Each semester, the University of South Carolina Aiken recognizes students who achieved outstanding grades. USCA celebrates the achievements of these students with the release of its Spring 2026 President's and Dean's Lists. Undergraduate students named to the President's List achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average while enrolled full-time at USCA. The Dean's List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who earned a 3.5 GPA or higher. "Students who make these lists should be proud of their accomplishments. We celebrate the excellence, dedication and hard work they invested in attaining their academic goals," said Dr. Philip Bridgmon, USCA provost. Students on the President's Honor List are automatically on the Dean's Honor List and will only appear on the President's Honor List.

A familiar downtown space is getting a facelift, thanks to one of University of South Carolina Aiken's own. USCA art Professor Joseph Kameen's original design has been selected for a new mural in The Alley, where his work will become part of Aiken's growing public art scene. "I'm so excited to have been chosen to work on this project, and it's an enormous honor to have my work in such an important public space. I always enjoy the opportunity to work on a large scale, and this project also came at a really great time to align with my teaching at the university," Kameen said. "I recently received a grant through the provost, Dr. Phillip Bridgmon, to purchase iPads and creative software for my students. These are the same programs I used to plan this mural, and it's great to have this direct example available so that I can walk them through the process in the classroom." Earlier this year, the City of Aiken Arts Commission issued an open call inviting artists with ties to the Aiken area to submit original designs for the project. "The design for the mural was inspired by cutaway illustrations — the kind that might show the intricate inner workings of a submarine or a factory. I imagined all of the amazing creative work happening inside of the buildings in Aiken, and I wanted to give a peek into those practices and invite the community to engage and become involved," Kameen said. "My hope is to inspire viewers to continue to imagine and look for all of the creativity that lives in this community." Including Kameen's, the commission received more than 20 submissions. "This is an exciting moment for the city and for the Aiken Downtown Cultural District," said Wendy Hirsch, chair of the City of Aiken Arts Commission. "To see the first new piece of public art for the Cultural District become a reality is incredibly rewarding. "Joseph's mural gives us an opportunity to celebrate the creativity that already exists in Aiken while adding something new and engaging for residents and visitors to experience downtown. We hope this is the first of many projects that continue to bring art into our public spaces." The mural is located within the Aiken Downtown Cultural District, an area officially designated through the South Carolina Arts Commission's Cultural District program. Kameen's design will replace an equestrian-themed mural which has been in The Alley for several years. That mural will be moved to a different location in town. The transition reflects the City's ongoing commitment to public art by honoring existing work while creating opportunities for new artistic expression within the Aiken Downtown Cultural District. Kameen, originally from Pittsburgh, teaches drawing, painting and digital art. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and sculpture from Boston University and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Indiana University Bloomington. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including exhibitions in New York, London, Berlin and Greece. His paintings explore the relationships among experience, memory and identity, often finding opportunities for reflection in everyday spaces, objects and experiences. The public is invited to attend the unveiling of the new mural from 5:30-6 p.m. Sept. 10 and celebrate Kameen's addition to downtown Aiken's growing collection of public art. Immediately following the unveiling, attendees are invited to walk around the corner to the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens Street SW, for the opening reception of Kameen's latest exhibition, "Everything I Have." The reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through Oct. 15. "It has been a really wonderful experience working with everyone in the city who helped make this project happen," Kameen said. "I would particularly like to thank Eric Gordon, tourism manager for the City of Aiken, and the members of the Aiken Arts Commission for their support".

