Politics and pork united Wednesday on Greene Street with “BBQ with Benjamin.” The mayor’s office and student government co-sponsored the event, which had Mayor Steve Benjamin serving pulled pork sandwiches to students and talking to them about local issues.
“I want to have a chance to do some fellowshipping, some social time and listen to students, hear what’s important to students,” Benjamin said. “The university is such a part of who Columbia is, part of our identity, so I think the more time we have to interface on a social level with all you guys is just so important.”
Benjamin got his start in government in 1999 when he was appointed to Gov. Jim Hodges’ Cabinet as Director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. He was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2013.
While serving as mayor, Benjamin has been awarded an Aspen Rodel Fellowship for democracy, received an honorary doctorate of humanities from Francis Marion University and was elected to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Trustee in 2012.
When asked what types of questions he expected students to ask, Benjamin said he was anticipating having to address “all the same issues that are important to most people.” He did admit to being relieved that no one asked any parking questions.
“Whatever students are learning here on campus, I’d like to turn that into a profitable professional endeavor when they leave here,” Benjamin said. “I expected a range [of questions].”
Benjamin was in familiar territory on USC’s campus. Benjamin graduated from USC in 1991 with a political science degree, and he graduated from USC School of Law in 1994.
While a student here, he served as president of both student government and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s USC chapter.
Although he has a special connection with students at USC, he said he also relates to students originally from out of state.
“I came here 27 years ago as an out of state student. I came here from New York City, and my first day on campus was my first day ever coming to Columbia. I found a very supporting environment that embraced me and integrated me well into the surrounding community,” Benjamin said. “The university is meant to be a microcosmic community; what makes it strong is that we bring people in from all across the country, all across the world, right here. Regardless of where you grew up, you have the opportunity to interface with people from such diverse backgrounds. That’s what makes this experience so important.”