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Award Winners

The Office of the Provost takes great pride in celebrating faculty and staff excellence at the University of South Carolina. Spanning diverse disciplines and boasting impressive resumes of accomplishments, the 2026 awardees exemplify a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, flourishing research and transformative teaching in our university community.

 
USC Columbia Teaching Awards

  • Angela McLeod, Arnold School of Public Health

    Angela McLeod is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Director of the Montgomery Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic. Over nearly two decades, she has mentored graduate and undergraduate students, supervised practicum experiences, and directed many student research and thesis projects. Her teaching spans graduate courses in speech sound disorders, language and literacy, clinical practice, and distance education offerings. As clinic director, she has strengthened policies, interprofessional practice, and community partnerships to increase access for diverse populations. A lifelong scholar, Angela sees mentoring activities as an opportunity for her to learn as well.

    Caroline Asbill, College of Pharmacy

    Caroline Asbill serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the College of Pharmacy. In the pharmacy skills laboratory sequence, she emphasizes experiential learning, helping students translate foundational knowledge into real-world problem-solving, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care. She encourages learners to build confidence through immersive simulation and hands-on activities while recognizing the profound responsibility pharmacists carry in ensuring medication safety. By fostering meaningful connections and encouraging reflection and growth, she graduates pharmacists who are not only clinically competent, but also compassionate, thoughtful, and committed to serving their patients and communities.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Zachary Winkelmann Arnold School of Public Health
    2025 Megan Robinson Tran College of Pharmacy
    2024 Joynelle Jackson College of Nursing
    2024 Sara Finley Lindsey School of Medicine
    2023 Alicia Flach Exercise Science
    2023 Christina Cox Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences
    2022 James Cook Obstetrics and Gynecology
    2022 Michaela Almgren Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences
    2021 Eboni Harris College of Nursing, Master’s Entry into Practice Nursing Program
    2021 Kathy Quarles-Moore College of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences (CPOS)
    2020 Jeff Hall Family and Preventive Medicine
    2020 Andrew Sides Internal Medicine
    2019 Sheryl Mitchell Nursing
    2019 Celeste Caulder Pharmacy
    2018 Brian Keisler Medicine
    2018 Karen Worthy Nursing
    2017 Julie Justo Clinical Pharmacy & Outcomes
    2017 Sabra Custer Nursing
    2016 Selina McKinney Nursing
    2015 De Anna Cox Nursing
    2015 Brianne Dunn Pharmacy
    2014 LeAnn Norris Pharmacy
    2014 Katherine Chappell Nursing
    2013 Allen Brett Medicine
    2013 Scott Sutton Pharmacy
    2012 Brandon Bookstaver Pharmacy
    2012 Charles Carter Medicine
    2011 Betsy Blake Pharmacy
    2011 Rachel Brown Medicine
  • See the list of Garnet Apple award winners on the Center for Teaching Excellence website.

  • Jeff Dudycha, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Jeff Dudycha is a Professor of Biological Sciences in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. A past recipient of the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award as well, Jeff prioritizes challenging students, encourages critical thinking about the philosophy and foundations of science, and is a champion of interdisciplinary learning. In 2019, he and Reg Bain were co-recipients of the Garnet Apple Award for Innovative Teaching in recognition of the amazing opportunity they created for students with Chords and Codons. Jeff is an expert in his field and an exceptional mentor, dedicated to training the next generation of scientists.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Greg Carbone McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Ken Shimizu Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2023 Northrop Davis Media Arts
    2022 Tammi Richardson Biological Sciences; Earth, Ocean and Environment
    2021 Sanjay Ahire Management Science
    2020 Amit Almor Psychology
    2019 Donna Chen Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2018 Bradford Collins Visual Art and Design
    2017 Clifford Leaman Music
    2016 Maria Girardi Mathematics
    2015 David Reisman Biological Sciences
    2014 Rekha Patel Biological Sciences
    2013 Claudia Benitez-Nelson Earth and Ocean Sciences
    2012 Milind Kunchur Physics and Astronomy
    2011 James S. Cutsinger Religious Studies
    2010 Robert Jesselson School of Music
    2009 Susan Anderson Theatre and Dance
    2008 Sanjib R. Mishra Physics and Astronomy
    2007 Thomas Hilbish Biological Sciences
    2006 Tangali S. Sudarshan Electrical Engineering
    2005 John Larry Durstine Exercise Science, Public Health

