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South Carolina Honors College

2022

Four-year Honors ambassador passes along her love for USC

Honors senior Jacqueline Purtell reflects on her time as an SCHC ambassador and the opportunities it provided her as a student.

Some university staff work like dogs

Meet George and Louie, the South Carolina Honors College's very own therapy dogs, and see how they are helping bring positivity to Honors students.

Graduating engineering student looks ahead to career in coastal conservation

Maggie Kemp grew up a five-minute drive from windswept Assateague Island National Seashore on the Maryland coast, and that locale inspired her undergraduate research pursuits and plans for graduate school at USC.

HRSM professor helps grow sport, entertainment management program

SCHC Pearce Faculty Fellow Andy Gillentine was recently named a 2022 Mungo teaching award winner for his impact on USC’s sport and entertainment management program.

Disability in Action program educates USC on accessibility issues on campus

The South Carolina Honors College and CarolinaLIFE created Disability in Action (DIA) during the fall 2022 semester. DIA involves students from both organizations working towards spreading awareness of inaccessibility issues and ableism across USC's campus.

A Letter From the Dean

Dean Steven Lynn takes an in-depth look at the motto of the South Carolina Honors College and how it impacts students.

From the front lines

Explore alumni reflections from an internist/hospitalist, pharmacist, advanced practice registered nurse, and pediatric critical care physician – all of whom are teaching future generations of medical professionals.

'Teaching what history is'

Woody Holton, 2022 SCHC Professor of the Year, details why studying history is so important for American's today.

‘They broke down the barriers so I could be here’

The university’s second Black woman student body vice president, Hannah White, is sharing the influential stories from 21 of Carolina’s Black women leaders who broke down barriers in her award-winning documentary.

First-generation student finds love for journey to USC

Sarah Tra shares her story and experiences as a first-gen student and USC ambassador in the hope that other first-gen students will find their place at the Honors College and the University of South Carolina.

Family firsts - First-generation college students add energy, resilience to USC campus

First- Generation and Honors College student Chris Loftis discusses how attending the University of South Carolina was a necessary step for him reaching his goal of becoming a computer programmer.

Honors class gives deeper meaning to horror films

For author, professor and horror lover Julia Elliott, horror movies have much more to bring to the table than simple jump scares.

Going the extra mile

Honors College senior makes connections from Columbia to Cairo.

'More than research'

UofSC's most recent Rotary Scholar, Layne Scopano, tackles global healthcare inequality.

McNair Scholar discovers passion for government through the U.S. Digital Corps

Trey Gordner ('13) has started his own company, earned his master's in urban planning and now lives in Hawaii with his wife working for a fellowship that is the first of its kind.

Semester at the Coast program helps students find their passion

The South Carolina Honors College's partnership with Baruch Institute for Coastal and Marine Sciences has provided students interested in science, the environment or health with a one of a kind experience at a top research facility.

The Power of Water

Honors alumna Maria DeChellis '97 began working in utilities shortly after graduating from the University of South Carolina with her master's degree in 1999. At that time, she had no idea that career would lead to what would become her passion.

Finding a Voice Through Public Service

Growing up, Carolina Scholar Salomon Campos-Rice struggled to find his voice. Now, he's using it to help others advocate for themselves.

The Internship

Jackie Parnell reflects on the internship set his trajectory for the rest of his career.

German and political science major finds first-rate education by way of a second choice

Jahleel Johnson discovered opportunities in-state that allowed him to study around the world.

Students learn to find the human experience in business journalism

The Baldwin Business and Financial Journalism Initiative is changing the mold, encouraging students to embrace a form of business journalism that goes beyond the numbers. Just in its fourth year, this program has evolved quickly and led two journalism students, Connor Hart and Emma Dooling, to win multiple awards.

4th Udall Scholar named in 10 years at UofSC

Harrison Bench's passion for environmental advocacy led to him being awarded a Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the U.S.

May graduate earns public health degree as foundation for career in medicine

During her program, Madison Petersen gained research experience with the Arnold Childhood Obesity Initiative, Connect Lab and the NCI-funded Cancer Education Program, ultimately earning Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Research.

A Letter from the Dean

As Dean Steven Lynn completes a decade of service to the Honors College, he reflects on this season of celebration and looks toward the future.

Brother and sister Honors College graduates take different paths to making an impact

When siblings Nancy and Thomas Scott were growing up, the University of South Carolina was like their second home. After weighing other options, both brother and sister chose South Carolina because of the value and quality of the Honors College experience.

