2026 heart health faculty experts list
February 01, 2026, Gregory Hardy
February is American Heart Month. The University of South Carolina is home to many faculty members who are available to offer their expertise in cardio care and research.
Stories for Students
Carolina Band wins competition hosted by Metallica
January 30, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen
In a 9 a.m. Instagram story by Metallica and EA Sports on Jan. 30, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo announced the winners of its 3rd Annual Metallica Marching Band Competition – Collegiate Edition. The Carolina Band was named grand-prize winner in the Division 1 category.
Black History Month resources at University Libraries
January 30, 2026, Catherine Pruitt
February is Black History Month, to honor and celebrate this, visit Thomas Cooper Library to utilize their resources to learn more about African American history in South Carolina and here at USC.
Winter storms don't have to be deadly
January 30, 2026, Brett Robertson
Winter storms pose multiple dangers at once, and people often underestimate how quickly conditions can become life-threatening. Here is what people need to know to reduce their risk of injury during severe winter weather.
Gamecock legend Connor Shaw starts a nonprofit after a close call
January 29, 2026, Thom Harman / photos by Kim Truett
While coaching his son’s flag football team last fall, former USC quarterback Connor Shaw went into sudden cardiac arrest. Quick thinking, the presence of first responders and an automated external defibrillator saved his life. Now fully recovered, Shaw has started a nonprofit to increase CPR training and bring AEDs to athletic fields statewide, and beyond.
New learning pathways transform the future of nursing care
January 26, 2026
The College of Nursing continues to drive transformation in nursing education, innovation and health care delivery across the state and beyond. At the heart of this momentum is the launch of South Carolina’s only accredited nurse-midwifery education program
Palmetto College graduate navigated full-time college, full-time work
January 26, 2026, Chris Horn
Andrew Verma's job at a large bank call center was a great landing spot right after high school but the variable schedule made attending college a challenge. Then he found Palmetto College and a fast road to advancement.
Mother-daughter duo earn nursing master's degrees together
January 26, 2026
Mother-daughter duo Casey Cline and Andrea Johnson reached a shared milestone in Spring 2025 — both earning MSNs in healthcare leadership and nursing education, respectively. Their journey reflects a powerful bond and shared passion for nursing and lifelong learning.
Campus Conversation: Ruby Voortmeyer
January 23, 2026, Catherine Pruitt
A Campus Conversation with Ruby Voortmeyer, an engineering student-athlete who rides for Gamecock Equestrian.
Engineering researchers are studying next-generation materials to improve SC infrastructure
January 22, 2026, Rebekah Friedman
Fabio Matta’s next-generation building materials include fiber-reinforced plastic bars — essentially, glass fibers immersed in a strong polymeric resin. They are stronger than steel, don’t corrode and are lighter than traditional materials — all qualities that make them ideal for bridge and infrastructure rehabilitation.
TEDxCongaree Vista set for March 14
January 21, 2026, Chris Horn
A group of University of South Carolina students has planned and organized TEDxCongaree Vista, featuring speakers whose topics are likely to spark conversation and inspire action.
The Carolina Agency: 20 years of student development, community impact
January 14, 2026, Catherine Pruitt
For 20 years, The Carolina Agency has been the student-run public relations and media agency giving College of Information and Communications students real-world experience in a professional setting. In addition to offering students an internship credit and an authentic work experience in a professional setting, The Carolina Agency also prides itself on its service to community clients.
5 recognized for social justice work
January 13, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen
The University of South Carolina has recognized students, faculty and staff members for their work on campus and in the larger community with 2026 Martin Luther King Social Justice Awards. The awards recognize individuals who have exemplified the philosophies of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. through acts of community service, social justice or racial reconciliation.
USC professor's trailblazing sport entertainment career earns national recognition
December 19, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
Sports Business Journal recently named USC senior instructor Susan O’Malley one of the top 125 influential sports business figures of the past quarter-century. Follow her path to stardom.
School of Medicine Greenville students put lifestyle medicine values to the test in Ironman event
December 19, 2025, Chris Horn
Seven USC School of Medicine Greenville students demonstrated their commitment to lifestyle medicine by training for and completing an Ironman 70.3 competition in Wilmington, North Carolina.
USC approves key renovation projects
December 16, 2025, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees gave final approval Tuesday (Dec. 16) to projects designed to reinvigorate several iconic buildings in the heart of the Columbia campus.
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.
