Finalist who worked at Confederate magazine not recommended for top SC college job
COLUMBIA — A panel looking for a new leader of South Carolina’s college oversight agency did not recommend giving the job to Oran Smith, a longtime limited government advocacy group leader who was criticized for working at pro-Confederate magazine.
The S.C. Commission on Higher Education director search committee instead on Thursday suggested hiring Rusty Monhollon, assistant commissioner at the Missouri Department of Higher Education, for the $176,000 a year post overseeing the state’s 33 public colleges.
The full commission will choose a director May 31.
Smith, a longtime friend of S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster who works for the limited government advocacy group Palmetto Promise Institute, was among three finalists. All finalists were deemed “highly qualified” by the search committee.
“While I believe I could have provided transformative leadership in this role, I am honored to have been considered as one of the three finalists, and look forward to continuing to work as a constructive partner to move higher education in our state forward,” he said in statement.
Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/finalist-who-worked-at-confederate-magazine-not-recommended-for-top/article_a8f19ab0-7d8e-11e9-b628-c3dc66749ed6.html
(Charleston Post and Courier)