Recent Stories

Flooded cars in Clearwater, Florida, after the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024.

Saltwater flooding is a serious fire threat for EVs and other devices with lithium-ion batteries

November 15, 2024, Xinyu Huang

Flooding from hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted billions of dollars in damage across the Southeast. It caused dozens of electric vehicles and other battery-powered objects, such as scooters and golf carts, to catch fire. Many consumers are unaware of this risk, and lithium-ion batteries are widely used in EVs, e-bikes and cordless power tools. Here is what owners should know about water and the risk of battery fires.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

a 20-foot paper and wood tiger burns in an open field with fireworks on the sides

Rivalry and roaring flames: Behind the scenes with the Tiger Burn team

November 15, 2024, Sydnie Taylor

Each fall as the crisp November air sets in, the University of South Carolina comes alive with the spirit of rivalry. While the Carolina-Clemson football game may take center stage, another cherished tradition lights up the campus — literally. This is the annual Tiger Burn, an event nearly as old as the football game itself, fueling the Gamecocks’ spirit and the century-long rivalry between USC and Clemson.

Topics: Students

A nurse practitioner student watches nursing associate professor Amy Dievendorf demonstrate an ultrasound monitor.

Gamecock nurses first to train with cutting-edge ultrasound

November 14, 2024, Gregory Hardy

Nursing students at the University of South Carolina are getting hands-on simulation training with the newest generation of portable ultrasound equipment this November. Associate Professor Amy Dievendorf led the first immersion training with graduate-level nurse practitioner students in November at the College of Nursing’s new Clinical Education Building.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Nursing

Student taking notes in class

USC awarded federal grant to boost state's college and career readiness

November 12, 2024, Brandon Pugh

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded USC one of its largest-ever grants — $35 million — for the College of Education's GEAR UP SC program to help disadvantaged students overcome barriers to college and career opportunities.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University Leadership, University President, Academics, Initiatives, Diversity, Economic Engagement, Partnerships, College of Education

woman in scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck works at a computer station

Bridging the health care gap

November 11, 2024

More than a quarter of South Carolinians call a rural area home, but these populations have a higher incidence of medical emergencies and are at greater risk of death because of barriers to access to timely medical care. USC researchers and alumni are working to change that, both for the state’s communities and at the national level.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Health Sciences, Medicine (Columbia), Medicine (Greenville), College of Nursing, Arnold School of Public Health, University System

people stand on a platform in a saltmarsh

National estuarine monitoring system keeps watchful eye on coastal research sites, impact from changing climate

November 08, 2024, Chris Horn

Around the clock and every day of the year for the past three decades, an environmental monitoring system has been keeping a finger on the pulse of 30 diverse estuaries across the country, collecting water quality and weather data. The integrated System-Wide Monitoring Program and Centralized Data Management Office is headquartered in Georgetown, S.C., at USC’s Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences.

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

Rutvik Desai

New research explores the 'thoughts' and abilities of AI chatbots

November 04, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen

Artificial Intelligence advocates might defensively suggest, in good humor, that chatbots are “only human” and therefore prone to occasional mistakes. New research by a team at the University of South Carolina Department of Psychology basically confirms that notion with some important caveats.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Recognition, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, Breakthrough Research

Photo of brick smokestack with USC in white letters

Faces of first-gen at USC

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.

Topics: Students, Academics, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Initiatives, Diversity, Service, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Information and Communications, school-of-law

Rural pharmacists helps patient.

2024 rural health faculty experts

October 31, 2024, Laura Morris

More than a quarter of South Carolina residents live in rural areas and must overcome greater health care challenges than their urban counterparts. USC faculty members are available to offer their expertise in rural health services and research. To coordinate an interview, contact the staff member listed with each expert entry.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, Health Sciences, Medicine (Greenville), College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work

The McBride sisters stand side by side.

Honors College students Emma and Madeleine McBride earn Cyber Service Academy national fellowship

October 28, 2024, Valerie Weingart

Two sisters at the University of South Carolina's Honors College are making waves in cybersecurity after both earning prestigious Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy fellowships. Emma and Madeleine McBride, despite taking different paths to computing, are now working to address critical cybersecurity challenges.

Topics: Students, Academics, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, South Carolina Honors College

College of Social Work professor Stephanie Hunter stands across from the South Carolina Supreme Court building.

