June 21, 2020

Why your next university president should be a veteran

By: Emma Moore and Barrett Y. Bogue

Robert L. Caslen’s tenure as president at the University of South Carolina was nearly over before it began. When he started his presidency in August 2019, he faced dissension from almost every constituency, including board members who opposed him, student organizations that protested, and faculty members who passed a vote of no-confidence.

Caslen’s eventual appointment was part of a whirlwind process spanning two separate searches and involvement by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. His candidacy was marred by a host of factors and objections, some justified and others not. Those in opposition pointed to previous comments Caslen had made about the role of alcohol in sexual harassment, argued his military background was a liability, and noted his lack of a terminal degree. What President Caslen did not lack was both experience as a leader and as an executive in higher education; he is a U.S. Army veteran who served as the 59th superintendent at West Point.

Read the full article in The Hill.

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