You don't deserve this.
You are a trailblazing South Carolinian who has brought so much positive acclaim to this state. You were the first woman depicted on the cover of Fortune magazine.
Your $70 million in pledged donations to our renowned business school that is now in your name comprises more funds than our state legislature will likely give us in five years. You have brought pride and immeasurable fame to this university.
You are a star.
And now you're no longer on our board of trustees. Our television-starring, memoir-writing governor has booted you out of your seat.
She has replaced you with Tommy Cofield, a financial contributor to her gubernatorial campaign. It's her right to do this, we fully admit.
It's just absolutely appalling she's actually done it.
Don't worry, Darla. He's just as qualified as you. He was an All-State golfer and owns his own law firm here in the Midlands.
Maybe he can donate $70 million to our law school. We'd sure like to replace that leaking roof.
No offense to Cofield. We're sure he's a nice enough fellow. He's likely serve with dignity and respect. We look forward to meeting him.
It's not his fault Gov. Nikki Haley doesn't recognize you shouldn't eliminate a university's top financial supporter when the state refuses to fund higher education appropriately itself.
Anyway, Darla, thanks for your 12 years of service. Thanks for the $70 million. Thanks for giving South Carolina a remarkable name.
It's something our governor might never do.
Darla, we hope you continue to support the University of South Carolina. If not, maybe you'll consider running for governor in 2014.