Here's to the class of 2024!
Hear from members of the College of Arts and Sciences' graduating class as they share their best memories, advice and hopes for the future.
Senior Spotlight: How Katie McBride discovered a love for chemistry
As a premedical student, Katie McBride found support and a path to success through chemist Natalia Shustova's research group. From a tough start with chemistry, McBride became one of the department's top students and was honored with the university's Outstanding Senior Award.
Double honor: USC historian lands Guggenheim Fellowship, Rome Prize
Carol Harrison is headed to Rome for the upcoming school year thanks to two major fellowships supporting her research on the First Vatican Council (1869-1870). A professor in USC’s Department of History, Harrison recently won both the Guggenheim Fellowship — one of the world’s most prestigious grants for scholars — and the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome.
Susan Cutter elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Susan Cutter, director of the Hazards Vulnerability and Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina, has been elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Autism-related research part of wide-ranging USC focus on neuroscience
The University of South Carolina is focused on the brain. From autism and aphasia to Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, university researchers are working across several academic disciplines to better understand how the brain works and to develop solutions that will improve people’s health.
Father's writing 'to survive' loss of young son turns into inspirational book
USC alumnus Stephen Panus has written an inspirational book about surviving the loss of his teenage son Jake. Panus, who also established a scholarship for football walk-ons to honor the memory of his son, will be in town to talk about his book "Walk On."
Sullivan Award winner plans to continue volunteerism as physician
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.
USC's student-run design studio nurtures creativity and industry experience
Students lead a new design studio and incubator to innovative learning opportunities beyond the classroom and bring community visibility to the work of student designers, thanks to a grant from the McCausland Innovation Fund.
Biology major's research experiences inspire her to help others
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.
MPA student launches Special Olympics student organization at USC
Keaton Bentley started the new USC Special Olympics College Club through an internship for his MPA degree. When he graduates this May, he'll take that experience with him as he begins his dream job in a director role for Special Olympics North Carolina.
USC chemist wins highest honor for scientists awarded in Germany
This spring, chemist Natalia Shustova's work on light harvesting gained the support of Germany's Humboldt Foundation, which honored her with the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award. The most prestigious honor of its kind in Germany, the award is given to scientists who exemplify excellence in research and innovation throughout their career.
Would you sit on a jury to review government regulations? Citizen oversight panels could make this process more open and democratic
Samuel Bagg, assistant professor of political science, writes about the importance of having a democracy and why professional bureaucracies matter in today’s society.
Local party internship leads philosophy student to presidential encounter
Ethan Wilson's time at the University of South Carolina became extraordinary when his internship with the Richland County Democratic Party connected him with the intricacies of local and national politics. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, and witnessing speeches by the president and vice president in person were just some of the highlights.
USC English alumna climbs Capitol Hill to become one of the House's top lawyers
Ashley Callen, a Capitol Hill fixture, has spent 25 years conducting Congressional investigations, questioning witnesses in an impeachment hearing, and advising elected representatives, starting her political career as a high school summer intern and now serving as the top staff level lawyer in the House of Representatives under Speaker Mike Johnson, a role she describes as the professional honor of a lifetime.
Political science internships boost student careers and SC workforce
Political science alumna Kiley Cosby graduated in December with a full-time job lined up in the South Carolina Governor's Office of Ombudsman. Cosby found her job through a new, course-based internship program started by the Department of Political Science.
Dancers, filmmakers and artist to work with USC students with McCausland fund support
Students in the University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences will soon work alongside world-renowned dancers, collaborate with international filmmakers, and study the connection between art and research alongside an acclaimed graphic novelist.
USC hosts state government for student recruiting event
The South Carolina State Government is holding an upcoming career fair at USC where more than thirty agencies hope to recruit undergraduate and graduate students for open positions for full-time jobs and internships.
Researcher hopes to improve access to emerging therapies for autism
Prevalence of autism among children is rising, but access to new, evidence-based interventions is often spotty at best, an obstacle that one University of South Carolina clinician hopes to improve through her research.
Summer internship in Kazakhstan leads Russian major to dream career path
During his internship in Kazakhstan last summer, McLean Brown gained not only a wealth of research experience but also a grandmother figure and friend named Zaya.
USC chemist elected to National Academy of Engineering
Susan Richardson was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering for her pioneering work in improving water quality by measuring disinfection byproducts.
Ring polymer research points way to new industrial and biomedical applications
Imagine smartphones that bend, twist and stretch like rubber. Or 3D-printed material that mimics the pliable characteristics of human cartilage found in knees, noses and ears. It’s not much of a stretch for Ting Ge, an assistant professor in chemistry and biochemistry who has just begun a five-year CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to delve deeper into the field of ring polymers.
Alumni Spotlight: David Foust
After earning his psychology degree at the University of South Carolina, David Foust took his career in an unexpected direction: Public safety.
USC chemist Chuanbing Tang leads NSF center in novel bioplastics research
As director of the NSF Center for Polymers for a Circular Economy, chemistry professor Chuanbing Tang is leading an effort to develop a plastics alternative with a sustainable pathway to be recycled and biodegraded. In this interview, Tang explains the crisis and how creating new bioplastics will help.
Artificial intelligence is making plenty of headlines these days -- and a lot of AI research is happening right here at USC
Artificial intelligence is making plenty of headlines these days — and, in some cases, even writing them. Some concerns are valid, some are overblown, but as the global economy embraces the emerging technology, there’s no avoiding the larger conversation. There’s also no denying AI’s real-world potential. For every Sports Illustrated byline scandal or news story about the danger of self-driving cars, there’s an untold story of how AI research promises to change our world for the better, and a lot of that research is happening right here at the University of South Carolina.
What ancient farmers can really teach us about adapting to climate change - and how political power influences success or failure
Recent discoveries show how people in the past dealt with climate change and highlight success stories of how farming practices assisted civilizations.