    [Previously] Amoco Teaching Award Recipients
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2004 James W. Roberts Mathematics
    2003 Vincent Van Brunt Engineering and Information Technology
    2002 Walter H. Peters Engineering and Information Technology
    2001 David P. Sumner Mathematics
    2000 John D. Spurrier Statistics
    1999 Chaden Djalali Physics and Astronomy
    1998 Carolyn B. Matalene English
    1997 Richard M. Showman Biological Sciences
    1996 Daniel L. Reger Chemistry and Biochemistry
    1995 Steven V. Mann B.A.
    1994 Nelson, Marilyn German, Slavic
    1993 Engle, Randall W. Psychology
    1992 Atkinson, Ronald History
    1991 Goode, Scott R. Chemistry
    1990 Shimp, Terence A. B.A.
    1989 Thombs, Lori A. Statistics
    1988 Kovacik, Charles P. Geography
    1987 Cowart, David G. English
    1986 Farach, A. Horacio Physics
    1985 Bearden, William O. B.A.
    1984 Odom, Jerome Chemistry
    1983 Greiner, Donald J. English
    1982 Sadik, Farid Pharmacy
    1981 Stiver, James Philosophy
    1980 Jones, W. Elbert Accounting
    1979 Becker, Peter History
    1978 Zeltner, Philip Philosophy
    1977 French, Harold Religious Studies
    1976 Teague, Peyton C. Chemistry
    1975 Gardner, John Univ. 101
    1974 Dunlap, Benjamin English
    1973 Husband, David D. Biology
    1972 Borelli, Mary C. Foreign Language
    1971 Ashley, Jack English
    1970 Beardsley, Edward History
    1969 Rempel, Richard History
    1968 Batson, Wade Biology
    1967 Wesson, William B.A.
    1966 Boal, Jan List Math
    1965 Ott, Ruby Foreign Language
    1964 Strebe, David Math
    1963 Foran, William History
    1962 Bouknight, Joseph Chemistry
    1961 Coolidge, Charles History
    1960 Herty, Frank Engineering
    1959 Murphy, Eugene Foreign Language
    1958 Welsh, John English
    1958 Nolan, Edward English
    1957 Karesh, Coleman Law
  • Qian Wang, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Qian Wang is currently Carolina Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on using synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, and materials tools to advance protein-based biomedical and bioanalytical research. Qian has supervised more than 100 doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, delivered over 180 invited talks, published over 300 publications in peer reviewed journals, and gotten more than $15M extramural grants. An innovative thinker, he created a dynamic mentoring system in his lab where senior students provide guidance to junior students, fostering creativity and innovation in a safe, supportive environment.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Julie Hubbert School of Music
    2024 Subrahmanyam Bulusu School of Earth, Ocean and the Environment
    2023 Michael Myrick Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2022 Sara Schneckloth Studio Art
    2021 Todd Shaw Political Science
    2020 Michael A. Matthews Chemical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering
    2019 Amanda Fairchild Psychology
    2018 Richard Adams Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2017 David S. Wethey Biological Sciences & Marine Science
    2016 Rekha Patel Biological Sciences
    2015 S. Michael Angel Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2014 Susan Kuo Law
    2013 James Stallworth Pediatrics
    2012 Milind Purohit Physics & Astronomy
    2011 Mark M. Smith History
    2010 Michael Filaseta Mathematics
    2009 Katherine Chaddock Educational Leadership and Policies
    2008 Ralf Gothe Physics and Astronomy
    2007 Edsel Pena Statistics
    2006 Manoj Malhotra Business
    2005 Lawrence Glickman History
    2004 Michael Amiridis Chemical Engineering
    2004 Chaden Djalali Physics and Astronomy
    2004 Victor Giurgiutiu Mechanical Engineering
    2003 Christina Friend English
    2003 Ted Moore Business
    2003 Dan Reger Chemistry/Biochemistry
    2002 Ann Kingsolver Anthropology
    2002 Carolyn Matalene English
    2002 William J. (Joe) Padgett Statistics
  • Ayse Ozturk, Darla Moore School of Business

    Ayse Ozturk is a Clinical Associate Professor of Marketing at the Darla Moore School of Business. Since joining USC in 2020, she has taught thousands of undergraduate students across courses in Principles of Marketing, Marketing Strategy, and, most recently, Artificial Intelligence. She is a pioneer in bringing AI into the classroom through hands-on simulations and projects that prepare students for a technology-driven world. She also serves as the Thesis Director for the South Carolina Honors College, mentoring students whose research has been published in journals and led to careers at organizations such as Deloitte and the Medical University of South Carolina.

    Aaron Vannucci, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Aaron Vannucci is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Aaron’s research is on the design of inorganic catalysts with a focus on sustainable chemistry. He has mentored dozens of undergraduate students in research, leading to multiple publications. In his general chemistry and inorganic chemistry courses, he emphasizes the ties between course work and everyday life and follows the enthusiasm first ignited in him by his high school chemistry teacher. He often brings demonstrations and 3D-printed models to the classroom. In addition, Aaron has advised students on class selection and is serving on the Goldwater and Top Scholar mentor committees.   

    Lara Ducate, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Lara Ducate is a Professor of German and Applied Linguistics in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to challenging students to consider diverse perspectives and take an interdisciplinary approach, she is dedicated to training future foreign language teachers to be motivated and passionate members of the teaching profession. Through field trips and service-learning, students connect academic content to real world contexts. Since 2005, she has led education abroad programs in Germany to immerse students in new cultural perspectives and expand their global awareness. She currently serves as the Program Director of the German Program, where she extends this engagement-focused philosophy across curricular and co-curricular initiatives. 

