COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Former South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster is returning to his alma mater, the University of South Carolina, to help fundraise and boost alumni relations, the university announced Monday.

According to a statement by the university, McMaster will join USC as a senior advisor "to assist in development, fundraising and alumni relations."

McMaster, who served as the state's attorney general from 2003-11, has agreed to help USC achieve its "institutional development plans," including an effort to re-engage alumni and raise funds for the law school.

"Achieving our ambitious goals is a major challenge," Michelle Dodenhoff, USC vice president for development and alumni relations, said in a statement.

"To reach our milestones, we need leaders who can help us raise funds and re-engage key alumni groups. Henry McMaster is an established and recognized leader who brings a wealth of experience and contacts with USC alumni, donors and friends. His assistance will be invaluable."

McMaster, a Columbia native, earned a bachelor's degree in history from the university in 1969 and a J.D. from its law school in 1973.

He served as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond before entering private practice in Columbia in 1974 with Tompkins and McMaster. In 1981, he was appointed U.S. attorney for South Carolina by former President Ronald Reagan, a post he held until 1985. He practiced defense litigation until taking office as attorney general.

Republican Alan Wilson was elected in November to succeed McMaster, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor.

From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by e-mail at jessica@legalnewsline.com.