Stories for Parents

USC has 3 Goldwater scholars in 2024

March 29, 2024, Communications and Marketing

Three University of South Carolina students were awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships Friday. They are: Caroline Rucker, a junior biomedical engineering major from Powhatan, Virginia; Jeremiah Tobin, a junior biomedical engineering major from Greenville; and Katelyn Wyandt, a junior computer science major from Summerville, South Carolina. All three are Honors College students studying in the College of Engineering and Computing.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, Student Voices, College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

First-generation college students bring resilience, perspectives to USC campus

November 03, 2023, Megan Sexton

First-generation college students come from all sorts of backgrounds and bring a variety of perspectives to campus. At USC, about one-fifth of the student population identifies as first-generation college students, meaning their parents did not earn a four-year college degree.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

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.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, History, Collections, Recognition, Signature Events, Partnerships, Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University Libraries

African American high school students get a taste of life as a Gamecock

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.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, Diversity, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences

Boeing offers engineering scholarships, career opportunities

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

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Partnerships, Leadership, Careers, College of Engineering and Computing

Discover USC

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.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, speakers, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Signature Events, Leadership, Student Voices

USC Honors students earn Goldwater scholarships

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.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Recognition, Leadership, Student Voices, South Carolina Honors College

Graduating engineering student looks ahead to career in coastal conservation

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.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

First-generation college students add energy, resilience to USC campus

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.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering and Computing, Arnold School of Public Health, South Carolina Honors College

UofSC hospitality and tourism management program leads SEC, makes national top 10

July 26, 2022, Allen Wallace

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of South Carolina is among the top 10 in the country in hospitality and tourism management and No. 18 worldwide, according to the ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Two UofSC honors students win Goldwater Scholarships

March 28, 2022, Abbey Smith

For two University of South Carolina students, earning a Goldwater Scholarship has turned childhood dreams into reality. Kirsten Fisher and Amanda Manea also have the honor of marking 30 years of Goldwater Scholars at UofSC.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Scholarships, College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

Alumna's passion for storytelling leads to prestigious fellowship

December 16, 2021, Parker Blackburn

School of Journalism and Mass Communications sparked a passion for storytelling for Taylor Jennings-Brown, a 2021 mass communications graduate, who has landed a coveted Kroc Fellowship to work at NPR.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, Diversity, Recognition, Careers, College of Information and Communications, South Carolina Honors College

Former Marine Corps pilot awarded scholarship as she pursues speech-language pathology degree

November 08, 2021, Chris Horn

During her 12 years as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, Maj. Molly O’Malley flew in a war zone and quickly learned to make split-second decisions up in the air and deal with daily challenges on the ground. But transitioning from full-time military pilot to part-time graduate student at South Carolina hasn’t turned out to be the cakewalk you might imagine.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Arnold School of Public Health

Alumna's passion for environment leads to career at EPA

October 19, 2021, Savannah Bennett

Alumna Hali Kerr says that environmental law and policy "puts a fire in my belly." Her new job at the Environmental Protection Agency drives that passion.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, Careers, College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

New book by UofSC Rhodes Scholar Jory Fleming examines life and autism

April 21, 2021, Megan Sexton

Jory Fleming is the most decorated national fellowship winner in the university’s history, winning the prestigious Rhodes, Truman, Goldwater and Hollings scholarships. He now has another title to add to his accomplishments: published author.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Service, Leadership, Careers, College of Arts and Sciences

Curiosity, scientific research lead to prestigious award for UofSC students

March 31, 2021, Carol J.G.Ward

Research opportunities, passionate faculty mentors and the chance to explore diverse interests drew the University of South Carolina’s 2021 Goldwater Scholarship recipients to the Columbia campus. The prestigious scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate STEM majors across the country who are interested in pursuing research careers in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Recognition, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

