The University

---

Mission Statement
History
Accreditation
USC Mission Statement
Academic Support Services
University Officials and Personnel

---

The University of South Carolina Aiken is a public senior institution of moderate size (2500-5000) which endeavors tp prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing society and evolving global economy.  Attracting a racially and culturally diverse student body of varying ages and experiences, USCA draws its population primarily from the Savannah River Region and other portions of South Carolina, other states, and foreign countries.  USCA offers baccalaureate degrees as well as the associate degree in Nursing, completion baccalaureate degrees at USC Regional Campuses, and master’s degrees in selected programs designed to meet regional needs.
As an institution of higher learning, USCA seeks to provide excellence in teaching as well as in scholarly research, creative pursuits, and service to the communities of the region it serves.  To this end, the university seeks the enlargement of student and faculty knowledge through a wide range of experiences in the liberal arts and sciences and in the professional programs of business, education and nursing.   As an academic community dedicated to lifelong learning, USCA serves the region by fostering cultural appreciation and by making available its resources, including its programs, services, and the expertise of its faculty, staff, and students.  Thus, USCA encourages:

• Thinking critically and analytically, questioning, searching out concepts;
• Communicating effectively using verbal, numerical, notational, and other symbolic systems;
• Appreciating cross-cultural perspectives;
• Exploring values openly and critically;
• Finding and examining relationships among disciplines, concepts, and areas of study;
• Developing depth of knowledge within chosen fields of interest.

In fulfilling its role as an institution for higher learning, the University of South Carolina Aiken is building a community of active scholars, artists, professionals, and intellectuals engaged in broadly-based educational experiences necessary for fostering an enlightened society.
 

In 1968, the South Carolina General Assembly authorized a bond issue to purchase a new site for the campus.  After an extensive search, the Aiken County Commission for Higher Education purchased property from the Graniteville Company in 1970 for a new campus location.  The campus moved from Banksia to the present 144-acre site in 1972.  All educational and student life programs were initially housed in one large, multi-purpose administration/classroom building, later renamed the Robert E. Penland Administration and Classroom Building in 1999.  The building features an open courtyard with a sculpture by artist Charles Perry.  The sculpture, “Double Knot,” was designed as a symbol of the University’s close ties with the local community.

In 1972, the Gregg-Graniteville Foundation and the Swint Foundation contributed $400,000 to establish a library on campus.  This was the largest contribution ever made to a library in the state at that time.  The Gregg-Graniteville Library was completed in 1975.

When full-time equivalent student enrollment reached 1,066 in the fall of 1975, the Aiken Branch was permitted to plan senior-level courses, as well as to create a number of baccalaureate degree programs.  A new agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina and the Aiken County Commission for Higher Education provided for direct involvement of the Aiken faculty in the development of academic programs.   In 1976, the Student Activities Center, housing a gymnasium, bookstore, and food service facilities, was completed.  In September 1976, the Board of Trustees granted academic autonomy to the Aiken campus. The institution was fully accredited as a senior college by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and granted its first baccalaureate degrees in 1977.
In 1977, a classroom-office building, later named the Humanities and Social Sciences Building was completed.  An operations/maintenance building for auxiliary services was completed in 1978.

The 1980’s marked a change in leadership as Mr. Bill Casper announced his retirement as Chancellor of the institution after 20 years of service. Dr. Robert E. Alexander was named Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken in 1983.

The 1980’s and 1990’s included the completion of a number of construction projects on campus. An addition to the Gregg-Graniteville Library was completed in 1983. Pacer Downs student housing was completed in 1984 by a private developer and acquired by the University in 1999. The Etherredge Center for the Fine and Performing Arts was completed in 1985. A Sciences building was completed in 1989. The historic Pickens-Salley House, home to a former governor of South Carolina, was moved to the campus in 1989. The Children’s Center was completed in 1990. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center was completed in 1991 and expanded by 30,000 square feet in 1999. The Business and Education Building was completed in 1994. In 1995, the campus expanded to 453 acres through a donation/purchase from the Graniteville Company. As part of the Student Activities Center, a natatorium was completed in 1997. The Alan B. Miller Nursing Building was completed in 1999.

