USCB’s Panu to retire
University of South Carolina Beaufort Chancellor Al M. Panu will retire at the end of June 2027, concluding nearly 12 years as the university’s top administrator.
Panu became USCB’s second chancellor in July 2015, succeeding Jane T. Upshaw. He was the first African American chancellor in the University of South Carolina system.
During his tenure, USCB expanded enrollment, introduced academic programs, invested in campus facilities and increased its economic impact across the Lowcountry.
According to the university, enrollment increased 27.8% during Panu’s tenure, while the number of graduates rose 43%. USCB’s annual economic impact grew from $75 million to $141 million.
Academic expansion included the launch of the Beaufort College Honors Program, the university’s first graduate degrees, three bachelor’s degree programs and concentrations in cybersecurity and marine biology.
Campus improvements included student housing, athletics facilities, library and student center upgrades in Bluffton, expanded academic and student facilities in Beaufort and construction of the Hilton Head Island campus.
Other developments included growth in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which now has more than 1,800 members, and continued support for the university’s Center for the Fine Arts and its Chamber Music Series.
During Panu’s leadership, USCB established the USCB Education Foundation, which has helped raise more than $8 million. The university also secured $15.9 million in federal grants and sponsored research funding and more than $15 million in additional state appropriations.
The university reported receiving six Carolina Trustees Professorship Awards and twice being recognized as a top producer of Fulbright scholars during his tenure.
“For Judith and me, serving USCB in the leadership capacity has been one of the greatest privileges of our professional life,” Panu said. “I have been inspired daily by the dedication, talent, and commitment of our remarkable faculty, staff, leadership team, and community partners in the service of our student learning.”
