University of South Carolina's president is quitting after congratulating 'the newest alumni from the University of California' in a speech he now admits he plagiarized
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The president of the University of South Carolina, Bob Caslen, quit on Wednesday after several graduation-day gaffes.
Caslen plagiarized a speech made by Admiral William McRaven at the University of Texas in 2014.
He also accidentally congratulated the "newest alumni from the University of California" instead of South Carolina in a speech.
The president of the University of South Carolina resigned on Wednesday after admitting to plagiarizing a commencement speech and referring to the school by the wrong name.
The school's board of trustees accepted Bob Caslen's resignation, which takes effect on Thursday, the University of South Carolina said in a news release seen by the Associated Press.
Caslen acknowledged lifting passages from a 2014 speech from Admiral William McRaven - the Navy SEAL who led the mission to kill Osama bin Laden - without attribution in a commencement speech over the weekend. He also congratulated "the newest alumni from the University of California," wrongly naming his own school in the speech.
"I sincerely apologize to Admiral McRaven, someone I know and respect; our graduates; their families; and the entire university community for not leading by example," Caslen said in a statement.
Caslen originally submitted his resignation over the weekend but had the backing of the school's board, according to the Post and Courier. The publication reported that the university's trustees' faith in Caslen quickly waned, leading Caslen to resign on Tuesday night.
His departure comes just a week after the school's provost left to become the next president of Louisiana State University.
Former University of South Carolina president Harris Pastides is set to become the interim head on May 14 while the school searches for a new leader.
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