In 1994, USCA began offering its first master’s degree, the Master of Education in Elementary Education. USCA currently is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at level III institutional status to offer baccalaureate degrees and master’s degrees in selected areas/disciplines. In 1998, USCA began offering its second master’s degree, the Master of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology. Through the USCA Graduate Office, more than 700 students each year pursue postgraduate degrees on the Aiken Campus through USCA graduate programs or the University of South Carolina’s Extended Graduate Campus.

In 1997 and in 1998, the National League of Nursing (NLNAC) reaffirmed accreditation for the School of Nursing programs at the associate level and baccalaureate completion level for eight full years. In 1999, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) granted national accreditation to the School of Education’s undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2000, AACSB - The International Association for Management Education granted national accreditation to the School of Business Administration.

Today, the college is comprised of more than 3,000 students, 140 full-time faculty, and 172 full-time staff members. USCA awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 major areas of study and an associate degree in nursing. In addition, the institution offers a varied program of non-credit continuing education courses for the surrounding and extended community

Mission Statement
The primary mission of the University of South Carolina, a multi-campus public institution serving the entire State of South Carolina, is the education of the state’s diverse citizens through teaching, research and creative activity, and service.

    Teaching
The University is committed to providing its students with the highest-quality education, including the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success and responsible citizenship in a complex and changing world. A particular strength of the University of South Carolina is the excellence, breadth, and diversity of the institution’s faculty and its academic programs.

    Research
Convinced that research and scholarship, including artistic creation, are essential for excellent teaching, the University aggressively pursues an active research and scholarship program that engages both faculty and students. The University is dedicated to using research to improve the quality of life for South Carolinians.

    Service
Another important facet of the University’s mission is service—to its community, state, nation, and the world in such areas as public health, education, social issues, economic development, and family support systems.
Founded in 1801 in Columbia, the University of South Carolina began providing programs in communities statewide in the 1950’s and 1960’s. At that time, a network of campuses was established in response to community initiative and support for accessible, affordable educational programs principally for local citizens. In the 1970’s, the Aiken and Spartanburg senior campuses were granted the authority to award baccalaureate degrees. While the regional campuses, the senior campuses, and the Columbia campus all pursue teaching, research, creative activity, and service, they do so with an emphasis suited to their individual campus missions.

    The Columbia Campus
As a major teaching and research institution, USC Columbia has long offered a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs through the doctoral level. With a mission of teaching, research, and service, USC Columbia addresses the state’s needs for master’s level, professional,  and doctoral education, for conducting and sharing research, and for responding to statewide and regional demands for educational resources and professional expertise.
USC Columbia aspires to national and international stature as it provides equitable access to its opportunities, resources, and activities.

    Senior Campuses
Separately accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Aiken and Spartanburg take as their primary mission the delivery of basic undergraduate education to their respective areas. These senior campuses also offer graduate-level coursework through the University’s Extended Graduate Campus and offer selected master’s degree programs in response to regional demand.

    Regional Campuses
Accredited with USC Columbia by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the regional campuses in Beaufort, Lancaster, Allendale (Salkehatchie), Sumter, and Union principally provide the first two years of undergraduate education as well as selected associate degree programs mainly for their locale. The regional campuses also provide for the completion of bachelor degrees by offering selected upper-division course work in conjunction with the Aiken, Columbia, and Spartanburg campuses as well as some graduate education through the University’s Extended Graduate Campus.  In addition to providing these programs, the regional campuses bring the resources of the entire University to citizens throughout the state.

Gregg-Graniteville Library
The Gregg-Graniteville Library of the University of South Carolina Aiken strives to provide the academic community with the information required for intellectual, professional, and personal development.  The Library also strives to serve as an information resource for the University’s geographical service area.
The faculty, support staff and collections of the Gregg-Graniteville Library comprise an integral part of USCA’s instructional program. The two story 40,000+ square foot building houses an extensive book, periodical and microform collection. The USCA Library also serves as an official depository for federal and state documents and the Department of Energy’s public reading room collection. The Library is fully automated and patrons are afforded the opportunity to access information in a variety of formats using state-of-the-art equipment.

