President Harris Pastides is easily one of the most beloved people on campus. So in honor of his decade of greatness as president of USC, we put together a list of 10 reasons why President Pastides is the absolute best.
1. He Sends Us Heartfelt Letters
It’s hard not to smile while reading this from President @HarrisPastides to @UofSCstudents. https://t.co/aA33ocf42p pic.twitter.com/F5ihCFxdcB
— U of South Carolina (@UofSC) September 21, 2017
Every time something important is happening around campus, whether it’s the start of a new semester, an NCAA national championship, exams or even a tragedy, President Pastides sends out a heart-felt letter to the students and faculty via email. They always feel super personal and are the best pep talks ever.
2. He’s the King of Selfies
Happy #NationalSelfieDay, #Gamecocks! Have we ever taken a #selfie together? Tweet it to me! I’d love to see it! pic.twitter.com/wFm7Anz4jc
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) June 21, 2016
President Pastides is always down to take a selfie. He encourages students to stop him and ask for a selfie whenever they see him. He even added “Take a selfie with President Pastides” to the USC Bucket List.
3. He Advocates for Us
Met with Greek leaders tonight.Great students.They pledged to help reduce incidents of negative behavior.So grateful. pic.twitter.com/KjpQhsIUTe
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) September 19, 2017
President Pastides is committed to making every student’s time at USC the best possible experience. He cares about the issues that affect us. He talks to us and advocates for us.
4. He and Mrs. Moore-Pastides Are Total Couple Goals
#UofSC faculty are committed lifelong learners. In fact, they spent time this summer brushing up on their vocab:https://t.co/EhrXVkq3Wr
— U of South Carolina (@UofSC) August 17, 2016
His relationship with his wife, Mrs. Patricia Moore-Pastides, is easily one of the most precious and pure things ever. He even called her bae in #UofSC Millennial Vocabulary 101, and we are all hearteyes over the cuteness.
5. He Speaks Our Language
Admittedly, I didn’t know all of the words myself. But my #squad was. https://t.co/jfkDYsAlN9
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) August 18, 2016
If you watched the video, then you already know that President Pastides is super up to date with millennial vocabulary. Okay, so maybe he had some help, but he could have fooled us.
6. He Let Us Pick Out His Garnet and Black Car
Best homecoming parade ever! With Bae, Cocky, and our cheerleaders! Happy Homecoming. pic.twitter.com/gMrnFDyF4h
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) November 4, 2016
Every university president gets to pick a new car when starting the job. Instead of picking something fancy, Pastides let the students pick, and he ended up with a cool, eco-friendly garnet and black Mini Cooper.
7. He Brings Snacks to the Library
Delivered Reading Day snacks to the library tonight with Patricia. Stay strong and focused. It’s your Final Four! pic.twitter.com/iMt2GKoYTb
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) April 26, 2017
President Pastides and Mrs. Moore-Pastides are known to pop up with snacks in T Coop during finals week when everyone is stressing. They pass them out to students with a smile and a pep talk, and suddenly that exam doesn’t seem like the actual end of the world.
8. He is the Biggest Gamecocks Sports Fan
Do you follow #UofSC President, @HarrisPastides yet? We think you should. #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/qWZpBCFC52
— U of South Carolina (@UofSC) August 18, 2017
I have two hats, two T-shirts, two pieces of net, and two FinalFour BB teams. Proudest Univ. Prez in America! pic.twitter.com/CvJgCIkqwt
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) March 28, 2017
President Pastides goes to a ton of games, and he is super supportive on social media. He gets just as excited as we do.
9. He Brought Us Pizza
About to go out to deliver snack packs to all the GameDay Campers on the Horseshoe. Pizza will come at 1 AM. I hope they sleep tonight!
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) September 27, 2014
In 2014, we hosted College Gameday on the Horseshoe. Students camped out on the Horseshoe all night, so President Pastides ordered pizzas for everyone because he’s just that kind of guy.
10. He Loves Us and We Love Him
Flight to Nashville cancelled. But no hurricane can keep me from watching the gamecocks from the Russell House. pic.twitter.com/jSsZEoqTuV
— Harris Pastides (@HarrisPastides) September 1, 2016
President Pastides genuinely cares for the students here and goes out of his way to show it every single day. We really could not ask for a better university president.
Like he says in the video, President Pastides slays all day. He is truly one of a kind, and we love him for it. What are some of the reasons why you love President Pastides? Let us know in the comments below.