2018 Archive

Bob Johnston

Creating a new path

October 31, 2018, Page Ivey

When Bob Johnston found himself out of work during the economic downtown of 2008, he hired on with a temp agency. He was sent to a logistics company in his hometown of Laurens where he did such a good job, the company offered him a salaried management position — his first. He knew he was going to need to up his game to succeed. Enter Palmetto College.

Matt Schreiber

Distinguished Young Alumnus: Matt Schreiber

October 26, 2018, Page Ivey

Matt Schreiber didn’t come to Carolina expecting to become a private wealth manager. In fact, his degrees, a bachelor’s in history (’03) and a master’s in teaching (’04) are more often associated with less financially lucrative careers. But the 2018 Distinguished Young Alumnus puts his two degrees to work every day, using historic trends to map investment strategy and helping educate his clients on how best to navigate the market.

Cindy Jackson

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award: Cindy Jackson

October 25, 2018, Page Ivey

Cindy Jackson’s life changed in 2001 when she sustained third-degree burns while living in South America. She was evacuated to the U.S. where she spent the first five months of a two-year healing process. When the 1981 education graduate returned to South America, where she and her family did mission work, she saw what became of burn patients that didn’t have access to the care she got in the U.S.

Akil Ross

Outstanding Black Alumnus: Akil Ross

October 24, 2018, Page Ivey

Akil Ross knew he wanted to have an impact on young people’s lives even before he completed his master’s and Ph.D. in education from the University of South Carolina. His efforts to do just that have won him many accolades, including being named national principal of the year as well as winning the 2018 Outstanding Black Alumnus Award.

anita zucker

Honorary Life Member: Anita Zucker

October 19, 2018, Page Ivey

It is rare that a Florida Gator becomes a member of the University of South Carolina Alumni Association, but Anita Zucker is just such a rare person. “One of my areas of passion is education,” says Zucker, chair and chief executive office of The InterTech Group Inc. in Charleston.

Homecoming parade 2017

Hello Homecoming

October 18, 2018, Annika Dahlgren

It’s another wonderful year here at the University of South Carolina, and to celebrate our students and alumni, the university is hosting a series of events to kick school spirit up to an all time high. Whether you’re dancing on Greene Street or building a canned creation, there is something for everyone to get involved in. Here are a few of the many must-see events going on this year.

freeman series

Carry on and keep playing

October 11, 2018, Annika Dahlgren

What do you get when you combine four guitarists, a bassist and a drummer? You get an ensemble that creates new tunes you can sway to. Sometimes the group doesn’t even know what they are planning to play, they just go with the flow and improvise. On Oct. 14, this unique group will be playing at the Freeman Sundays @ 3 concert series at the School of Music Recital Hall.

tedx rehearsal

Talking TEDx

October 09, 2018, Page Ivey

Overcoming stereotypes and drug addiction, learning to listen in uncomfortable conversations about race, and finding new ways to diagnose and treat mental illnesses were just some of the wide range of topics presented by speakers at the inaugural TEDxUofSC event Tuesday.

Dueling laptops

The search is on

October 04, 2018, Mia Grimm and Catherine Jobe

Today, finding a job for students is all about networking and using technology to help connect to the next employer. To figure out which platform is best for your job hunt we’ve highlighted the similarities and differences between two of the biggest job sites used by students, LinkedIn and Handshake.

education course at USC

Filling the void

September 18, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

South Carolina is in critical need of special educators, with special education vacancies making up the largest share – nearly 20 percent - of unfilled teaching positions last year. To tackle this growing issue, the College of Education is launching a new certificate program for both early childhood education undergraduate students as well as current teachers.

Marcus Lattimore

Back in the picture

September 03, 2018, Megan Sexton

Marcus Lattimore is using the lessons life has taught him to inspire others as the South Carolina football program’s director of player development.

Marisa Green

Getting at the core of the issue

August 09, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

To increase diversity among South Carolina’s teachers while also tackling the growing teacher shortage, the College of Education is launching the Apple Core Initiative. Ten students, including Marisa Green, will take part in the pilot program which provides scholarships and support for underrepresented populations in South Carolina.

