September 15, 2023, Laura Morris
USC School of Medicine Greenville was one of the first schools in the country to integrate Emergency Medical Technician training and certification into its first-year medical curriculum. Program director Dr. Elizabeth Mannion takes us behind the scenes to explain what students learn and how those skills are applied throughout medical school and in the real world.
September 13, 2023, Hannah Cambre
Jump Start was designed as an initiative of Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET) to improve transfer student retention rates and academic outcomes. The program allows transfer students to acclimate to the campus community and get a head start on coursework the summer before starting classes.
September 13, 2023, Allen Wallace
Over the past 20 years, thousands of University of South Carolina students have been part of one of the greatest traditions in sport by working at the Masters Tournament. For students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, there is no better training ground to gain real-world professional experience than Augusta National Golf Club. But the opportunity is open to all majors.
September 08, 2023, Thom Harman
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® committee has announced the Carolina Band as one of their premier bands selected to perform in the 2024 parade. The announcement was made at halftime of the South Carolina vs. Furman football game on Saturday (Sept. 9). The band was one of just 10 chosen from more than 100 applicants. This is the first time in the band’s 100+-year history that it’s been given this opportunity.
September 01, 2023, Maddie Lee and Emily Prillaman
The highly anticipated first home football game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 9) in Williams-Brice Stadium. While game day is a very exciting time, attending your first one can be a little intimidating. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
September 01, 2023, Megan Sexton
Northrop Davis, a media arts professor who teaches TV and screenwriting, along with manga, the Japanese art of cartooning, comics and anime, is the is the winner of USC's top teaching award for 2023.
August 31, 2023, Hannah Cambre
In 2021, a group of 20 students from across majors and class standings journeyed to Peru to explore the modern day capital city of Lima as well as the ancient Incan capital in Cusco and the sacred site of Machu Picchu. This year, another cohort will return for a winter session to explore the rich history and culture of Peru.
August 30, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
The university never sleeps, but it does slow down a bit during the summer. With the start of the fall semester, here’s a reminder of some recent happenings that you might have missed, plus a heads up about some major upcoming events.
August 25, 2023, Maegan Gudridge
There are more USC students than ever, and navigating the crowd can be tough, especially at the beginning of the semester. We've compiled some tips to help you stay happy even when space is tight.
August 24, 2023, Koby Padgett
As a record-breaking first-year class settles into the University of South Carolina this week, here are some numbers about our incoming students that help give a picture of the activities they take part in, how they’ll impact campus life and the resources it takes to support them.
August 23, 2023, Craig Brandhorst
Gamecock tennis doubles partners Connor Thomson and Toby Samuel enjoyed a stellar collegiate season and earned a wild card to Wimbledon. Their chemistry on court and off is key to their success.
August 22, 2023, Thom Harman
Researchers from USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center contributed to a Columbia Museum of Art exhibition that honors Catawba Nation’s artistry and culture. It’s an event that’s been years in the making — at least.
August 21, 2023
For a lot of University of South Carolina students, the realization that this is a special place comes quickly. One walk around the Horseshoe, one time cheering in the stands at Williams-Brice Stadium, and that’s all it takes. But those signature experiences are only a tiny part of what it means to be a Gamecock. Life-altering experiences can be found all over campus and beyond.
August 17, 2023, USC Social Team
As the home to the nation's best first-year student experience among public universities, you better believe that we pull out all the stops when we welcome Gamecocks back to campus each fall. This year is no exception. Get out your calendars and make plans to make the most of your Carolina Welcome Experience.
August 08, 2023
The Columbia Fireflies will be celebrating University of South Carolina Night at their game against the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday, August 31 at Segra Park.
August 03, 2023, Alexis Watts
Summer camp memories don’t often include crime scene blood spatter analysis or creating culinary masterpieces, but the Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series is not your typical summer camp.
August 01, 2023, USC Social Media Team
With an undergraduate student population of more than 25,000, you can bet there are some prolific social media influencers roaming our historic campus living their best student lives. We'd like to introduce you to a few USC students with impressive follower counts and their own unique flair.
July 31, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward
USC alumni fill leadership roles in public broadcasting across the U.S., from president and CEO to brand engagement and communications. What they have in common: a passion for broadcasting in the public interest, and a strong foundation formed at the University of South Carolina.
July 26, 2023, Téa Smith
Student body vice president Abrianna Reaves didn’t think her time at USC would end up in her role. She wants to help students make the most of their time at the university by helping them get involved and informing them about on-campus resources.
