The University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences has a new name: McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Officials made this announcement today in a press conference. This is in honor of Peter McCausland, a 1971 USC grad from Philadelphia, and his wife, Bonnie. The College of Arts and Sciences is the fifth academic unit at USC to be named and the university will be the fourth in the SEC with a named college of arts and sciences or CAS equivalent.
Their organization, the McCausland Foundation, donated more than $75 million to strengthen the academic and research profile of the College of Arts and Sciences.
“With today’s gift, we hope to perpetuate the legacy of excellence of the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences,” Peter McCausland said. “So they can graduate with all the necessary tools to pursue meaningful careers or otherwise find purpose in life.”
This gift includes funds for faculty recruitment, retention and fellowships, new interdisciplinary programs, research and curricula to meet the emerging needs of students and more.
Senior history and political science student Emily Rabon said she was able to write a senior thesis on the Bill of Rights in a more detailed and nuanced way with the help of James Risk from the Department of History. She will be going to law school this upcoming fall and appreciates what the McCauslands are doing.
“We’re just all grateful for the McCauslands for their generosity, the support of faculty and students,” Rabon said. “It’s just a great day to celebrate their gift and name the college in their honor.”
The McCauslands hope their gift will impact students for years to come. University officials say it will have an immediate impact by creating new opportunities for internships and research.
