Newton elected USC Board of Trustees chair
August 21, 2026, Andy Shain
With Newton’s election as chair, USC joins a small but growing number of South Carolina college boards led by women.
Stories for Faculty and Staff
USC board approves freezing tuition, expanding Russell House, building Civil Rights Center
June 18, 2026, Andy Shain
University of South Carolina trustees approved a 2026-27 fiscal year budget that freezes in-state tuition systemwide and advanced key projects tied to the Columbia campus’s USC Next master plan.
Dawn Staley elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
April 22, 2026, Dan Cook
Dawn Staley has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Election to the Academy is a prestigious honor, and Coach Staley joins only three others from USC who are currently part of the academy. Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is both an honorary society that recognizes and celebrates the excellence of its members and an independent research center convening leaders from across disciplines, professions and perspectives to address significant challenges.
Board briefs: USC trustees approve projects, receive master plan update, honor US and university anniversaries
March 19, 2026, Andy Shain
What the USC Board of Trustees approved at their March meeting — including new construction and renovation projects, various contracts, academic changes, and housing and meal fees.
USC Board of Trustees receives master plan updates, formally approves hospital and other projects, honors US and USC anniversaries
March 19, 2026, Andy Shain
The USC Board of Trustees formally approved a number of new construction and renovation projects, including a neurological hospital and rehabilitation center, and received updates on the university’s master plan, including redeveloping the student union and developments on South Main Street. Trustees also adopted a resolution in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 225th anniversary of the founding of USC.
Carolina Day 2026 at the State House highlights USC's impact
February 11, 2026, Andy Shain
University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will gather at the S.C. State House for Carolina Day Feb. 17 to demonstrate how the state flagship is building momentum in producing a more prosperous and healthier South Carolina.
Sophomore Audrey Webb wins holiday card contest on second try
December 15, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett
USC Columbia sophomore Audrey Webb won the 2025 holiday card design contest. A computer science major from Fort Mill, South Carolina, Webb's winning design imagines what the Cocky statue on campus would look like if it snowed. Her design is featured on President Michael Amiridis' and First Lady Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis' holiday card, and it earned Webb a $500 gift card.
2025: Year in review
December 10, 2025, Dan Cook
Heading into 2025, the field of higher education faced significant challenges. But at the University of South Carolina, all signs point to dynamic growth and institutional strength.
USC Brain Health opens clinic in Orangeburg
October 20, 2025, Laura Morris
The University of South Carolina opened its seventh Brain Health clinic during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 20 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. In partnership with HopeHealth, the clinic will bridge critical gaps in early diagnosis, education and family support.
USC's College of Arts and Sciences renamed following transformational gift
April 22, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
The University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences has a new name honoring the vision and generosity of a prominent alumnus and his family. The official name, the University of South Carolina McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, was announced on Wednesday (April 23) during a ceremony on USC's Horseshoe.
School of Medicine Columbia breaks ground on new facility at USC Health Sciences Campus
February 21, 2025, Gregory Hardy
The University of South Carolina broke ground on a facility that will redefine the future of health care education and research during a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the site of its new School of Medicine Columbia. This cutting-edge, 300,000-square-foot-plus medical education and research facility will be part of USC’s transformative $300 million Health Sciences Campus, amid 16 acres in Columbia’s reimagined BullStreet District.
Annual Carolina Day at the State House highlights USC's impact
February 06, 2025, Andy Shain
On Feb. 11, University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will gather at the S.C. State House for Carolina Day to demonstrate how the state flagship university is building momentum in producing a more prosperous and healthier South Carolina.
Championship Run: 2024 year in review
December 16, 2024
From a national championship and record research funding to a major engineering gift and a host of academic awards, 2024 was a banner year for USC.
James L. Solomon Jr. leaves behind lasting legacy at South Carolina
December 05, 2024, Collyn Taylor
James L. Solomon Jr., a trailblazer at USC and a distinguished civil servant, passed away at the age 94. He was one of three students who desegregated the university over 60 years ago.
Holiday card contest winner finds joy in making art
December 03, 2024, Laura Erskine
Senior Lauren Puttock has won the University of South Carolina’s third holiday card design contest for her acrylic painting of Cocky reading on a snowy day. President Michael Amiridis and First Lady Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis chose the artwork for the cover of their annual greeting card.
