James 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. He was an alumnus of

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

, where he earned his

Ph.D A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin: or ') is the most common Academic degree, degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields ...

. 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 Higher Education, the vice president of the Lilly Foundation of Indiana, and the senior vice president of the Academy for Educational Development in Indianapolis.

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. Holderman is also credited with bringing

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

and

George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; pr ...

to the university's campus. 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. In 1986, Holderman controversially paid

Jehan Sadat Jehan Sadat ( ar, جيهان السادات ''Jihān as-Sadāt'', ; née Safwat Raouf; 29 August 1933 – 9 July 2021) was an Egyptian human rights activist, the First Lady of Egypt from 1970 until her husband's assassination in 1981. As Egypt ...

a salary of $350,000 to teach for three semesters.

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. 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 subsequently 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holderman, James B. 1936 births 2021 deaths Presidents of the University of South Carolina Northwestern University alumni People from Morris, Illinois