USC graduates celebrate May commencement
May 04, 2023, Jeff Stensland
The largest graduating class in the University of South Carolina’s history will participate in spring commencement ceremonies in Columbia on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6.
Stories for Parents
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.
Carolina Day brings USC community together
February 10, 2023, Communications and Marketing staff
On Tuesday (Feb. 14), University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will come together in support of the university’s efforts to build a stronger, healthier state. The Valentine’s Day event is a perfect opportunity for supporters to show their love for USC and thank state legislators who have helped the university fulfill its mission to provide an affordable, accessible education.
School of Music reinvigorating South Carolina's jazz scene
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts
The School of Music is bolstering the state’s jazz scene thanks to a dedicated space to train jazz educators and artists, outreach programs to seed the state’s jazz pipeline from the Upstate to the Lowcountry and energetic faculty eager to connect students with top musicians.
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.
USC hosts December commencement ceremony
December 02, 2022, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina will host its annual fall commencement ceremony for thousands of graduates on Monday, Dec. 12 at the Colonial Life Arena. The main ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. and will include graduates from associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and professional degree programs across the USC system.
Move-in by the numbers
August 23, 2022, Koby Padgett
It’s an exciting time on the University of South Carolina campus as a record-breaking first-year class settles in. Here are some details about our student body, activities they take part in, how they impact campus life and the resources it takes to support them.
Behind the pomp and circumstance
May 03, 2022, Megan Sexton
From ensuring students know where to sit to making sure the sound system works just right, university staff members work behind the scenes to ensure a memorable commencement day for graduates and their families.
UofSC celebrates newest crop of graduating students
April 26, 2022, Dana Woodward
The University of South Carolina will welcome thousands of new alumni from across the system in a series of commencement ceremonies, which conclude with three Columbia campus events at the Colonial Life Arena. The ceremonies will recognize bachelor’s, master’s and professional degree recipients.
Top leadership award winner puts education to use serving others
April 21, 2022, Communications and Marketing
Mechanical engineering major Gabriel Nossar Carrilho is using what he’s learned at the University of South Carolina to serve the campus community, the Latinx community and even people in his native South America in need of clean water. For his efforts, Carrilho has been awarded the university’s top leadership award — the 2022 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
Sullivan Award winner focuses research, leadership efforts on sustainability
April 21, 2022, Communications and Marketing
Geography major Claire Windsor has turned a passion for creating a sustainable world into action throughout her four-year career at South Carolina. The Travelers Rest, South Carolina, native and Honors College student received the university's top leadership award, the 2022 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
UofSC celebrates fall graduates
December 06, 2021, Dana Woodward
Thousands of students will earn their degrees at the University of South Carolina’s annual fall commencement ceremony held Monday, Dec. 13 at the Colonial Life Arena. The ceremony, which begins at 2:30 p.m., will include graduates from associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and professional degree programs across the USC system.
Sullivan award winner's college career exemplifies service
April 14, 2021, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Adarsh Shidhaye says he “hit the ground running” thanks to a pre-medical summer camp offered by the Office of Pre-Professional Advising. The program was so valuable to him that he started working as an ambassador during his freshman year, providing that same help to incoming students. Shidhaye’s service to his fellow students while earning a degree in public health as well as minors in business administration and medical humanities and culture has also earned him the university's highest undergraduate honor, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
Swanger award winner uses her drive for hard work to help others
April 14, 2021, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Payton Ramsey of Hammond, Louisiana, has overcome a visual disability from childhood to become the first member of her family to attend college. The biological sciences major is also a member of the South Carolina Honors College who has spent her time at UofSC perfecting her leadership skills and expanding her mind through research. For her efforts over her four years at South Carolina, Ramsey received the 2021 Steven N. Swanger Award, the university’s second-highest undergraduate honor.
