Keynote Address by Robert Caslen at MLK Urban League Breakfast

Good morning everyone. I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am to be here with all of you as we recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you to the Columbia Urban League, and Mr. J.T. McLawhorn and the Board members, for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to our wonderful sponsors who helped make this event possible.

And a special thanks to Rev Charles B. Jackson, Sr, for hosting all of us today.

I first met Rev Jackson when he sat in one of our Community Advisory Group sessions chaired by I.S. Leevy Johnson, and quickly recognized he is a man who will never bring attention to himself, but whose interest is in the people within this community. He invited me to one of his church’s lunches and I took him up on it, only to be floored by how this man ministered to the people of this community, without any fanfare, but in the spirit of service of Jesus Christ. And then he invited me to his Sunday church service, and I took him up on it, and was taken by the spirit of the family at Brookland Baptist. But it wasn’t until last Saturday when I came to his Martin Luther King breakfast that I realized that he was not only a hugely gifted pastor, that he was a selfless servant of this community, and that he and his ministry are devoted to the economic development of his parishioners and those he serves in this area. He not only employees 193 people full time, but his economic development programs are following one of Dr. King’s key tenants of his social justice movement to promote the economic development of the underdeveloped communities.

I do need to brag a bit about this breakfast last Saturday. Even though it was the longest breakfast I ever sat through, it was worth every minute. I was honored to meet 97 year old Bishop Frederic C. James, who worked side by side with Dr. King during the 1960’s civil rights movement, and who accompanied Dr. King in the White House when President LBJ signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and was given the 13th pen used in the President’s signature. And then the keynote was given by one of South Carolina’s own Civil Rights Activists, the Reverend Nelson B. Rivers, III. You can’t help but feel pumped and ready for action after a breakfast like that. Thank-you Reverend Jackson for hosting us all this morning!

This is my first MLK weekend since becoming President of the University of South Carolina, and I’ve been inspired by the spirit of community and service in so many ways. Up north where I came from – now no offense to my former Alma Mater – but many did not view this day as anything more than a day of no scheduled activities. But I am happy to say that is not the case here—I have been so impressed by the way this community keeps Dr. King’s legacy alive, not just on this weekend, but every day of the year.

From a breakfast at the University last Friday, to a breakfast here at Brookland Baptist on Saturday, to the University of South Carolina students serving the Columbia community with their “Service Saturday” in honor of Dr. King, to the Freedom Rings Ceremony in the historic Booker T. Washington Auditorium last night, to this great Urban League breakfast this morning. Phew! What a testament to the enduring legacy of Dr. King—a legacy that inspires us to live, to serve, and to build!

When I first came to South Carolina, I was immediately struck by the profound history of this state and its people. I dedicated myself to learning about the University, the community and the state, and each day, I learn something new about what makes this place a truly exceptional place to be at. But it wasn’t until last week, while I was visiting our state’s congressional delegation up in Washington DC, that while sitting with Congressman Jim Clyburn – who is a great historian in his own right – that I found how impactful this state has been to our Revolutionary and Civil wars, as well as to our Nation’s civil rights movement during the reconstruction period and beyond.

In 1780 during a desperate time during our Revolutionary War, George Washington appointed Nathaniel Greene to be the commander of the south, and many historians agree, that if he lost the critical battle of Charleston in June of 1781, we would have lost the war itself.

As you are probably aware, over half of African slaves came to America in Charleston. Not certainly something to be proud of, but a part of our history that is important to recognize.

How many of you heard of Robert Smalls? Robert Smalls was born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina, and freed himself, his crew and their families during the American Civil War by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, on May 13, 1862, and sailing it from Confederate-controlled waters of the harbor to the U.S. blockade that surrounded it. He then piloted the ship to the Union-controlled enclave in Beaufort-Port Royal-Hilton Head area, where it became a Union warship. His example and persuasion helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to accept African American soldiers into the Union Army. So, President Lincoln calls Robert Smalls to DC and gives him direction to recruit 40,000 blacks to fight in the civil war. These regiments were so impactful, many historians argue that without them, we would have lost the war itself.

