Social media graphic for the "Faculty and Staff Awards" featuring a scenic view of the University of South Carolina campus with lush trees and a fountain. A tall chimney with "USC" is visible in the background. At the bottom, the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences logo is displayed.

This year's awards include nearly a dozen McCausland College faculty and staff members with recognition for their excellence in service to our college and university.

View the full list of 2026 awardees.
🔗 https://bit.ly/486Ebru

University of South Carolina names new dean of McCausland College of Arts and Sciences The University of South Carolina has named Christopher Culbertson dean of the University of South Carolina McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. He'll assume the role July 1.

Learn more about our next dean, Christopher Culbertson, who will join the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences on July 1.
sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2026/04/culb...

A headshot of Bobby Donaldson with text overlay that reads: Order of the Palmetto, Bobby Donaldson.

USC historian Bobby Donaldson has received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. For nearly 30 years, he has preserved and elevated stories of the Civil Rights Movement across our state.

Read more about his impact.
🔗 https://bit.ly/4ccSxck

We are grateful to the many community members who participated in this search process. Many thanks as well to Dean Hodges for his leadership as interim dean this year. Dean Culbertson will build on a strong foundation.

Dean Culbertson is well known for his leadership, his highly cited research and his focus on student success at Kansas State University, where he currently serves as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Portrait of a smiling person with text that reads: Christopher Culbertson, Dean of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina.

Meet the next dean of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences.

Christopher Culbertson will join the USC community on July 1 to lead our college's advancements to serve students and all of South Carolina.

Dr. Sebastian Kurtek is our next speaker! He will visit us in next week and give a talk on 4/16 (Thu) at LeConte 224.

All are welcome to join!

HSPM Friday Seminar Series Department of Health Services Policy and Management Post-PhD Pathways Friday April 24, 1-2pm Discovery Building 913 Greene Street St 331 Moderator-Taryn Farrell, PhD Student Elizabeth Crouch, HSPM associate professor Christina Andrews, HSPM professor Joshua Sellner, HSPM clinical assistant professor

Pursuing or considering your doctoral degree but wondering what you can do with it? A panel of experts will discuss post-PhD pathways at the April 24 HSPM Seminar Series so you can figure out what happens next as you make your public health impact.

A man rides a horse as sheep and goats graze near a village on the edge of the former Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan.

IN THE NEWS | “Mutual aid and self‑sufficiency are key to life near USSR’s contaminated nuclear test zone in Kazakhstan” (feat. Magdalena E. Stawkowski, anthropology)
theconversation.com/mutual-aid-a...

Promotional poster for the "Civic Engagement and The Constitutional Order" conference at Joseph F. Rice School of Law. The event is on April 13-14, covering topics like civic engagement and voting rights related to USC's founding documents. Logos for the Mellon Foundation and McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina are displayed.

Poster listing keynote speakers on a textured gray background with a wavy line design. Speakers include: Peter Levine (Tufts), Deva Woodly (Brown), Jed Purdy (Duke), Kate Andrias (Columbia), Jamila Michener (Cornell), Joan Blades (Living Room Conversations), and Astra Taylor (Debt Collective).

What does civic engagement look like right now? What can it become?

On April 13–14, join us for the Civic Engagement and the Constitutional Order conference.

📍 Joseph F. Rice School of Law | Karen J. Williams Courtroom

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4mkFOYg

Hosted by @uofschumanities.bsky.social

Read more about her groundbreaking research on how proteins help cells in plants become what they're meant to be ↪️ bit.ly/4mpK3SM

A person standing in a laboratory setting, wearing a blue shirt and lanyard. Text on the image reads, "Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Beth Krizek.

USC biologist Beth Krizek is living proof that choosing a major doesn't have to define you.

She initially earned a Ph.D. in chemistry, but she became curious about plant biology and turned that into her career.

She is now an elected fellow of the @aaas.org .

Flag background with a partial view of a historical document. Invitation text reads: "You're Invited! Open House. The Center for American Civic Leadership & Public Discourse. Friday, April 10, 2–4 p.m. The Spigner House." The University of South Carolina McCausland College of Arts and Sciences logo is at the bottom.

You’re invited! Join us for an open house hosted by the Center for American Civic Leadership & Public Discourse. Stop by to learn more about the center’s first year and what’s ahead.

📅 Fri., April 10, 2–4 p.m., Spigner House

Can 5th-century ‘just war theory’ apply to warfare today? Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas helped build a framework that considers the morality of war.

IN THE NEWS | “Can 5th-century ‘just war theory’ apply to warfare today?” (feat. Christopher Tollefsen, philosophy)
www.yahoo.com/news/article...

USC scientist explains how instruments detect earthquakes in South Carolina s small earthquakes are reported more often across parts of the Carolinas, a University of South Carolina seismologist says the state’s shaking can be difficult to tie to a single fault.

IN THE NEWS | “USC scientist explains how instruments detect earthquakes in South Carolina” (feat. Philip Crotwell, earth, ocean and environment)
www.foxcarolina.com/2026/04/03/u...

Weik will host a Cemetery Preservation Workshop on April 11 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in LeConte Hall, Room 004. Learn about oral history, storytelling, mapping strategies, preservation techniques and archaeological collaboration in this hands-on session.

