The University of South Carolina at attracts and retains outstanding faculty, staff, and students. These community members are consistently recognized both nationally and internationally for their research, scholarship, and creative activity. Programs, honor societies and prestigious recognitions for continuing scholarly achievements and distinctions of faculty and students are awarded and recognized on an annual basis.
National Awards
Our faculty are consistently recognized by national awards, honors and fellowships, including election to the National Academies, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows, Fulbright Scholars, Guggenheim Fellows and National Science Foundation Career Awards.
Our exceptional students are given the opportunity to take advantage of the National Fellowships and Scholar Programs. This office facilitates the pursuit of nationally prestigious scholarships by university students and is home to Top Scholars, the university's most distinguished merit award recipients.
Office of the Provost awards
The Michael J. Mungo teaching awards and Distinguished Professor of the Year award are given by the Michael J. Mungo Foundation every year to faculty who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their students through teaching. The Mungo Foundation provides $5,000 for the teaching awards and $20,000 for the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award. This year's recipient of the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award is Dr. Tammi Richardson, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. We also recognize outstanding advising, teaching in our clinical programs, and faculty service. Faculty research and scholarship in several broad disciplinary areas are recognized for faculty across the USC system.
Other internal awards
The Center for Teaching Excellence awards the Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, to honor the University of South Carolina’s most exceptional faculty who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best teaching practices and an ongoing record of developing innovative strategies to enhance student learning in their courses, while several offices recognize faculty for other activities to enhance the student experience. Palmetto College also recognizes outstanding faculty for teaching, research and service.
USC hosts the oldest Phi Beta Kappa chapter in the state. It recognizes outstanding student academic achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.
Students are recognized annually at USC’s Awards Day.