Stories for Students

Student stands and waves at commencement cermony
View outside of a window of Benson school facing the USC water tower.

From segregation to preservation: The story of Florence C. Benson Elementary School

April 24, 2026, Hunter Mutherspaw

The University of South Carolina is restoring Florence C. Benson Elementary School, a former segregated school and one of the last remaining landmarks of the historic Black community of Wheeler Hill. The project aims not only to preserve the building’s structure but also to honor its role in the history of segregation and ensure that the community’s legacy is remembered for future generations.

Dawn Staley coaches her team from the sidelines during a game

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.

A presenter talks with an attendee at Discover USC.

Students dig in on research, present findings at Discover USC

April 20, 2026, Marketing and communications

Every year, USC students and scholars from a variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines come together to present at Discover USC. The conference features 1,000-plus research projects. Undergraduates, graduate students, medical scholars and postdocs work with faculty mentors to hone their research skills and learn to present their findings. We talked with a few of the presenters.

A horseback-riding farmer herds sheep across a sparse and hilly, rural landscape.

Mutual aid and self-sufficiency are key to life near USSR's contaminated nuclear test zone in Kazakhstan

April 08, 2026, Magdalena Stawkowski

Writing for The Conversation, associate professor Magdalena Stawkowski describes her field research at a Soviet-era nuclear test site in Kazakhstan. Thousands still live around its cratered perimeter and stay because of their collective refusal to reject systems that had abandoned them and instead create their own terms for survival.

bold garnet USC letters outside of a gray building with students walking by
Ansley Martin stands next to her poster titled

Discover USC student Ansley Martin shares innovation

April 02, 2026, Marketing and communications

Each year, Discover USC presents more than 1,000 research projects covering hundreds of subject areas by students from all areas of the university. We reached out to students who previously participated to learn what the experience is like. Neuroscience junior Ansley Martin shares how presenting has helped her bring greater innovation to her research.

group of people together in front of a window with three standing and two sitting

USC has five Goldwater Scholars in 2026

March 27, 2026, Collyn Taylor

Five University of South Carolina students earned the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2026. This sets a record for the most Goldwater Scholars at USC in a single year and marks the 34th consecutive year the university has had at least one Goldwater Scholar.

four squares with images and icons representing cool classes for Fall 2026

Cool Classes Fall 2026

March 27, 2026, Téa Smith

We're back again for another year and another round of some of the coolest classes you can take for fall 2026. There are a ton of unique learning experiences waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re into sports, true crime, dancing, cooking or even something a little otherworldly, South Carolina has you covered.

Katherine Palmer stands next to her poster titled

Discover USC student Katherine Palmer looks back

March 24, 2026, Marketing and communications

Each year, Discover USC presents more than 1,000 research projects covering hundreds of subject areas by students from all areas of the university. We reached out to students who previously participated to learn what the experience is like. Psychology senior Katherine Palmer reflects on what she gained from presenting her research on misophonia.

A vending machine with healthy food alternatives.

USC expands access to healthier options through new vending pilot program

March 20, 2026, Hunter Mutherspaw

The University of South Carolina’s new Healthy Vending Initiative is bringing more nutritious, affordable snack options to high-traffic campus locations. Developed with student input, the Spring 2026 pilot aims to make healthier choices more convenient for students, faculty and staff while supporting overall campus wellness.

Artist rendering of a new student residence at the McBryde site

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.

A golden pagoda building with several steeples is lit against evening sky

The long history of silent meditation retreats

March 18, 2026, Daniel M. Stuart

Silent meditation and silent prayer have shaped spiritual lives within a variety of religious traditions for thousands of years. Today, however, those practices are often being offered in secular settings. Daniel M. Stuart, an associate professor of religious studies at USC, writes for The Conversation about emerging trends in secular meditation practices.

University and South Carolina leadership cut a “USC Brain Health” ribbon outside the Brain Health Center, flanked by garnet, black and white balloons.

USC's new Brain Health Center brings leading-edge brain imaging, cognitive care under one roof

March 17, 2026, Gregory Hardy

USC marked a major milestone in providing specialized cognitive care at a ribbon cutting for its Brain Health Center on the Health Sciences Campus on Wednesday. The facility is designed to deliver exceptional diagnostic, treatment and support for patients living with cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

A juvenile blue catfish aligned with a ruler placed on a wooden surface

Baruch scientists study food impacts of juvenile blue catfish on native species in Winyah Bay estuary

March 06, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen

Scientists at USC’s Baruch Institute are studying the semi-invasive juvenile blue catfish, normally a freshwater animal, that has appeared in estuarine habitats of the Winyah Bay. The researchers are trying to determine whether the interloper’s diet is interfering with the food supply of native estuarine species.

Closeup of rows of golden Oscar-esque statuettes

USC students lead in adopting AI at ADDY Awards

March 04, 2026, Kristine Hartvigsen

AI is everywhere — and marketing is no exception. This year marked the first time that the American Advertising Federation incorporated an AI category into its Midlands ADDY Awards, and University of South Carolina students rose to the challenge, showcasing what is possible in dynamic, creative concept and design in collaboration with AI.

A sepia-toned Michelangelo drawing of a bust

Michelangelo hated painting the Sistine Chapel

February 23, 2026, Anna Swartwood House

The sale of a small red chalk drawing of a woman’s foot by Michelangelo, which sold at auction for $27.2 million, excited art historians — not because of the money it fetched but because of the attention it has brought to Michelangelo’s lifelong devotion to drawing, a medium he prized over painting. Anna Swartwood House, an associate professor of art history at USC, writes for The Conversation about the significance of the recent sale.

Scientist examines cylindrical battery

Video: What is inside a battery?

February 17, 2026, Hadley McCollester

Batteries are part of our everyday lives, but not many of us think about how they work or what they are made of. For researchers at the Lab for Materials Properties and Structures, these questions are a full time job. Golareh Jalilvand and her team at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing are dedicated to testing alternative battery materials such as lithium iron phosphate that will help make batteries a part of the country's sustainable future. This documentary explains why for batteries, it's what's inside that counts.

A young girl outside laughing at a joke

Is teasing playful or harmful?

February 16, 2026, Molly Dawes

Teasing is a common but complex behavior that can serve pro-social functions, but it can also have anti-social functions and harm the targeted person. Teasing interactions are influenced by factors such as the relationship between teaser and target and the content of the tease. Molly Dawes, associate professor in the Department of Educational and Developmental Science at USC, writes for The Conversation about the complexities of teasing.

Teagan Thomas sits on steps near USC's historic horseshoe.

Pathway to first-year success: Teagan Thomas

February 10, 2026, Chris Horn

Teagan Thomas is enrolled in the 2025-26 cohort of Palmetto Pathway, a bridge program that began in 2019. Like all other students in the program, the Summerville, South Carolina, freshman is enrolled through USC Lancaster but lives in Bates residence hall on the Columbia campus and attends classes exclusively with other Palmetto Pathway students.

A hand dabs a brush into a palette of paint.

USC Brain Health launches student-driven arts program

February 09, 2026, Nicole Carrico

Students Ansley Martin and Stella Tew have been working with USC Brain Health to launch a program called Vibrant Minds, an expressive arts initiative that combines neuroscience, creativity and social interaction to support older adults living with neurological conditions. The program helps adults facing cognitive challenges connect with their memories and each other through art and creative projects.