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South Carolina Honors College

2025 News

Graduate student inspired by U101 experience to get a master's degree in student affairs

Honors alumna and graduate student Morgan Grace Steele decided to change paths after participating in the South Carolina Washington Semester program. After reflecting on her experience in the course University 101, she decided to pursue a master’s in higher education and student affairs.

Philosophy and Political Science student turns big questions into an Ivy League acceptance

Honors student Zach McClure graduates from USC with a deep passion for big questions, complex answers, and a Yale Law School acceptance. From studying abroad to analyzing judicial credibility, his journey blends critical thinking with purpose-driven advocacy.

A Letter from the Dean

Dean Steven Lynn shares an update on the state of the South Carolina Honors College and the many exciting things ahead.

Alumnus credits honors program with building foundation for success

The roots of Adm. Jacob Shuford’s 35-year U.S. Navy career –– which took him to top postings all over the world –– were planted and nurtured in the honors program at the University of South Carolina.

The voice

Meet 2012 South Carolina Honors College graduate and McNair scholar Bryarly Bishop, the voice behind some of America's best-known brands. Her vocal talents span from commercials and video games to vocal albums and short films, showcasing the versatility of the human voice.

The conductor

Alex Thompson is a leader in both choral and community settings. As co-founder and the first president of the Black Honors Caucus, she was determined to create a welcoming space for Black students in the South Carolina Honors College. As a choral conductor, she encourages her students to use their harmonized voices as a form of self-expression.

L'imprévu: the unexpected

It's a long way from South Carolina to France. For Buck Jones, who is now a Parisian author and restauranteur, the first steps of his journey from Aiken, South Carolina, to Paris, France, began in the South Carolina Honors College. He's never forgotten the university, the mentors and the state that gave him his start.

The horror!

Through her writing and her teaching, professor Julia Elliott encourages readers and students to investigate fear and develop their own theories about horror. Behind the grotesque and the jump scares lie insights into humanity's deepest anxieties and concerns.

The research community

To know the University of South Carolina's most recent Goldwater scholars, Linden McGregor and Michael Pitre, is to know about the mentors who support them, the scientific challenges that motivate them and the students they hope to impact outside of the lab.

Alumni News - Spring 2025

See what our Honors College alumni have been doing lately.

Honors College junior named USC's 18th Udall Scholar

Rising Honors College senior Ella Michel has been awarded a 2025 Udall Undergraduate Scholarship to continue her work at the intersection of energy, environment and community.

Heart of the venture

David Prim, Honors biomedical engineering alumnus, stays on mission with work in venture capital.

Ballet and the brain

South Carolina Honors College graduate Carter DiSantis knows a thing or two about balance. Throughout his undergraduate career, he's explored his love of dance and neuroscience, blending the arts and sciences. He's also interested in researching the neural effort required to keep a ballet dancer upright.

USC Honors Course Brews Up Innovation in Nonalcoholic Beverage Education

South Carolina Honors College course allows students to explore a developing niche in the hospitality industry by creating unique nonalcoholic beverages.

Leadership, research roles prep exercise science grad for career in health care

Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award winner Hailey Karns found her home away from home in the Honors College and completes her tenure at USC this month with Graduation with Leadership Distinction and a 4.0 GPA.

'Home is what gives me strength'

South Carolina Honors College senior Muskaan Makkar understands the value of community -- and one's responsibility to make an impact on their own. From research to service to study abroad, Makkar has been a leader on campus and beyond.

2025 graduate follows the data into research bridging biology, chemistry and AI

Christian Geils, USC's first data science graduate, used AI to tackle research in biology and chemistry –– earning a Magellan grant and launching the university's first AI student club along the way.

Honors student builds career path in engineering, while nurturing his passion for music

Honors senior Aidan Billings follows his head and heart by studying both mechanical engineering and music performance.

USC public relations student elected PRSSA international president

Honors student, Alicia Caracciolo, was elected international president of the Public Relations Student Society of America at the organization's leadership assembly in March.

Sullivan award-winner dedicated to research, service

Tremayne Ansani, an Honors College neuroscience major from Columbia, has dedicated his University of South Carolina career to service and leadership in the classroom, in research and in helping his fellow students and the community at large.