Instructional Services
The mission of the Instructional Services Center is to provide the faculty, staff and students with effective audio-visual services, including delivery and pick-up in all USCA buildings, media materials production in support of classroom instruction to meet educational requirements, to provide and to maintain telecommunications/satellite transmission services campus-wide, to provide assistance and audio-visual services to outside organizations using USCA facilities as part of the University’s community and public service mission.

Computer Services Division
The mission of the Computer Services Division (CSD) at USCA is to assist faculty, staff and students in meeting their academic and administrative computing needs and to coordinate telecommunications services.
USCA’s primary student computing resource lab is located in the Business and Education Building Suite 238.  This area contains an open Windows and Macintosh computer lab as well as dedicated Macintosh and Windows classrooms.  During Fall and Spring semesters, CSD staff and student assistants are located in this area from 8AM - 10PM Monday through Thursday, 8AM - 5PM on Fridays and from 1PM - 10PM on Sundays to assist you with your computing needs.  During the Summer, assistance is available 8AM - 5PM Monday through Friday.  An additional open computer lab is located in Science Building Room 100.  Students have access to these facilities and most computing resources 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.
The majority of academic computing is supported in the Windows (95, NT, 2000) and Macintosh (System 7.x, 8.x, 10) environments.  CSD offers training to students, faculty and staff in a variety of commonly used applications (such as Microsoft Office, electronic mail, and the Internet) and maintains a training lab in Business and Education Building Room 236A.
Network services are provided through USCA’s state-of-the-art Cisco network providing 100 megabit connections to the desktop, gigabit connectivity between buildings, access to the entire University of South Carolina network and the Internet. CSD manages several Windows NT and Novell NetWare servers providing the campus community with electronic mail, network printing, file sharing, and network applications.

Wellness Center
The mission of the USCA Wellness Center is to offer the USCA family and the extended community physical  exercise and educational and rehabilitative programs to promote a healthy lifestyle.  The Center seeks to provide safe, clean, well-equipped facilities and trained, caring staff to the campus and to the Aiken community.  Additionally, it contributes to the education and training of USCA students through its baccalaureate program in Exercise Science and provides clinical experiences to support the program.
The USCA Wellness Center, located in the Business and Education Building, is open seven days a week and houses a cardiovascular and strength training area, an aerobics room, an exercise testing laboratory, educational room, jacuzzi and sauna, and locker room facilities.
Adjoining the Students Activities Center is the USCA Natatorium.   The pool is open seven days a week for lifeguard supervised activities including swimming, aqua aerobics, scuba training, swim lessons, and competitive aquatic programs. Locker room facilities are available.

The Etherredge Center
The Etherredge Center, the visual and performing arts center of the University, supports the University’s primary components of its mission.  The Center  presents a variety of programs and art exhibits that appeal to varying  interests of University and community members and provides accommodations and support services for Community and University cultural events.
The building contains classrooms and offices for the academic department of Visual and Performing Arts as well as the 125 seat O’Connell  Theatre and a larger 687 seat proscenium theatre.  University programs presented from the Etherredge Center include:  the USCA Cultural Series, the University Choir, The Oratorio Chorus, the Faculty and Friends Recital Series, The University Theatre, the Playground Playhouse, the USCA Pep Band, and the USCA Concert Band.
Additional information about the Etherredge Center, including our event calendar can be found on our web site:  http://www.usca.sc.edu/ec/.

Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center (RPSEC) is a cooperative effort between the University of South Carolina Aiken’s School of Education,  business, industry, and schools in the Central Savannah River Area.  Its programs challenge the present and inspire the future to effect systemic change in science and mathematics education.  Its hands-on approach to teaching is designed to help people experience the beauty, the order, and the power of science and mathematics, as well as the interest and fun of discovery.

In order to promote lifelong learning and empower individuals to make informed decisions, the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center uses innovative methods to influence the quality of science and mathematics education, models effective instruction, and enhances students’ and teachers’ knowledge.

The Center offers educational institutes, courses and workshops for K-12 teachers that are designed both to increase basic knowledge of math and science as well as to enhance teaching skills. Programs are also offered for K-12 students to encourage their interest in both math and science. The Center emphasizes innovative, hands-on approaches that are intended to excite and encourage students and teachers as well as to allow them to have fun while they are learning. The Center draws upon the expertise of professional educators, engineers and scientists from colleges, industries and schools throughout the Central Savannah River Area to provide its services.  Additional information can be found at http://rpsec.usca.sc.edu.