    Kathy Quarles Moore, College of Pharmacy

    Kathy Quarles Moore is a Clinical Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. Kathy maintains an active presence in the field by working in independent Midlands pharmacies and integrating clinical practice with academic instruction. Her pedagogy centers on cultivating lifelong learners through environments built on trust, engagement, and high expectations. Kathy has also established a medicinal garden to teach functional medicine, giving students hands-on experience with medicinal plants and real-world application. Her honors include the Bowl of Hygeia Award for community service and the University of South Carolina Clinical Practice Teaching Award, reflecting her impact on both academia and the broader profession.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Brett Sherman McCausland College of Arts and Sciences 
    2025 Amy Taylor-Perry McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2025 Nikolaos Vitzilaios Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
    2025 Brett Robertson College of Information and Communication
    2024 Kelly Goldberg Department of Anthropology
    2024 Jeanne Britton Department of Libraries
    2024 Ӧzgür İnce Department of Finance
    2024 Armen Shaomian Department of Sport & Entertainment Management
    2023 April Hiscox Geography
    2023 Morgan Stefik Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2023 Katherine Ryker School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment
    2023 Alexander Gasparian Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences
    2022 Meredith DeBoom Geography
    2022 Sheryl Wiskur Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2022 Charles Andy Schumpert Biological Sciences
    2022 Andrew Gillentine Sport and Entertainment Management
    2021 Eliza Braden Instruction and Teacher Education
    2021 Melissa Moss Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
    2021 Lori Ziolkowski School of Earth, Ocean & Environment
    2021 Marketa Kubickova School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
    2020 Wendy Valerio School of Music
    2020 Andrew Greytak Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2020 Mary Robinson School of Visual Art & Design
    2020 Anna Swartwood House School of Visual Art & Design
    2019 Caryn E. Outten Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2019 Conor Harrison Earth, Ocean & Environment
    2019 Alicia Wilson Earth, Ocean & Environment
    2019 Meir Muller Instruction & Teacher Education
    2018 Carlina de la Cova Anthropology
    2018 Brad Epperly Political Sciences
    2018 Camelia Knapp Earth, Ocean and Environment
    2018 Evan Meaney Visual Art and Design
    2017 David Barbeau Earth, Ocean & Environment
    2017 Sourav Banerjee Mechanical Engineering
    2017 Ralf Gothe Physics and Astronomy
    2017 Mindi Spencer Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
    2016 Beth Krizek Biological Sciences
    2016 Leah McClimans Philosophy
    2016 Linda Shimizu Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2016 Joshua Tarbutton Mechanical Engineering
    2015 Sanjay Ahire Management Science
    2015 Lydia Brandt School of Visual Art and Design
    2015 Thomas Lekan History
    2015 Tammi Richardson Biological Sciences
    2014 Sarah Baxter Mechanical Engineering
    2014 Jeff Dudycha Biological Sciences
    2014 John Grady Sport and Entertainment Management
    2014 Saskia Coenen-Snyder History
    2013 Danny Jenkins Music
    2013 Ann Johnson History
    2013 Amy Mills Geography
    2013 Michael Myrick Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2012 Northrop Davis Art
    2012 John Ferry Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2012 Anthony Jarrells English Language & Literature
    2012 Joseph Quattro Biological Sciences
    2011 Erin Connolly Biological Sciences
    2011 Thomas Crawford Physics and Astronomy
    2011 Catherine Keyser English
    2011 Sara Schneckloth Art
    2010 Donna A. Chen Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2010 Bobby Donaldson History and African American Studies
    2010 Kevin Elliott Philosophy
    2010 Kimberly Eison Simmons Anthropology and African American Studies
    2009 Elise Blackwell English
    2009 John Lavigne Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2009 David Simmons Anthropology
    2009 Stephen Thompson Education
    2008 Ken Shimizu Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2008 Grigory Simin Electrical Engineering
    2008 Daniel Smith English
    2008 Stephen Stancyk Biological Sciences
    2007 Robert Lyon Art
    2007 Antonello Monti Electrical Engineering
    2007 David Tedeschi Physics
    2007 Stacy Wood Business
    2006 JoAnne Herman Nursing
    2006 Julie Hubbert Music
    2006 Charles Pierce Civil & Environmental Engineering
    2005 Claudia Benitez-Nelson Geological Sciences
    2005 Gregory Carbone Geography
    2005 Greg Forter English
    2005 Kenneth Kelly Anthropology
    2004 Michael Meadows Civil & Environmental Engineering
    2004 Rekha Patel Biological Sciences
    2004 David Rocheleau Mechanical Engineering
    2004 Patrick Scott English/University Libraries
    2004 Terry Smith Theatre and Dance
    2003 Ward Briggs Languages, Literature and Cultures
    2003 Art Cohen Geological Sciences
    2003 Jed Lyons Mechanical Engineering
    2003 David Reisman Biological Sciences
    2002 Horacio Farach Physics & Astronomy
    2002 Judith Kalb Germanic, Slavic & East Asian Languages & Literature
    2002 Vance L. Kornegay Journalism & Mass Communications
    2002 Dorothy K. Payne Music
    2002 Douglas F. Williams Marine & Geological Sciences
    2001 Bonnie L. Drewniany Journalism
    2001 Milind N. Kunchur Physics & Astronomy
    2001 Ronald W. Maris Sociology
    2001 Stephen R. McNeill Engineering
    2001 Catherine Murphy Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2000 Bill Bearden Darla Moore School of Business
    2000 Christopher Berg Music
    2000 Sandra Kelly Psychology
    2000 Gail Wagner Anthropology
    1999 James S. Cutsinger Religious Studies
    1999 Nina S. Levine English
    1999 Harry J. Ploehn Chemical Engineering
    1999 David P. Sumner Mathematics
    1999 Vincent Van Brunt Chemical Engineering
    1998 Michael D. Amiridis Chemical Engineering
    1998 Thomas P. Cafferty Psychology
    1998 Erik L. Collins Journalism & Mass Communications
    1998 Scott R. Goode Chemistry & Biochemistry
    1998 James W. Roberts Mathematics
    1997 John Adams Music
    1997 Ronald Atkinson History
    1997 Chaden Djalali Physics & Astronomy
    1997 Walter H. Peters, III Mechanical Engineering
    1996 Berten Ely Biology
    1996 Jamil Khan Engineering
    1996 Reginald Bain Music
    1996 Edward Beardsley History
    1996 Richard Showman Biology
    1995 David Cowart English
    1995 Robert Jesselson School of Music
    1995 Daniel Reger Chemistry/Biochemistry
    1995 Farid Sadik College of Pharmacy
    1995 John Spurrier Statistics
    1994 Cynthia Colbert Art
    1994 Robert S. Coleman Chemistry
    1994 Georgia J. Cowart Music
    1994 Helen I. Doerpinghaus Business Administration
    1994 Sandra Frick- Helms Nursing
    1993 Bruce C. Coull Marine Science
    1993 Lester A. Lefton Psychology
    1993 Jerome D. Odom Chemistry
    1993 Steven V. Mann Business Administration
    1993 Peter H. Werner Physical Education