USC awarded federal grant to boost state's college and career readiness
November 12, 2024, Brandon Pugh
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded USC one of its largest-ever grants — $35 million — for the College of Education's GEAR UP SC program to help disadvantaged students overcome barriers to college and career opportunities.
Board of Trustees advances major projects, approves gift naming agreements in October meeting
October 24, 2024, Collyn Taylor
South Carolina's Board of Trustees pushed forward an ambitious project on the new Health Sciences Campus as well as Phase I for Williams-Brice renovations.
Early voting at USC begins Oct. 21
October 15, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC is one of seven early polling sites in Richland County, providing access for registered voters to cast their ballots.
Vatican synod open to wider roles for Catholic women
October 11, 2024, Carol E. Harrison
At the current Vatican synod, whose purpose is to address “communion, participation, and mission” in the church, women’s role is on the agenda. History professor Carol Harrison writes for The Conversation on how Catholic women have historically found ways to speak to and about their church leadership, even when they have been excluded from its proceedings.
How Hurricane Helene became a deadly disaster across 6 states
October 07, 2024, Cary Mock
Some hurricanes are remembered for their wind damage or rainfall. Others for their coastal flooding. Hurricane Helene was a stew of all of that and more. Its near-record-breaking size, storm surge, winds and rainfall together turned Helene into an almost unimaginable disaster that stretched more than 500 miles inland from the Florida coast. Geography professor Cary Mock writes about the hurricane for The Conversation.
How Hurricane Helene became a deadly disaster across 6 states
October 07, 2024, Cary Mock
Some hurricanes are remembered for their wind damage or rainfall. Others for their coastal flooding. Hurricane Helene was a stew of all of that and more. Its near-record-breaking size, storm surge, winds and rainfall together turned Helene into an almost unimaginable disaster that stretched more than 500 miles inland from the Florida coast. Geography professor Cary Mock writes about the hurricane for The Conversation.
Board of Trustees approves contracts, advances projects in September meeting
September 27, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC's Board of Trustees pushed a trio of projects forward Friday including two from the USC Next master plan.
First renderings of USC's Brain Health Center unveiled
September 10, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC's Board of Trustees approved the first designs of USC's state-of-the-art center, which will serve as the hub for the university's Brain Health Network.
USC research funding jumps double digits
September 03, 2024, Dan Cook
The University of South Carolina reached a new research milestone in fiscal year 2024, attracting $309 million in sponsored awards during the one-year period that ended on June 30. This year’s funding level represents a double-digit percentage increase over last year in critical areas such as health research and energy innovation.
USC energy efforts boosted with new federal funding
July 02, 2024, Communications and Marketing
In a new round of funding announced by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the University of South Carolina will receive $10.2 million for its efforts to advance battery research. The funding is part of an overall award of $45 million to the SC Nexus consortium, of which USC is a founding member and core partner.
USC opens Sumter Brain Health clinic, expands cognitive care
May 14, 2024, Laura Morris
The University of South Carolina opened a Brain Health clinic in Sumter during a ribbon cutting event on Monday (May 13) — expanding cognitive care to patients in rural and underserved areas of South Carolina.
USC unveils monument honoring desegregation trailblazers
April 19, 2024, Rebekah Friedman
The University of South Carolina unveiled a monument honoring the first Black students admitted since Reconstruction — Robert Anderson, Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James Solomon Jr. — whose enrollment six decades ago changed the course of university history.
USC paving the way for students to transfer from SC technical colleges
January 11, 2024, Jeff Stensland
The Statewide Transfer Partnership Agreement announced by Gov. Henry McMaster, USC President Michael Amiridis and other higher education leaders on Thursday (Jan. 11) will allow for easier transfer of course credit from the state’s 16 technical colleges to USC and Clemson University.
Fond campus memories inspire winning holiday card design
December 08, 2023, Thom Harman
The 2023 holiday card design contest was won by Renee Herzer, a nontraditional student pursuing South Carolina's online information technology degree. The winning design evokes memories of the Horseshoe and Herzer's visits to campus while her husband was an undergraduate student.
2023: Year in review -- record enrollment, new construction and so much more
December 07, 2023, Marketing and Communications
It’s been a momentous year at the University of South Carolina. We welcomed a record-setting freshman class, renamed our law school, announced new research initiatives, hired new deans, held an investiture ceremony for President Amiridis — and so much more.