Sullivan Award winner helps lead student body through pandemic
April 14, 2021, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Issy Rushton was installed as president of the student body at the University of South Carolina just as the COVID-19 pandemic was shutting down the world. The native of the Gold Coast in Australia was half a world away when she went to work helping her fellow students and the university navigate the pandemic and focus on returning to campus. For her leadership, Rushton was one of two members of the Class of 2021 to receive the university's highest undergraduate honor, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award, named for a 19th-century New York lawyer and philanthropist, is given each year for outstanding achievements, campus leadership, exemplary character and service to the community.
State of the University: A Path to Excellence
October 01, 2020, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
To make the University of South Carolina more affordable and more accessible to state residents, President Bob Caslen announced a tuition freeze for the coming academic year during his first State of the University address.
Carolina Day highlights UofSC's role in building a stronger state
January 15, 2020, Communications and Public Affairs staff
Each January, University of South Carolina alumni and advocates come together in person and online in a show of support for UofSC’s efforts to build a stronger state — and to ask state legislators to join the cause. Here, we look at some of the ways in which the university is advancing our state.
Fun for the whole family
September 26, 2019, Caleigh McDaniel and Catherine Jobe
It’s that time of year again. Time for our families to descend upon Columbia and UofSC in droves, calling before you’ve even gotten out of class to say that they’re here and asking where to park. They’ve been waiting for this day since August, but what are you going to do with them? Don’t stress; impress them with these options.
Family Weekend plays important role in student support
September 25, 2019, Annika Dahlgren
Family Weekend is part of the university’s wide-ranging commitment to delivering a superior student experience in a welcoming, inclusive environment. It helps to connect a student’s personal support network to the university experience, so that family members can feel engaged in a student’s journey — and a student can feel a deep level of support both on- and off-campus.
Here today, gown tomorrow
May 07, 2019, Megan Sexton
It happens every semester, but it never gets old. Seniors finish their final exams, turn in their last papers, pull on the cap and gown and walk across the stage as proud graduates of the University of South Carolina. TIMES spoke with eight May graduates about their decision to come to Carolina, the memories they have made here and their plans for the future. We also asked them to send us a picture to mark the occasion.
UofSC shares 'The Art of Healthy Living'
April 25, 2019, Thom Harman
South Carolina — the state’s leader in health science education and research — is sponsoring “The Art of Healthy Living,” a fun, educational and interactive exhibit in the heart of Artisphere, the sprawling downtown Greenville festival.
UofSC honors top students at Awards Day
April 18, 2019, Page Ivey
The University of South Carolina presented its top student honors, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Steven N. Swanger awards, to three graduating seniors during the university’s annual Awards Day ceremony Thursday on the historic Horseshoe.
Grateful for garnet
April 11, 2019, Diane Parham
Another successful Give 4 Garnet closed at midnight Wednesday, with 6,576 donors making $4,028,859 in gifts during the University of South Carolina’s second annual giving day.
Get confetti ready
April 03, 2019, Diane Parham
There’s still plenty of confetti on hand for year two of Give 4 Garnet: A Day of Giving, set for Wednesday, April 10. But this year’s giving day is putting the spotlight on donors instead of dollars, with a goal of 6,500 donors making gifts during the day-long campaign.
Talking TEDx
October 09, 2018, Page Ivey
Overcoming stereotypes and drug addiction, learning to listen in uncomfortable conversations about race, and finding new ways to diagnose and treat mental illnesses were just some of the wide range of topics presented by speakers at the inaugural TEDxUofSC event Tuesday.
Forever to thee
October 03, 2018, Jeff Stensland
After a decade of service as president and leading the University of South Carolina through an unprecedented period of growth and success, President Harris Pastides announced Wednesday (Oct. 3) that he will retire as president effective the summer of 2019.
More Healthy. More Local. Moore-Pastides.
September 27, 2018, Dana Woodward
In a celebration of the first lady’s 10 years of contributions to the health and wellness of the Carolina community, the university has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to present an extension of the Healthy Carolina farmer’s market on Oct. 2.
Fun for the whole family
September 27, 2018, Mia Grimm and Catherine Jobe
It’s that time of year again. Time for our families to descend upon Columbia and UofSC in droves, calling before you’ve even gotten out of class to say that they’re here and asking where to park. They’ve been waiting for this day since August, but what are you going to do with them? Don’t stress; impress them with these options.