USC Columbia Research Awards

  • Rebecca Janzen, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Rebecca Janzen is Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and a Humboldt Fellow at the Ruhr Universität Bochum and the Deutsches Bergbau Museum. She is an accomplished scholar of gender, disability, and religious studies whose most recent book, Unlawful Violence: Law and Cultural Production in 21st Century Mexico, is about human rights, law, and literature. She has written two dozen articles on related topics, with support from The Center for Research on Global Catholicism at St. Louis University and the Visiting Faculty Fellowship at the Marian Library at the University of Dayton.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Leah McClimans McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Peter Chametzky School of Visual Art and Design
    2023 Greg Forter English Language and Literature
    2022 Qiana Whitted English Language and Literature
    2021 Michael Stoeltzner Philosophy
    2020 David Greven English
    2019 Lauren Sklaroff History
    2019 Kurt Goblirsch Languages, Literature & Cultures
    2017 Paula Feldman English Language and Literature
    2016 Holly Crocker English Language and Literature
    2015 Carol Harrison History
    2014 Jorge Camacho Languages, Literatures and Cultures
    2013 Lawrence Rhu English Language and Literature
    2012 Geoff Alpert Criminology and Criminal Justice
    2011 Elena Osokina History
    2010 Laura Dassow Walls English Language and Literature
    2009 Nicholas Vazsonyi Languages, Literatures and Cultures
    2007 H. Meili Steele English Language and Literature
    2006 Stanley Dubinsky English Language and Literature
    2005 George Krause Political Science
    2004 Sandra J. Kelly Psychology
    2003 Janette Turner Hospital English Language and Literature
    2002 Gordon C. Baylis Psychology
    2001 Lawrence Glickman History
    2000 Ronald J. Prinz Psychology
    1999 Susan L. Cutter Geography
    1998 Harvey Starr Political Science
    1997 David E. Willer Sociology
    1996 Abraham M. Wandersman Psychology
    1995 John R. Jensen Geography
    1994 Carol Myers-Scotton English
    1993 Ralph Mathisen History
    1992 Elchanan Cohn Economics
    1991 John E. Richards Psychology
    1990 Lacy K. Ford History
    1989 Earl Black GINT
    1988 Trevor Howard-Hill English
    1987 G. Ross Roy English
    1986 Eugene T. Long Philosophy
    1985 Robert M. Weir History
    1984 Shahrough Akhavi GINT
    1983 Gordon Smith GINT
    1982 Charles W. Kegley GINT
    1981 Ronald W. Maris Sociology
    1980 Benjamin Dunlap English
    1979 James N. Hardin Foreign Languages
    1978 Robert E. Herzstein History
    1977 Robert V. Heckel Psychology
    1976 Phillip E. Mullen Art
    1975 Richard O. Mandell History
    1974 Owen Connelly History
    1973 Matthew J. Bruccoli English
    1972 Howard Woody Art
    1971 Thomas L. Connelly History
    1970 Frank M. Durham English
    1969 Hugh S. Norton Economics
    1968 John P. Dolan History
    1967 Edmund Yaghjian Art
    1966 Paul W. Blackstock International Studies
  • Theodore Besmann, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

    Theodore Besmann is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. He is a leader in the development of fundamental computational and experimental thermodynamic approaches to understanding complex materials. The Department of Energy has sought his expertise in managing their program on computational reactor modeling, and he has also acted as Deputy Director of the USC-led DOE Center for Hierarchical Waste Form Materials, an endeavor involving several universities and national laboratories. Most recently, he has been leading the development of a specialized laboratory for transuranic materials research on campus.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Jeffrey Twiss McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Natalia Shustova Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2023 Ken Shimizu Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2022 Caryn Outten  Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2021 David Matolak Electrical Engineering
    2020 Chuanbing Tang Chemistry
    2019 Ronald Benner Earth, Ocean & Environment
    2018 Timothy Mousseau Biology
    2017 Qian Wang Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2016 Jochen Lauterbach Chemical Engineering
    2015 Branko Popov Chemical Engineering
    2014 Milind Kunchur Physics
    2013 Ralf Gothe Physics
    2012 Kenneth Reifsnider Mechanical Engineering
    2011 Ralph E. White Chemical Engineering
    2010 T. S. Sudarshan Electrical Engineering
    2009 M. Hanif Chaudhry Civil & Environmental Engineering
    2008 Pradeep Talwani Geological Sciences
    2007 Laszlo A. Szekely Mathematics
    2006 Vicki Vance Biological Sciences
    2005 Catherine Murphy Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2004 Robert C. Thunell Geological Sciences
    2003 Kuniharu Kubodera Physics
    2002 M. Asif Khan Engineering & Information Technology
    2001 William J. Padgett Statistics
    2000 James M. Sodetz Chemistry and Biochemistry
    1999 Jerrold R. Griggs Mathematics
    1998 Sarah Ann Woodin Biological Sciences
    1997 James M. Tour Chemistry
    1996 John W. Baynes Chemistry
    1995 Ronald A. DeVore Mathematics
    1994 Jerome D. Odom Chemistry
    1993 Roy E. Wuthier Chemistry
    1992 Jeeva S. Anandan Physics
    1991 Frank T. Avignone, III Physics
    1990 Peter J. Nyikos Mathematics
    1989 Richard Adams Chemistry
    1988 John H. Dawson Chemistry
    1987 R. Bruce Dunlap Chemistry
    1986 Colgate W. Darden Physics
    1985 James A. Marshall Chemistry
    1984 Robert Ehrlich Geology
    1983 Ronald R. Fisher Chemistry
    1982 Bruce C. Coull Biology
    1981 Norimitsu Watabe Biology
    1980 Barry M. Preedon Physics
    1979 James W. Roberts Mathematics
    1978 Horacio A. Farach Physics
    1977 John & Winona Vernberg Biology
    1976 Paul D. Ellis Chemistry
    1975 William J. Padgett Mathematics
    1974 Robert L. Cargill Chemistry
    1973 William H. Hoppmann Engineering
    1972 Frank T. Avignone,III Physics
    1971 Charles P. Poole Physics
    1970 Elmer A. Amma Chemistry
    1969 Donald J. Colquhoun Geology
    1968 James R. Durig Chemistry
    1967 Ronald D. Edge Physics
    1966 William R. Gilkerson Chemistry
  • Linda Shimizu, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Linda Shimizu is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences whose research centers on the rational design of functional materials through high-fidelity supramolecular self-assembly. Her research program has been continuously funded by the National Science Foundation since 1999, along with additional support from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy. Additionally, she has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Beyond her work in higher education, Shimizu has served the scientific community by spreading her love for science statewide in K-12 schools, reaching more than 24,000 students over the past 21 years.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Franklin Wayne Outten McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024    
    2023 Varsha Kulkarni Physics and Astronomy
    2022 Andreas Heyden Chemical Engineering
    2021 Susan Richardson Chemistry
    2020 Qi Wang Mathematics
    2019 Thomas Vogt Chemistry & Biochemistry 
    2018 Brian Benicewicz Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2017 Kevin Huang Mechanical Engineering
    2016 Donna Chen Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2015 Victor Giurgiutiu Mechanical Engineering
    2014 George Voulgaris Earth & Ocean Sciences
    2013 John Weidner Chemical Engineering
    2012 James Ritter Chemical Engineering
    2011 James T. Morris Biological Sciences
    2010 Pencho Petrushev Mathematics
    2009 S. Michael Angel Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2008 Edsel Pena Statistics
    2007 Mark A. Berg Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2006 Hans-Conrad zur Loye Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2005 Ronald Benner Biological Sciences
    2004 Susanne C. Brenner Mathematics
    2003 Vladimir Temlyakov Mathematics
    2002 Berten E. Ely III Biological Sciences
    2001 Chaden Djalali Physics & Astronomy
    2000 Walter W. Piegorsch Statistics
    1999 Franklin G. Berger Biological Sciences
    1998 Lukasz Lebioda Chemistry & Biochemistry
    1997 Robert C. Thunell Geological Sciences
    1996 Michael A. Sutton Engineering
    1995 Daniel L. Reger Chemistry & Biochemistry
    1994 Douglas F. Williams Geological Sciences
    1993 Willard S. Moore Geological Sciences
    1992 Ian Lerche Geology
    1991 Donald T. Secor Geology
    1990 Tangali S. Sudarshan Engineering
    1989 Thomas K. Borg Pathology
    1988 Gary Blanpied Physics
    1987 Anthony Huang Biology
    1986 Roger H. Sawyer Biology
    1985 Chi Kwan Au Physics
    1984 James R. Durig Chemistry
  • Lorne Hofseth, College of Pharmacy