After the war, Richard Greener accepted the professorship of philosophy at the University of South Carolina in 1873, where he was the university’s first African American faculty member. He also served as a librarian and taught classes in International Law and the US Constitution. He graduated from the law school at USC and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of South Carolina in 1876.

How many of you heard that Rosa Park is the “mother of the civil rights movement”? Many of us have. However, it was Dr. Martin Luther King himself who said Septima Poinsette Clark was the “mother of the civil rights movement”! It’s true! Septima Poinsette Clark began her career as a teacher and fought to fill educational gaps created by a segregated school system that did not prioritize African American students. Clark also worked with Thurgood Marshall on a case that advocated equal pay for white and black teachers. In 1956, she was fired from her teaching job in Charleston during the Civil Rights Movement for failing to relinquish her membership in the NAACP. After that, she became the Director of Education at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee teaching activists like Rosa Parks how to engage in nonviolent protests. Her “Citizenship Schools” helped teach African American citizens how to become registered voters and overcome the social barriers against them. And in fact, I learned that Dr. King was a frequent guest at her Charleston home.

Clark’s life is a testament to ways empowering opportunities that knowledge can afford marginalized groups, and her relentless pursuit of opportunity for underserved communities inspires us in our continual pursuit of progress.

And finally…

- Joseph Rainey from SC is the first African American elected to Congress in 1870.

- The University of South Carolina is the first college in the south to become integrated.

- And Henrie D. Monteith [AHN-REE D. Mon-teeth], Robert Anderson and James Solomon, walked up the steps at the Osborne Administration Building to become the first African American students to enroll at the university in the 20th century.

Pretty incredible. We have had an incredible history, and the man whom we honor today is indeed a significant part of that history. But as we reflect on our history, it is important to acknowledge that our past is also marked by war, division, inequity, segregation and injustice.

And though we cannot change these truths of our past, we must acknowledge and learn from all parts of our history, and honor those who were courageous messengers of truth and wisdom.

This past Friday, at our own University MLK Breakfast, we were fortunate to have Mr. Rick Wade speak – and what inspiring words he shared. Rick is an 1984 graduate of The University of South Carolina, and currently serves as the vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce. Over the weekend, his message has stayed with me—so I’d like to share a bit of his story here.

He mentioned that upon arriving at the University of South Carolina, he did not view the University as simply a place to obtain a college degree. However, it was the place where he opened his mind to the possibilities of what he could become.

It is precisely this spirit of opportunity that I want to cultivate at our University, and into every school and district in the state—so that every student knows they can find their home at the University of South Carolina.

Our choices define our character—our character defines our culture – and our culture creates the “beloved community” in which our young men and women grow and learn.

Dr. King often spoke of the idea of a “beloved community”. But it’s important to note that for him, it was not this utopian ideal in which everyone exists in perfect agreement. Instead—it was a realistic goal for communities that challenge each other to move the needle towards progress—so that each member has equal opportunity for success.

As I reflect on Dr. King’s “beloved community” that brings people together, and one that has access to opportunities, and a community that promotes economic development, I can’t help but wonder what role the University of South Carolina plays in this type of model?

For example, USC has the #1 international business college in the world, and I wonder how accessible are we to our underprivileged student applicants?

And as the University of South Carolina impacts the South Carolina economy by pouring in $1.5 billion dollars a year, how much are we an economic agent for both white and black people? Does our footprint impact only white businesses? How are we focusing on helping minority businesses?

Congressman Clyburn told me that his campaign motto for his campaign this season is going to be, “Make the greatness of this country accessible and affordable”. The motto hits on a hugely important point for us because one of the huge challenges facing the flagship university of South Carolina is indeed accessibility and affordability. Let me explain.