July 25, 2023, Michaela Taylor
When Stan Papajohn first met with the faculty at the College of Pharmacy, he was a man ready to retire after 40 years in the world of retail pharmacy. The deal they struck was for Papajohn to come on as a part-time clinical instructor for “just a few years.” Now, 23 years after he agreed to come on board, Papajohn is officially hanging up the white coat.
July 21, 2023, Hannah Cambre
One week before Josh Hughes planned to study abroad in Ukraine, his trip was canceled because of the escalating conflict with Russia. He was disappointed-- until a new opportunity arose in Kyrgyzstan. Now, he's returned to his host country on a Critical Language scholarship.
July 14, 2023, Téa Smith
Student body president Emmie Thompson and her running mate ran on a platform of small, tangible changes. Thompson hopes the small changes she makes on campus can make a huge impact in students' lives.
July 13, 2023
It's no secret that South Carolina has a nursing shortage. The University of South Carolina is working on all fronts to meet the challenge by attracting, retaining and better training the next generation of nurses. Here's a look at efforts to advance nursing education and help meet the need for more new nurses.
July 07, 2023, Allen Wallace
Students from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management are learning all about minor league baseball this summer at teams throughout the Southeast and beyond. Providing these hands-on opportunities is a priority for USC’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, which emphasizes real-world experience and career development alongside classroom instruction.
June 23, 2023, Megan Sexton
Each summer, African American high school students from around South Carolina visit USC for Summer Seniors, a four-day residential recruitment program that gives students a feel for what to expect as a college student.
June 14, 2023, Page Ivey
After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the hospitality and tourism industries in March 2020, businesses, particularly restaurants, encouraged customers to return, in part, by offering contactless menus. One key piece of that was the QR code — a technology created by a subsidiary of Toyota as a means of tracking its manufacturing processes.
June 13, 2023, Bryan Gentry
Frank Avignone is looking for dark matter ― the mysterious substance that makes up much of the universe. In a lab at the University of South Carolina, he shows off a spectrometer that he recently repaired with support from the National Science Foundation. Purchased for his lab more than 50 years ago, the device proved to be just what he needs for his newest experiment.
June 07, 2023, Megan Sexton
When Clay and Grainne Owen’s son Killian died of leukemia at age 9, the family’s tragedy became their mission — to find better treatments and make childhood cancer a curable disease. Their charity, Curing Kids Cancer, has raised more than $25 million since 2005.
June 07, 2023, Rose Cisneros
For Terrance Weik, the gravesite of his great-grandmother was a sacred place: Her headstone memorialized a place where he could remember her and those who came before. Weik is working on research and preservation efforts at three burial grounds across South Carolina: sites in Blythewood, Daufuskie Island and Hilton Head.
May 24, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
South Carolina nurses and nursing students learned from leading health professionals about the impact that underrepresented, minoritized and disadvantaged background nurses have on increasing health equity throughout the country during the College of Nursing’s StAND-UP: SC Conference on May 11.
May 24, 2023, Hannah Cambre
The Army ROTC Gamecock Battalion received the prestigious MacArthur Award, which recognizes the program for excellence in academics, physical training, character, and percentage of commissioned officers.
May 18, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
The University of South Carolina is one of only six institutions in the country selected to partner with Boeing on its Accelerated Leadership Program, in which a select group of students will gain hands-on learning experience working with engineering projects and innovative technologies
May 12, 2023, Téa Smith
Tori Edsel’s dreams of being a dancer came to an abrupt halt when she suffered a stroke at 16. The third-year early childhood education major’s experiences during her recovery helped change her outlook and gave her a new dream: helping children in similar situations.
May 11, 2023, Abbey Smith
Sarah Davis’s endometriosis diagnosis spurred the NIH-funded researcher to pursue motherhood while completing her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences. As she prepares to celebrate her first Mother’s Day, Davis reflects on what it means to have a successful academic career while starting a family.
May 06, 2023, Michaela Taylor
Sarah Sylvester and the Cocky persona have become incredibly close over her two-year stint as one of the most recognizable mascots in college sports.
May 05, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
When Jenna Wilson became director of the Carolina Closet, she never imagined she’d be in the graduation business. She launched a joint collection project for students unable to buy their own cap and gown.
May 04, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The largest graduating class in the University of South Carolina’s history will participate in spring commencement ceremonies in Columbia on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6.
May 01, 2023, Hannah Cambre
For many, reaching the age of 65 means slowing down and enjoying retirement. Aliza Burton, an English major at the University of South Carolina, has chosen a less traditional path.