    Lorne Hofseth is Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Pharmacy. An internationally recognized investigator in inflammation-driven carcinogenesis and colon cancer prevention, he has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and secured over $20 million in NIH funding as Principal Investigator. He has launched several college-wide initiatives, including a Research Boot Camp to support faculty development and extramural funding success. Through sustained scholarship, institutional leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and public engagement, Lorne continues to elevate USC’s visibility in cancer prevention research.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Brie Turner-McGrievy Arnold School of Public Health
    2024 Igor Roninson Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences
    2023 James Hébert Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    2022 Ozgur Sahin Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences
    2021 Daping Fan Cell Biology and Anatomy
    2020 James Thrasher Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
    2018 Angela Liese Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    2017 James Carson Exercise Science
    2016 Jamie R. Lead Environmental Health Sciences
    2015 Francis Spinale Cell Biology and Anatomy
    2014 Kim Creek Pharmacy
    2013 Steven Blair Exercise Science
    2012 James Fadel Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience
    2011 Lawrence P. Reagan Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience
    2010 Sara Wilcox Exercise Science
    2009 J. Mark Davis Exercise Science
    2008 Marlene A. Wilson Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience
    2007 no award winner  
    2006 Alexander J. McDonald Medicine
    2005 Bao-Ting Zhu Pharmacy
    2004 Beth Mayer-Davis Public Health
    2003 Alan Decho Public Health
    2002 C. Marjorie Aelion Public Health
    2001 Jeanette M. Jerrell Medicine
    2000 Richard L. Sowell Nursing
    1999 Alvin Fox Medicine
    1998 G. Thomas Chandler Public Health
    1997 Thomas Borg Medicine
    1996 Russell Pate Public Health
    1995 Sally P. Weinrich Nursing
    1994 Louis Terracio Medicine

  • Cynthia Davis, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

    Cynthia Davis is a Professor of English Literature and Language in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Notably, she has been a recipient of both a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship in American Studies and two Fulbright US Scholar Awards in Europe. As a literary critic and literary historian, she focuses on the postbellum period in the United States and particularly on representations of pain, suffering, emotion, embodiment, and the inner life. She has published numerous edited collections, peer-reviewed articles, essays, and reviews on these topics. Her current book project on Edith Wharton is under contract with Oxford University Press and scheduled for publication next year.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 David Kirkland Garner School of Music
    2024 Jessica Barnes Department of Geography; Earth Ocean and Environment
    2022 Agnes Mueller Languages, Literatures and Cultures
    2021 Susan Felleman School of Art & Visual Design
    2020 Thomas Brown History
    2019 Mark Weist Psychology
    2016 Christine Caldwell Ames History
    2015 Alexander Beecroft Languages, Literature and Cultures
    2014 no award winner  
    2013 Brent Simpson Sociology
    2012 Patricia Sullivan History
    2011 Robert H. Brinkmeyer, Jr. English
    2010 David S. Shields English
    2009 Thomas M Lekan History
    2007 Charles F. Mactutus Psychology
    2006 Virginia Scotchie Art
    2005 no award winner  
    2004 Charles R. Mack Art
    2003 Allen Miller Languages, Literature and Cultures
    2002 Donald R. Songer GINT
    2001 Keith E. Davis Psychology
    2000 Mark M. Smith History
    1999 Lala C. Steelman Sociology
    1998 S. Paul MacKenzie History
    1997 Thomas J. Rice English
    1996 John M. Bryan Art
    1995 David G. Cowart English
    1994 John V. Skvoretz Sociology
    1993 Karl G. Heider Anthropology
    1992 Gordon R. Goodwin Music
    1991 Ann O'M. Bowman GINT
    1990 John T. Addison Economics
    1989 James B. Appel Psychology
    1988 Ward W. Briggs French and Classics
    1987 Donald Puchala GINT
    1986 Peter C. Sederberg GINT
    1985 William P. Kreml GINT
    1984 Donald J. Greiner English
  • Etienne Toussaint, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

