Championship Run: 2024 year in review
December 16, 2024
From a national championship and record research funding to a major engineering gift and a host of academic awards, 2024 was a banner year for USC.
Stories for Faculty and Staff
Board of Trustees approves academic initiatives, innovation center during December meeting
December 16, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC's Board of Trustees approved academic initiatives -- including a trio of new programs -- and contracts as well as pushed forward facilities projects during its final meeting in 2024.
Public health student learns that listening is everything
December 13, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Through her studies at the Arnold School of Public Health, first-generation USC student Ebony Christie has realized the everyday impact of safety and wellness initiatives. With plans to pursue a master’s in public health before attending medical school, Christie is determined to address systemic health disparities as an OB/GYN.
Faculty spotlight: Emily Ruth Allen
December 11, 2024, Dan Cook
From the time she was in her high school marching band, Emily Ruth Allen has loved the atmosphere and celebratory tradition of Mardi Gras. Now the instructor of music and Southern Studies has made a career of studying festivals and celebratory rituals.
Video: Clinic offers hope to individuals with communication disorders
December 06, 2024, Hadley McCollester
In South Carolina, 97 percent of newborn infants are screened for hearing ability — and 3.1 percent do not pass. At the Arnold School of Public Health, there’s a clinic that can help.
Senior biology major Maggie Boyd is one of three drum majors in USC's 2024 marching band
December 06, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
Senior biology major Maggie Boyd is one of three drum majors in USC’s 2024 marching band. The Matthews, North Carolina, native has won the coveted spot two years in a row and has cherished every opportunity to lead her bandmates, but marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a capstone experience.
James L. Solomon Jr. leaves behind lasting legacy at South Carolina
December 05, 2024, Collyn Taylor
James L. Solomon Jr., a trailblazer at USC and a distinguished civil servant, passed away at the age 94. He was one of three students who desegregated the university over 60 years ago.
Renewed grants, funding growth solidify College of Pharmacy's research leadership
December 04, 2024, Gregory Hardy
The College of Pharmacy, driven by faculty like Jun Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., and Hippokratis Kiaris, continues to lead in pharmaceutical research with $13 million in sponsored awards in 2024, a 67% increase from last year. Zhu’s groundbreaking work on HIV-related cognitive care recently earned a $3.8 million NIH grant, while Kiaris’ COBRE Center has facilitated over $50 million in research funding. Their efforts contribute to USC’s record $309 million in research funding, solidifying its reputation for global health impact.
Holiday card contest winner finds joy in making art
December 03, 2024, Laura Erskine
Senior Lauren Puttock has won the University of South Carolina’s third holiday card design contest for her acrylic painting of Cocky reading on a snowy day. President Michael Amiridis and First Lady Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis chose the artwork for the cover of their annual greeting card.
USC-led center spurs scientific improvements to catalyst preparation
December 02, 2024, Chris Horn
One-third of the world’s GDP depends on chemical catalysts, and an industry-university research center led by USC is helping its members better understand how those chemical reaction boosters can be tweaked for peak efficiency.
USC alumnus finds his true calling in the kindergarten classroom
November 26, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
Charleston native Keith Heyward Jr. was a restless third-grader when he realized his career goal was to teach. He knew that young Black boys craved a teacher they could relate to. Today, the University of South Carolina alumnus teaches kindergarten at James Island Elementary School. He makes sure the youngsters who step into his classroom feel safe and empowered.
Podcast: Pharmacy students head to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 25, 2024, Margaret Gregory
Two College of Pharmacy students are also members of the Carolina Coquettes dance team, and they have an exciting trip coming up in November. Logan Acker and Lexi Baldinger will be part of “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast” as it takes part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Biochemistry senior connects with community through service organizations
November 25, 2024, Téa Smith
Ridha Fatima, a biochemistry senior, joined the Network of Opportunities Toward Elderly Service her freshman year after seeing how hard isolation during the pandemic had been for many people, particularly her grandparents. During their twice-monthly visits to local nursing homes, students connect with the residents while participating in activities such as arts and crafts, gardening and talent shows.
New information science professor defies librarian stereotype
November 21, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
A native Texan who earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in information studies from the University of Texas-Austin, Information Science associate professor Jennifer Moore spent her early career years as an elementary school librarian and a middle school language arts teacher. For 11 years, she taught at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. Recently arrived in Columbia, Moore moved into a century-old house where she can indulge her love of cooking and gardening.
Class of 2024 December graduates
November 20, 2024, Megan Sexton
As the December Class of 2024 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.
USC scientists deploy artificial intelligence, digital twin models to build new resources for medical care
November 20, 2024, Chris Horn
A team of USC scientists is using a $3.4 million grant to develop new technology for personalized medical treatment and more accurate medical diagnoses. USC faculty members from medicine, chemistry and mathematics are leading various aspects of the five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
Saltwater flooding is a serious fire threat for EVs and other devices with lithium-ion batteries
November 15, 2024, Xinyu Huang
Flooding from hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted billions of dollars in damage across the Southeast. It caused dozens of electric vehicles and other battery-powered objects, such as scooters and golf carts, to catch fire. Many consumers are unaware of this risk, and lithium-ion batteries are widely used in EVs, e-bikes and cordless power tools. Here is what owners should know about water and the risk of battery fires.