3 brothers, 3 Goldwater Scholarships, 1 passion

March 15, 2021, Aïda Rogers and Chris Horn

Reggie, Connor and Ian Bain all double majored in mathematics and a field of science, they’re all alumni of the University of South Carolina’s Honors College (Ian graduates in May) and Carolina Scholars and each was named a Goldwater Scholar, which is considered the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate award for STEM majors.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Music, South Carolina Honors College

VA program helps veterans transition to medical careers

November 09, 2020, Margaret Gregory

Two members of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia Class of 2024 are bringing unique perspectives as they train for their future careers in medicine. Before entering medical school, Ian MacLeod and Shane Weatherford served their country in the U.S. armed services. Both are able to pursue their education thanks to the Veterans Healing Veterans Scholarship.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Health Sciences, Service, Careers, Medicine (Columbia)

First-generation student learns what college is really like

November 03, 2020, Page Ivey

Growing up in Indian Land, South Carolina, Dawson Tate’s vision of college came mostly from what he saw in the movies. But during his time in the Opportunity Scholars Program at South Carolina, Tate has decided he likes what he sees and wants to continue his education through the doctorate level so he can return to his hometown and become a teacher and principal.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Careers, College of Education

Gamecock Battalion tops among Navy ROTC programs

October 27, 2020, Page Ivey

The University of South Carolina has the best Navy ROTC program in the country. That recognition comes as no surprise to the midshipmen and alumni of the program that began at Carolina in 1940. And it comes as the result of hard work by a team of staffers and the university’s support for it and other military-affiliated programs on campus.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Partnerships, Service, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences

Early challenges motivate Honors College student's success

July 30, 2020, Carol J.G. Ward

Rodrianna Gaddy took her love of learning about different cultures, combined it with her passion to help people and channeled both into her academic path at the University of South Carolina with a double major in international business and human resources management with a minor in Japanese. Gaddy was scheduled to study abroad in Japan this spring. Then COVID-19 hit.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Diversity, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, South Carolina Honors College

UofSC announces Nicole and David Tepper Scholarship to support sport and entertainment management education, diversity and COVID-19 relief

July 13, 2020, Allen Wallace

The University of South Carolina has announced the establishment of The Nicole and David Tepper Scholars Program in the university’s acclaimed Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. The program will provide four-year scholarships to a cohort of four incoming freshmen each year. Tepper Scholars will receive $10,000 per year toward their education and will gain access to additional enrichment opportunities.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Fast track to MD

June 08, 2020, Megan Sexton

Ashley Fellers is finishing her first year at the School of Medicine, a program she entered a year early through the South Carolina Honors College's BARSC-MD program.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, Health Sciences, Student Voices, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College

UofSC alumna's research could lead to a better understanding of climate change

May 15, 2020, Amanda Hernandez

At Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, former UofSC Capstone Scholar and NOAA Hollings Scholar Erin McParland studies dissolved organic matter in the ocean using sophisticated equipment originally developed for use in the medical field.

Topics: Alumni, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

Research opens doors to the Goldwater Scholarship

April 02, 2020, Carol J.G. Ward, Jan Smoak & Nathaniel Thomas

Two South Carolina Honors College juniors, Ian Bain of Irmo and Zoe Screwvala of Brooklyn have won prestigious Goldwater Scholarships, awarded annually to undergraduate STEM majors across the country.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Recognition, College of Arts and Sciences

Scholarship honors legacy of UofSC's first African American football coach

February 03, 2020, Allen Wallace

A year after Coach Harold White passed away, his memory lives on, thanks in part to a scholarship created in his name.