    Etienne Toussaint is an Associate Professor of Law in the Joseph F. Rice School of Law. His work analyzes how marginalized perspectives can reimagine law and political economy toward liberatory ends. Since joining USC in 2021, he has published extensively in top legal journals such as the Columbia Law Review, Harvard Environmental Law Review, and Cambridge University Press—gaining recognition for his valuable contributions to the legal academy. He has earned honors such as the American Bar Foundation Fellowship and the National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Award.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Hengtao Tang College of Education
    2024 Anthony Plotner Educational and Developmental Science
    2023 Brooke McKeever Journalism and Mass Communications
    2022 Andrea Hickerson Journalism and Mass Communications
    2021 Christine Distefano Educational Studies
    2020 Anthony Nyberg Management
    2019 Susi Long Instruction & Teacher Education
    2016 Sherry Thatcher Management
    2015 Robert Li Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
    2014 Gloria Boutte Education
    2013 William Brown Education
    2012 Robert Ployhart Moore School of Business
    2011 no award winner  
    2010 Erik Drasgow Special Education
    2008

    Kendall J. Roth

    Moore School of Business
    2007 Manjo Malhotra Moore School of Business
    2006 Subhash Sharma Business
    2005 William T. Moore Business
    2004 William O. Bearden Business
    2003 John Addison Business
    2002 Robert Felix Law
    2001 Terry Tirrito Social Work
    2000 Herbert A. Johnson Law
    1999 Huynh Huynh Education
    1998 Ronald T. Farrar Journalism and Mass Communications
    1997 Daniel Feldman Business Administration
    1996 David Owen Law
    1995 Geoffrey P. Albert Criminal Justice
    1994 Billy F. Kiker Business Administration


USC Columbia Other Awards

  • Joshua Gray, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

    Joshua Gray is a Teaching Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Visiting Scholar in Chemical Engineering in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. He is known for his student-centered approach that emphasizes accessibility and professional readiness, helping students work toward their long-term career goals. Over the course of his career, he has mentored hundreds of students, with more than 90% of his advisee’s securing employment or admission to graduate school after graduation. Recognized as a USC Career Influencer, Joshua’s work strengthens the culture of mentorship at the university while preparing students to become capable, ethical engineers who positively impact their communities.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Sarah Patneaude Arnold School of Public Health
    2024 Jeff Turner Department of Philosophy
    2023 Amy Grant College of Pharmacy
    2022 Grigory Simin Electrical Engineering
    2021 Leslie Lovelace Chemistry
    2020 Aaron Vannucci Chemistry
    2019 Mark Uline Chemical Engineering
    2018 Donna Chen Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2017 Gwen Geidel Earth, Ocean and Environment
    2016 Claudia Benitez-Nelson Earth and Ocean Sciences
    2015 Melissa Moss Chemical Engineering
    2014 Judith Kalb Languages, Literatures and Cultures
    2013 John Kupfer Geography
    2012 Wayne Outten Chemistry
    2011 Thomas J. Hilbish Biological Sciences
    2010 Nina Levine English
    2009 John M. Grady Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management
    2008 Thomas L. Leatherman Anthropology

  • Brittany Sparks, School of Visual Art and Design

    Brittany Sparks is an Undergraduate Academic Advisor for the School of Visual Art and Design. With her supportive advising approach and practice, she has helped guide hundreds of students through the curriculum in a way that advances their unique artistic goals. Brittany was recently awarded the 2025 Commitment to Advising Excellence award by the University Advising Center. Her leadership and contributions to advising are routinely recognized by both her students and colleagues. She is a highly valued member of the USC Advising Community.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Alexa Dean McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Katherine Blanton College of HRSM
    2023 Kristi Kinslow College of Pharmacy
    2022 Sarah Jusiewicz Student Services
    2021 Lauren Sanborn College of Education
    2020 Meredith McNeice Darla Moore School of Business
    2019 Rebecca Boyd Visual Art and Design
    2018 Amanda Zeigler Biology
    2017 Renee McGinnis Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2016 Althea Counts Opportunity Scholars Program
    2016 Brittain Goff Darla Moore School of Business
    2015 Diane Wise Pharmacy
    2014 Becky Mayo Engineering & Computing
    2013 Patricia Armstrong Criminology & Criminal Justice
    2012 Stephanie Bradley HRSM
    2011 Lauren Welch HRSM
    2010 Jim Burns Honors College
    2009 Melissa Lowe  
    2008 Leslie Wingard Public Health

  • Carolina Trustees Professorship in Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law

    Agnes Mueller, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

    Agnes Mueller is a Professor of German & Comparative Literature in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Program in Comparative Literature. Her dedication to her students extends beyond the classroom, as she has mentored several undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them to successful academic and professional careers. Agnes emphasizes intellectual diversity and range, encouraging students to engage with complex topics from multiple perspectives. Her courses, such as “Literature in Pandemics” and “Food in Film,” have inspired students to explore global and cultural connections through innovative and engaging methods.

    Carolina Trustees Professorship in Public Health, Engineering, Medical Sciences and Sciences

