News Summary
The University of South Carolina has renamed its College of Arts and Sciences to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, following a monumental $75 million donation from alumni Peter and Bonnie McCausland. This generous gift will enhance educational resources, create paid internships for students, and boost research in neuroscience. The McCausland College aims to inspire future generations and expand opportunities in the liberal arts and sciences, reflecting a growing trend of donor-named colleges at USC.
Exciting Changes at the University of South Carolina!
Columbia, South Carolina – Gather round, everyone! Big news is coming straight out of the University of South Carolina (USC)! The university has officially renamed its College of Arts and Sciences to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, and the reason behind this exciting change is a jaw-dropping $75 million gift from one of its own alumni, Peter McCausland, and his wife, Bonnie.
A Ceremony to Remember
On April 23, 2025, a joyous ceremony took place on the historic Horseshoe of the university campus to mark this fantastic milestone. The McCauslands’ generous donation will go a long way in enhancing the resources for students in the oldest and largest college at USC, which is home to over 10,000 students enrolled across 38 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs.
Making Dreams a Reality
This monumental gift isn’t just about a name change; it’s about creating opportunities! The funds will help set up one of the nation’s premier career development programs focused on liberal arts and sciences. How cool is that? Imagine being able to explore your career interests while getting paid! Thanks to the McCauslands, up to 150 students per year will receive paid internship stipends, allowing them to dive into their passions without the burden of financial stress.
Expanding Scientific Horizons
But that’s not all! The gift is also set to boost the college’s popular neuroscience major, which is currently the fastest-growing academic program at USC. The funds will create more opportunities for both student and faculty research in this thrilling field. If you’re a neuroscience fan, things are about to get very exciting!
A Legacy of Research
In fact, the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging, established with support from previous donations, has already bagged nearly $50 million in research grants! This shows just how much of an impact the McCausland family’s contributions are making in the academic world. The same spirit of innovation will also continue through the McCausland Faculty Fellowship, which recognizes incredible early and mid-career faculty dedicated to teaching and research.
Connecting with the Community
Peter McCausland, who graduated in history back in 1971, started Airgas Inc., a leading distributor in industrial and medical gases. This successful businessman has always kept an active link with USC, participating in various advisory councils and boards throughout his career. Meanwhile, Bonnie McCausland brings her experience as an occupational therapist and entrepreneur into the mix, having launched businesses related to needlepoint and interior design. Talk about a dynamic duo!
Inspiring Future Generations
The couple’s commitment to supporting education doesn’t stop at the college level. Through their foundation, they are working hard to foster educational opportunities for vulnerable youth, contributing generously to K-12 schools and after-school programs. It’s heartwarming to see such dedication to uplifting the younger generation.
What’s Next for the McCausland College
Looking ahead, the newly-named McCausland College will put a spotlight on enhancing areas like the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. This is an exciting time at USC, and it seems like the name McCausland may soon be associated with groundbreaking advances across a range of disciplines.
A Trend at USC
This significant donation fits perfectly into a trend at USC, where other colleges have also been named after generous donors, such as the Arnold School of Public Health and the Darla Moore School of Business. With this latest addition, the McCauslands cement their legacy at USC further, inspiring countless students to pursue their dreams and develop the skills necessary for successful careers.
With the new McCausland College taking shape, students at USC can look forward to an enhanced educational experience and better opportunities for growth and success. Here’s to a bright future for all!
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Additional Resources
- The State
- WLTX
- Columbia Business Report
- Inquirer
- Wikipedia
- Google Search: University of South Carolina
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