With more than 200 years of history and tradition, the University of South Carolina is redefining itself for decades to come. The state’s flagship university is one of only 62 public universities to receive the Carnegie Foundation’s highest designation for research.

Dr. Tom Borg (center) Director of the Regenerative Medicine Project

The University’s main campus is located in the capital city of Columbia, but the University has impact statewide. Senior campuses are located in Upstate (Spartanburg), Aiken, and Beaufort, and regional campuses are located in Lancaster, Sumter, Salkehatchie (Allendale and Walterboro), and Union.

Working with government, business, and community leaders, the University has developed a unified plan that will allow it to expand from its origins on the historic Horseshoe to its future—Innovista, a research and innovation district that will stretch to the banks of the Congaree River.

Innovista represents a new vision for research by creating a vibrant, urban community where students and researchers, including those from the private sector, will live, work, learn, and play. Innovista will represent South Carolina’s five core research areas— biomedical and public health, Future Fuels™, nanoscience and nanotechnology, software and technology, and the environment—but will include other initiatives and business partners that serve the knowledge economy. Innovista’s first private tenant, for example, is a leader in software applications for the insurance industry and will create several hundred high-paying jobs.

South Carolina faculty are leaders in public health research, particularly in health disparities, obesity, and children’s physical activity. Biomedical researchers from across academic disciplines are studying cancer, neurosciences, bioengineering and regenerative medicine, health disparities, and issues that affect families such as nutrition and exercise, child mental health, and infant development.

The University’s faculty garnered a record $173.3 million in federal, state, and private funding for research, outreach, and training programs in 2005-06, and several key hiring plans will introduce more talent and expertise to the faculty ranks.

Health Sciences South Carolina is one of many collaborative ventures for University researchers and faculty members. Others include partnerships with international institutes specializing in alternative energy research, the Savannah River National Laboratory, and the National Science Foundation, which founded at South Carolina the nation’s only Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells. 

Many of South Carolina’s programs are nationally ranked, including the Moore School of Business’ undergraduate and graduate programs in international business; U.S. News and World Report ranks the undergraduate program No. 1 for the 10th consecutive time, while the graduate program is No. 1 among public universities for the 18th consecutive year and No. 2 overall.

The Department of Exercise Science's doctoral program is ranked No. 1 in the nation in kinesiology and exercise science, according to the 2005 Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index by Academic Analytics.

USC Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health

Along with prestigious graduate programs, the University’s undergraduate enrollment is booming with ever-larger and more competitive freshman classes. The freshmen from fall 2006 set records for their size (more than 3,700) and SAT scores (1171 average). Freshmen enrolling in the South Carolina Honors College had average SAT scores of 1398. Total enrollment at Carolina for undergraduates and graduates is more than 27,300, with some 350 degree programs to choose from. Since 1994, South Carolina students have earned more than $9 million in prestigious national scholarships such as the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes, and National Science Foundation scholarships and the Fulbright Fellowships.

Chartered in 1801, South Carolina began classes in 1805 with nine students and a single building, Rutledge College. As the campus grew and buildings were added during the next 50 years, a horseshoe layout was adopted. Today, the Horseshoe is on the National Register of Historic Places, with 10 of its 11 buildings dating to the 19th century.

With a rich history, a dynamic future, and a talent pool of top students and faculty, it’s no wonder the Wall Street Journal recently recognized South Carolina as one of eight flagships universities with rising academic quality. Through its research, scholarship, outreach, and service initiatives, the University contributes to the greater good of its community, state, and beyond.

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