For alumna Emma Jackson, every week is a shark week
June 28, 2024, Valerie Weingart
Emma Jackson, who earned her degree from USC in marine science, is pursuing her passion for elasmobranchs: the family that includes sharks, rays and sawfish.
Stories for Students
Bringing the community into the classroom for social work success
June 13, 2024, Gregory Hardy
College of Social Work professor Ann Gowdy sees it as her goal to equip her students with the knowledge that people with lived experience should be invited to the table to talk about housing issues and solutions. One of the most effective ways she’s found to demonstrate to graduate students the need for rural social work is by hosting guest speakers from community organizations who can further their understanding by making deeper connections.
Stephen Thompson chosen as inaugural faculty director for First-Generation Center Living and Learning Community
June 12, 2024, Hannah Cambre
On May 16, Stephen Thompson began his role as inaugural director of the First-Generation Living and Learning Community.
Project underway to train next generation of cyberwarfare professionals
June 10, 2024, Chris Horn
Jorge Crichigno, professor of integrated information technology in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, is leading a three-year project to prepare a new generation of cyberwarfare professionals.
Alumnus Joe Rice builds strong legal team by nurturing and empowering attorneys
May 28, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
Law school alumnus Joe Rice’s work ethic and tenacity sets an example for representing clients, while colleagues and staff say his commitment to inclusion and mentoring is a model for empowering employees.
Students with disabilities learn piano through USC's Carolina LifeSong Initiative
May 23, 2024, Megan Sexton
This fall will mark the 25th year of the Carolina LifeSong Initiative, a program started by Carolina Distinguished Professor of Music Scott Price that provides piano lessons and creative music-making experiences for students with autism and other disabilities.
Support and passion bring Honors College alumna into the 'ocean twilight zone'
May 22, 2024, Kathryn McPhail
Honors College alumna Kayla Gardner’s passion for protecting the ocean and teaching others to do the same led her to pursue a career in marine science. Unlike many young people who are drawn to dolphins, turtles or sharks, much smaller creatures sparked Gardner’s interest.
Experience Matters
May 15, 2024, Craig Brandhorst | photos by Kim Truett
The University of South Carolina is consistently recognized for having one of the top first-year experiences in the country. Carolinian asked nine random freshmen to share their perspectives on life at USC.
USC is building a remarkable future for students
May 08, 2024, Donna K. Arnett and J. Rex Tolliver
We must do more to ensure that every student’s college experience is worthy of the investment required of students, their families and the public. That’s why we’re focused on innovating to meet the demands of today’s students and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s.
Cool Classes Fall 2024
April 07, 2024, Erin Newman
We're back again for another year and another round of some of the coolest classes you can take for Fall 2024. For this list, we've brought back fan favorites and added some new classes that are sure to make you say, "I want to take that!" There are a ton of unique learning experiences waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re into sports, true crime, dancing, cooking or even something a little otherworldly, South Carolina has you covered.
USC String Project marks 50 years of hitting the right notes
April 05, 2024, Megan Sexton
The gold standard in string music education is marking its golden anniversary this year. For the past 50 years, the University of South Carolina String Project has been the national model in a program that combines music lessons with community service and teacher education.
Live at the Underground: USC's live music venue run by students for students
March 29, 2024, Maddie Lee
The University of South Carolina’s Music Industry Studies program is offering a new and exciting venture into experiential learning — a live music venue. Live at the Underground features live music weekly on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. Located in the Russell House Underground, this venue is completely run and operated by students for students.
USC professor wins governor's award for arts in education
March 28, 2024, Thom Harman
Minuette Floyd, a professor of art education in the University of South Carolina’s School of Visual Art and Design, won a governor’s award in the arts in education category. The award, announced by the South Carolina Arts Commission on behalf of the sitting governor, is the state’s highest award for exceptional achievement in practicing or supporting the arts.
Medical, pharmacy students match for residencies, shape future of health care
March 22, 2024, Laura Morris
More than 200 Gamecocks learned where they’ll work as resident pharmacists and physicians during national Match Day events on March 13 and 15.
Prepping for post-grad life
March 15, 2024, Maddie Lee and Emily Prillaman
The Career Center helps students at every stage of readiness to prepare for what's next. Whether you’re a freshman or senior, there are tons of resources for you to make the most of your college degree.
Aspiring teacher embraces history's role in guiding future generations
March 08, 2024, Alexis Watts
Gracie Vess’ eyes light up at the mere mention of history. But the South Carolina Honors College senior and McNair scholarship recipient doesn’t dream of chronicling the past. Instead, she hopes to shape the future by becoming a high school history teacher. “I want every student to realize their significance in shaping history," says Vess. “I want to teach my students that history is crafted by the collective actions of many people, which is why being an active citizen is so important.”
Engineering team experiments with new method for processing problematic landfill compound
February 29, 2024, Chris Horn
An experimental project led by a team of USC engineering researchers could lead to a more efficient process for converting landfill gases into cleaner fuel — and simultaneously deal with a silicone-based compound called siloxane that has become problematic for landfills.
