April 22, 2025, Dan Cook
It’s only been three years since the University of South Carolina began competing in a national competition for students entering health professions — yet it has already placed among the top three competitors twice.
April 21, 2025, Laura Erskine
The Ice Bucket Challenge is back, and a student organization at the University of South Carolina is behind it. In March, USC's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club launched the #SpeakYourMIND challenge, which went viral and hit the national news. Who doesn’t love to see videos of friends, family and even strangers getting doused in buckets of ice water?
April 17, 2025, Laura Erskine
USC’s student government has two graduating seniors who have been accepted to Harvard Law School, one of the nation’s top programs. The students credit their time in student government, along with the excellent training they received both in the classroom and beyond, with helping them reach their goals.
April 14, 2025
Reading through descriptions of the 1,000-plus research projects featured annually at Discover USC, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the passion fueling the wide-ranging research projects. From history to public health, USC scholars — including undergraduate and graduate students, medical scholars and postdocs — work with faculty mentors to explore topics that interest them, learn more about research skills and work on how to present their findings to an audience. Here are a few of their stories.
April 09, 2025, Téa Smith
After noticing his grandmother’s lack of access to adequate health care in rural India, senior Pranav Malladi decided to focus on health care in rural areas.
March 28, 2025, Communications and Marketing
Two University of South Carolina students were awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships Friday. They are: Linden McGregor, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Lexington, Kentucky, and Michael Pitre, a junior BARSC-MD candidate from West Sayville, New York.
March 27, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen
It’s been a whirlwind semester for dancers and musicians at the University of South Carolina. Twenty-four Joffrey Ballet company members arrived on campus March 17 for a three-week residency culminating in an unprecedented collaborative performance April 5 at the Koger Center for the Arts. Students and faculty from USC’s Betsy Blackmon Dance Program and the USC Symphony Orchestra have joined forces with members of the Joffrey entourage to marry movement and music into a spectacular concert for the community.
March 18, 2025, Alexis Watts
Geology students turn to Give 4 Garnet — the university's annual day of giving — to help fund their essential field camp experience.
February 21, 2025, Catherine Pruitt
USC's new record label, Greene Street Records, is giving students a head start on their music careers through hands-on experience.
February 12, 2025, Megan Sexton
The Future Leaders in Medicine, a student organization at the USC School of Medicine Columbia, has teamed with Curing Kids Cancer to raise awareness – and funds— for the fight against childhood cancer.
February 11, 2025, Allen Wallace
Dance Marathon, the university’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, brings together students from across USC to raise money and awareness for patients and families at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. The Main Event is Feb. 22.
January 14, 2025, Rebekah Friedman
The University of South Carolina wasn’t on Dave Bollinger’s radar until his daughter, Ruth, enrolled in CarolinaLIFE. Now both Bollingers are giving back to support the next generation of USC students with intellectual disabilities.
January 13, 2025, Laura Erskine
Korebami Adebajo is by every measure an exceptional student. On track to earn her bachelor’s degree this spring from USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, she’s currently applying to doctoral programs. And she just turned 18. While her age may be notable, what truly sets Adebajo apart is her drive to achieve her goals.
January 07, 2025, Rebekah Friedman
At CarolinaLIFE, students with intellectual disabilities take charge of their futures through transformative education.
December 06, 2024, Craig Brandhorst/Photos by Kim Truett and Lawson Estridge
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 09, 2024, Chris Horn
School districts in South Carolina that are in high need of more mental health counselors will get a boost from Project PRISMS, a U.S. Department of Education-funded initiative to fill the pipeline with trained professionals.
October 08, 2024, Grace Wilson
Check out these resources to prepare for Voting Day.
October 07, 2024, Téa Smith
Before going abroad to Italy, senior global studies major Ella Tocci wasn’t sure what her future post-grad would look like. Her eye-opening experience studying abroad helped her realize she wants to help college students get a similar experience as a study abroad coordinator.