A couple of University of South Carolina Aiken students were recognized for the character, compassion and commitment they bring to their community during the inaugural Mayor's Citizens of Excellence Awards ceremony on Aug. 17. Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner presented the awards to USCA students Cashmere Goodwin and Alexis Ewing, celebrating their kindness, respect, service and positive impact on those around them. "I am honored and proud to accept this award as a representative of the many students at USCA who are passionate about being active members of the university and the city," said Goodwin, USCA '27. "I am especially grateful to my advisor who nominated me, for recognizing the hard work and dedication of the students. This award is a reminder that the commitment my peers and I bring is seen and valued." The exercise and sports science major thanked the mayor for "celebrating the younger generation's contributions alongside our respected community leaders." The plaques presented to Goodwin and Ewing carried an inscription: "In recognition of your outstanding dedication, exceptional performance, and unwavering commitment to excellence." For Ewing, who is from Aiken, the recognition was quite personal. "As an Aiken native, I am truly and humbly honored to be nominated and recognized as someone who embodies these values in this way," said Ewing, USCA '26. Her approach to service is rooted in faith and a desire to lead by example. She points to 1 Timothy 4:12, which calls believers to "set an example … in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." "I strive to humbly uphold these character qualities in my daily life," Ewing said. "It is an honor to be recognized for simply being who I am called to be." Ewing also expressed gratitude for the university and community leaders who have encouraged and supported her throughout her college journey. "As I prepare for my career as a registered nurse, my heart is filled with much gratitude as my time as a student here is coming to an end," she said. "This award has reminded me of all the blessings I have received over the last four years." The Mayor's Citizens of Excellence Awards spotlight people who help strengthen Aiken through everyday acts of service, leadership and compassion. For Goodwin and Ewing, the honor represents more than an award — it reflects the values they strive to live out both on campus and throughout the community.

The road to a career in science, technology, engineering and math can start with a hands-on experience. Bridgestone is helping pave that road for K-12 students across the CSRA with a contribution of more than $77,000 to USCA’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and its Bridgestone Environmental Education Program. “We are impressed with Bridgestone's interest in being excellent environmental stewards. Part of this stewardship includes providing educational opportunities for students in the CSRA,” said Dr. Gary Senn, director of the RPSEC.   “We are honored to have been a partner in the Bridgestone Environmental Education Program for the past 12 years and are impressed with the financial investment that Bridgestone has committed to this program.”  Through BEEP, the RPSEC team takes K-12 students throughout the region to Bridgestone for on-site, hands-on learning. There, they interact with the natural environment Bridgestone has nurtured.  These experiential activities are tailored for each grade level and are developed to support states’ educational standards.  “Together, we have created hands-on STEM experiences that bring learning to life for young people across our region. Bridgestone’s commitment is a wonderful example of what can happen when industry and education work together with a shared commitment to students and our community,” said Daniel P. Elwell, Jr., USCA’s vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs.  Bridgestone has a longstanding commitment to education and has contributed to several USCA programs and initiatives, including scholarships and research grants.  “For 27 years, Bridgestone has been an extraordinary partner to USCA and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, investing nearly $2 million to help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and problem-solvers. What makes this partnership so meaningful is its longevity and its impact,” Elwell said. 