    Brandon Bookstaver, College of Pharmacy

    Brandon Bookstaver is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. As Director of Residency & Fellowship Training, Brandon has built nationally recognized postgraduate programs and mentored over 60 residents and fellows who now serve in prominent clinical, faculty, and leadership positions nationwide. With his focus on connecting theory and practice, he developed several elective and core courses, including Postgraduate Preparation, Infectious Diseases Therapeutics, and Research Fundamentals. He endeavors to ignite a love for lifelong learning, foster curiosity, and challenge students to understand the why behind foundational knowledge so they can apply it meaningfully in their professional practice.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Ed Madden McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2025 Susan Richardson McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Sanjay Ahire Management Science
    2024 Qian Wang Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2023 John Grady Sport and Entertainment Management
    2023 Angela Liese Epidemiology and Biostatistics 
    2022 Rutvik Desai Psychology
    2022 James Pinckney Biological Sciences; Earth, Ocean and Environment
    2021 Rosemarie Booze College of Arts & Sciences, Psychology
    2021 Jamil Khan College of Engineering & Computing, Mechanical Engineering
    2020 August Grant School of Journalism and Mass Communications
    2020 Donna A. Chen Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2019 Brian Benicewicz Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2019 Christy Friend English Language & Literature
    2019 Andrew H. Myers History
    2018 Kirstin Dow Geography
    2018 Thomas Vogt Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2017 Michael Filaseta Mathematics
    2017 Daniel C. Littlefield History
    2017 Warren J. Carson, Jr. Languages, Literature & Composition
    2016 Venkataraman Lakshmi Earth & Ocean Sciences
    2015 Robert Jesselson Music
    2015 DeAnne Hilfinger Messias Nursing
    2014 Michael Sutton Mechanical Engineering
    2014 Manoj Malhotra Management Science
    2013 S. Michael Angel Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2013 Katherine Chaddock Educational Leadership and Policies
    2012 James Hebert Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    2012 Hanno zur Loye Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2011 Ann E. Kingsolver Anthropology
    2011 Roger A. Dougal Electrical Engineering
    2010 Lawrence Glickman History
    2010 Robert Thunell Earth and Ocean Sciences
    2009 T.S. Sudarshan Electrical Engineering
    2009 Andrew Billingsley Sociology and African American Studies
    2008 Sandra Kelly Psychology
    2008 Roger Sawyer Biological Sciences
    2007 Walter B. Edgar History
    2007 Valdis O. Lumans USC Aiken, History
    2007 James M. Sodetz Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2006 David Cowart English
    2006 Kim E. Creek Medicine
    2005 Richard Adams Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2005 William O. Bearden Business
    2004 John Dawson Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2003 Chaden Djalali Physics and Astronomy
    2003 Robert E. Botsch USC Aiken
    2002 John Baynes Chemistry and Biochemistry
    2001 Douglas F. Williams SC Honors College
    2000 Daniel L. Reger Chemistry and Biochemistry
    1999 William J. Padgett Statistics

  • Betsy Blake, College of Pharmacy

    Betsy Blake is a Clinical Professor in the College of Pharmacy. Since joining USC, she has contributed to and led numerous endeavors within the college, including curricular enhancement and development, accreditation efforts, and faculty professional development. Betsy is actively engaged with state and national organizations, including the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and the National Academies of Practice. Through her service, she has enhanced health professional educational opportunities at USC and across South Carolina. In 2025, she was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association and other national pharmacy organizations in recognition of her service to the profession.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Brian Habing McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
    2024 Toni Torres-McGehee Arnold School of Public Health
    2023 Shana Harrington Exercise Science
    2022 Lori Ziolkowski Earth, Ocean and Environment
    2021 Amanda Fairchild Psychology
    2020 Minuette Floyd School of Visual Art & Design
    2019 Jed Lyons Engineering & Computing
    2018 Shayne Barlow Medicine
    2017 Tan Ye Languages Literatures & Cultures
    2016 Norman “Ed” Madden English
    2015 Laura Hein Nursing
    2014 Danielle Holley-Walker Law
    2013 Scott Goode Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2012 John Dawson Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2011 Elizabeth Patterson Law
    2010 Russ Pate Exercise Science
    2009 James Augustine Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience
    2008 Daniel L. Reger Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2007 Berten E. Ely Biological Sciences
    2006 Chaden Djalali Physics and Astronomy
    2005 Jerome D. Odom Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2004 Carl Evans Religious Studies
    2003 John Logue USC Sumter - Biology
    2002 Joseph H. Gibbons Engineering & Information Technology
    2001 John Gandy Social Work
    2000 Marilyn Chassie Nursing
    1999 H. Thorne Compton Theatre, Speech & Dance
    1998 Lori A. Thombs Statistics
    1997 Augustus Rodgers Social Work
    1996 Daniel D. Barron Library & Information Science
    1995 Paul P. Fidler Education
    1994 Mary Ellen O'Leary Mathematics

  • Brett Robertson, College of Information and Communications

    Brett Robertson is an Associate Professor for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications in the College of Information and Communications. He approaches academic integrity not as a policy obligation but as a teaching opportunity. He facilitates genuine dialogue about ethical decision-making and adopts open-access and zero-cost textbooks and materials to remove financial pressures that can push struggling students toward dishonest choices. Students describe Brett as someone who listens, cares, and wants them to carry ethical values into every interaction of their lives.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2023 Jin Liu Educational Psychology and Research
    2022 David Rocheleau Mechanical Engineering
    2021 Kristen Hogan Biology
    2020 Linda Hazlett Epidemiology

     


Comprehensive Universities and Palmetto College Awards

  • Wei-Kai Lai, USC Salkehatchie

    Wei-Kai Lai is a Professor of Mathematics at USC Salkehatchie and serves as Chair of the Division of Math, Science, and Professional Studies. Through independent study, the Palmetto Undergraduate Research Experience project, and the STEM internship project, Wei-Kai has mentored over 20 students, resulting in numerous conference presentations and published works. Known for his engaging and supportive teaching style, he ensures his students understand complex mathematical concepts, often providing one-on-one tutoring and fostering a culture of reflection and improvement.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Robert McCormick USC Upstate
    2024 Cindy Lahar USC Beaufort, Psychology
    2023 Ellen Malphrus USC Beaufort, English
    2022 Manuel Sanders USC Beaufort, Mathematics
    2021 Bruce Marlowe USC Beaufort, Education
    2020 Timothy M. James USC Beaufort, History
    2019 Brian Benicewicz Chemistry & Biochemistry
    2019 Christy Friend English Language & Literature
    2018 Yiming Ji USC Beaufort
    2017 Warren J. Carson, Jr. Languages, Literature & Composition -USC Upstate
    2016 James R. Cox, Jr. Theatre - USC Upstate
    2015 Tim Lintner Education - USC Aiken
    2014 Chad Leverette Chemistry - USC Aiken
    2013 Maureen Carrigan Psychology - USC Aiken
    2012 Juanita Villena-Alvarez Humanities and Fine Arts - USC Beaufort
    2011 Ann E. Kingsolver Anthropology
    2010 Allen J. Dennis USC Aiken, Biology/Geology
    2009 Carl P. Eby English, Speech, & Theatre - USC Beaufort
    2008 Tom Mack USC Aiken, English
    2007 Valdis O. Lumans USC Aiken, History
    2006 Roberto Refinetti USC Salkehatchie, Psychology
    2005 Keri Weed Psychology - USC Aiken
    2004 Lynn Mulkey Sociology - USC Beaufort
    2003 Robert E. Botsch USC Aiken
    2002 Phebe Davidson English - USC Aiken
    2001 Ronald Harshbarger Mathematics - USC Beaufort