Wendy Bashnan

A Gamecock abroad

August 01, 2018, Chris Horn

Wendy Bashnan’s career began in her rural S.C. hometown 25 years ago, but quickly sprouted wings. Since 1994, she’s worked in Washington, D.C., Miami, and New York, and has spent more than half of her professional life abroad in South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

New teacher works with students

New retention program earns A+ from teachers

July 19, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

A new College of Education program aimed at increasing teacher retention in South Carolina proves successful in its first year - with 100 percent of participating teachers returning to the classroom next school year. This fall, 50 additional teachers will enter the program, and a $600,000 grant will help the college research the effectiveness of teacher recruitment and retention efforts statewide.

James Anderson

Gamecock emissary

July 16, 2018, Mary-Kathryn Craft

Political science alumnus James Anderson credits Gamecock connections for his success as he embarks upon the next phase of his career in foreign policy work. The Air Force officer, who helped found My Carolina’s Veterans Alumni Council, will study U.S. and Canada relations as part of a Fulbright Scholarship in September.

David Dutka

From custodian to teacher

June 07, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

In May, David Dutka earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education through Palmetto College, the University of South Carolina’s online degree completion program. In August, he will begin his first year as a teacher at Midway Elementary School – the same school where he repaired pipes and buffed floors as a custodian for several years.

Steinway piano

A grand gift

May 30, 2018, Chris Horn

The definition of a grand piano is simple — a large piano with the body, strings and soundboard arranged horizontally and supported by three legs. But what makes a piano “grand?” Willson Powell and Karen Brosius can point to the piano they bought 37 years ago — and have now donated to the University of South Carolina's School of Music.

Beau Bergman

Gamecock at birth

May 25, 2018, Chris Horn

Beau Bergman is still several months shy of his first birthday, but he already has an indelible connection to Carolina. The little guy rocks a garnet-and-black sweatshirt and baseball cap, and he’s tailgated with some of the university’s most dedicated fans.

claudia benitez nelson

Talking TEDx

April 30, 2018, Megan Sexton

In October, the university will host its first TEDx event. Like the parent TED conferences, which invite speakers to take the stage and present “ideas worth spreading,” TEDxUofSC will feature short, powerful talks on innovative ideas.

Erica Page

Turning children into leaders and learners

April 18, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

University of South Carolina College of Education alumna and Pelion High School assistant principal, Erica Page, was named the 2018 National Assistant Principal of the Year. Though not a South Carolina native, Page began her career in education a decade ago in Lexington County after an adventurous 650-mile move south.

Give 4 Garnet sign

A day of giving

April 12, 2018, Chris Horn

Give 4 Garnet Day, April 18, is an opportunity for alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University of South Carolina to support their favorite programs.

Caroline Potter

'A happy accident'

March 20, 2018, Megan Sexton

South Carolina Honors College graduate Caroline Parler Potter headed to England as a Rhodes Scholar in 2000. She's still at Oxford, where she earned her master’s and doctorate in anthropology and is now a medical anthropologist. She'll return to Carolina on April 20 to give the keynote address at Discover USC.

Rachel Nesbitt

Drive for success

March 05, 2018, Allen Wallace

Rachel Nesbitt has managed employees at one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. She has traveled the country to meet leaders in the club management industry and has built an impressive resume. One that is all the more impressive because Nesbitt is 23 years old, and just a year ago was an undergraduate student in hospitality management.

Dr. Todd Crump

Committed to Care

February 26, 2018, Alyssa Yancey

Students, faculty members and alumni from the USC School of Medicine are making a difference in the Midlands by volunteering at two local free medical clinics. Students also work to support The Free Medical Clinic financially through the Black Tie White Coat Gala, an annual fundraising event.

Caitlyn Jennings in Bolivia

Passport to success

February 19, 2018, Mary-Kathryn Craft

Global studies, one of the University of South Carolina’s newest and fastest growing majors, equips students to lead in our increasingly connected world. An interdisciplinary program housed in the College of Arts and Science, global studies is home to 125 undergraduates who focus on humanities paired with intensive language study and courses in professional schools.

Tori Vaeth at hotel

The 'SEARCH' for purpose

January 12, 2018, Kathryn McPhail

A cherished, childhood friendship led Tori Vaeth to study special education at the University of South Carolina. Now, the College of Education double alumna is leading a program that’s training and placing young adults with intellectual disabilities in rewarding careers.

Ben Maronites

Nothing but blue skies

January 02, 2018, Chris Horn

The forecast for Benjamin Marosites’ professional goals while attending Carolina went from “foggy” to “sunny and clear” in just one semester. The undeclared major enrolled in the geography department’s weather and climate course, which ignited his curiosity about meteorology, prompted him to change majors and helped launch his career as an emergency planner for Richland County.