
Janice and the late Robert C. McNair
The McNair Scholars Program
The University of South Carolina developed the Carolina Scholars Program in 1969 to
celebrate the virtues of a world-class education. Through generous private support,
we have expanded the program from 10 students in its first year to more than 78 scholars
on campus during fall 2019. Since its inception, over 800 scholars have participated
in the program, which has been an integral factor in keeping many of the state’s most
academically talented students in South Carolina.
Established in 1998, the McNair Scholars Program is an exciting scholarship fund for
out-of-state students -- the counterpart of Carolina’s prestigious Carolina Scholars
Program for gifted in-state students. The university welcomed the 22nd class of McNair
Scholars this year. This year’s McNair Scholar community represents 21 states and
are among the nation’s brightest students.