A month or so ago, I was traveling around the state visiting HS’s, Superintendents, private businesses, Rotary Clubs and the like, trying to understand the nature and culture of the communities that send their sons and daughters to our university. One morning I was in Florence HS walking the halls with the Principal, when one of the sharpest and brightest students came up greeting the school principal and me. The student was a minority student, and it was clear he was sharp, energetic and charismatic. The principal was bragging that he was one of the brightest and engaging students in the school with all kinds of potential, so I asked him – he was a senior – what he was going to do next year, and he said he did not know. They I asked him why doesn’t he consider coming to the University of SC, and without taking a second to think about it, he responded, “I can’t go because I can’t afford it”.

What a shame! When Congressman Clyburn recognized that we need to make the greatness of our country accessible and affordable, he couldn’t be truer of the challenges our state K-12 students are facing here in SC. Right now, our tuition rates, when compared with the per capita average income, are the highest in the nation. 50 out of 50. That is why I have committed not to raise our tuition whatsoever this year. And we are proposing legislature that will allow me as President, to use our institutional dollars for need based scholarships, from 4% of these dollars to 8%, and for eligibility from poverty level to poverty level times 2. This means we can use twice as much money for need based education with an eligibility pool that is twice as large.

But these high tuition rates have huge unintended consequences as well. Right now, our university has 51% in state enrollment and 49% out of state. But if you look at us from a diversity standpoint, our student population is only 9 1/2% AA in a state that is 26% AA. Our faculty is even more underrepresented at 4.5%. And to make matters worse, we were 19% 20 years ago in 1999 – so we’re going in the wrong direction. Interesting though, we have about the same number of AA’s from 1999 to today, but we have increased our student enrollment, where most are out of state, because out of state brings in an extra $10,000 a year in out of state tuition.

However, we are working hard to change the narrative, and our AA graduation rates rank in the top in the nation, are comparable with white graduation rates. We are graduating more AA’s than any other college or university in the state.

But if we are going to be the flagship university that reflects the people of our great state, that represents the people of this state, then we ought to reflect whom we serve, least we are viewed as illegitimate by those whom we are supposed to serve. That is a terrible indictment.

We had a similar problem when I was the President of West Point a few years ago. In the Profession of Arms, our client is the American people, and you would think that the demographics of our student body ought to reflect those whom we serve – the American people. And even worse, our graduates were going to be the foundation of the officer corps of the United States Army that was sitting at around a 16% AA rate. When I got to West Point in 2013, we were sitting at around 6%, and it was clear we had some significant under represented issues that manifested in loss of trust among AA’s in the Army, among our graduates, and minorities across the nation at large.

To address this, I asked our alumni across the nation to sponsor leadership seminars, STEM conferences, and Athletic clinics in their cities, and invite 9th and 10th grade minority students from underrepresented and under privileged high schools. We would then fly our minority and AA cadets to be the conference leaders and facilitators. These exemplary cadets not only facilitated the conferences, but they established relationships with the HS students and became their mentors and role models. These relationships inspired a number of the HS students to want to be like their mentor or their role model, and they took their HS seriously and paid the price to get the grades and standardized test scores necessary to be competitive and to gain access into West Point. And as a result, in 2018 when I left, our percentage of African American students increased so that it was comparable with the officer corps and increased to 16% from the 6% at the beginning of my tenure.

You may recall the picture that was in numerous national news outlets last May of the largest AA female class every to graduate from West Point. If I was proud of anything I accomplished at West Point, there was nothing more rewarding than to have seen that picture.

So, we are going to do something similar here at USC. We are currently organizing a pilot program that will bring our college students back into the HS’s across our state, and will facilitate leadership conferences, STEM conferences, and athletic clinics, with the intent of developing relationships and mentoring the HS students, where the HS students would become inspired to seek higher education, and to get the grades to become competitive for access into our colleges and universities. We will pilot this program in Fairfield county HS this semester and expand statewide next fall semester. I’m really excited for its potential.

Our mission at West Point was to develop leaders of character, so character defines the culture I’ve been a part of for many years. When I got to the University of South Carolina, and ran across the Carolinian Creed, I recognized right away that if our university adhered to these values and lived them within our campus community, that this would indeed be an incredible university. Any institution that signed up to the values articulated in that creed, and who immersed themselves into the culture that was defined by these values, were people I’d want to be around.

Let me read you the Creed as a point of reference, and as I do, please feel free to reflect on the values it articulates,

“As a Carolinian, I will practice personal and academic integrity;

I will respect the dignity of all persons;

I will respect the rights and property of others;

I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions;

I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings, and their need for the conditions which support their work and development”.

You know, one’s character is one of the most important attributes of successful leadership and how we productively get along with people. I assert that you can be the valedictorian in your class, but if you fail in character, you have failed in leadership. And if we are going to graduate men and women who are intellectually competent and astute, that we must also graduate men and women who aspire to a set of values which define their character, and which will establish the cultures they will create within their workforce, their communities, and within their own homes. Our Carolinian Creed does indeed define those values – not only what we expect of our students and faculty while they are here - but what they can take with them when they leave. And it is my hope that we not only graduate the most intellectually competent students in the nation, but that we also graduate men and women of incredible character.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever looked carefully at the seal of the University of South Carolina. The seal quotes the Latin poet Ovid with the motto that says, “Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel”. Beneath the motto stands the figures of Liberty and Minerva, the goddess of Wisdom. Though clothed for battle, they hold their weapons at rest and are shaking hands.

The University of South Carolina must be a place where liberty and wisdom share common ground, and it must be that special place where students and faculty can together pursue truth and strengthen both character and the intellect.

I personally believe in this so much, that you may have heard about my “President Coin of Excellence”. On one side it has the words “For Excellence – Presented by President Bob Caslen” which surround the Gamecock block “C”. And on the other side is our University seal, with the words of our motto, “Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel”.

It is important to realize that we are all connected as citizens of our state and nation. Dr. King spoke to this in his letter, written from a cell in Birmingham when he stated that “whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

As a flagship university, we are compelled to remember what unites us as we work to serve the state of South Carolina and all of its people. In doing so, we must invest our words and actions in building this “beloved community” at our University, as espoused by our Carolinian Creed and by our University motto.

Our vision is to be the preeminent flagship University in the nation, and what will make us preeminent is our desire to serve the people of South Carolina.

No one demonstrated service better than Dr. King, and his legacy is the progress that we have made today—as we recognize that we still have important steps yet to take.

During my overseas deployments, I witnessed the violence and pain that occurs where one sect or ethnicity would fight to the death against another sect or ethnicity because of centuries and generations of hatred and mistrust. And I realized then this can be America if we fail to understand each other and find common ground and move forward together.

I also saw ethnic hatred at its worse, when I toured Auschwitz last year. And had also seen the same when I visited Dachau. And I knew this too can be America, if we fail to listen and to understand. I knew we had to learn the lessons of our history, lest we ever find ourselves repeating because we failed to learn. And I knew, in order to learn, that we had to create forums of dialogue, and discussion – not that we would want to change people – but to first listen, because listening creates understanding. And once we understand, then we can find common ground. And once we find common ground, we can move forward together. And then that is where lasting change will occur.

Today, as we commemorate the legacy of Dr. King, we renew our commitment to keep moving forward in our mission to establish a beloved community that truly listens, finds common ground, and progresses together, in order to fulfill Dr. King’s dream that “this nation will live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

So, let us commit today to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive in our actions, our words and our hearts. Let us remember our connection and shared destiny. Let us renew our dedication to service, to inclusion and to improving the well-being of all in our University, our state, and our nation. And let us remember the words of Dr. King: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice”, and that “the time is always right to do what is right.”

Thank you.