SC business magnate resigns from USC presidential search committee in protest

A South Carolina business magnate and University of South Carolina donor has resigned from the school’s presidential search committee in protest, The State has learned.

Lou Kennedy, the owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, sent a resignation letter to board Chair Dorn Smith. “When you said, during Thursday’s meeting, that my invitation to be part of the search process was a ‘courtesy,’ I felt as though it diminished the priorities I brought to the table. As far as I am concerned, this is unacceptable.”

The letter, sent Monday on Nephron Pharmaceuticals letterhead and signed by Kennedy, said Smith apologized to her after the incident.

“I want to reiterate this is a unique opportunity for the Carolina community — and that includes members of this board — to stand up and embrace the chance to consider candidates for this critical role, who reflect the diversity that makes our state great,” Kennedy wrote.

Kennedy was an advisory member of the presidential search committee, meaning she was privy to who applied to the job and behind-the-scenes discussions on candidates. Advisory members, however, do not have a vote.

On Wednesday, Kennedy issued a statement to The State through a spokesman.

“While I was appreciative of the opportunity to serve as an advisor to the search committee, and have great respect for colleagues on it, I have developed concerns with certain trustees and their approach to the process.”

In a statement, USC thanked Kennedy for her donations to the university.

“Lou Kennedy is a devoted and loyal alumna of our university, and we regret that she has resigned from the Presidential Search Committee. The university appreciates her steadfast support of our mission,” the search committee said through USC spokesman Jeff Stensland.

USC is searching for a president after Robert Caslen resigned earlier this year. The committee interviewed candidates for the job throughout last week in Atlanta.

Kennedy, who graduated from USC in 1984 with a degree in journalism, has been a vocal supporter and donor to USC. Last year, her company donated a robot to USC that was crucial in speeding up COVID-19 tests on campus.

“It became apparent that, in order to handle the testing needs of all returning UofSC students, faculty and staff, multiple robotic liquid handlers would need to be connected together and operating on a 24/7 basis, significantly increasing the number of COVID-19 tests that can be run each day,” USC said in a 2020 press release about the donation from Kennedy’s company, Nephron Pharmaceuticals.

This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 11:09 AM.