Topics: Students, Alumni, University Leadership, Scholarships, Diversity, History, Philanthropy, Service, Leadership, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Scholarship transforms heartbreak into hope

December 11, 2019, Margaret Gregory

In 2002, 8-year-old Wanda Gibbs died after being hit by a car at her bus stop. After her tragic passing, the community came together and launched a fundraising initiative to ensure Wanda’s memory would live on. Their efforts established the Wanda Gibbs Scholarship at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, which was awarded for the first time earlier this year.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Scholarships, Diversity, Recognition, Health Sciences, Careers, College of Arts and Sciences, Medicine (Columbia)

McCutchen: A Gamecock Family Name Built on Hospitality and Scholarship

August 05, 2019, Allen Wallace

Lilla McCutchen grew up playing on the Horseshoe and spending her summers at her grandparents' home there, now known as McCutchen House. She shares her memories of 80 years as a Gamecock.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, History, Recognition, Philanthropy, Service, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Fulbright Grant allows recipients to continue study, research

June 20, 2019, Josh German

For the 18th consecutive year, the University of South Carolina will be represented abroad by Fulbright U.S. student grantees conducting research, studying and serving as English teaching assistants.

Topics: Students, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, School of Music, South Carolina Honors College

Patient-centered approach deepens medical students' understanding of addiction

June 18, 2019, Alyssa Yancey

Tarak Patel, a second-year medical student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, had witnessed the devastation of addiction while volunteering at hospitals and free clinics, but he only had a surface-level understanding of the complexities of the issue. That changed earlier this summer when Patel participated in the Summer Institute for Medical Students (SIMS) at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, Minnesota.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, Service, Careers, Student Voices, Medicine (Columbia)

Retailing professor wins Fulbright for work in Uzbekistan

June 04, 2019, Allen Wallace

The Fulbright program is one of the most famous and prestigious scholarship programs in the world, with 59 alumni who also have Nobel Prizes and 82 Pulitzer Prize winners. Many people in academia try throughout their career and never win a Fulbright Scholarship. Professor Mark Rosenbaum, chair of the University of South Carolina Department of Retailing, now has three.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Service, Leadership, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Solid gold

May 02, 2019, Amanda Hernandez

Three juniors in the College of Arts and Sciences join the prestigious list of South Carolina Goldwater Scholars. A total of 56 Goldwater Scholarships have been awarded to UofSC students since 1990. Jeremy LaPointe, Jana Liese and Sarah Beth Pye are this year's recipients.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Recognition, College of Arts and Sciences, South Carolina Honors College

A future so bright

April 01, 2019, Diane Parham

The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation made a new $18 million commitment that will increase the value of McNair Scholars awards from $15,000 to $22,000 per year and add $12,000 in academic-enrichment funds that each scholar can use over their four years at South Carolina.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Student Voices, South Carolina Honors College

Making it to the Big Show

January 17, 2019, Allen Wallace

The National Retail Foundation (NRF) Big Show in New York City is the largest retail conference in the United States, and this year it included the biggest group of Gamecocks yet.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Partnerships, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

A decade of opportunity

December 07, 2018, Diane Parham

Year after year, the number of lives transformed by the University of South Carolina’s Gamecock Guarantee program keeps growing. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Diversity, Philanthropy, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

Shared Commitment

November 16, 2018, Alyssa Yancey

Inspired by the University of South Carolina's inclusive environment, donors Clark West and Elliott Mitchell agreed to establish a $500,000 endowment to support scholarships for USC School of Medicine students. West and Mitchell also established a $500,000 endowment to support scholarships for students attending associate degree-granting institutions in South Carolina who wish to transfer to one of the Palmetto State’s baccalaureate-granting colleges or universities, including USC.

Topics: University Leadership, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Diversity, Philanthropy, Health Sciences, Medicine (Columbia)

Making a big deal of things

November 02, 2018, Allen Wallace

College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management senior Parker Coggins has worked hard from her first day on campus to stand out from the crowd and build a reputation. Her efforts paid off recently with a big win: a $20,000 Scholarship of Excellence from The Statler Foundation.

