1922-1924: Alvin L. Wells

	Read an overview of grading systems at USC through the years

Listing his hometown as Davis Station, SC, Wells was admitted to the University of South Carolina as a freshman from Rutherford College, NC. While at South Carolina, Wells was student assistant to the Treasurer, as well as a reporter for the student newspaper, The Gamecock, serving as editor-in-chief his last term.

Wells received a Bachelor of Arts degree from USC in 1921 and was paid $925 as the Dean's Clerk that year. The following year, Wells received a Master of Arts degree from the University and was appointed by the school's President William Melton as the first Registrar with an annual salary of $1,800.

The creation of the office was, in part, a response to a report from a special legislative committee charged with studying the economics and consolidation of State agencies. The report had said that the University could improve its administrative methods and redirect resources toward academic improvement. President Melton took the report to heart and implemented a number of administrative improvements, of which the creation of the Registrar's office was only a part.

Coincident to the establishment of the of the Registrar's office, the faculty adopted a letter grade system, with 95-100 as "A", 88-94 as "B", 75-84 as "C," 70-74 as "D", and below 70 as "E".

Wells resigned from the registrar position, effective March 1, 1924, to move to Spartanburg where he would be affiliated with the firm of A.M. Law & Co., dealers in stocks, bonds, and insurance. The February 29, 1924 edition of The Gamecock bid farewell to Wells by saying, "He is a very popular and likable young man, efficient in his duties."