April 25, 2023
As the Class of 2023 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.
April 20, 2023, Communications and Marketing
Ethena Inez Lighty has left her mark on the Carolina and Columbia communities through her dedication to leadership and service.
April 17, 2023, Communications and Marketing
Honors College senior Charlotte Ann Pollack did not let the pandemic stop her from excelling even when the worldwide shutdown significantly altered her plans. The Fort Mill, South Carolina, native is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor.
April 17, 2023, Communications and Marketing
Honors College senior Robert William Pokora III drew on his family’s experience with organ transplant to restart an organization at the University of South Carolina that advocates for people to sign up to be donors. The Greer, South Carolina, native is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor.
April 14, 2023
For the past decade, Palmetto College has helped students from the Upstate to the Lowcountry attain degrees where they live and work.
April 13, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
The Discover USC event showcases student research at the university, especially the work of seniors, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. These projects represent all disciplines in research, scholarship, leadership and creativity. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the annual, systemwide showcase will be held 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 21 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
April 04, 2023, Abbey Smith
Undergraduate researchers thrive at the University of South Carolina. If you need proof, look no further than the Goldwater Scholarship, a national award recognizing the exceptional work and dedication of STEM undergraduates towards their research careers.
April 02, 2023, Erin Newman
To help you prepare for fall registration on the horizon, we have put together a list of 12 off-the-beaten-path classes to consider to fill that last elective gap.
March 30, 2023, Cecilia Dore
As the semester winds down, there are several events to celebrate our graduating seniors. Here is a roundup of those events.
March 28, 2023, Téa Smith
First-year marketing major Jala Lewis helps key players on the women’s basketball team craft the signature hairstyles they wear on the court.
March 27, 2023, J. Scott Parker
Reigning women’s college basketball player of the year Aliyah Boston dominates on the court and in the classroom. Boston, who is once again in contention for the Naismith award and is pursuing her second NCAA championship is also a three-time Academic All-American.
March 26, 2023, Allen Wallace
A year of work by the the 2023 University of South Carolina Dance Marathon team culminated in a huge success: $788,645 raised to fund the Child Life program at Columbia's Prisma Health Children's Hospital, part of the Children's Miracle Network.
March 24, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
From editor-in-chief of Garnet and Black magazine to interviewing Martin Scorsese, Erika Ryan has left an impression on every newsroom in her career path. The mass communications alumna has explored almost all forms of news media.
March 16, 2023, Reagin von Lehe and Cecilia Dore
Former student body presidents share their accomplishments since graduating and reflect on the notable role.
March 14, 2023, Rebekah Friedman
As a tribute to the Black alumnae featured in the student-produced documentary The Backbone, USC’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion installed 18 personalized bricks on the Horseshoe. The honorees' stories span seven decades of university history.
March 08, 2023, Michaela Taylor
Poetry has been ingrained in Jennifer Bartell Boykin’s life since she was young, and it’s followed her through adventures as a student, journalist, teacher, advisor and more. Now, it’s empowering her as Columbia’s new poet laureate.
March 03, 2023, Hannah Cambre
Jahleel Johnson gains confidence and insight as part of a prestigious youth exchange program between the U.S. State Department and the German congress.
March 03, 2023, Hannah Cambre
Recent graduates Brett Nilsen and Sean Powers came to the McNair Institute with a dream. They left USC with the opportunity to participate in one of the world’s largest startup investor programs.
February 25, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
Through her marketing major, Jala Lewis is learning how to manage her cosmetology business that she started in high school. Jala’s Extensions became a reality for Lewis when she posted her progress in learning how to braid on social media — her peers in school were impressed. Now, she has braided Zia Cooke’s, Bree Hall’s, and Chico Carter Jr.’s hair in USC athletics.
February 23, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
Chance and Mackenzie Edwards packed a lot of life into a short time period: They got married, went on a honeymoon; he got laid off and they started a business — all during a pandemic. But for the College of Information and Communications graduates, the struggles led to something they’re now thankful for.
February 17, 2023, Megan Sexton
Researchers from the College of Engineering and Computing and the Arnold School of Public Health are studying how a person’s walking speed affects health and well being.
February 14, 2023, Alexis Watts
New age treasure hunters, part of the South Carolina Digital Newspaper Program, are saving crucial historical information buried in old publications that are being preserved and presented online. The newspapers reveal stories from the state’s Black residents and rural communities, often overlooked by larger news outlets.
