1975-1994: T. Luther Gunter

Read about registration the way it was in 1980.

A native of Winnsboro, Gunter was in the Navy after high school, returning to attend the University of South Carolina. His part-time student job in the registrar's office became full time when he graduated with an accounting major. His interests and skills led him to the data processing services unit of the university, then back to the registrar's office as the procedures changed to include computers.

Gunter teamed with others to build the student database still used today. He led the transition from punch cards to tape to direct user input of information to the database via CRT. He is remembered as an industrious, hands-on registrar, who loved technology and ideas.

"Whatever technology came along… we tried to use it," Gunter said. This included pioneering use of scheduling algorithms, optical mark scanning, fax machines, personal computers, touch-tone telephone voice response, and electronic data interchange (EDI). Groundwork for the use of the Internet by the Registrar's Office was laid by Gunter prior to his retirement in 1994.

The Spring 1990 Master Schedule of Classes advertises the new Telephone Information Processing System (TIPS)—a way for students to register for classes and check their grades via the telephone.

Gunter is also remembered as a master problem-solver, dealing with Coliseum registration, privacy restrictions, and a massive growth in enrollment. While at USC, he worked with seven different grading systems.

A leader in his field, Gunter served as President of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and chaired a number of program and hard-working committees for SACRAO, AACRAO, and CUMREC (College and University Machine Records Conference). He was the recipient of CUMREC's Frank Martin Distinguished Service Award, SACRAO's best paper award, SACRAO's Distinguished Service Award, USC's AEC Outstanding Employee Award, and Data Processing Management Association Outstanding Achievement Award.

Gunter retired in 1993 and Associate Registrar Gail Stephens took on the duties as interim until a replacement was found. Gunter continues to serve the University as University Registrar Emeritus and as a consultant to the Financial Services Office.

A sample registration form from 1983.