SCICU holds first in-person board meeting in two years

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sixteen SCICU college and university presidents and several dozen trustees ushered in the return to in-person board events with the March 10 Board of Trustees meeting. Bob Jones University, which last year became SCICU’s 21st member institution, hosted the meeting.

SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez, along with SCICU Board Chair Lucy Grey McIver (BlueCross Blue Shield of S.C. – deputy general counsel and assistant vice president), welcomed the 16 SCICU presidents for their first in-person Council of Presidents breakfast since February 2020.

BJU President Steve Pettit and BJU sophomore health science major Karis Martin kicked off the all-day board event with a campus welcome and respective presentations on growth at the university and the value of higher education funding support in South Carolina.

“It was great to see everyone in person. Being in a room together promotes the kind of in-depth discussions that are difficult online,” said Perez. “COVID-19 accelerated changes that were already happening in higher education, and SCICU needs to draw on the talent and expertise of its board members to best serve our member institutions and their students.”
The morning’s key presentations began with Newberry College President Maurice Scherrens, who also serves as chair of the SCICU Council of Presidents. Scherrens offered an insightful analysis of characteristics needed for thriving post-pandemic.

Following Scherrens was meeting keynote speaker Bob Morgan, S.C. Chamber president and CEO. Morgan shared his views on South Carolina’s economic outlook and the economic impact attributed to college/university operations in the state.

Perez then meshed perspectives from Scherrens and Morgan into an interactive exercise with trustees on their viewpoints regarding the future of higher education in South Carolina. Through roundtable discussions, trustees and presidents examined post-pandemic higher education issues and developed a list of suggested priorities for SCICU in supporting the 21 member colleges and universities.

Meeting attendees enjoyed a concert presented by the Bob Jones University Chorale before the luncheon provided by Aramark, BJU’s facilities/catering partner.

The afternoon board sessions featured a review of fiscal year-to-date operating results, affirmation of fundraising goals, and approval of public policy/advocacy priorities.

SCICU thanks the sponsors for financially supporting the event:

• Allegiance Industries
• Aramark
• Cantey Tech Consulting
• CapinCrouse
• Duke Energy
• GMK Associates, Inc.
• McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
• Metz Culinary Management
• Pioneer College Caterers
• Sodexo
• South Carolina Student Loan Corporation
• Total Comfort Solutions
• The Virtual Care Group
• Wyche, P.A.

“On behalf of SCICU I want to express our deepest thanks to President Steve Pettit and the entire Bob Jones University team for their warm hospitality and impeccable hosting of our board meeting,” said Perez.