February 13, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward
The University of South Carolina’s Moving Image Research Collections in a partnership with the History Division of the Marine Corps is digitizing films shot by more than 50 Marine combat cameramen during the Battle of Iwo Jima, which began Feb. 19, 1945. The goal is to provide public access to the video and expand historical understanding.
February 10, 2023, Page Ivey
CarolinaTIP focuses on teachers in their first three years as they transition from learning how to teach to leading their own classrooms. About half of all South Carolina teachers who leave their jobs each year are in their first five years of working in the classroom. The Carolina Teacher Induction Program has reduced the number of new teachers leaving the profession by offering them coaching support from more experienced classroom leaders — most of whom are retired instructors who want to give back to the profession.
February 09, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
Growing up, USC alumna Kimberly Elchlepp religiously watched sports TV when she wasn’t playing volleyball or softball. The public relations graduate went on to make her women’s sports enthusiasm into a career at ESPN as a senior publicist on the college sports team.
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts
The School of Music is bolstering the state’s jazz scene thanks to a dedicated space to train jazz educators and artists, outreach programs to seed the state’s jazz pipeline from the Upstate to the Lowcountry and energetic faculty eager to connect students with top musicians.
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts, Brandie Perron
School of Music students are using music as a way to connect new mothers at Camille Graham Correctional Institution and their babies through a program called The Lullaby Project, which is a project of Carnegie Hall and their Weill Music Institute.
January 26, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
The first month of the new year is rapidly coming to an end, and the initial burst of energy students may put toward resolutions can be difficult to maintain. However, USC has resources to ease the stress of classes along with trying to keep up with those personal goals.
January 24, 2023, Grace Farrar
International business graduate students took part in an immersive experience from the university’s Rule of Law Collaborative, a whodunnit game designed to help in federal anti-corruption training efforts.
January 20, 2023, Megan Sexton
For the third straight year, the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing is ranked No. 1 nationally for its online graduate nursing program, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual online programs rankings released Jan. 24.
January 13, 2023, Hannah Cambre
The Office of the Provost remains a source of mystery for many, but its reach extends to every aspect of academic activity on USC’s campus. Here is a look at just three of the offices that are advancing the provost’s mission of academic excellence at the university.
January 09, 2023, Page Ivey
Four faculty members and a student have been recognized for their work on campus and in the larger community with 2023 Social Justice Awards. The University of South Carolina created the Social Justice Awards to recognize individuals who have exemplified the philosophies of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. through acts of community service, social justice or racial reconciliation.
January 04, 2023, Rose Cisneros
Archaeologists with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at USC have studied the Camden Battlefield for decades, but their most recent finding is the discovery of a lifetime.
December 14, 2022, Communications and Marketing
Did campus feel just a little bit livelier this year? A touch more spirited? A tad more optimistic? We thought so, too — and not only because we named a new president back in January. Yeah, that was one heck of a way to ring in the new year, and it set the tone for the months ahead, but in the end, 2022 was about all of us, from the President’s House to Russell House, from Colonial Life to Williams-Brice. It was about respecting tradition, rediscovering our identity, remembering our past and reimagining our future. In 2022, the University of South Carolina reminded us all what it means to be USC.
December 09, 2022, Téa Smith
On his way to earning his Ph.D. in computer science, Manas Gaur has worked to integrate more "human knowledge" into artificial intelligence. His work has applications in a wide range of fields from mental health care to autonomous driving.
December 08, 2022, Markie Gaddis
When it came time to choose the winning artwork in USC’s first Holiday Card Design Contest, President Michael Amiridis and First Lady Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis liked the idea of focusing on home.
December 07, 2022, Megan Sexton
Charlotte Grover has known since she was in high school that she wanted to pursue a career as a counselor or therapist. She will graduate this month with a degree in psychology and plans to attend graduate school to earn her master’s in social work.
December 02, 2022, Chris Horn
Maggie Kemp grew up a five-minute drive from windswept Assateague Island National Seashore on the Maryland coast, and that locale inspired her undergraduate research pursuits and plans for graduate school at USC.
December 02, 2022, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina will host its annual fall commencement ceremony for thousands of graduates on Monday, Dec. 12 at the Colonial Life Arena. The main ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. and will include graduates from associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and professional degree programs across the USC system.
