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 Parents
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3 questions with UofSC's 30th president, Michael Amiridis
August 25, 2022, Kelley Barrett
We are excited to welcome new UofSC president Michael Amiridis as the 2022-23 school year unfolds. We caught up with him to learn more about his experiences and his plans to give students a chance to share their thoughts.
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.
Stamps of Approval
July 27, 2022, Craig Brandhorst
Michael Amiridis is a proven leader with the resume to match. But if you want to know what makes the university’s 30th president so successful, ask the people who have worked alongside him.
Grant advances UofSC's efforts to create destination for preserving, teaching civil rights history
June 20, 2022, Carol J.G. Ward
The University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research will receive $500,000 in federal funding to further its mission to preserve civil rights history and tell critical stories of the movement. The African American Civil Rights grant administered by the National Park Service will be used to continue rehabilitation and preservation of the historic Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building.
Letters from Anne Frank's father, Otto Frank, donated to UofSC Anne Frank Center
June 08, 2022, Alexis Watts
The Anne Frank Center located at the University of South Carolina is now home to 100 letters and cards written by Otto Frank, the father of Holocaust victim and world-renowned diarist Anne Frank. The donation comes as the world honors her life and legacy on the 75th anniversary of the publication of her diary and her birthday on June 12.
Hootie & the Blowfish collection comes to UofSC Libraries
June 03, 2022, Megan Sexton
Rick Noble has donated his substantial collection of Hootie & the Blowfish memorabilia – including CDs, T-shirts, posters and publications – to the University of South Carolina Libraries.
Darius Rucker on championships, concerts and that tattoo
April 21, 2022, Megan Sexton
Darius Rucker, country music superstar, proud University of South Carolina alumnus and Gamecock superfan, will hold a free concert for students to celebrate the women’s basketball team’s national championship.
Michael Amiridis selected as 30th president of the University of South Carolina
January 14, 2022, Megan Sexton
Michael Amiridis, the chancellor of the University of Illinois-Chicago since 2015, has been named the 30th president of the University of South Carolina.
UofSC, Greystar break ground on Campus Village construction project
May 26, 2021, Koby Padgett
A project years in the making, Campus Village construction began officially on Wednesday (May 26) as the University of South Carolina hosted a groundbreaking ceremony along with development partner Greystar Real Estate Partners.
A presidential conversation with Issy Rushton
April 22, 2021, Communications and Public Affairs
President Bob Caslen and host Sally McKay revisit the past year with Issy Rushton, the Student Government president who was elected just as the COVID-19 pandemic began in earnest.
Dance Marathon Day: Gov. McMaster honors student organization for fundraising efforts
March 23, 2021, Allen Wallace
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster recognized the continued success of University of South Carolina Dance Marathon in a ceremony Tuesday at the State House.
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.
Governor proclaims South Carolina Dance Marathon Day
February 26, 2020, Allen Wallace
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an official proclamation declaring Feb. 26, 2020 as South Carolina Dance Marathon Day. The proclamation recognizes the UofSC Dance Marathon for raising a record $1,038,156 for the hospital in 2019 and for their ongoing efforts to support the kids at Prisma Health Children's Hospital.
Front and center
December 16, 2019, Chris Horn
A former superintendent of West Point who served 43 years in the United States Army and retired as a lieutenant general, Bob Caslen is the University of South Carolina's 29th president. And he's keen to lead the state’s flagship public university into a new era.
20 in '19
December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff
There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.
20 in '19
December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff
There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.
20 in '19
December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff
There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.
20 in '19
December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff
There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.
20 in '19
December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff
There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.