Board approves major facilities projects, academic initiatives in December meeting
December 15, 2025, Collyn Taylor
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees continues to advance USC Next projects. The board issued Phase II approvals for renovation projects to McKissick Museum, Thomas Cooper Library and Barnwell College.
USC team identifies new class of disinfection byproducts in water treatment systems
December 12, 2025, Chris Horn
An environmental chemistry research lab at USC at the forefront of efforts to find and identify disinfection byproducts in U.S. water treatment systems has discovered a new, highly toxic class of byproducts.
Serving the scientific community
December 12, 2025, Chris Horn
USC chemistry professor Linda Shimizu has a long list of accomplishments, including recently being named a fellow of the American Chemical Society, one of only 36 chemistry professors worldwide to receive the honor in 2025 for scientific and professional accomplishments.
Carolina Trustees Professorship: Robert McCormick
December 12, 2025, Thom Harman
Spend any time talking to Robert McCormick, and his love of history and passion for teaching it to others is readily apparent. This year he was recognized for that lifelong passion by being named the 2025 Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses.
School of Music faculty members nominated for Grammy awards
December 10, 2025, Marlena Crovatt-Bagwell
Ensembles led by School of Music bassoon professor Michael Harley and guitar assistant professor Mak Grgić are nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards to be presented Feb. 1 in Los Angeles. Theirs are the latest of several Grammy nominations for musicians with USC connections.
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.
How an Honors College student's thesis became a children's book
December 09, 2025, Chris Horn
Paige Canady planned to write a straightforward honors thesis, the kind that might get read once or twice, then put on a shelf. But after collaborating with an art education student, the project became a cleverly illustrated children’s book, one that Canady hopes will be read by families everywhere.
Marshall Scholarship finalist Michael Pitre studies the circuitry of the brain -- and plans a future in neurosurgery
December 08, 2025, Page Ivey
South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre likes to get up around 3 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to make the two-hour drive to Folly Beach to surf at the Washout before heading back to Columbia and his 11:40 a.m. class. It’s a regimen that aligns nicely with the Marshall Scholar finalist’s jam-packed schedule that includes earning his BARSC-MD degree in just three years, working as an emergency medical technician, and researching the circuitry of the brain on his way to becoming a neurosurgeon.
Civil engineering study tests effectiveness of biopolymers in slowing flood-related soil erosion
December 04, 2025, Chris Horn
A common food additive used as a thickener in soups, salad dressings and ice cream has demonstrated high potential for another use — slowing dangerous erosion on overtopped dams and levees.
USC to award over 3,000 degrees during December commencement ceremonies
December 04, 2025, Collyn Taylor
The University of South Carolina is expected to award 3,154 degrees systemwide as part of its annual fall semester commencement ceremonies this month.
Class of 2025 December graduates
December 03, 2025, Megan Sexton
As the December Class of 2025 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.
Global supply chain major lands key post-grad position
December 02, 2025, Page Ivey
Yana Patel came to the Darla Moore School of Business with one plan, but after talking with mentors and faculty in the business school, she found a path better suited to her career goals. After she graduates from USC in May 2026, she will be part of the selective Operations Leadership Development Program at defense contractor Lockheed Martine.
Campus Conversation: Kirstyn Dietrich
December 01, 2025, Catherine Pruitt
A campus conversation with Kirstyn Dietrich.
School of Medicine Greenville student reflects on how USC helped him develop a global perspective
November 26, 2025, Téa Smith
Studying abroad during undergrad at USC helped JD Dawson, a third-year medical student at the School of Medicine Greenville, develop a global perspective on health care that he’s carried into his postgrad education.
USC students and alumni win South Carolina InnoVision Awards
November 14, 2025, Laura Erskine
Six finalists with ties to USC were recognized by the 2025 InnoVision Awards, with three winning top honors. The winning businesses are led by students in the South Carolina Honors College, alumni and graduate students from the Molinaroli College of Engineering, and alumni from the Darla Moore School of Business and the Honors College.
Community health centers provide care for 1 in 10 Americans, but funding cuts threaten their survival
November 13, 2025, Jennifer Springhart
Many Americans who lack or have insufficient health insurance seek health care from a network of safety net clinics called community health centers. Dr. Jennifer Springhart of USC's School of Medicine Greenville writes for The Conversation about how decreasing their capacity could destabilize other elements of local health care delivery systems.
A guide to Rivalry Week
November 12, 2025, Catherine Pruitt and Ainsley Hoffmann
Carolina will take on rivals Clemson on Nov. 29. Check out this guide to experience all the exciting events leading up to the big game.
