USC students, faculty mourn loss of former president Accelerated Learning Resources

USC students, faculty mourn loss of former president

COLUMBIA — Former University of South Carolina President Dr. Andrew Sorensen died suddenly Sunday at his home in Columbus, Ohio.

Nearly three years ago, Sorensen announced he was leaving USC. He said he was ready to begin a new chapter in his life.

“He was vigorous up until the very end,” says current USC President Harris Pastides, who spoke to Sorensen on the phone last week.

Sorensen, 72, was working as Ohio State University’s chief fund-raiser at the time of his death.

“Although we are looking forward to celebrating the man and the life of Andrew Sorensen, there is no doubt that we are all very saddened by the shocking news,” Pastides adds.

Sorensen served as president of USC from July 2002 to July 2008.

One of his many accomplishments was developing a relationship with the City of Columbia to build Innovista, a research, residential and retail district designed to create thousands of jobs in the area.

Some critics say the project has yet to fulfill its promise, but Pastides says it’s too early to write it off.

“Innovista is already becoming the kind of cultural place that he wanted it to be and we will keep working very hard to advance it,” Pastides says.

Students remember Sorensen as energetic and approachable, impacting the lives of hundreds of Gamecocks.

“In a way, he was kind of like Cocky,” says student Aaron Wallace, “he would actually come out, take pictures and shake hands with students.”

“He really wanted students to feel welcome here and he did that for me,” says student Nick Riley.

Sorensen is survived by his wife Donna of 42 years, their two sons, Aaron and Benjamin and their grandson, Art.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.

USC officials say they have received an overwhelming number of requests to hold a remembrance ceremony on campus to honor the late Sorensen. No further details have been announced.

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