Former USC president Sorensen dies at 72 Accelerated Learning Resources

Former USC president Sorensen dies at 72

COLUMBIA — Former USC president Dr. Andrew Sorensen passed away unexpectedly on Sunday.

Sorensen was currently serving as the senior vice president for development at Ohio State University.

Prior to joining Ohio State, he served as president of the University of South Carolina from July 2002 until July 2008. During his USC tenure Sorensen became known for his energetic and engaging personality, highlighted by his trademark bowtie and surprise performances with the USC band.

When he was first hired in 2002, many assumed Sorensen would merely be a transitional president who would coast into retiremement. He proved to be anything but that reaching out to the community and making great efforts to make USC, Columbia and South Carolina leaders in green and energy technology. Sorensen collaborated with Columbia leaders and helped establish the Innovista research campus in downtown Columbia.

“At the time he came here I think the University was a little bit in the doldrums,” said Charles Bierbauer, dean of USC’s School of Journalism. “I think his mission was to engage it, energize it, reach out to the community. One of the things he did exceedingly well was to bridge some of the gaps between the University and the city and the state.”

Sorensen stepped down as USC president in July 2008.

Current USC President Harris Pastides says he still doesn’t know the cause of Sorensen’s death. Pastides says he talked to him one week ago and he was loving life.

“As a nationally respected leader in American higher education, Andrew left his mark across our nation, and his contributions to the University of South Carolina were many and important” said current USC president Harris Pastides in statement released by the school. ”He never stopped growing, inspiring others and winning friends.”

USC board of Trustees chairman Miles Loadholt called Sorensen a “visionary” for the many ideas and initiatives Sorensen instituted on campus and in Columbia.

“Dr. Andrew Sorensen was among the most brilliant and fearless men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” Said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said. ”Spearheading innovative projects like EngenuitySC and the USC Columbia Technology Incubator, his bold and outspoken leadership ignited a new vibrant knowledge economy, set a national standard for town and gown collaboration and changed our city and state forever.”

Sorensen is survived by his wife of 42 years Donna, their two sons, Aaron and Benjamin and their grandson, Art. No cause of death has been released.

Pastides says he will attend Sorensen’s funeral this week and that the school is planning some sort of memorial but plans have not been finalized.

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