2025 Archive

Joffrey Ballet delivers unparalleled experience for USC student performers

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.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Initiatives, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences

Medical, pharmacy students celebrate Match Day career milestones

March 21, 2025, Gregory Hardy

More than 250 University of South Carolina health sciences students learned where they’ll take the next step in their careers during national Match Day celebrations on March 19 and 21.

Topics: Students, Academics, Signature Events, Health Sciences, Medicine (Columbia), Medicine (Greenville), College of Pharmacy

Board of Trustees approves budgetary items, academic initiatives during March meeting

March 17, 2025, Collyn Taylor

The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved a slew of academic initiatives as well as facilities projects across the USC System during its March meeting.

Topics: University Leadership, Initiatives, Partnerships, Campus Construction

USC planning SC's first clinical neurological and rehabilitation center

March 14, 2025, Jeff Stensland

The University of South Carolina is developing a unique clinical neurological and rehabilitation center 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.

Topics: Faculty, University Leadership, Research, Health Sciences, Careers

USC sets new application record

March 06, 2025, Jeff Stensland

USC set a record this year with more than 60,000 prospective students applying for fall 2025 admissions.

World-renowned Joffrey Ballet residency at USC promises unforgettable experiences

March 06, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen

Dance students in the University of South Carolina’s Betsy Blackmon Dance Program are spending extra time at the barre in anticipation of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they will have collaborating with the world-famous Joffrey Ballet. The company begins a three-week residency at USC on March 17 that will culminate with an unprecedented Koger Center performance on April 5.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Signature Events, College of Arts and Sciences

Dean Tayloe Harding to lead national music accreditation organization

March 06, 2025, Carol J.G. Ward

Tayloe Harding brings more than three decades of experience with the National Association of Schools of Music into his new role as its president to advance the cause of music in American life, establish and maintain accreditation standards and provide a national forum for related issues.

Topics: Faculty, University Leadership, Academics, Recognition, Service, Leadership, School of Music

AIs flunk language test that takes grammar out of the equation

February 28, 2025, Rutvik Desai

While the quality of AI systems' output sometimes rivals work done by humans, they are also prone to confidently churning out factually incorrect information. Skeptics have also called into question their ability to reason.

Topics: Faculty, Research, College of Arts and Sciences

Professor explores intersection of AI, advertising and public perception

February 26, 2025, Brandon Pugh

As CIC’s associate dean for research, Linwan Wu is leading the college’s work to understand the influence and impact of artificial intelligence in advertising. Through the first two USC AI Index reports and those to come, he’s helping to evaluate national sentiment on the now-prevalent communications technology.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, College of Information and Communications

School of Medicine Columbia breaks ground on new facility at USC Health Sciences Campus

February 21, 2025, Gregory Hardy

The University of South Carolina broke ground on a facility that will redefine the future of health care education and research during a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the site of its new School of Medicine Columbia. This cutting-edge, 300,000-square-foot-plus medical education and research facility will be part of USC’s transformative $300 million Health Sciences Campus, amid 16 acres in Columbia’s reimagined BullStreet District.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University Leadership, University President, Research, Health Sciences, Medicine (Columbia)

Board of Trustees passes resolution, updates Brain Health Center during February meeting

February 21, 2025, Collyn Taylor

The Board of Trustees heard updates on USC's Brain Health Network, Division of Development and Student Health and Well-Being during its meeting Feb. 21.

Topics: University Leadership, Academics, Research

2024 outstanding student advocate talks career, TRIO, award

February 18, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett

Paulia D. Williams won the 2024 Dennis A. Pruitt Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students Award, the fourth TRIO staff member to win the award since its inception. Williams knows that most students need some help transitioning to college, especially first-generation college students. She sees it every day in her role with TRIO Programs — and she lived it herself.

Topics: Students, Initiatives

Annual Carolina Day at the State House highlights USC's impact

February 06, 2025, Andy Shain

On Feb. 11, University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will gather at the S.C. State House for Carolina Day to demonstrate how the state flagship university is building momentum in producing a more prosperous and healthier South Carolina.

Topics: University President, Signature Events, University System

2025 heart health faculty experts list

January 29, 2025, Gregory Hardy

February is American Heart Month. The University of South Carolina is home to many faculty members who are available to offer their expertise in cardio care and research.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Medicine (Columbia), Medicine (Greenville), College of Nursing

The Starbase rocket testing facility is permanently changing the landscape of southern Texas

January 28, 2025, Robert A. Kopack

If there is a leader in the aerospace industry, SpaceX is it. Boca Chica, Texas, is home to SpaceX’s flagship assembly and test installation, Starbase. Since 2021, research has been conducted with environmental groups and community members in south Texas who see space exploration as a landscape-altering industry. Geography professor Robert A. Kopack writes about Starbase for The Conversation.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Initiatives, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

Why government can't make America 'healthier' by micromanaging groceries purchased with SNAP benefits

January 27, 2025, Danielle Krobath

Banning junk food from SNAP is something that has divided public health experts for years. However, research shows that adding to the restrictions that already limit access to SNAP benefits do little to make Americans healthier. Danielle Krobath, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, writes for The Conversation with Tufts University Assistant Professor of Community Health Benjamin Chrisinger about their research into safety net programs.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, The Conversation

FDA bans Red 3 dye from food and drugs - a scientist explains the artificial color's health risks and long history

January 23, 2025, Lorne J. Hofseth

Red 3, a synthetic dye linked to cancer, has been banned by the FDA due to growing evidence of its harmful effects on human health. College of Pharmacy professor Lorne Hofseth writes for The Conversation on the health risks of synthetic food dyes and the implications of stricter regulations.

Topics: Research, Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The Conversation

Hollings Library Exhibit: The Great Gatsby at 100

January 21, 2025, Craig Brandhorst

A new exhibit, “‘Something significant, elemental and profound’: Celebrating 100 Years of The Great Gatsby,” opens Jan. 24 at the University of South Carolina’s Hollings Library. Michael Weisenburg, director of USC’s Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, discusses the novel’s enduring appeal.

Topics: Faculty, History, Collections, University Libraries

USC's economic impact continues growing across SC, new study finds

January 15, 2025, Andy Shain

A new study from USC finds that the University of South Carolina system has a $7.4 billion annual impact on the state's economy.

Topics: Economic Engagement

Two-time Olympic gold medalist's second act connects athletes' minds and bodies

January 15, 2025, Anna Francis

Natasha Hastings came to the University of South Carolina with dreams of excelling as an athlete. Although her talent eventually would propel her to an NCAA championship, multiple world championships and two Olympic gold medals, her initial start on the Gamecock track and field team was less than stellar. Her body was sound, but she had psychological demons to slay.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, History, Recognition, Leadership, College of Education

Public health professor explains wildfires' long-term impact on environment, health

January 13, 2025, Rebekah Friedman

Arnold School of Public Health professor Mohammed Baalousha studies how wildfires affect the formation of nanomaterials and how these ultra-tiny particles are seeping into water and soil.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health

The good, the bad and the gutsy

January 03, 2025, Kristine Hartvigsen

The USC Baruch Institute's new director, Jill Stewart, is endlessly fascinated by the natural alchemy of the oft-maligned yet mighty microbe. These tiny living microorganisms are everywhere, from the surface of our skin and the air we breathe to the water we drink and the soil beneath our feet. In fact, microbes are essential to the persistence of life on Earth. So why do they sometimes get a bad rap?

Topics: Faculty, University Leadership, Research, Initiatives, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences