James B. Holderman

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James B. Holderman
Holderman and Reagan at the University of South Carolina (cropped).jpg
Holderman (left) and President Reagan in September 1983
President of the University of South Carolina
In office
1977–1990
Preceded byWilliam H. Patterson
Succeeded byArthur K. Smith (acting)
Personal details
Born(1936-01-29)January 29, 1936
Morris, Illinois
DiedApril 3, 2021(2021-04-03) (aged 85)
Alma materNorthwestern University

James "Jim" Bowker Holderman (January 29, 1936 – April 3, 2021) was an American academic. He served as the president of the University of South Carolina from 1977 to his resignation in 1990.[1][2][3][4] He was an alumnus of Northwestern University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1962.

Early life and education[]

Holderman was born on January 29, 1936 in Morris, Illinois. He served as the executive director of the Illinois Board of Education, the vice president of the Lilly Foundation of Indiana, and the senior vice president of the Academy for Educational Development in Indianapolis.[5]

Presidency at the University of South Carolina (1977-1990)[]

Holderman was selected to be president of University of South Carolina on June 30, 1977. During Holderman's tenure, the university expanded its honors college, raised the academic standards for entering freshmen, and increased state funding. Holderman started the university's endowment program and promoted its international business programs.[5]

Holderman is also credited with bringing Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush to the university's campus.[6][7]

On April 18, 1984, recently dismissed University of South Carolina professor Philip Zeltner shot and killed himself after holding a student hostage at gun point in Holderman's office.[8]

In 1986, Holderman controversially paid Jehan Sadat a salary of $350,000 to teach for three semesters.[6]

Corruption charges and later life[]

In 1990, Holderman resigned from the university after it was revealed he had been misusing university funds. The next year, Holderman's wife requested a legal separation.[9] He pleaded guilty in state court for using his office for personal gain and no contest to tax evasion. He received probation. In 1992, he was stripped of his tenure and his honorary title, President Emeritus, after the university's board of trustees investigated accusations of sexual assault made against him. Holderman was later convicted of bankruptcy fraud and sent to federal prison. Holderman was later arrested in an FBI sting operation in 2003 for attempting to launder drug money and sell student visas. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Smothers, Ronald (4 July 1990). "Education, Carolina Educator: Bold Leader or Big Spender?". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  2. ^ "University Ex-President Is Target of Sex Charge". The New York Times. 23 October 1991. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  3. ^ Southerland, Daniel (29 October 1984). "A diplomat puts University of South Carolina on the map". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Ex-academic charged with money laundering". SP Times. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b Lesesne, Henry (1999). "In Pursuit of Prominence: James B. Holderman at the University of South Carolina, 1977-1991". History of Higher Education Annual. 19: 185–214 – via Google Scholar.
  6. ^ a b Newspapers, Knight-Ridder. "EX-UIC OFFICIAL QUITS AS PRESIDENT OF U. OF S. CAROLINA". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  7. ^ "A 'diplomat' puts University of South Carolina on the map". Christian Science Monitor. 1984-10-29. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  8. ^ "30 years later, former student remembers being held hostage at USC". thestate. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  9. ^ "James Holderman's Wife Accuses Him of Physical, Emotional Abuse". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  10. ^ Krasky, Lou. "USC's James Holderman: From president to criminal". thestate. Retrieved 2019-04-14.


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