Dennis Corporation employees recently attended an event honoring former South Carolina Department of Transportation Highway Commissioner, the Honorable John N. Hardee. President Harris Pastides, on behalf of the University of South Carolina, hosted the ceremony at the President’s House on the Historic Horseshoe on USC’s campus. Mr. Hardee was recognized for his years of dedication to enriching the University’s campus by progressing its infrastructure needs, while holding true to the architectural traditions that continue to characterize the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Hardee’s most recent and significant contribution was his involvement in creating the pedestrian crosswalks that lead to the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center over Assembly and Blossom Streets. Mr. Hardee was presented with a framed photographic display of the project and was also presented with a plaque in his honor. The plaque, presented by President Pastides, was engraved as follows, “University of South Carolina In Appreciation Of The Honorable John N. Hardee For many years of thoughtful and diligent support of maintaining the campus of the University of South Carolina as an accessible institution with high standards of safety for its students, faculty, and staff and for many efforts to improve the quality of the University’s infrastructure both to enhance its academic capability and its interface with the surrounding community, the University expresses its deep appreciation to John Hardee. These Pedestrian Crosswalks which gracefully arch over Assembly and Blossom Streets to interconnect the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center to the entirety of campus are emblematic of Mr. Hardee’s commitments to the advancement of the University, the City and the State of South Carolina, and this plaque is placed in appreciation of Mr. Hardee and his support of the University of South Carolina.”

In attendance at the ceremony were several highly regarded officials from the University, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, local governmental representatives, Dennis Corporation personnel, and family and lifelong friends of Mr. Hardee.

Dennis Corporation currently employs many USC graduates and students who understand the importance of Mr. Hardee’s contributions to the University. Specifically, marketing intern and current University of South Carolina student, Alyssa Schaefer described her appreciation of the pedestrian crosswalk by stating, “The crosswalk has really been a convenient and safe way for me and other students to get to the Strom Thurmond Center. We now have a sense of security walking at night since the crosswalk is well lit and the entrance is located away from traffic.”

Dennis Corporation is a South Carolina licensed civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm. Dennis Corporation’s specific fields of expertise include aviation engineering, civil infrastructure, construction management, construction services, environmental services, expert witness, intelligent transportation systems, program management, special projects, surveying, traffic engineering and transportation engineering.