Helping them see themselves

This summer, after 28 years leading the office now called National Fellowships and Scholar Programs, Novella Fortner Beskid is retiring. Of the many mementos Novella Beskid can take with her when she leaves, the best are in her mind.

Building wealth and sharing it

Chuck Redmond, international business and finance, took his Carolina scholarship to the South Carolina Honors College in 2008 and began his pursuit of social justice through economic means.

'An unmatched standard'

Melissa Moss, a professor of chemical and biomedical engineering and a Pearce Faculty Fellow for the Honors College, prioritizes mentorship as she makes her mark.

Honors student creates new world through senior thesis

Hannah Martin always knew that she would write a novel for her senior thesis, even before she knew what that novel would be about. 

Taking on a challenge: Honors senior learns to thrive outside of her comfort zone

Honors senior Natalie Monzavifar doesn't walk away from a challenge, and she doesn't plan to anytime soon.

Sullivan Award winner focuses research, leadership efforts on sustainability

Honors College student and geography major Claire Windsor has turned a passion for creating a sustainable world into action throughout her four-year career at South Carolina.

Swanger Award winner serves fellow students, community in variety of roles

An Honors College student from Lexington, South Carolina, Laura-Louise Rice has served in many capacities in Student Government, been an orientation and peer leader as well as taken on leadership roles in her business fraternity and social sorority. For her efforts, Rice received the university’s second-highest undergraduate honor

Two UofSC honors students win Goldwater Scholarships

For two University of South Carolina students, earning a Goldwater Scholarship has turned childhood dreams into reality. Kirsten Fisher and Amanda Manea also have the honor of marking 30 years of Goldwater Scholars at UofSC.

Two Honors students embark on a yearlong exchange to Germany

Caroline Favret and Jahleel Johnson will be heading to Germany this summer as recipients of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals.

Two UofSC undergrads earn summer research internships in Germany

Two South Carolina Honors College students, Charlotte Pollack and Adam Quin, have won the DAAD RISE award for STEM undergraduates.

May graduate combines love of animals, passion for public health for career in veterinary medicine

Alex Karp found an intersectional topic he was passionate about for his senior honors thesis. Looking to incorporate animals into a public health project, he researched the impacts of pets on their owners' overall health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Film and media studies grad named to Forbes 30 Under 30 List

Honors College film and media studies alumnus Herman Phillips talks about his work on award-winning productions and co-developing a revolutionary production management app.

Honors Cool Course: Spanish for Healthcare Providers

We sit down with the instructor of one of our most popular classes to ask her what makes the class a "must take" for many Honors students with future plans in medicine.

Alumni Q&A: Jamie Hammill

Honors alumna Jamie Hammill shares with us her experience, advice and how the Honors College encouraged her to be a lifelong learner.

Alumni Q&A: Dale Callison

Honors alumna Dale Callison shares with us her experience, advice and how her passion for writing led her to unique roles and opportunities.

Leading Through Anne Frank's Legacy

A new Honors course centered around the legacy of Anne Frank offers students the opportunity to study the past to become future leaders.

Spring semester brings new growth, challenges for mock trial team

Honors junior and Mock Trial President Ben Wallace speaks about the year to come for the mock trial team.

Student Spotlight: Riley Lankes

Through campus involvement and his internship opportunities, Honors senior Riley Lankes has truly taken advantage of everything that the Honors College has to offer.

Senior Courtney Weber transitions from the court to the sand to continue her volleyball career

Honors senior Courtney Weber continues her volleyball career as a member of the South Carolina beach volleyball team.

Making a difference in a pandemic

Honors alumna Ashley McDowell '06 has used her work as an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington to greatly impact families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Conversation with Danny Dorsel, SC Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM)

Honors alumnus Danny Dorsel, class of 1985, and Scholar has been named President of GSSM.

Honors College Peer Mentorship Program Builds Strong Relationships for Freshmen

Since 2017, the program has given freshmen the opportunity to connect with upperclassmen in hopes of having an easier adjustment to life here on campus.

Fort Mill senior wins first place in annual state writing contest

Kaylen Pritchard, a senior at Catawba Ridge High School, has won the ninth annual South Carolina High School Writing Contest hosted by the South Carolina Honors College.

Alumna’s passion for storytelling leads to prestigious fellowship

From growing up listening to NPR podcasts to now being an NPR Kroc Fellow, Honors alumna Taylor Jennings-Brown has turned her passion for storytelling into a career.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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