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?

Send your memories and high-resolution photos to Liz McCarthy at lizmccarthy@sc.edu for consideration or post photos to Instagram using the hashtag #UofSCwq by April 23. Please include your name, graduation year and a memory or photo caption.

Browse Garnet and Black yearbooks from 1899 to 1982 and historic photos of USC buildings online in the USC Archives.

A Timeline of the Women’s Quad

Wade Hampton – 1924
The original Wade Hampton residence hall was constructed in 1924 and was the first women’s dormitory at the University of South Carolina. Its construction ended a long debate over whether or not a women’s dorm should be built at all, since coeducation was still unpopular in some circles. Female students were first admitted to the University in 1895, but were not allowed to live on campus until World War I, and that was a temporary arrangement due to the loss of male students to the armed services. It is named for Wade Hampton III, a Confederate general, South Carolina governor and United States senator.

Sims – 1939
Sims College was part of an extensive building program at the University in the late 1930s as part of the New Deal. The women’s residence hall was constructed in 1939 and named for South Carolina College alumnus James Marion Sims, an internationally known physician who was instrumental in the formation of gynecology as a medical specialty.

McClintock – 1955
This women’s residence hall, constructed in 1955, was the first building on USC’s campus named for a woman. It is named for Euphemia McClintock, who headed the College of Women in Columbia, S.C.

Wade Hampton – 1959
The original Wade Hampton College was destroyed in 1959 and a new building with the same name was constructed in its place.

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?

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?

Highlights this year include a mix of new and old traditions, from fundraisers and dance competitions to parades and pep-rallies. A crowd favorite, the Spurs and Strut dance competition was created within the past decade to give all student organizations an opportunity to play an active role in homecoming, with the addition of the Step Show competition in 2008. New traditions have been added to the mix as recently as last year, with the introduction of the Number One Gamecock competition. Some returning favorites include the Cockfest Pep Rally, Showcase and Homecoming Parade.

Homecoming events
Homecoming kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, leading up to the the Nov. 10 football game against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. This year’s homecoming theme is “Cocky 4 A Reason.” The week of diverse events are planned by a student committee, in addition to a number of homecoming events coordinated by My Carolina Alumni Association and various colleges and schools within the university. View a full list of events on the USC Student Life and My Carolina Alumni Association websites.

Homecoming Trivia:
Be the first to answer this week’s Trivia Tuesday question correctly in the comments section to win a No Limits t-shirt. Homecoming dates back to the early decades of the twentieth century. What year did it begin at USC? The answer lies somewhere in our digital collections of Garnet & Black yearbooks.

Homecoming history
Stop by McKissick Museum to check out Get Cocky! The Significance of USC’s Gamecock Culture and explore the history and dynamic role of athletics at the university. Homecoming history is on display, where you can view dresses worn by former USC Homecoming Queens and see the evolution of Cocky over the years. The exhibition runs through Dec. 14, 2012 and admission is free. The museum is located in the heart of campus, on the university’s historic Horseshoe. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and all university and state holidays.

Share your photos and memories
What are your favorite USC Homecoming memories and traditions? What does homecoming mean to you? Share your photos and memories with us and you could be featured in the next print edition of USC Times. Those selected will receive a No Limits t-shirt. Send your memories and high-resolution photos to lwhite@mailbox.sc.edu for consideration or tweet using the #USCHC hashtag. Please include your name and contact phone number with emailed submissions.

See what memories others are sharing on Twitter:

#UofSC Homecoming Memories + Traditions

Homecoming memories and traditions, as shared by University of South Carolina fans and followers.

Storified by U of South Carolina · Wed, Oct 24 2012 07:26:23

@UofSC @uschomecoming Singing in the choir at halftime and if course the game! Caroline Carson

Keep up with USC Homecoming activities on Twitter and Facebook. View photos from USC Homecoming on Flickr.

It’s the smell of elephant ears, mustard and fried everything. It’s the uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach as you clickety-clack up the first hill of the roller coaster. It’s the South Carolina State Fair, and it’s also Midway Physics Day, when thousands of kids from across the state learn that science can be cool.

For 15 years and counting, Midway Physics Day has been showing S.C. kids how the laws of physics influence everything around them, bringing classroom learning into the real world — a really fun real world.

“It’s fabulous when you can actually go play with something and it connects with what you’re learning in the classroom,” explains USC physics professor Jeff Wilson, who, along with fellow professor Dave Tedeschi, leads the physics day at the fair.

Last year, USC faculty and students brought physics to life for more than 3,000 students from 49 middle schools and high schools. Led by Jeff and Dave and a host of help from the university, the kids are able to see the laws of physics at work during hands-on experiments like dipping a balloon into liquid nitrogen before heading out to the Midway.

For most of the kids, that’s when the thrills begin. But even taking a spin on the Himalaya or the Ferris Wheel can teach them about physics. Armed with instruments like accelerometers and barometers, students take measurements while flipping and soaring through the autumn air. It’s a thrilling experiment, one ride at a time.

Dirty hands, beads of sweat and delicate blooms define Charlie Ryan’s job as USC’s resident horticulturalist. Every day his flowers, vegetables and trees are the centerpieces of USC’s urban oasis.

But that’s not why he comes to work with a passion in his heart. “It’s not work to me,” he said. “I just love what I do, especially the learning aspect of horticulture. Plants are never predictable, and seeing how they perform is very rewarding.”

In fact, Charlie believes he’s lost more money in his 30-year career than he’s gained just killing plants. “But that’s the learning part of my career that I love so much.”

More importantly, Charlie loves sharing what he knows with the campus community. He’s deeply rooted that way.

He’s played an instrumental role in several student-gardening initiatives, including the Carolina Community Garden and the Outdoor Recreation Center Garden and Orchard. Located behind the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center, the outdoor rec garden features 17 fruit-bearing trees as well as seasonal vegetables and herbs grown organically and without the use of pesticides.

What’s more, he works closely with USC first lady Patricia Moore-Pastides, cultivating the President’s House Garden. The backyard garden has tomatoes, squashes and cucumbers in summer and Swiss chard and Asian greens in the winter months.

A mentor and guiding hand, Charlie celebrates each time a student or faculty or staff member find his or her inner self through the wonders of our natural environment. “They’re so excited when they grow something,” he said. “Their enthusiasm is contagious. It makes me excited to help them.”

When asked if he has a favorite flower, Charlie said his current passion is for tweedia.“It has a sky blue blossom. Blue is a very unusual color in nature,” he said of the summer blooming self-seeding perennial. “It’s just a beautiful shade of blue.”

As for his work at Carolina, Charlie — in his own special way — is making our world greener, cultivating one green thumb at a time.