Pair of Honors students named finalists for prestigious fellowships
November 12, 2025, Collyn Taylor
USC has a Rhodes and Marshall finalist in the same cycle for the first time since 2011 with the potential to have a Rhodes recipient for the first time since 2016 and Marshall recipient for the first time since 2009.
Rhodes scholar finalist plans a career in maternal health care
November 12, 2025, Megan Sexton
USC Honors College student and public health major Hannah Brennen, who was a Rhodes scholar finalist, plans to attend medical school to pursue her interest in maternal health.
Student historian maps out a new direction to a career in student affairs
November 11, 2025, Laura Erskine
Senior Gracie Bellah started at USC with her plans mapped out. A history and anthropology double major in the Honors College, she dove into historical research and became a leader in student organizations. Her experience helping other students as a McCausland College ambassador helped her decide to take her career plans in a new direction.
Future physician-scientist selected as Marshall Scholarship finalist
November 11, 2025, Valerie Weingart
South Carolina Honors College student Michael Pitre has been named a finalist for the 2026 Marshall Scholarships. If selected, he plans to pursue an MPhil in biological sciences to develop novel treatments for Parkinson's disease before returning to USC for medical school.
Social work initiative expands behavioral health care access in rural South Carolina
November 10, 2025, Carol JG Ward
The University of South Carolina’s Rural Occupations Workforce Expansion (ROWE) program trains MSW students to serve in underserved communities, strengthening South Carolina’s rural behavioral health workforce and improving access to mental health care.
Soldier-scholar focuses on helping veterans
November 05, 2025, Page Ivey
Nikki Wooten was a soldier before she was a scholar — a fact that helps drive and inform her research dedicated to helping American’s military members and veterans access the resources they need for better mental health.
USC Veterans Legal Clinic serves dual missions
November 04, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
Wounds may take years to fester before a war-weathered veteran seeks help, and often service-related injuries are not visible. Opened in 2018 the University of South Carolina Veterans Legal Clinic has provided legal services to more than 550 clients and experiential learning to community-minded students.
Senior public health major named Rhodes Scholarship finalist
November 03, 2025, Valerie Weingart
A Rhodes scholar embodies academic excellence, strong collaboration and leadership skills, and dedication to working for the good of humanity — all of which describe South Carolina Honors College student and public health major Hannah Brennen. Her research and involvement in the Columbia community throughout her academic career have her poised to become USC's 11th Rhodes scholar and first since 2016.
USC team conducting research on endangered North Atlantic right whales
November 03, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
There are only about 384 North Atlantic right whales remaining on Earth. That’s fewer than the number of students living in the Capstone dorm. The latest count is cause for alarm, and the whales’ leading killers are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes.
First-generation students bring perspective, energy to USC campus
October 31, 2025, Megan Sexton
As the university marks the celebration of First-Gen College Celebration Week, we caught up with first-generation students, alumni, faculty and staff who are thriving in the classroom and beyond.
Parris Island archaeological project spans 40 years
October 28, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
USC professor Chester DePratter has been sorting through archaeological evidence gathered over nearly four decades of investigation at the 16th century Spanish settlement of Santa Elena on present-day Parris Island. Here's what he and his team found.
Why your late teens and early 20s are crucial times for lifelong heart health
October 24, 2025, Jewel Scott
Emerging adulthood is a life stage where behaviors that diminish heart health—such as spending more time sitting, consuming more fast food and using more tobacco and alcohol—become more common. Jewel Scott, assistant professor of nursing science in USC's College of Nursing, writes for The Conversation about the power of habits on our behavior.
USC helps students succeed through internships, experiential courses
October 24, 2025, Catherine Pruitt
Internships are key to helping students get into the workplace in their chosen fields, and the University of South Carolina’s Career Center and Center for Internship Programs help students find the perfect match and offer financial assistance during their internship.
Why are women's shoes so pointy?
October 21, 2025, Michael Watson
While people’s actual feet are rounded on the end, women’s dress shoes often come to a sharp point at the toe. Many people find these pointy shoes uncomfortable. So why do shoe designers keep making them this way? Retailing professor Mike Watson, who researches and teaches fashion design, weighs in.
Evans Scholars program launches at USC
October 21, 2025, Thom Harman
A golf-themed program open to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means, the Evans Scholars program covers full tuition and housing costs. USC’s Evans Scholars will live together in the McCausland Scholarship House.
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.