Advocacy and reflection have a force in the legal system

October 25, 2024, Gregory Hardy

Forensic social work is a specific discipline that examines how social workers intersect and interact with the legal system under domains both criminal and civil. Stephanie Hunter has 22 years of experience in the field, specifically working in criminal indigent defense. Now an assistant clinical professor at USC’s College of Social Work, she finds that both students and professionals often require an explanation about the field.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Social Work

Paul Toriello in a navy suit

New Faculty Spotlight: Paul Toriello

October 25, 2024, Faith Militello

Paul Toriello, assistant dean of clinical graduate programs, brings 30 years of experience in mental health counseling and academia to the School of Medicine Columbia. As a clinical professor in the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, he leads initiatives to integrate technology into health care education and expand mental health services, preparing students to become professional caregivers.

Topics: Faculty, Graduate Studies, The Graduate School, Medicine (Columbia)

Bill Bloking, left, with Wildcats co-owners Annie Hill and Christian Hauff Photo courtesy of Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Retired oil industry executive and USC alum Bill Bloking is helping future generations of Gamecocks achieve dreams of their own.

October 23, 2024, Craig Brandhorst

The first in his family to attend college, Bill Bloking’s engineering degree prepared him for careers at Exxon and BHP — and for boardrooms around the globe. His William F. Bloking First-Generation Scholars Fund will support Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing students and programs.

Topics: Alumni, Service, Leadership, Careers, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Carolinian

Nursing student with stethoscope.

Nursing excellence: Gamecock nurses lead the way

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.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Health Sciences, Service, Careers, Student Voices, College of Nursing

Female social worker holds hands of elderly male.

Arrest diversion program offers nonviolent offenders resources and a second chance

October 17, 2024, Carol J.G. Ward

LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Deflection), a partnership between the West Columbia Police Department and the S.C. Department of Mental Health, is a community-based alternative to prosecution. Developed and staffed by two College of Social Work alumni, the program offers deflection and resources to people accused of nonviolent low-level offenses whose behavior stems from substance use, mental health challenges or poverty.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Academics, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, Careers, College of Social Work

woman stands on a street in italy

Vatican synod open to wider roles for Catholic women

October 11, 2024, Carol E. Harrison

At the current Vatican synod, whose purpose is to address “communion, participation, and mission” in the church, women’s role is on the agenda. History professor Carol Harrison writes for The Conversation on how Catholic women have historically found ways to speak to and about their church leadership, even when they have been excluded from its proceedings.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University Leadership, University President, Academics, Research, History, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

man and woman embrace while looking at flooded buildings

How Hurricane Helene became a deadly disaster across 6 states

October 07, 2024, Cary Mock

Some hurricanes are remembered for their wind damage or rainfall. Others for their coastal flooding. Hurricane Helene was a stew of all of that and more. Its near-record-breaking size, storm surge, winds and rainfall together turned Helene into an almost unimaginable disaster that stretched more than 500 miles inland from the Florida coast. Geography professor Cary Mock writes about the hurricane for The Conversation.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University Leadership, University President, Academics, Research, Safety, Economic Engagement, Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, The Conversation

students walking on USC Horseshoe

US News rankings: USC tops in international business, first-year experience

September 23, 2024, Megan Sexton

The University of South Carolina is home to the nation’s top first-year student experience among public institutions, and its living-learning communities are ranked 10th best in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings released Sept. 24.

Topics: University Leadership, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Undergraduate Admissions, Recognition, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Nursing

A tour group walking on the Horseshoe.

University ambassadors share love of USC with prospective students

September 16, 2024, Téa Smith

University ambassadors are often the first faces potential students see when they visit campus. The program provides prospective students a glimpse of student life through tours and ambassadors sharing anecdotes about their experiences as Gamecocks. Carlee Downs and Brianna Hughey are two of those ambassadors who have been sharing their passion for USC with visitors during their time at the university.

Topics: Students, Service, Leadership, College of Education, College of Information and Communications

man gestures while talking from a podium

Propel AI initiative aims to weave AI into scholarship, research

September 11, 2024, Dan Cook

This fall, roughly 60 faculty members will take part in a new artificial intelligence initiative from the Office of the Vice President for Research. Called Propel AI, the effort aims to empower faculty to incorporate artificial intelligence into their work — regardless of their academic area or previous experience with AI. We spoke with Bryant Walker Smith, associate professor of law and an expert on emerging technologies, about the new initiative.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Initiatives, Joseph F. Rice School of Law

USC professor and alumna Anna Hoppmann stands in the atrium of the children's hospital at Prisma Health-Midlands.