Swanger award winner will take service mindset into medical career

Ridha Fatima, a biochemistry and molecular biology major in the Honors College, says her experiences as a service-minded leader at the University of South Carolina will inform her career as a physician and health care advocate.

Sullivan award winner dedicated to health care access in Appalachia

Reese Lycan, an Honors College student from Lexington, Kentucky, is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology with a goal of becoming a physician.

Student government experience leads two USC seniors to Harvard Law

USC’s student government has two graduating Honors seniors who have been accepted to Harvard Law School, one of the nation’s top programs.

Two Arnold School students recognized with statewide awards at the South Carolina Public Health Association’s annual conference

Public health major Muskaan Makkar has been awarded the SCPHA Public Health Scholarship, and epidemiology doctoral student Penias Tembo received the Malcom U. Dantzler Scholarship.

“I realized that there was a lot more than just what there was in Thomas Cooper”: South Caroliniana Library Aids Undergraduates in Senior Thesis

The South Caroliniana Library has helped decades of undergraduates with their research. Now, Honors College seniors seek resources from the library for their final projects.

Class of 2025

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.

Neuroscience major wants to focus on brain health in rural areas

After noticing his grandmother’s lack of access to adequate health care in rural India, Honors senior Pranav Malladi decided to focus on health care in rural areas.

Taking the gold in Switzerland

Two Honors students won the GOLD prize for Best Sustainable Solution at the 2024 Global Sustainability Supply Chain Case Competition.

Greenville senior wins first place in annual state writing contest

Three seniors and one junior have won the top awards in the annual South Carolina High School Writing Contest.

USC has 2 Goldwater scholars in 2025

They are: Linden McGregor, a junior biomedical engineering major from Lexington, Kentucky, and Michael Pitre, a junior BARSC-MD candidate from West Sayville, New York.

Blended genres and blurred memories

South Carolina Honors College sophomore Abby Short, a studio art major, was selected for this year's Stormwater Collaborative Residency, adding a cooperative dimension to her artistic pursuits. Her work encompasses storytelling through visuals and text.

Recently elected Student Government leaders officially sworn in at inauguration

USC's newly elected Student Government leaders took their oaths of office during Inauguration at Rutledge Chapel on March 20.

A medical history

Stamps scholar Anusha Ghosh's Honors thesis research on Dr. Matilda Evans and the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital will reach new audiences this spring, uplifting important pieces of Columbia's public health history.

Courtney Tkacs will become next student body president

Honors junior majoring in political science and public health will become USC's next student body president after serving as vice president in 2024-2025.

Monster Man

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and for those with service dogs, this adage takes on a whole new meaning. For someone like Honors College senior Sarai Deese, her lovable companion has proved to be much more than a friend.

Honors in the news

Extra, extra! South Carolina Honors College students are covering campus happenings and student interests in all forms of media, from articles to airwaves -- but that's not all. They're also honing leadership skills, exploring creative interests and building lasting relationships with their peers. Read all about the SCHC students who are leading, or have recently led, the WUSC radio station, Garnet & Black, Student Gamecock Television (SGTV) and The Daily Gamecock.

Biochemistry senior connects with community through service organizations

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.

Global environmental interests stem from South Carolinian roots

2024 University of South Carolina graduates Kate Barnwell and Carlos Sanchez Julia are pursuing joint master's degrees in the areas of environmental policy, agriculture and sustainability, joining the next generation of climate scholars and advocates.

4 recognized for social justice work

The University of South Carolina has recognized students, faculty and staff members for their work on campus and in the larger community with 2025 Social Justice Awards.

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

Honors alumni Natasha Hastings's athletic talent eventually would propel her to multiple world championships and gold medals, however, her initial start on the Gamecock track and field team was less than stellar.

Never too young for research

For Honors sophomore Zachary Gardiner, a chemical engineering major and nuclear engineering minor, his research experience began even before entering a classroom at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.

First-generation student finds connections on campus

As a first-generation Honors College student and an Asian American, Sarah Tra worried if she would find community and connect to her culture on campus. However, joining student organizations helped her make on campus cultural connections.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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