As Gamecocks, our spirit has no limits.
By Liz White, lwhite@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-2848
The Mighty Sound of the Southeast marching band roared onto the historic heart of campus, shouting Gamecock cheers. Students stopped in their tracks to take pictures or videos.
There was a light breeze and a slight chill in the air when President Harris Pastides approached the front of the Horseshoe. He glanced up at the gathered crowd.
When Pastides began speaking, the faculty, staff and students of the university listened intently. A rustle brushed through the historic oak trees.
During the 35-minute State of the University speech Wednesday, the president praised the people of Carolina and honored achievements from across the university.
The celebration centered on the president’s announcement of the university’s first integrated marketing campaign that shares the inspiring, emotional and extraordinary personal stories of individuals at Carolina. Every day Gamecocks exceed expectations, realize goals and push boundaries.
As Gamecocks, our spirit has no limits.
Kevin Stam knows a USC with no limits. The senior men’s soccer player, who battles on the playing pitch, spends his hours off the field studying ways to achieve peace. Stam is at the heart of his team’s defense, and he is working toward his ultimate goal of international mediation.
“Kevin knows that just as competition is fierce, conflict resolution can be just as intense,” Pastides said. “As a Gamecock and a student who balances academics and athletics with focused career plans, Kevin’s goals have no limits.”
The president pointed to the new signs decorating the Horseshoe that share stories like Stam’s.
University faculty and staff also know a USC with no limits. Marjorie Spruill still remembers the first time she pulled the lever to vote in 1972. Today as an expert in Southern women’s suffrage, Spruill, with help from her students, has documented the struggles to vote.
“They know that today’s ideas shape tomorrow’s actions,” Pastides said. “As Gamecocks, responsible citizenship has no limits.”
As the president shared these and more stories from Carolina, faculty, staff, students and alumni could recognize the emotional stories Gamecocks have to share. There were some goosebumps, along with laughter and pride.
“Confidence defines the University of South Carolina in 2012. In the past, confidence has not been in great abundance around here, but it is part of what defines us today,” he said.
Stam and Spruill are just a few Gamecocks that represent a Carolina with no limits. Pastides and the university want to honor every Gamecock who works, studies, teaches and graduates at Carolina. The university wants to share its stories with the rest of the world.
“We are not only South Carolina’s flagship university,” he said. “We want to be known as one of America’s great public university beacons.”
Full text of the president’s address is available here. For more on the new marketing campaign see the special edition of the USC Times Sept. 27.
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