October 07, 2024, Chris Horn
When she moved into Preston College residence hall as a freshman this semester, Maleah Anderson probably felt more at home than any other freshman on campus. That’s because Anderson had already lived in USC’s only residential college for six years while her mother was faculty principal there.
September 30, 2024, Grace Wilson
The Latin American Student Organization aims to represent Latino students of all cultures and backgrounds while giving them a space to celebrate their Hispanic heritage at the university.
September 24, 2024, Hannah Cambre
The Opportunity Scholars Program boasted its largest-ever enrollment of 33 students in a recent Maymester trip to Paris to explore African American history.
September 24, 2024, Nicole Meares
In a world of budding technology and virtual reality, there is an opportunity to view different perspectives on health disparities in new ways. That’s what the USC College of Nursing is aiming to do.
September 19, 2024, Grace Wilson
From tutoring and writing help to free school supplies, the Student Success Center is a big boost to academic and professional achievement at USC.
September 05, 2024, Grace Wilson
Meet Gaurav Harshe, president of the Graduate Student Association. Harshe hopes to use his position to support the diverse community of graduate students on campus.
September 04, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward
The Centennial Celebration Concert joins more than 500 student musicians in the first of a series of events showcasing School of Music programs, students and faculty.
August 21, 2024, Grace Wilson and Sydnie Taylor
For many of you, Saturday’s football game against Old Dominion will be your first Williams-Brice gameday experience. Here is advice from us and a few "old pro" upperclassmen about how make the most of one of the best college football experiences in the country.
August 20, 2024, Téa Smith
Pillars for Carolina is a four-day student-led leadership and service program designed to help incoming students learn and explore the University of South Carolina and the Columbia community. Student co-directors Evey Konstantopoulos and Jackson Hensley share their experiences participating in the program the summer before starting college.
August 01, 2024
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.
July 24, 2024, Grace Wilson
A lifelong nature enthusiast, senior Eric Young has been leading outdoor adventure trips for five years and spent this summer as a trip leader for campus-run tours that are open to all University of South Carolina students. Young credits a childhood gift with getting him started on the rivers that flow through and around his native Columbia and ultimately why he chose to major in environmental science.
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.
June 14, 2024, Grace Wilson
Courtney Tkacs is committed to fostering a safe community for students on campus while prioritizing mental health activism.
May 30, 2024, Craig Brandhorst and Kim Truett
A gallery of images that show the celebration of the women’s basketball championship in the Thomas-Cooper library reflection pool.
May 29, 2024, Grace Wilson
Student body President Patton Byars is a generational Gamecock dedicated to creating long-term improvements at the University of South Carolina and is focusing on enhancing campus safety and the four-year student experience.
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.
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.
April 25, 2024, Megan Sexton
As the Class of 2025 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.
April 25, 2024, Megan Sexton
As the 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.
April 18, 2024, Communications and Marketing
While working on her degree in nursing, South Carolina Honors College student Natalie Trimble also served in various capacities in Student Government and worked in the larger Columbia community to improve the lives of students and residents. For her efforts, the Aberdeen, Maryland, resident is the recipient of the 2023 Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award.
April 18, 2024, Communications and Marketing
Edgar Lemus Rivera plans to continue his dedication to volunteerism and service as he works his way through medical school to become a physician. The biochemistry and molecular biology major from Toms River, New Jersey, is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor.
April 18, 2024, Communications and Marketing
A passion for helping others has led Shannon DePratter to participate in several service organizations while also completing her degree in biomedical engineering in just three years. The Newberry, South Carolina, native is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor. She also is a member of the South Carolina Honors College.
April 11, 2024, Communications and Marketing
Each year, Discover USC showcases the wide-ranging research being done by University of South Carolina students and postdocs. From health science to humanities and AI to public health, USC scholars — including undergraduate and graduate students, medical scholars and postdocs — are working with faculty mentors and others to explore topics that interest them, learn more about research skills and work on how to present their findings to an audience.