USC anthropology team maps historic Black cemetery near former Kinsler Plantation University of South Carolina anthropologist Terrance Weik is helping to map and preserve Cedar Creek Cemetery in Richland County, with hopes to reveal an untold history of enslavement in South Carolin...

USC anthropologist Terrance Weik is helping to map and preserve Cedar Creek Cemetery, with hopes to reveal a previously untold history of enslavement in SC.

https://bit.ly/4mcpRDs

The image shows four individuals standing side by side with their backs to the camera. They have their arms around each other's shoulders or waists, symbolizing friendship or unity. The group is positioned on a grassy area with a clear blue sky above and a large bridge visible in the background. The person on the left is wearing a white shirt and olive pants. The second person from the left is in a maroon shirt. The third person is wearing a white tank top and jeans. The person on the right is dressed in a navy blue shirt and darker pants.

IN THE NEWS | “Psychologists identify nine core habits associated with healthy non-monogamous partnerships” (feat. Justin Mogilski, psychology)
www.psypost.org/psychologist...

The long history of silent meditation retreats Silent meditation and silent prayer have shaped spiritual lives within a variety of religious traditions for thousands of years. Today, however, those practices are often being offered in secular sett...

Daniel M. Stuart, an associate professor of religious studies at USC, writes for The Conversation about emerging trends in secular meditation practices.
www.sc.edu/uofsc/posts/...

Please join us in extending condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and students.

www.sc.edu/study/colleg...

He once shared this insight about his love for studying the past:

“History, fairly and accurately told, is a valuable guide. It gives us the opportunity to make better decisions."

The image shows a person sitting on a wooden bench outdoors. He is wearing a dark blue pinstripe suit with a light blue shirt and a red-striped tie. The background consists of a brick pathway and greenery including bushes and trees. In the distance, there is a wrought iron fence with a brick base. The setting appears to be in a park or garden environment, conveying a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Lacy K. Ford was a loyal graduate, longtime professor and former dean of our college. While we are sorry for the news that he passed away this week, we are grateful for his decades of service sharing his love for history and education.

Earthquake Explainer: Why South Carolina Keeps Shaking - FITSNews Do recent tremors point to more significant seismic activity in the future?

IN THE NEWS | “Earthquake explainer: Why South Carolina keeps shaking” (feat. Dan Frost, earth, ocean and environment)
www.fitsnews.com/2026/03/17/e...

Don’t touch this fluffy NC insect — it’s ‘painfully venomous.’ What to know “They are one of the more venomous insects in the state.”

IN THE NEWS | “Don’t touch this fluffy NC insect — it’s ‘painfully venomous.’ What to know” (feat. Eric LoPresti, biological sciences)
www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

A graphic featuring the text "Give 4 Garnet" and "Thank You!" against a dark background with abstract textures. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina logo appears at the bottom.

A big thank you to our Gamecocks community.

Because of your generosity, we raised nearly $50,000 from 400+ donors during #Give4Garnet.

We’re grateful for every gift and every person who helped make an impact!

[Video recap of the dean getting dunked into a tank filled with water. Scenes leading up to the dunk show the dean walking, being seated in the tank, and faculty and students throwing balls at a target on the dunk setup. Final scenes show the dean making a splash in the tank.]

Dean Hodges took the plunge! 💦
We came in just shy of the #Give4Garnet goal, with mailed gifts still coming in. Thanks to the dean and our supporters for showing up for our students.
Still want to make an impact? Give here 👇
connect.sc.edu/direct-your-...

A person with curly hair and glasses in front of a blurred background of a person wearing a hat. The text reads: “Choose the cause that means the most to you.” It encourages support for the Center for Science Education at the University of South Carolina's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. A circular banner in the corner reads “Give 4 Garnet, makes a big impact.”

For more than 30 years, John Carpenter, founder of the Center for Science Education, helped SC teachers inspire a love of science in their students.

Your gift during Give 4 Garnet helps continue Carpenter’s impact on science educators and students. #Give4Garnet

🔗 https://bit.ly/4aJO00b

A building surrounded by trees features a banner with "#Give4Garnet" and "Give 4 Garnet today! Every little piece makes a big impact." The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences logo, University of South Carolina, is at the bottom.

Give 4 Garnet continues through March 26!

Designated gifts make a powerful difference, but flexible support helps meet the university’s greatest needs as they arise.

Give to the cause of your choice and make a BIG impact. ⤵️

give4garnet.sc.edu/giving-day/104390/depart...

Red graphic with white text: "#GIVE4GARNET. Choose Your Cause. Make Your Impact. Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse." Logo at bottom for McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina.

A person in a suit and striped tie is positioned against a maroon background. A quote is displayed: "Civic virtue is the strength to play one’s part as a citizen; part of that is listening to people we disagree with ... We must create space for competing ideas and then choose cohesion." – Yuval Levin.

We don’t need louder voices. We need better conversations.
At USC’s Center for Civic Leadership and Public Discourse, students are learning how to think critically, engage respectfully and lead with purpose in a polarized world.
Join us in making an impact ⤵️
https://bit.ly/46pSKFS #Give4Garnet