Palmetto State. His many friends in this body take great pleasure in wishing him many more productive and joyous years ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Dr. Harris Pastides upon the occasion of his retirement as President of the University of South Carolina, extend deep appreciation for his twenty-one years of distinguished service to the students of South Carolina, and offer him best wishes for a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Harris Pastides.