However, this is not the location of the first telescope or observatory owned and run by USC. The first observatory on campus was actually constructed on the roof of one of the university’s oldest buildings.

USC Bucket List: #39. Stargaze from the Melton Observatory.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. What building now sits at the location of the first USC observatory?

The USC Ring Ceremony has become a milestone at the University of South Carolina, second only to commencement. At the very core of USC’s shared values is an intangible link between past and future. These shared values and traditions, along with Carolina’s unique characteristics, are passed on with each graduating class like a ring that comes full circle.

The official ring stands as a symbol of our eternal affiliation with the university. It carries the seal of the University of South Carolina and is inscribed with the university’s motto which, translated from Latin, states, “Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel.”

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. When was the first USC ring ceremony held?

The program is a collaborative effort of USC student government and the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy, an outreach initiative of the School of Library and Information Science. Cocky and members of the USC community have visited elementary schools across South Carolina. The students read to the children, and Cocky helps the children understand the importance of life-long reading.

USC Bucket List: #20. Inspire a child to read with Cocky’s Reading Express.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. How many books have been distributed through Cocky’s Reading Express?

The university’s first commencement at Rutledge Chapel included an early tradition no longer in practice: requiring the valedictorian and salutatorian to give a commencement address in Latin. Emblematic traditions that remain include the University Mace and President’s Medallion, with the addition of the ceremonial presentation of gonfalons at the May 2012 commencement exercises. The tradition of a university president shaking the hand of every graduate has become rare. Not so at the University of South Carolina. The university president greets and shakes hands with every Carolina graduate, alongside the dean of each college or school.

In recent years new traditions have emerged. It has become increasingly popular to decorate graduation caps. So much so that we’ve already spotted one on Instagram. And this year, for the first time ever at USC, International students can wear graduation sashes representing their countries at commencement.

Have you decorated your cap for graduation? Tweet #UofSC12 and we might feature it here.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. One tradition surrounding commencement is a surprise that not every graduating class gets to see, involving USC’s beloved mascot, Cocky. How do you know if Cocky is in your graduating class?

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What’s your favorite feature in the new Carolinian magazine?

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. While the Carolinian name dates back to the early 1920s when it was a student-written publication, it wasn’t until much later that Carolinian was published as a magazine. What year was the first Carolinian magazine published? Hint: The current issue is the 54th that’s been produced since the launch.

The new Carolinian

What do you think about the new look of #Carolinian magazine? Tweet @UofSC and let us know!

Storified by U of South Carolina · Tue, Dec 04 2012 21:19:38

Check another item off your USC Bucket List: Celebrate the holidays by attending USC’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Later this week enjoy a musical holiday tradition at USC, with two free Christmas concerts performed by the University of South Carolina School of Music’s premier choral ensemble. The USC Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Larry Wyatt, continues a much loved holiday tradition. The concert program includes a variety of sacred works and Christmas songs from early and Baroque works to works by contemporary composers of the 21st century and best-loved Christmas carols. The concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at First Presbyterian Church (1324 Marion St.) and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at Shandon United Methodist Church (3407 Devine St.). View a full list of USC concerts and events.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. What number is the tree lighting ceremony on the USC Bucket List?

It all began one year when the Carolina football team defeated a highly favored Clemson team 12-6. At the time, and for decades to come, the game was called Big Thursday and was just one of many events during the week the South Carolina State Fair was in town. After the big win, Carolina fans and players carried around a drawing of a gamecock crowing over a beaten tiger. Not too happy about it, Clemson students warned the Carolina students not to carry the banner in the big parade down Main Street the next day, or there would be consequences.

Naturally, the USC students ignored them. And when the Clemson students saw it at the parade, their cadet corps (Clemson was a military school at the time), about 300 strong and armed with rifles complete with bayonets, decided to march on campus and take the drawing away. About 40 USC students hunkered down behind the Horseshoe wall on Sumter Street, themselves armed with bricks, sticks, rocks and a few knives and pistols.

Fortunately, police and faculty intervened, and cooler heads prevailed. It was agreed that the drawing would be burned between the two student bodies while they cheered against each other.

Out of this almost dire situation, a fun celebration and long-standing tradition was born at both schools. In Columbia, that tradition is now known as Tigerburn. Each year a gigantic tiger is built by students, then burned at a pep rally the week of the big game.

My Carolina’s exclusive Carolina/Clemson t-shirt is becoming a tradition. For the fourth year in a row, they have teamed up with award-winning editorial cartoonist and member Robert Ariail to ride home with another victory this fall against the Tigers. Join My Carolina today and you’ll receive this limited-edition Carolina/Clemson illustrated t-shirt.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. In what year did Tigerburn begin?

Each year at the Homecoming football game, as Cocky magically appears on the field in a cloud of smoke during 2001, his girlfriend runs out to greet him on the field. Today’s trivia question surrounds this mystery date.

Thanks to your votes, Cocky is currently undefeated in the Capital One Mascot Challenge. Keep it up, Gamecocks! Vote online at Capital One Bowl, on Facebook or on Twitter by using the hashtag #CapitalOneCocky.

Trivia Tuesday
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments section to receive a No Limits t-shirt. What is the name of Cocky’s girlfriend?

The brick pathways on the Horseshoe date back to 1931, when students and faculty members decided to lay sidewalks to prevent having to walk muddy paths on rainy days. The project received donations of money, bricks and the assistance of brick masons.

Today you’ll notice a blend of old and new bricks intermingled throughout. In an effort by My Carolina to restore the walkways, it has become a tradition to purchase bricks in honor of family members or as a graduation gift to leave a permanent legacy at Carolina. Most recently, a Horseshoe brick was the means of a unique marriage proposal. The special moment was captured and posted on YouTube.

Trivia Tuesday
Be the first to answer this week’s Trivia Tuesday question correctly in the comments section to receive a No Limits t-shirt. What do the white letters on the Horseshoe represent?

Trivia Tuesday: What do the white letters on the Horseshoe represent?