Topics: Students, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Rising to the top

October 17, 2018, Chris Horn

Scores of USC students have won highly competitive national scholarships and fellowships with the assistance of the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs and faculty members who serve on its committees.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Scholarships, South Carolina Honors College

Jeté to the top

September 26, 2018, Chris Horn

A diagnosis of scoliosis put the brakes on 12-year-old Abbie Digby’s aspirations as a ballet dancer, but her subsequent surgery and recovery sparked a desire to pursue a career in medicine. She's now a freshman pre-med student at Carolina.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Health Sciences, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences

Getting at the core of the issue

August 09, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

To increase diversity among South Carolina’s teachers while also tackling the growing teacher shortage, the College of Education is launching the Apple Core Initiative. Ten students, including Marisa Green, will take part in the pilot program which provides scholarships and support for underrepresented populations in South Carolina.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Academics, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Diversity, Student Voices, College of Education

Gamecock emissary

July 16, 2018, Mary-Kathryn Craft

Political science alumnus James Anderson credits Gamecock connections for his success as he embarks upon the next phase of his career in foreign policy work. The Air Force officer, who helped found My Carolina’s Veterans Alumni Council, will study U.S. and Canada relations as part of a Fulbright Scholarship in September.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, College of Arts and Sciences

UofSC honors top students at Awards Day

April 19, 2018, Megan Sexton

The university its top student honors, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Steven N. Swanger awards, to four graduating seniors during the university’s annual Awards Day ceremony Thursday on the historic Horseshoe.

Topics: Students, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Service, Leadership, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, Arnold School of Public Health

Solving the equation

March 09, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

Though the College of Education is graduating an increasing number of science and math educators, the state – and nation – is still in desperate need of these teachers. To encourage more students to considering teaching science and math, Carolina is offering top students scholarships which are funded by a National Science Foundation grant program.

Topics: Students, Academics, Scholarships, Graduate Studies, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, The Graduate School

Drive for success

March 05, 2018, Allen Wallace

Rachel Nesbitt has managed employees at one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. She has traveled the country to meet leaders in the club management industry and has built an impressive resume. One that is all the more impressive because Nesbitt is 23 years old, and just a year ago was an undergraduate student in hospitality management.

Topics: Alumni, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Rising Star

February 12, 2018, Sydney Bernhardt

Freshman retailing major Sydney Bernhardt visited New York City for the National Retail Federation Student Convention, thanks in part to winning a Rising Star Scholarship from the organization.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Partnerships, Student Voices, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Immediate impact

January 03, 2018, Melinda Waldrop

Samantha Petrelli threw herself into campus life, getting involved in a number of organizations while amassing 63 academic credits and a 4.0 GPA. Such a resume made Petrelli more than deserving of the inaugural Chi Omega Centennial Scholarship, endowed by a $25,000 donation by the Eta Gamma Chapter in 2016.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Student Voices, Darla Moore School of Business

Opportunity guaranteed

December 14, 2017, Taylor Evans

David Tran, a first-generation college student from Greenwood, South Carolina, dreamed of becoming a doctor. Thanks to the Gamecock Guarantee financial and academic support program, Tran has taken his first big step on that journey.

Topics: Students, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Diversity, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences

Making dreams come true

November 28, 2017, Megan Sexton

A nursing degree from the University of South Carolina helped make Patricia Edens Eddy’s dreams come true. Now, she wants to help make that experience available for others. Eddy and her husband, Nelson, have established an endowed fund to award scholarships to College of Nursing students.

Topics: Alumni, Academics, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Health Sciences, Careers, College of Nursing

A lasting tribute

November 28, 2017, Chris Horn

John Simmons finished his law degree at Carolina 30 years before the opening of the School of Law’s new building. His days as a walk-on for the men’s baseball team were at the now defunct Sarge Frye Field, long before Founders Stadium was built. But the passage of time and campus construction haven’t diminished Simmons’ ties to the university.

Topics: Alumni, Scholarships, Philanthropy, College of Arts and Sciences, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

A new leader for TRIO students

October 02, 2017, Megan Sexton

Althea Counts has been named the new director of the university’s TRIO programs. The programs help low-income, first-generation college students personal attention to help them thrive in college and beyond.

Topics: Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Initiatives, Diversity, Service, Leadership