December 01, 2022, Hannah Cambre
Living-learning communities are one of the many opportunities offered by USC to provide students with a meaningful undergraduate experience. Incoming students can apply for or be invited to one of seven faculty-led living learning communities, which create an intentional space for students to engage passions ranging from health science to music to engineering, all within their own living spaces.
December 01, 2022, Rebekah Friedman
December graduate Sarah Anne Livingston didn’t just ace her engineering classes. She also engineered her future by racking up a whopping six internships with three different companies.
November 29, 2022, Aïda Rogers
The university’s second Black woman student body vice president, Hannah White, is sharing the influential stories from 21 of Carolina’s Black women leaders who broke down barriers in her award-winning documentary.
November 18, 2022, Megan Sexton
A USC alumnus who is an athletic trainer for the University of Tennessee football team donated life-saving blood stem cells, which were used to save the life of a South Carolina Board of Trustees member.
November 17, 2022, Kelley Barrett
Looking for a full-time job after graduation can be a daunting process. Mark Anthony from the Career Center has provided some insight and tips to help soon-to-be graduates get their first job.
November 16, 2022, Alexis Watts
2015 Broadcast Journalism graduate, Alyssa Lang gives fans an all-access pass to the most storied conference in sports. Lang is a host, anchor and reporter for SEC Network. She is now holding down studio shows, breaking major stories and doing the hard work of bringing fans essential reports about their beloved teams.
November 16, 2022, Michaela Taylor
A 30-foot tiger set ablaze could be the stuff of nightmares but for University of South Carolina students, it’s a typical Monday before Thanksgiving break.
November 14, 2022, Kyndel Lee
The West Columbia Outreach Program allows social work graduate students to complete field hours in the law enforcement field, giving them hands-on experience with case file management.
November 10, 2022, Alexis Watts
Greene Street United Methodist Church will become the future home of the School of Music jazz program.
November 10, 2022
It’s no secret that South Carolina faces a litany of health care challenges, and that these challenges hit especially hard in rural areas. With its comprehensive portfolio of health science and health care offerings, the University of South Carolina is well positioned to help. Here are some of the ways in which university researchers and graduates are working to advance the health of South Carolina residents.
November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton
There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.
November 04, 2022, Cecilia Dore
Celebrate International Education Week Nov. 14-18 with campus events that promote and celebrate international exchange worldwide. Get to know the international student population at Carolina with these statistics.
October 27, 2022, Téa Smith
In 1974, Gail Bush Diggs became just the second Black woman to be named Homecoming Queen at the University of South Carolina. The announcement of her selection on the football field 48 years ago was greeted with racial abuse and she never received the traditional scepter that went with title. Students, looking to rectify that slight, will honor Diggs with the scepter at this year's Homecoming.
October 26, 2022, Laura Erskine
Gwen Hopper’s research takes her to rivers, drainages and stormwater ponds throughout Horry and Georgetown Counties. She collects water samples to examine the amounts and types of dissolved organic matter in each system.
October 21, 2022, Cecilia Dore
To get you ready for this year's Homecoming celebration, we take a look back at special moments from past years.
October 19, 2022, Aïda Rogers
Honors college and Marine Sciences alumna Ana Bishop’s senior thesis and passion for protecting marine ecosystems grew into a two-year project and a mission to save endangered whales.
October 12, 2022, Communications and Marketing
The National Institutes of Health has awarded the university $13.2 million to attract and retain diverse, early stage faculty.
October 10, 2022, Megan Sexton
For 50 years, freshmen have walked into University 101 classrooms unsure of what to expect, maybe a little overwhelmed and certainly a bit nervous as they navigate their first semester of college life. In those classrooms, they find a community.
October 05, 2022, CJ Tamasco and Michaela Taylor
Inspired by the popular photography social media app VSCO, the student uses her own money to purchase buckets of flowers, which she then “drops” around campus, inviting passersby to take one for themselves or pass one along to someone else.
October 03, 2022, Allen Wallace
Cutting-edge academics, deep industry connections and top-tier faculty combine to create a first-class training ground for football industry leaders in HRSM’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, recognized as one of the best and biggest programs of its kind.
October 03, 2022, Kyndel Lee
The University of South Carolina’s Columbia and Upstate campuses are recipients of an investment in scholarships by Prisma Health to help counter the state’s critical nursing shortage.
September 21, 2022, Cecilia Dore
The Student Success Center dedicates September for Sophomores to find success and thrive as they enter their second-year of college.
September 14, 2022
Are you interested in studying abroad, but don't know if it's right for you? We take on six myths about study abroad that will help you have a better picture of the reality behind the experience.