April 10, 2024, Téa Smith
When Vrutti Patel transferred to the University of South Carolina, she wanted to expand her horizons and get out of her comfort zone. In pursuit of her goal, the fourth-year biological sciences major has participated in undergraduate research and gotten involved with the on-campus organization the Alliance for Women in STEM.
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.
March 29, 2024, Communications and Marketing
Three University of South Carolina students were awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships Friday. They are: Caroline Rucker, a junior biomedical engineering major from Powhatan, Virginia; Jeremiah Tobin, a junior biomedical engineering major from Greenville; and Katelyn Wyandt, a junior computer science major from Summerville, South Carolina. All three are Honors College students studying in the College of Engineering and Computing.
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.”
March 04, 2024, Téa Smith
Alex Alpert, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major, turned his childhood curiosity for how machines function into a passion for building machines to solve real world issues.
February 15, 2024, Allen Wallace
USC Dance Marathon is the university’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, raising more than $8 million since its inception 26 years ago. Last year, the organization raised nearly $800,000 to support Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. Student volunteers hope to meet or exceed that goal at this year’s event on Feb. 24 at the Fitness and Wellness Center.
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.
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.
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.
December 07, 2023, Megan Sexton
As the December Class of 2023 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
November 01, 2023, Maddie Lee
In addition to the start of the holiday season and sweater weather (finally), November hosts National First-Generation Day, recognizing college students whose parents did not complete a four-year degree. Although being a first-generation student is not easy, USC offers many initiatives to help support student success.
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
October 04, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
Engineering students build familia and future success with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
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.
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.
September 13, 2023, Hannah Cambre
Jump Start was designed as an initiative of Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET) to improve transfer student retention rates and academic outcomes. The program allows transfer students to acclimate to the campus community and get a head start on coursework the summer before starting classes.
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.
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.
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.
August 03, 2023, Alexis Watts
Summer camp memories don’t often include crime scene blood spatter analysis or creating culinary masterpieces, but the Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series is not your typical summer camp.
July 26, 2023, Téa Smith
Student body vice president Abrianna Reaves didn’t think her time at USC would end up in her role. She wants to help students make the most of their time at the university by helping them get involved and informing them about on-campus resources.
July 14, 2023, Téa Smith
Student body president Emmie Thompson and her running mate ran on a platform of small, tangible changes. Thompson hopes the small changes she makes on campus can make a huge impact in students' lives.
June 23, 2023, Megan Sexton
Each summer, African American high school students from around South Carolina visit USC for Summer Seniors, a four-day residential recruitment program that gives students a feel for what to expect as a college student.
May 12, 2023, Téa Smith
Tori Edsel’s dreams of being a dancer came to an abrupt halt when she suffered a stroke at 16. The third-year early childhood education major’s experiences during her recovery helped change her outlook and gave her a new dream: helping children in similar situations.
May 11, 2023, Abbey Smith
Sarah Davis’s endometriosis diagnosis spurred the NIH-funded researcher to pursue motherhood while completing her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences. As she prepares to celebrate her first Mother’s Day, Davis reflects on what it means to have a successful academic career while starting a family.
May 05, 2023, Lauryn Jiles
When Jenna Wilson became director of the Carolina Closet, she never imagined she’d be in the graduation business. She launched a joint collection project for students unable to buy their own cap and gown.
May 01, 2023, Hannah Cambre
For many, reaching the age of 65 means slowing down and enjoying retirement. Aliza Burton, an English major at the University of South Carolina, has chosen a less traditional path.
April 25, 2023
As the Class of 2023 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.
April 17, 2023, Communications and Marketing
Honors College senior Robert William Pokora III drew on his family’s experience with organ transplant to restart an organization at the University of South Carolina that advocates for people to sign up to be donors. The Greer, South Carolina, native is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor.
April 17, 2023, Communications and Marketing
Honors College senior Charlotte Ann Pollack did not let the pandemic stop her from excelling even when the worldwide shutdown significantly altered her plans. The Fort Mill, South Carolina, native is one of two winners of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award — the university’s highest student honor.
