SC gov replaces major USC donor on trustee board

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has removed the namesake of the University of South Carolina's business school from the university's board of trustees and replaced her with a campaign donor.

Officials said Tuesday that Haley removed financier Darla Moore as a trustee last week. Moore has donated tens of millions of dollars to the school and pledged some $70 million to her alma mater.

Haley spokesman Rob Godfrey said Haley respects what Moore has done for the university and the state. But he said the governor wanted someone who could provide a fresh perspective.

Moore had been the governor's appointee to the board since 1999. Haley replaced her with Lexington attorney Tommy Cofield.

Besides giving to South Carolina, Moore also donated $10 million to Clemson in her father's honor.

This story was originally published March 15, 2011 at 8:10 PM with the headline "SC gov replaces major USC donor on trustee board."