Journalism alumna talks about leading student media organization
February 22, 2024, Emily Prillaman
After leaving her mark as a student reporter and editor at The Daily Gamecock, Jackie Alexander, 2009 journalism, has carved an impressive career, first at newspapers and now as director of University of Alabama at Birmingham Student Media. Alexander is currently serving as president of the College Media Association — the first woman of color elected to that role.
Students will hear from Bob Woodward on history, future of journalism
February 12, 2024, Page Ivey
Bob Woodward brings his lifelong enthusiasm for practicing journalism at the highest level to the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications when he speaks at the 2024 Buchheit Family Lecture on Feb. 28. Woodward will talk with students about his experiences over the past 50-plus years as a reporter — almost all of it at The Washington Post — and what he sees for the future of journalism.
USC students bring untold history of Sumter, S.C., to the public
January 31, 2024, Laura Erskine
Public history student Stevie Malenowski spent his summer digitizing images from boxes of archival materials, uncovering the history of the Williams Furniture Company, a staple of Sumter, South Carolina, for decades, alongside specialists at University Libraries. The archival materials are a key resource for a traveling exhibit coming in 2024.
Matt White's approach for "Lowcountry" has him headed to Spoleto
January 26, 2024, Thom Harman
From a new program home to new music to continued research, Matt White, Jazz Studies Program chair, is rather busy. His novel approach to a 2023 release, “Lowcountry” — incorporating Gullah histories and stories with contemporary jazz — has earned White and his collaborators a chance to perform the piece during the 2024 Spoleto Festival.
New initiatives expand USC's first-gen support
January 22, 2024, Hannah Cambre
The University of South Carolina is committing to providing more comprehensive support to its first-generation student population, including a First-Generation Center launching in August 2024, a living and learning community for first-gen students, and an expanding partnership with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
MapQuest co-founder Chris Heivly is lending his expertise to a Columbia nonprofit aiming to boost the city's tech sector
January 17, 2024, Craig Brandhorst
MapQuest co-founder Chris Heivly has a history of helping early stage entrepreneurs. Now, he’s lending his expertise to a Columbia nonprofit aiming to boost the city’s tech sector.
Alumni parents notice big changes for the newest Gamecocks at Campus Village
January 08, 2024, Megan Sexton
USC’s newest residential community opened last fall. Carolinian caught up with several new residents and their alumni parents at Move-In.
HRSM student wants to make fashion more sustainable
January 08, 2024, Téa Smith
Sophia Dudley, a fourth-year fashion merchandising and digital innovations major at USC, has spent her time at the University of South Carolina balancing her responsibilities as a student and owner of SuperThrifty, a multichannel thrift store. SuperThrifty grew from a hobby sparked by her interest in sustainability to a thriving business that has informed what she wants to do in the future.
Public health student recognized for community engagement, research
December 21, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
Committed to advocacy, community engagement and research, public health senior Huda Falous is the recipient of the Arnold School’s 2023 Undergraduate Student Award in Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
SC high schoolers get close look at health careers
December 11, 2023, Gregory Hardy
Nearly 70 rising high school seniors from across the Midlands invested part of their summer vacation toward gaining in-depth insights into health science careers thanks to a partnership of the College of Nursing, the School of Medicine Columbia and Lexington Medical Center.
Business student reflects on experience with SC Internship Program
December 05, 2023, Téa Smith
Poorva Dalvi, a third-year student in the Darla Moore School of Business, walks us through her experience with the South Carolina Internship Program while she reflects on his journey at the university.
Biology major reflects on his experience with the SC Internship Program
November 29, 2023, Téa Smith
Keynan Kennedy, a fourth-year biological student in the College of Arts and Science, walks us through his experience with the South Carolina Internship Program while he reflects on his journey at the university.
Collaboration, leadership break down barriers
November 13, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
USC’s Interprofessional Education program brings together students in the university’s 12 health science professional programs across six colleges and schools to help them have meaningful interactions with others training to be pharmacists, doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapists and speech pathologists, among other fields.
First-generation college students bring resilience, perspectives to USC campus
November 03, 2023, Megan Sexton
First-generation college students come from all sorts of backgrounds and bring a variety of perspectives to campus. At USC, about one-fifth of the student population identifies as first-generation college students, meaning their parents did not earn a four-year college degree.
50-year partnership powers humanities in South Carolina
October 16, 2023, Bryan Gentry
In the early 1970s, a USC administrator helped organize a committee to manage funds for humanities-related projects in South Carolina. That small step led to a 50-year relationship between the university and South Carolina Humanities, a statewide nonprofit that works to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians. This month, SC Humanities honors four USC-affiliated faculty and former faculty members.
HRSM professor Danny Morrison passes on wisdom gleaned from decades in sports industry
October 16, 2023, Megan Sexton
Danny Morrison, former president of the Carolina Panthers and a sport management professor at USC, draws on his long career in athletics to inspire and educate the next generation of sport professionals
New institute puts USC on map for vector-borne illness research
October 16, 2023, Hannah Cambre
The Institute of Infectious Disease Translational Research will allow public health researcher Melissa Nolan to operate complementary studies at labs based in Columbia, El Salvador and Brazil, putting USC on the map as an international hub for maternal and infant health research.
