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The bronze Richard T. Greener statue sits in front of the Thomas Cooper Library.

Our History

Across more than two centuries, we've not only grown into South Carolina's flagship university. We've become more than our founders ever imagined possible.

Chartered in 1801, the then-antebellum college focused on the classics, even as enslaved people worked on campus. During the Civil War, the college closed, later reopening during Reconstruction as the University of South Carolina, a model for multiracial education. After Reconstruction, USC was segregated until 1963 when Robert G. Anderson, Henrie Monteith Treadwell, and James L. Solomon Jr. enrolled as students.

After World War II the university experienced an enrollment boom that continues today. Explore the university’s deep history with this comprehensive research guide

 

Explore South Carolina's Roots 

Remembering the Days

Dig into 200+ years of history in Remembering the Days, a University of South Carolina podcast. Join host Chris Horn and university historian Evan Faulkenbury for an exploration of topics from how we became known as the Gamecocks to 19th century campus pranks. Listen to single episodes or explore the full archive.

Explore Episodes
Collaged images and newspaper clippings with topographic lines and the text A UofSC Podcast Remembering the Days
 

History on the Horseshoe

If you're on the historic Horseshoe, visit South Caroliniana Library to explore the permanent exhibit on USC's history or drop by the Visitor Center to see historical artifacts and archives on display at McKissick Museum. For an interactive history of the University of South Carolina, download the Bloomberg Connects mobile app or visit the website to access university history wherever you are.

Small museum exhibit room with wood floors and a wooden bench in the center; glass display cases line the walls, showcasing historical artifacts and a portrait painting.


Understanding the university's broader story and sharing it with the world can be a painful reckoning. To those purposefully and inadvertently excluded over the years, however, it's a task long overdue. 

Charged to research, make recommendations and take action, the Presidential Commission on University History worked to give new voice and recognition to events and individuals who are essential to our full history.

There are more than 7,000 trees across the campus, representing about 80 species. In just the oaks, we have live oak, laurel oak, willow oak, shumart oak, nuttall oak, overcup oak, Japanese blue oak, sawtooth oak, chestnut oak, white oak, southern red oak and black oak.

Tom Knowles, Director of Grounds Management
Students sitting on a bench under a sprawling oak tree.
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