A record number of freshmen began their college careers at the University of South Carolina Aiken for the 2026-27 academic year, marking another year of significant enrollment growth for the university. Approximately 700 freshmen are enrolled for the fall semester, an 18 percent increase from last year’s freshman class.  In addition to its freshman enrollment, the university reported 442 registered transfer students.   “This record-breaking class is a strong signal that families across South Carolina and beyond understand USCA delivers a high value, personal college experience that prepares students for real careers,” said Nathan Rice, vice chancellor of enrollment management and marketing.   Rice added that this year's growth is the result of a campus-wide effort, with admissions, financial aid, and marketing each playing an important role. “The team’s consistency and follow-through helped turn the great work happening on this campus into applications and enrollments.”  The university officially welcomed the Class of 2030 during its annual Freshman Convocation on Aug. 17. Students gathered in the Quad before taking the traditional walk across the bridge to the Convocation Center, where faculty and staff formally welcomed them to the USCA community.  This year’s convocation theme centered around “Home,” encouraging students to think about how they will build their own sense of belonging and community during their time at USCA.  The theme resonated closely with Dr. Brianne Coulombe, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, who served as one of the event’s guest speakers.  Coulombe shared words of encouragement with the new Pacers, comparing their academic plans to a blueprint for their college experience.  “Sitting here today, you have the blueprint for building a home at USCA that is functional and uniquely yours,” she said. “If you forget, just look back at the major map you got from advising and you’ll see all your general education requirements, your cognate, and specific classes you need for your major. But that’s all it is. A blueprint. Your job now is to make that blueprint into a home.”  For Laura Nolasco-Gonzalez, joining the Pacer community means beginning her college journey close to home while pursuing a degree in Nursing.  Nolasco-Gonzalez, who joins USCA from Johnston, SC, said the university’s location and nursing program were among the top reasons she chose to come to Aiken.   “I chose USCA because it is close to home, it has a great nursing program, and USCA's pride in helping students develop as they adapt to a new environment,” she said.  Nolasco-Gonzalez says she’s thankful to several campus organizations for helping guide her decision to choose USCA, including the Delight ministry, Hispanic Student Association and Project Pacer.   Project Pacer is an extended orientation experience designed to help incoming students build connections, develop a sense of belonging, and feel more comfortable as they transition into college.  “The most exciting part about the start of the school year for me is being able to attend school knowing so many faces. I attended Project Pacer, Leadership Retreat, and I got the opportunity to shadow a pacesetter. These events gave me a head start in this new journey to meet new people and begin to make USCA feel like my new home.”  Rice emphasized that the Class of 2030 shows USCA’s momentum is continuing to build.  “Students are choosing us because they want personal attention and a clear path to career success. A larger class means more energy on campus and more students who will go on to represent USCA well after they graduate.”  The Class of 2030 also reflects a range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences, with students arriving from across the country and around the world.  Among the highlights of this year’s freshman class:  17 states are represented among the freshman class.  15 nationalities are represented.  89% of students are from South Carolina.  32 students speak at least two languages.  The top three majors are Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Biology.  33 students entered USCA undecided on their major.  Madison is the most popular first name among female students, with nine students sharing the name.  William is the most popular first name among male students, with six students sharing the name. 

Abigail Adams is remembered as the wife of a founding father and president, but she was also a savvy investor, risk-taking entrepreneur and persistent critic of laws that denied women economic independence. This Constitution Day, historian Dr. Woody Holton will bring that lesser-known Abigail Adams into focus at the University of South Carolina Aiken, revealing a woman whose ambitions and acts of rebellion extended far beyond the White House.  USCA will host its annual Constitution Day presentation at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17, in Penland 106, which will feature Holton’s research on Abigail Adams.   Holton, a professor of history in USC’s McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, has written several books on early American history, specifically related to the American Revolution. The Constitution Day lecture will highlight his discoveries of the former first lady when writing her biography.  “Her husband, John, and his congressional colleagues had literally laughed off Abigail’s 1776 injunction to 'Remember the Ladies' as they drew up America’s new independent government.”  Throughout her life, Abigail defied conventionality, even writing a will, considered her “culminating act of rebellion,” Holton said. At the time of her death in 1818, she left all her property to women.  Long before that, Adams had an untraditional approach to business and marriage. She was a voice her husband, a founding father and president, valued.  Holton will explain that while her husband worked in locales away from their native Boston, including Paris, Mrs. Adams’ trans-Atlantic trade activities, defiance of British blockades, and savvy business practices made her husband a rich man. She also took a chance on buying land in what became Vermont, before it was a state, and invested in government bonds, considered by some to be “unscrupulous” practices.  “The common quality of Abigail’s three commercial ventures was that they exhibited a tolerance for risk that gave John the jitters,” Holton said.  While most of the money she earned legally belonged to her husband, she declared some of the income she made as her own. Routinely she appealed to John to change laws of the time that prohibited women from owning property, and he supported her defiance of these centuries-old common laws.    Holton’s American Revolution research focuses on early American economic history and on African Americans, Native Americans, and women and their roles in the founding and building of the nation.    He has written several books, including “Liberty is Sweet: An Integrated History of the American Revolution” (2013); “Abigail Adams” (2009), which won the Bancroft Prize; “Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution” (2007), a finalist for the George Washington Book Prize and the National Book Award; and “Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia” (1999), which earned the Organization of American Historians’ Merle Curti award.  Holton’s lecture at USCA on Constitution Day Sept. 17 is free and open to the public.