Michael J. Mungo Award winner April Hiscox
October 06, 2023, Téa Smith
Geography professor April Hiscox wants her students to really understand the material she is teaching, so she encourages them to show what they’ve learned in very creative ways, like making a quilt, creating a board game or even singing a song. For her inventive teaching practices, Hiscox has received a 2023 Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Engineering students build familia, future success
October 04, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
Engineering students build familia and future success with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
Clinical teaching award: Alicia Flach
October 01, 2023, Page Ivey
Alicia Flach uses the same technique to teach her physical therapy students as she uses to help her patients — a science-based system of learning and reflection that allows them to adapt to new information in the rapidly developing field.
Carolina Trustees Professorship Award: John Grady
September 26, 2023, Megan Sexton
John Grady, a sport management professor and researcher, was selected for the Carolina Trustees Professorship award, presented to faculty members who are committed to teaching excellence in any phase of the university's educational mission.
Students explore global health perspectives in Costa Rica
September 20, 2023, Hannah Cambre
The Global Health in Costa Rica program is a three-week Maymester program for public health students, designed to immerse students in Costa Rican culture and the Spanish language while giving them real-world exposure to a universal health care system.
Q&A with Dr. Elizabeth Mannion, EMT Training Program director at the School of Medicine Greenville
September 15, 2023, Laura Morris
USC School of Medicine Greenville was one of the first schools in the country to integrate Emergency Medical Technician training and certification into its first-year medical curriculum. Program director Dr. Elizabeth Mannion takes us behind the scenes to explain what students learn and how those skills are applied throughout medical school and in the real world.
Social work professor guides students as they experience the world while living on campus
September 15, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward
Since 2021, Breanna Grace has used her education and experiences abroad as faculty principal of the Carolina International House at Maxcy College. Now entering her final term as principal, she says things are never boring in the bustling living-and-learning community of domestic and international students.
U.S. News: USC retains top rankings in first-year experience and international business, advances in learning communities
September 15, 2023, Dan Cook
This is the fifth straight year that the University of South Carolina has been ranked as the No. 1 public institution for first-year experience and the 25th consecutive year that it has earned the top ranking in international business.
Digital certificate program offers in-demand career skills
September 14, 2023, Hannah Cambre
This fall, the university launched its digital studies certificate program, which helps undergraduate students gain in-demand digital skills. The certificate is the first in a series of anticipated interdisciplinary programs that are set to roll out in the spring of 2024.
Job opportunities at Masters Tournament offer unparalleled experience for USC students
September 13, 2023, Allen Wallace
Over the past 20 years, thousands of University of South Carolina students have been part of one of the greatest traditions in sport by working at the Masters Tournament. For students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, there is no better training ground to gain real-world professional experience than Augusta National Golf Club. But the opportunity is open to all majors.
Carolina Marching Band selected to perform in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
September 08, 2023, Thom Harman
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® committee has announced the Carolina Band as one of their premier bands selected to perform in the 2024 parade. The announcement was made at halftime of the South Carolina vs. Furman football game on Saturday (Sept. 9). The band was one of just 10 chosen from more than 100 applicants. This is the first time in the band’s 100+-year history that it’s been given this opportunity.
Transformative Peru winter session shapes student passions, career plans
August 31, 2023, Hannah Cambre
In 2021, a group of 20 students from across majors and class standings journeyed to Peru to explore the modern day capital city of Lima as well as the ancient Incan capital in Cusco and the sacred site of Machu Picchu. This year, another cohort will return for a winter session to explore the rich history and culture of Peru.
ICYMI: Ten big things happening at the university
August 30, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
The university never sleeps, but it does slow down a bit during the summer. With the start of the fall semester, here’s a reminder of some recent happenings that you might have missed, plus a heads up about some major upcoming events.
USC graduates dive deep and discover dream careers at Riverbanks Zoo
August 23, 2023, Alexis Watts
Seven Gamecocks were on the frontlines of the March opening of the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. With degrees ranging from advertising and public relations to biology and marine science, these University of South Carolina graduates play important roles in powering the No. 1 tourist destination in South Carolina, which attracts more than 1 million visitors annually.
Exhibition honors Catawba Nation's artistry and culture
August 22, 2023, Thom Harman
Researchers from USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center contributed to a Columbia Museum of Art exhibition that honors Catawba Nation’s artistry and culture. It’s an event that’s been years in the making — at least.
From the classroom to the field, USC students carve their own Carolina paths
August 21, 2023
For a lot of University of South Carolina students, the realization that this is a special place comes quickly. One walk around the Horseshoe, one time cheering in the stands at Williams-Brice Stadium, and that’s all it takes. But those signature experiences are only a tiny part of what it means to be a Gamecock. Life-altering experiences can be found all over campus and beyond.