  • Brittany Taylor-Driggers

    Brittany Taylor-Driggers is an associate professor of Art & Art History and Director of Campus Collections & Galleries at USC Lancaster. She is recognized for her exceptional and far-reaching commitment to service. Through her leadership, she has expanded access to the arts through exhibitions, events, and partnerships that support artists and enrich public understanding. Her collaborative work with community partners and the Native American Studies Center has strengthened regional connections, supported educational opportunities, and secured grant funding to expand outreach, improve facilities, and preserve important collections. Additionally, she contributes through leadership in faculty governance and professional partnerships at institutional and state levels.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Bettie Obi Johnson USC Lancaster
    2024 David Dangerfield USC Salkehatchie, History
    2023 Steve Lownes USC Union, World Languages
    2022 Wei-Kai (Bryan) Lai USC Salkehatchie, Mathematics
    2021 Christine Sixta Reinhart USC Union, Political Science
    2020 Maggie Aziz USC Union, Sociology

  • Steve Lownes

    Steve Lownes is an associate professor of World Languages at USC Union. He is recognized for his dynamic, student-centered teaching that fosters open dialogue, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement. His innovative approach integrates creative, collaborative, and reflective learning experiences that connect course content to students’ personal, professional, and cultural lives. He has developed a diverse range of courses and consistently emphasizes communication, cultural empathy, and interdisciplinary exploration. His commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom through mentorship, undergraduate research opportunities, and co-curricular initiatives.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 Susan Cruise USC Lancaster
    2024 Dana Lawrence USC Lancaster, English
    2023 Fernanda Marques Burke USC Lancaster, Biology and Chemistry
    2022 Francis Burns USC Salkehatchie, Chemistry
    2021 Fidele F. Ngwane USC Salkehatchie, Mathematics
    2020 Sarah Hunt Sellhorst USC Lancaster, Exercise Science
    2019 Ray McManus USC Sumter
    2018 Shelley Jones USC Extended University, English
    2017 Jill Castiglia USC Lancaster
    2015 Kajal Ghoshroy USC Sumter
    2014 Eran Kilpatrick USC Salkehatchie
    2013 Wei-Kai Lai USC Salkehatchie
    2012 Bettie Obi-Johnson USC Lancaster
    2011 Leandro Junes USC Sumter
    2010 Pearl Fernandes USC Sumter
    2009 Sarah Miller USC Salkehatchie

  • Andrew Kettler

    Andrew Kettler is an assistant professor of History and Director of Institutional Research and Academic Affairs at USC Union. A highly productive scholar, his work explores sensory history, Atlantic societies, and the cultural dimensions of knowledge and power. He is the author and co-editor of multiple influential books and has published extensively in leading academic journals and edited volumes. In addition to his robust publication record, he is an active contributor to the academic community through conference participation, editorial leadership, and service in national and international scholarly organizations. His ongoing research and publications continue to make significant contributions to the field of history and reflect a strong commitment to advancing scholarly inquiry.

    Previous Award Winners
    Year Recipient College, School or Department
    2025 F. Evan Nooe USC Lancaster
    2024 Justin Mogilski USC Salkehatchie, Psychology
    2023 Patrick Lawrence USC Lancaster, English
    2022 Andrew Kunka USC Sumter, Division of Arts and Letters
    2021 Li Cai  USC Lancaster, Chemistry
    2020 Fran Gardner USC Lancaster, Art


Staff Awards

  • Lauren Epps, Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning 

    Lauren Epps is Staff Director of the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning and leader of Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD). She has empowered thousands of students to become scholars and changemakers. Her strategic innovation has expanded student access, streamlined processes, and enhanced faculty engagement. Lauren navigated major transitions and policy shifts with grace, collaboration, and resilience, fostering an inclusive, supportive team culture. Her co-leadership of the Quality Enhancement Plan demonstrates her commitment to institutional improvement and equity for under-resourced students. Her ability to balance complex responsibilities while prioritizing student success makes her an outstanding candidate for this award.

    Morgan Inabinet,  Global Carolina

    Morgan Inabinet is Director of Education Abroad and Global Carolina. She combines professionalism, responsiveness, and strategic vision with an unwavering commitment to student-centered service. Her ability to solve complex problems under pressure was demonstrated during the Spanish visa crisis and reflects her operational excellence, advocacy, and diplomacy. Morgan leads with collaboration and integrity, ensuring academic continuity and student success while managing global logistics with precision and care. Her national leadership and contributions to shaping international education further distinguish her as an exceptional representative of USC’s mission.  

    Danielle McElwain,  Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

    Danielle McElwain is Assistant Dean for Research Enhancement and Operations in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.  She has driven the college’s research growth from $18 million to over $77 million annually, overseeing hundreds of proposal submissions each year, including complex, multi-institutional efforts with agencies like DOE, NASA, NSF, and ONR. Faculty report zero submission failures in over a decade, a testament to her precision and reliability. Her mentorship has inspired staff to engage nationally through the National Council of University Research Administrators, while her strategic innovations have positioned USC as a leader in research competitiveness. 


Past Awards

  • Year Recipient College, School or Department
    1957 D.F. DeTar Chemistry
    1958 Daniel W. Hollis History
    1959 Robert D. Thornton 
    James W. Howell, Jr.
    English
    Foreign Languages
    1960 O.D. Bonner Chemistry
    1961 George C. Brauer English
    1962 John D. Russell English
    1963 M. Glenn Abernathy Political Science
    1964 George C. Rogers, Jr. History
    1965 F.W. Zartman International Studies