April 13, 2023, Reagin von Lehe
The Discover USC event showcases student research at the university, especially the work of seniors, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. These projects represent all disciplines in research, scholarship, leadership and creativity. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the annual, systemwide showcase will be held 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 21 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
April 04, 2023, Abbey Smith
Undergraduate researchers thrive at the University of South Carolina. If you need proof, look no further than the Goldwater Scholarship, a national award recognizing the exceptional work and dedication of STEM undergraduates towards their research careers.
March 27, 2023, J. Scott Parker
Reigning women’s college basketball player of the year Aliyah Boston dominates on the court and in the classroom. Boston, who is once again in contention for the Naismith award and is pursuing her second NCAA championship is also a three-time Academic All-American.
March 26, 2023, Allen Wallace
A year of work by the the 2023 University of South Carolina Dance Marathon team culminated in a huge success: $788,645 raised to fund the Child Life program at Columbia's Prisma Health Children's Hospital, part of the Children's Miracle Network.
February 13, 2023, Carol J.G. Ward
The University of South Carolina’s Moving Image Research Collections in a partnership with the History Division of the Marine Corps is digitizing films shot by more than 50 Marine combat cameramen during the Battle of Iwo Jima, which began Feb. 19, 1945. The goal is to provide public access to the video and expand historical understanding.
January 31, 2023, Alexis Watts, Brandie Perron
School of Music students are using music as a way to connect new mothers at Camille Graham Correctional Institution and their babies through a program called The Lullaby Project, which is a project of Carnegie Hall and their Weill Music Institute.
January 24, 2023, Grace Farrar
International business graduate students took part in an immersive experience from the university’s Rule of Law Collaborative, a whodunnit game designed to help in federal anti-corruption training efforts.
December 07, 2022, Megan Sexton
Charlotte Grover has known since she was in high school that she wanted to pursue a career as a counselor or therapist. She will graduate this month with a degree in psychology and plans to attend graduate school to earn her master’s in social work.
November 29, 2022, Aïda Rogers
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.
November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton
There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.
November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton
There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.
November 04, 2022, Megan Sexton
There is no typical first-generation college student. Some come from immigrant families, some from households where family members didn’t graduate from high school. But all add energy and variety to the University of South Carolina campus.
October 26, 2022, Laura Erskine
Gwen Hopper’s research takes her to rivers, drainages and stormwater ponds throughout Horry and Georgetown Counties. She collects water samples to examine the amounts and types of dissolved organic matter in each system.
October 19, 2022, Aïda Rogers
Honors college and Marine Sciences alumna Ana Bishop’s senior thesis and passion for protecting marine ecosystems grew into a two-year project and a mission to save endangered whales.
October 05, 2022, CJ Tamasco and Michaela Taylor
Inspired by the popular photography social media app VSCO, the student uses her own money to purchase buckets of flowers, which she then “drops” around campus, inviting passersby to take one for themselves or pass one along to someone else.
September 12, 2022, Téa Smith
The College of Nursing is slowly but surely taking steps toward making nursing education diverse.
August 23, 2022, Megan Sexton
UofSC’s Belle W. Baruch Institute for Coastal and Marine Sciences offers students a first-hand look at a beautiful but changing ecosystem — and the chance to get a taste of fieldwork and perform research projects in the on-site labs.
August 19, 2022, Abe Danaher
By developing offerings such as three-week winter semesters, summer minors, accelerated study plans and winter study abroad opportunities, On Your Time Initiatives is breaking higher education’s traditional academic structure to provide South Carolina’s students with increased flexibility, higher graduation rates and decreased debt.
August 05, 2022, Chris Horn
Reedy Newton is the university’s new student government president. Her mom, Rose Buyck Newton, is on the Board of Trustees. Gamecock leadership is a family tradition.
August 02, 2022, By Alexis Watts
Despite the brutal heat enveloping Congaree National Park, hikers smiled and chatted as they trekked several miles through the old growth bottomland hardwood forest — stop No. 4 on a monthlong, 350-mile tour of seven of South Carolina’s natural wonders.