Anna Hoppmann leads pediatric cancer research effort

September 10, 2024, Chris Horn

Anna Hoppmann is a pediatric oncologist with Prisma Health and a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia where she graduated nine years ago. She also chairs the S.C. Childhood Cancer Taskforce, which recently released a 25-year trend report on childhood cancer incidence, survival and mortality in South Carolina.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Leadership, Careers, College of Arts and Sciences, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College

Two young boys draw with sidewalk chalk on a sunny day.

USC health science researchers play critical role in first-ever S.C. pediatric cancer report

September 04, 2024, Laura Morris

A new report led by the state Department of Public Health provides a comprehensive look at the burden of childhood cancer in the Palmetto State over the past 25 years. University of South Carolina health science researchers played a critical role in developing the report; additional partners include the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, Leadership, Medicine (Columbia), Medicine (Greenville), Arnold School of Public Health

Two femaie dancers

Fall Arts Preview

August 28, 2024, Kristine Hartvigsen

Soon all of us will experience an arts immersion like no other — autumn. We will marvel at breathtaking color — yellows, russets, reds and browns — brilliantly lighting up the landscape. The University of South Carolina similarly offers a wide spectrum of arts experiences to ignite your imagination this fall. Here is a sampling.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Signature Events, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Music

Two people holding a box during move-in 2024

Move-in by the numbers

August 27, 2024, Koby Padgett

With total attendance at the University of South Carolina topping 38,000 for the first time, a new class of Gamecocks bring excitement and an energetic buzz back to the Columbia campus and metro area. Here are some numbers about our incoming students that help give a picture of the resources it takes to support them, the activities they take part in and how they’ll impact campus life.

Topics: Students, Signature Events

A girl standing in the of a group of people cheering.

Pillars for Carolina helps prepare incoming freshmen for college

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.

Topics: Students, Service, Leadership, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Social Work

Susan Newman discusses spinal cord injuries to a group in India.

New faculty profile: Susan Newman

August 19, 2024, Gregory Hardy

One of Susan Newman’s newest missions for improving the health of South Carolinians is to encourage more individuals with disabilities to explore nursing careers. The USC health sciences endowed professor joined the nursing faculty in July for a role that allows her to increase training opportunities for health care providers—particularly nurses who work with individuals with disabilities—and expand her research efforts.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Health Sciences, College of Nursing

us capitol building

Washington Media Scholars Foundation helps students get a foothold in the nation's capital

August 15, 2024, Rebekah Friedman

Thanks to the Washington Media Scholars Foundation, students pursuing careers in media and policy have a little less to worry about and a lot more within their reach. Founded by University of South Carolina alumnus Robin Roberts in 2009, the foundation supports undergraduates from USC and other institutions around the country through two very specific initiatives.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Experiential Learning, Careers, College of Information and Communications

A person looking at their phone

Helpful campus apps

August 14, 2024, Koby Padgett

There are plenty of mobile apps students, faculty and staff can use to navigate campus this academic year that are free to the USC community. From placing and tracking food orders to finding parking to staying safe around campus, here are a few key apps for students, faculty and staff.

Topics: Academics, Initiatives, Safety, Healthy Carolina

Exterior of the College of Nursing's satellite clinical education building on the Lexington Medical Center campus

USC and Lexington Medical Center open innovative facility to train nurses

August 12, 2024, Gregory Hardy

The University of South Carolina and Lexington Medical Center opened a new 52,000 square foot facility to train the next generation of nurses Monday (Aug. 12). Located on Lexington Medical Center’s West Columbia campus, the satellite clinical education building will be used primarily for the clinical training of the College of Nursing's third- and fourth-year nursing bachelor’s students as well as master’s program students.

Topics: Faculty, Research, Experiential Learning, Health Sciences, College of Nursing

robert mcnair

McNair Institute fosters entrepreneurial mindset

August 05, 2024, Rebekah Friedman

Many students enter the University of South Carolina with entrepreneurial dreams. But the entrepreneurial mindset is as much about how you think about solving problems as it is about launching a new business or bringing an invention to market — and acquiring that mindset requires a very particular kind of educational environment. Since 2017, USC’s McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise has provided exactly that.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Economic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Darla Moore School of Business

three students stand in a radio station booth

From the classroom to the field, USC students carve their own Carolina paths

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.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Undergraduate Admissions, Student Voices, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Information and Communications, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work

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