The University of South Carolina has received a $75 million donation from an alumni and renamed one of its colleges.
Husband and Wife Peter McCausland, a 1971 alumni of USC, and Bonnie McCausland made the donation to the USC’s College of Arts and Sciences. The college was renamed today to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences in honor of their donation.
“Through this gift, I hope to continue the legacy of excellence of the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, while expanding the opportunities for students majoring in Arts and Sciences to leave USC with the curiosity and critical-thinking skills to help them pursue their dreams, " Peter McCausland said in a press release.
In a press release, university spokesperson Kristine Hartvigsen described the donation as “transformational”. Some of the funds will be directed towards USC’s neuroscience major, the university’s fastest growing program, according to the press release. USC is constructing South Carolina’s first standalone neurological hospital in Columbia’s Bull Street District.
The donation will also provide 150 students in the college yearly with internship stipends. The college is USC’s largest by population, with over 10,000 students enrolled.
USC announced the donation and name change today during a ceremony on the Horseshoe. USC President Michael Amiridis explained the donation’s importance.
“The McCauslands’ commitment will strengthen the work of faculty and staff who offer to our students the knowledge and skills needed for robust careers and meaningful contributions to society,” he said in a press release. “The broad reach of this investment in the arts, humanities and sciences will expand opportunities for USC students and impact the state of South Carolina for generations to come.”
I think copy changed it, the quote comes from a press release. Is it fair to change it to just Amiridis said? -HD
Peter McCausland received a bachelors in history at USC in 1971. He went on to found Airgas Inc., a gas supplier company in Pennsylvania. Peter McCausland credited his success to his education in USC’s College of Arts and Sciences, according to the press release.
Several of USC’s colleges are named for donors, including the Darla Moore School of Business, Arnold School of Public Health, Joseph F. Rice School of Law and the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
At today's board of trustees meeting, USC's Vice President for Development Michelle Dodenhoff said USC surpassed $200 million in yearly donations for the first time with the McCausland's donation.
Joel Samuels, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, described the importance of the donation to his college.
“The liberal arts and sciences have always been the foundation of higher education, but our success in preparing students to launch careers is often overlooked,” he said in a press release. “This gift allows us to create programs that will help our students discover their interests and develop skill sets that help them thrive in purposeful careers.”