Former USC classmates team teach cross-Atlantic language course
November 14, 2024, Chris Horn
Students rarely end up later in life teaching the same undergraduate course they took in college, but that’s what Heather Dreano and Lesley Smith are doing now, thanks to an assist from their former University of South Carolina professor.
Dan Dillon named new vice president for marketing
November 14, 2024, Communications and Marketing
USC President Michael Amiridis named Dan Dillon, who has over 30 years of marketing experience in the private and public sectors, as the new vice president for marketing.
Gamecock nurses first to train with cutting-edge ultrasound
November 14, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Nursing students at the University of South Carolina are getting hands-on simulation training with the newest generation of portable ultrasound equipment this November. Associate Professor Amy Dievendorf led the first immersion training with graduate-level nurse practitioner students in November at the College of Nursing’s new Clinical Education Building.
The Neuroscience of Sleep
November 13, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
School of Medicine Columbia researcher Ana Pocivavsek’s new four-year NIH grant will allow her to study the impact of sleep across the lifespan during windows that are critical to brain development, including pregnancy.
Honors College alumna is making her mark at CNN Sports
November 12, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
Long before she was traveling the world as senior director of business development and operations at CNN Sports, Amy Jordan was an Honors College student sending news releases around the world as a press intern for the late U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings. To date, Jordan has covered four different Olympic games, numerous Super Bowls, the U.S. Open and more.
USC awarded federal grant to boost state's college and career readiness
November 12, 2024, Brandon Pugh
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded USC one of its largest-ever grants — $35 million — for the College of Education's GEAR UP SC program to help disadvantaged students overcome barriers to college and career opportunities.
Bridging the health care gap
November 11, 2024
More than a quarter of South Carolinians call a rural area home, but these populations have a higher incidence of medical emergencies and are at greater risk of death because of barriers to access to timely medical care. USC researchers and alumni are working to change that, both for the state’s communities and at the national level.
Gamecocks Take Manhattan: Stan Brown
November 08, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
This spring, actor Stan Brown made his Broadway debut at the age of 61. The theatre double alumnus, ’84, ’89 MFA, calls the role as Camel in the musical ‘Water for Elephants’ “a dream deferred,” but it’s not as if he has been waiting in the wings all these years. The Great White Way is just the latest chapter in a long and gratifying career.
New faculty spotlight: Cassandra Bosier
November 08, 2024, Megan Sexton
Cassandra Bosier is a new faculty member in the College of Education, but she isn’t new to the classroom. She spent 25 years as a teacher, mentor and principal in Richland County schools before starting at USC this fall.
National estuarine monitoring system keeps watchful eye on coastal research sites, impact from changing climate
November 08, 2024, Chris Horn
Around the clock and every day of the year for the past three decades, an environmental monitoring system has been keeping a finger on the pulse of 30 diverse estuaries across the country, collecting water quality and weather data. The integrated System-Wide Monitoring Program and Centralized Data Management Office is headquartered in Georgetown, S.C., at USC’s Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences.
USC alumnus, Marine Corps veteran leads nonprofit for vets
November 08, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
University of South Carolina alumnus Robert Chambers LeHeup is a Marine Corps infantry veteran with two combat tours under his belt when he left the service in 2004. In 2012, he founded Bullets and Bandaids to heal and support vets through storytelling and artwork.
Gamecocks Take Manhattan: Eva Pilgrim
November 08, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
You’ve seen Eva Pilgrim in the co-host seat on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘GMA3,’ but the broadcast journalism alumna has a rich life beyond TV. And while she’s been living, working and enjoying her career in New York City for nearly a decade, she remains true to her South Carolina roots. In fact, they’re a big part of her success.
Sara Bako
November 08, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
As division president for London Times, a subsidiary of dressmaker Maggy London, Sara Bako is living two of her biggest dreams at once: She and her family live in New York City, and she works in the retail industry. But the ’04 retail management graduate is far from finished.
USC top college in the Southeast for veterans, military service members
November 07, 2024, Katherine Progler
Military Times has ranked the University of South Carolina as the nation’s No. 7 “Best for Vets Colleges 2024,” making USC the top-ranked school in the Southeast.
'I research rap lyrics and testified in a Toronto rapper's murder trial'
November 04, 2024, Jabari Evans
Jabari Evans, assistant professor of race and media in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications writes for "The Conversation" about his experience as an expert witness in a murder trial involving the rapper Top5.
New research explores the 'thoughts' and abilities of AI chatbots
November 04, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen
Artificial Intelligence advocates might defensively suggest, in good humor, that chatbots are “only human” and therefore prone to occasional mistakes. New research by a team at the University of South Carolina Department of Psychology basically confirms that notion with some important caveats.
Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award winner: Ozgur Ince
November 04, 2024, Page Ivey
Ozgur Ince, finance professor in the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, is always looking for new ways to make finance relatable for his students. Ince is a 2024 Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award winner.
Faces of first-gen at USC
October 31, 2024, Hannah Cambre
At USC, where one in five students identify as first-generation, the university is doing more than ever to help this important and growing population flourish with resources and support. We sat down with five first-gen students to learn more about their stories and the people and resources that have helped them thrive at USC.
2024 rural health faculty experts
October 31, 2024, Laura Morris
More than a quarter of South Carolina residents live in rural areas and must overcome greater health care challenges than their urban counterparts. USC faculty members are available to offer their expertise in rural health services and research. To coordinate an interview, contact the staff member listed with each expert entry.
Social work professor uses advocacy, reflection to carve pathways for students in legal system
October 25, 2024, Gregory Hardy
Forensic social work is a specific discipline that examines how social workers intersect and interact with the legal system under domains both criminal and civil. Stephanie Hunter has 22 years of experience in the field, specifically working in criminal indigent defense. Now an assistant clinical professor at USC’s College of Social Work, she finds that both students and professionals often require an explanation about the field.
New Faculty Spotlight: Paul Toriello
October 25, 2024, Faith Militello
Paul Toriello, assistant dean of clinical graduate programs, brings 30 years of experience in mental health counseling and academia to the School of Medicine Columbia. As a clinical professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, he leads initiatives to integrate technology into health care education and expand mental health services, preparing students to become professional caregivers.
USC planning SC's first hospital specializing in neurological care
October 25, 2024, Jeff Stensland
The University of South Carolina is developing a unique hospital that will house the Palmetto State’s first standalone comprehensive medical facility dedicated entirely to integrated care of patients with brain and nervous system illnesses.
Board of Trustees advances major projects, approves gift naming agreements in October meeting
October 24, 2024, Collyn Taylor
South Carolina's Board of Trustees pushed forward an ambitious project on the new Health Sciences Campus as well as Phase I for Williams-Brice renovations.
Retired oil industry executive and USC alum Bill Bloking is helping future generations of Gamecocks achieve dreams of their own.
October 23, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
The first in his family to attend college, Bill Bloking’s engineering degree prepared him for careers at Exxon and BHP — and for boardrooms around the globe. His William F. Bloking First-Generation Scholars Fund will support Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing students and programs.
Longtime USC board member Eddie Floyd steps down
October 23, 2024, Dan Cook
Retired physician Eddie Floyd, the longest-serving member of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, has resigned. A former heart surgeon and chairman of the board from 1992 to 1996, Floyd earned a bachelor’s degree in business from USC in 1956, and he had served on the USC board since 1982.
HRSM student builds sports industry career through high-impact experiences
October 22, 2024, Hannah Cambre
Jarett Mayfield, a senior sport and entertainment management student, has built a solid foundation for his future career in sports, thanks to opportunities at the University of South Carolina.
Michael J. Mungo undergraduate teaching award winner: Jeanne Britton
October 21, 2024, Téa Smith
Jeanne Britton, a curator in the Department of Rare Books and Special collections, is the winner of the university’s Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses Award winner: Cindy J. Lahar
October 21, 2024, Téa Smith
Cindy J. Lahar, a professor of psychology and the program coordinator for psychology at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, is this year’s Carolina Trustees Professorship for System Campuses award winner.
Nursing excellence: Gamecock nurses lead the way
October 18, 2024, Communications and Marketing
There is also no doubt that nurses — an integral part of the nation's health care system — are in short supply. From opening a new building at Lexington Medical Center to being the home of the top-ranked online graduate program in nursing education, the University of South Carolina College of Nursing is committed to addressing the need.
Arrest diversion program offers nonviolent offenders resources and a second chance
October 17, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Deflection), a partnership between the West Columbia Police Department and the S.C. Department of Mental Health, is a community-based alternative to prosecution. Developed and staffed by two College of Social Work alumni, the program offers deflection and resources to people accused of nonviolent low-level offenses whose behavior stems from substance use, mental health challenges or poverty.
Early voting at USC begins Oct. 21
October 15, 2024, Collyn Taylor
USC is one of seven early polling sites in Richland County, providing access for registered voters to cast their ballots.
Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award: Armen Shaomian
October 14, 2024, Rebekah Friedman
Associate professor of sport and entertainment management Armen Shaomian can’t help but give 100 percent. In addition to teaching students the business side of entertainment, he also guides them as faculty director of the Preston Residential College for Leadership.
Vatican synod open to wider roles for Catholic women
October 11, 2024, Carol E. Harrison
At the current Vatican synod, whose purpose is to address “communion, participation, and mission” in the church, women’s role is on the agenda. History professor Carol Harrison writes for The Conversation on how Catholic women have historically found ways to speak to and about their church leadership, even when they have been excluded from its proceedings.