New certificate programs provide critical cross-disciplinary career skills
November 27, 2023, Hannah Cambre
In spring 2024, students will have the opportunity to gain critical career-readiness certificates in data analytics and visualization, project management and leadership, or strategic thinking and communication.
USC School of Law named the Joseph F. Rice School of Law
November 10, 2023, Peggy Binette
The University of South Carolina’s School of Law has a new name thanks to the generosity and vision of well-known alumnus and longtime benefactor, plaintiffs’ trial lawyer Joe Rice. The official name, the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, was announced Friday (Nov. 10) during a signage unveiling ceremony at the law school building at the corner of Bull and Senate streets.
SC Nexus receives federal designation as Regional Technology, Innovation Hub for advanced energy
October 24, 2023
The Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy received the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration’s designation as one of 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs. The state Commerce Department sought the designation for a broad consortium of institutions.
New institute puts USC on map for vector-borne illness research
October 16, 2023, Hannah Cambre
The Institute of Infectious Disease Translational Research will allow public health researcher Melissa Nolan to operate complementary studies at labs based in Columbia, El Salvador and Brazil, putting USC on the map as an international hub for maternal and infant health research.
USC covering tuition, fees for talented students across the state
October 13, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina announced Friday (Oct. 13) the USC Commitment, a new affordability initiative to cover tuition and academic fees at all system campuses for in-state students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class and whose family’s annual household income is below $80,000.
USC commemorates first Black student in Reconstruction era
October 01, 2023, Shalama Jackson
The University of South Carolina will commemorate Reconstruction and the 150th anniversary of the first Black student — Henry E. Hayne — who enrolled in the university in 1873. Hayne later served in the South Carolina Senate and as a South Carolina secretary of state.
Digital certificate program offers in-demand career skills
September 14, 2023, Hannah Cambre
This fall, the university launched its digital studies certificate program, which helps undergraduate students gain in-demand digital skills. The certificate is the first in a series of anticipated interdisciplinary programs that are set to roll out in the spring of 2024.
USC observes 60th anniversary of desegregation
September 11, 2023
The University of South Carolina commemorated the 60th anniversary of desegregation with an observance at the site where a monument will be placed in early 2024 to honor the three Black students who enrolled six decades ago.
ICYMI: Ten big things happening at the university
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.
USC begins fall semester, welcomes largest class ever
August 24, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus began classes Thursday (Aug. 24) and announced that it is welcoming its largest class in the school’s history, with more students hailing from South Carolina than ever before.
USC opens doors to Campus Village
August 17, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina hosted a grand opening on Friday (Aug. 18) for its new Campus Village student residential housing development, the largest construction project in the university’s 222-year history.
USC to admit top 10% of S.C. high school class
August 01, 2023, Jeff Stensland
All South Carolina students who are ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class will be guaranteed admission to the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus starting with the Fall 2024 application cycle.
USC freezes tuition for SC students; invests in health care, workforce initiatives
June 23, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved a new annual budget Friday (June 23) that makes historic investments in areas central to the university’s mission while keeping in-state tuition flat for a fifth year in a row.
U.S. News rankings: USC keeps top spot in online graduate nursing programs
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.
USC President Michael D. Amiridis outlines vision during investiture ceremony
January 20, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina is celebrating a new era of leadership with the investiture ceremony of President Michael D. Amiridis, held on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia.
Year in review '22: In with the old, in with the new
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.
Winning holiday card design captures spirit of the season
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.
University's executive leadership team filled with first-generation college graduates
November 03, 2022, Craig Brandhorst
Three members of President Michael Amiridis’ new executive leadership team were first-generation college students. It continues to shape the way they think about higher education.
New agreement with National Park Service advances UofSC's role in telling civil rights history
September 28, 2022, Alexis Watts
Under a five-year agreement with the National Park Service, the center will receive $3.4 million to expand the center’s existing work in civil rights education and scholarly research, including support for exhibits and programming at South Carolina sites in the African American Civil Rights Network. The center will help to grow the network in South Carolina by serving as a resource to property owners, community leaders and organizations interested in joining the network.
President Amiridis completes leadership team with Development, Student Affairs hires
July 27, 2022, Rebekah Friedman
President Michael Amiridis finalized his leadership cabinet with two key hires, the University of South Carolina announced Thursday. Michelle Dodenhoff will return as vice president for Development, and the University of Illinois Chicago’s J. Rex Tolliver has been selected as the new vice president for Student Affairs and Academic Support.