Walter F. O’Connell Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology
The O’Connell Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (OCET) operates as an arm of the School of Business Administration fostering the study and encouragement of entrepreneurship. Founded in 1986 and funded by a grant from the John M. Olin Foundation, the center endeavors to create an interdisciplinary educational environment which conveys the skills necessary to start new businesses and to increase the potential for success of start-up ventures.
To accomplish this, OCET offers seminars, materials, management training courses, and opportunities to network with experienced entrepreneurs. The staff of the OCET is comprised of interdisciplinary academic specialists and successful entrepreneurs.

USC Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center provides management assistance to small business through an office on the Aiken Campus. As a part of the SBDC Consortium for South Carolina, USCA faculty meet with small business persons on a one-to-one basis to analyze problems and provide advice. Consultants include SBDC staff  and USCA faculty. Typical services include assistance in business planning, loan package preparation, feasibility studies and financial analysis.

Child Care
The USCA Children’s Center is located on the south side of the campus and offers child care for faculty, staff, and students for a reasonable fee. It is licensed by the State of South Carolina and employs qualified teachers and students of  the University.   The Center is open twelve months a year. Full-time care is available for children ages two through five. The Children’s Center not only provides quality child care but also serves as a training and research site for the USCA School of Education’s Early Childhood Education degree program.

Board of Trustees
James H. Hodges, Governor of South Carolina,
Presiding Officer
William C. Hubbard, 5th Judicial Circuit, Chairman
Mack I. Whittle, Jr., 13th Judicial Circuit, Vice Chairman
Herbert C. Adams, 8th Judicial Circuit
Arthur S. Bahnmuller, 3rd Judicial Circuit
James Bradley, 6th Judicial Circuit
William W. Doar, Jr., USC Alumni Association, Ex Officio
Alexander English, Gubernatorial Designee
C. Edward Floyd, M.D., 12th Judicial Circuit, Chairman Emeritus
Samuel R. Foster, II, 16th Judicial Circuit
Helen C. Harvey, 14th Judicial Circuit
Toney J. Lister, 7th Judicial Circuit
Miles Loadholt, 2nd Judicial Circuit
Robert N. McLellan, 10th Judicial Circuit
J. DuPre Miller, 4th Judicial Circuit
Darla D. Moore, Gubernatorial Appointee
Michael J. Mungo, 11th Judicial Circuit
M. Wayne Staton, 15th Judicial Circuit
Inez M. Tenenbaum, State Superintendent of Education, Ex Officio
John C. von Lehe, Jr., 9th Judicial Circuit
Othniel H. Wiegnes, Jr., 1st Judicial Circuit
Thomas L. Stepp, Secretary

President of the University
John M. Palms, Ph.D.

Aiken County Commission for Higher Education
Gasper L. Toole, III, Chairman
Nathaniel Stetson, Vice Chairman
Timothy W. Simmons, Secretary
Ernest R. Allen
Barbara A. Hendrich
Kent G. Ingram
Clarence G. Jackson
John N. Lindsay
Eugene S. Sawyer
Joe W. DeVore, Ex Officio
Linda B. Eldridge, Ex Officio

Senior Administration
Thomas L. Hallman, Interim Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Administration, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1993
Blanche L. Premo-Hopkins, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ph.D., Marquette University, 1974
Deborah J. Kladivko, Associate Chancellor for Student Life and Services, Ph.D., Ohio University, 1991
Virginia S. Noel, Associate Chancellor for Business and Finance, M.B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1983
J. Michael Hosang, Assistant Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs, B.A., Ohio University, 1968
Michael W. Lemons, Chief Information Officer, M.S., Florida Institute of Technology, 1979
Deidre M. Martin, Assistant Chancellor for External Affairs and Special Projects, Ed.D., University of South Carolina, 1995