Lineup set for TEDxUofSC
July 31, 2018, Megan Sexton
The lineup of speakers is set for the inaugural TEDxUofSC conference Oct. 9 at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center.
Ringing in spring
April 20, 2018, Lynn Schutte
On April 22, 500 students will receive their University of South Carolina ring at the Ring Ceremony on the historic Horseshoe.
December grads told to participate, innovate
December 18, 2017, Page Ivey
Find someone to love, find a job you like — and get involved in civic life, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer told December 2017 graduates during commencement exercises Dec. 18.
Setting a foundation
October 11, 2017, Jalesa Cooley
Ross Lordo knew he wanted to be a leader from the moment he completed high school. Now, after four years of serving in student government, the Fort Mill native is spending his senior year serving at the highest student government position — student body president.
South Carolina's premier piano festival celebrates 15th anniversary
June 13, 2017, John Brunelli
The 2017 Southeastern Piano Festival opens June 18 with a Piano Extravaganza concert. The region's only piano-focused arts event runs through June 24 with nightly concerts from world-class pianists and a competition of rising stars.
Columbia campus awards nearly 6,800 degrees
May 05, 2017
The University of South Carolina Columbia campus awarded nearly 6,800 degrees Friday and Saturday (May 5-6), including 4,921 bachelor’s degrees.
U.N. secretary-general to address UofSC graduates
April 24, 2017, Jeff Stensland
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will receive an honorary degree and deliver special remarks to graduates as part of the University of South Carolina’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6 at the Colonial Life Arena.
Top students honored at annual Awards Day ceremony
April 20, 2017, Mary-Kathryn Craft
Three graduating seniors received the university's highest honors at the annual Awards Day ceremony. Jory Mackenzie Fleming and Megan Patricia O’Brien received Algernon Sydney Sullivan awards, the university’s top honor for undergraduates, and Cory Cambridge Alpert received the Steven N. Swanger award, the university’s second-highest undergraduate honor.
Nursing student realizes dream with graduation
December 12, 2016, Megan Sexton
When Emily Bethea walked across the commencement stage Monday, it marked the completion of a dream that began more than a decade ago, as she watched over her mother and infant brother in the hospital.
FYRE: Q&A with Marian Wright Edelman
September 15, 2016, Page Ivey
Marian Wright Edelman wrote “The Measure of Our Success” as an open letter 24 years ago to her three sons. The book was selected for this year’s First-Year Reading Experience and Edelman will speak on campus Tuesday (Sept. 20).
Pastides: UofSC prepares 21st century leaders
September 14, 2016, Joshua Burrack
University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides presents his plan for the coming year and how the university must prepare the leaders of the 21st century.
Pillars put students on the path to leadership
July 07, 2016, Augusta Bauknight
For Ross Lordo, the decision to attend the Pillars for Carolina orientation program before his freshman year set him on the path to success. Pillars for Carolina offers first-year students an opportunity to learn about the Carolina community, create friendships with future classmates, and participate in the university’s traditions while also learning about leadership skills and service.
VIDEO: Commencement 2016
May 06, 2016, John Brunelli
The University of South Carolina is celebrating more than 4,000 graduates in commencement ceremonies this weekend. We've captured a few moments from this largest graduating class in school history.
VIDEO: See what's next for UofSC grads
May 05, 2016, John Brunelli
From Amazon to the NFL to China, see what's #UofSCNext for these May 2016 graduates.
Commencement: Around the system
May 04, 2016
All UofSC campuses are celebrating commencements this spring and we have captured images from each of them. Whether you're a Gamecock or a Fire Ant, commencement always ends with "Forever to Thee."
Molding a creative life
April 28, 2016, Megan Sexton
Rosa and Winton Eugene married in 1968 and moved from South Carolina to Chicago and back home again, with careers in carpentry, nursing, carpet installation and farming along the way. But it’s the work they are doing now – making elegant, functional pottery in their Upstate studio – that has brought them attention. Each will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree at commencement.