Academic Affairs
Edward J. Callen, Professor and Coordinator, College of Sciences, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University, 1986
Trudy G. Groves, Professor and Head of the  School of Nursing, R.N., Ed.D., CSGNP, University of Georgia, 1985
Sharon Holloway, Evening Program Coordinator, B.A., Clemson University
S. Thomas Mack, Professor and Coordinator, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ph.D., Lehigh University, 1976
Keith Pierce, Director Instructional Services, B.A., Faulkner University, 1990
William A. Pirkle, Professor and Director of Sponsored Research, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1972
Jeffrey M. Priest, Professor and Director, Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, 1986
Margaret Riedell, Professor and Head of the School of Education, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1979
Katya Terry, Director of International Programs, M.S., Clemson University, 1994
Niren M. Vyas, Professor and Head of the  School of Business Administration, Director, O’Connell Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1981
Kimberly Wood Woeber, Associate Professor and Director of Wellness Program, Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1982

Administrative Support
Marcie Behm-Bultz, Director of Population Research Lab, M.A., University of South Carolina, 1994
Maria C. Chandler, Human Resources Director, A.A. Officer, B.A., Townsend State University, 1976
William Carl Dawson, Jr., Manager, Development and Alumni Affairs, B.A., University of South Carolina, 1989
Waynon Fallaw, Director of Finance, B.B.A., Augusta College, 1973
Jean Haynes, Continuing Education Coordinator, B.S., University of South Carolina Aiken, 1987
Jeffrey J. Jenik,  Director of Campus Support Services and Procurement Manager, B.S. Johnson and Wales, 1988
Misty M. Johnson, Alumni Affairs Coordinator, B.A., University of South Carolina Aiken, 1997
Sally L. McClellan, Executive Director of the Children’s Center, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1992
William D. McCully, Food Service Director, B.A., Johnson and Wales, 1994
Karen L. Morris, Coordinator of Graduate Studies, B.A., University of South Carolina Aiken, 2000
Karl Munschy, Director of Business Services, B.A., Davenport College, 1992
Jane Schumacher, Director of the Etherredge Center, B.A., University of South Carolina Aiken, 2000
Anthony C. Yamada, Director of Operations, M.S.C.E., University of Illinois, 1979

Enrollment Services and Institutional Planning
Julie J. Bush, Director of Student Recruitment, B.S., University of South Carolina Aiken, 1980
Marshall E. Davis, Director of Advisement Services, B.S., Babson College, 1973
Randy R. Duckett, Dean of Enrollment Planning, M.Ed., University of South Carolina, 1984
Corey Feraldi, Director of Career Services, M.S., State University of New York College at Buffalo, 1995
Vivian D. Grice, Registrar, B.A., University of South Carolina, 1976
A. Glenn Shumpert, Director of Financial Aid, M.Ed., University of South Carolina, 1987
C.L. “Skip” Townsend, Director, Cooperative Education, Campus Security and Safety, and Campus Risk Management, J.D., University of South Carolina, 1971
Lovely Ulmer-Sottong, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1987
Library
Amy Duernberger, Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian, M.L.S., University of South Carolina, 1997
Thomas C. Hobbs, Reference/Collection Development Librarian, M.S.L.S., University of Kentucky, 1972
Paul H. Lewis, Documents Librarian, M.P.A., University of South Carolina, 1986.
Jane H. Tuten, Director of Library, M.L.S., Pratt Institute, 1975
Vacant, Reference/User Education Librarian

Student Life and Services
Telesia Broomfield, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Services, M.Ed., University of South Carolina, 1997
Kay Durden, Coordinator of Disability Services, M.Ed., University of Georgia, 1987
Michael W. Findley, Director of Public Safety, B.A., University of South Carolina Aiken, 1981
Holly Guy, Wellness Facility Manager, B.S., University of South Carolina Aiken, 1996
Timothy Hall, NCAA Compliance Officer/Assistant Athletic Director, M.Ed., University of South Carolina, 1992
Kris G. Helou, Director of Housing and Residence Life, M.S., Kansas State University, 1997
Ahmed Samaha, Director of Student Activities, M.Ed., University of Georgia, 1994
Randy Warrick, Athletic Director, M.A.T., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1978
Kevin L. Wickes, Director of Counseling Center and Disability Services, Ph.D., Ball State University, 1993
 

Return to Bulletin Contents Page