News Summary
The University of South Carolina’s College of Arts & Sciences has been officially renamed the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences following a historic $75 million gift from alumni Bonnie and Peter McCausland. The donation aims to enhance educational experiences for over 10,000 students by supporting career development, research initiatives, and faculty excellence. This significant renaming event took place on April 23, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in USC’s history.
Columbia, SC – The University of South Carolina’s College of Arts & Sciences has officially been renamed the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, following a historic $75 million gift from alumni Bonnie and Peter McCausland and the McCausland Foundation. This significant renaming event took place on April 23, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the university’s history.
The $75 million contribution aims to enhance the educational experience and academic offerings for current and future students at the McCausland College, which is home to over 10,000 enrolled students. This college currently offers 38 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs.
Among the major initiatives supported by the McCausland family’s gift are the establishment of a comprehensive career development program tailored for liberal arts and sciences students, expanding research and teaching initiatives in neuroscience and brain health, and the continued support of faculty excellence through the McCausland Faculty Fellowship.
Commitments of the Gift
Specific commitments from the sizable donation include:
- Providing paid internship stipends for up to 150 students annually.
- Establishing research funds geared towards both students and faculty in the neuroscience major.
- Strengthening the McCausland Faculty Fellowship to attract and retain leading faculty members.
Background of Peter McCausland
Peter McCausland, a 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina, holds a bachelor’s degree in history in addition to a law degree from Boston University, obtained in 1974. He founded Airgas, Inc., a prominent company specializing in medical and specialty gases. Under his leadership as chairman and CEO, Airgas successfully navigated the longest hostile takeover attempt in history from 2009 to 2011, a period that solidified McCausland’s reputation as a formidable figure in business. In 2016, he sold Airgas.
Moreover, Peter and Bonnie McCausland have previously contributed to USC through the establishment of the McCausland Brain Imaging Center and the McCausland Faculty Fellowship, evidencing their ongoing commitment to the institution. In recognition of his service-oriented contributions, Peter McCausland received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2022.
The Impact on USC
USC President Michael Amiridis acknowledged the profound influence the McCausland family has had on the university’s community and the future prospects for its students. He emphasized that their contributions are invaluable in shaping the institution.
Joel H. Samuels, the dean of the McCausland College, also noted Peter McCausland’s impact, particularly in relation to educational development at USC. The renaming aligns the largest college within USC with the institution’s tradition of excellence and demonstrates that the McCausland family’s dedication to academic quality will significantly benefit current and future students.
A Legacy of Community Involvement
Peter McCausland has been actively engaged in university-related activities for over 25 years, playing advisory roles on various university boards. His wife, Bonnie McCausland, brings her expertise in occupational therapy, as well as experience in businesses related to needlepoint and interior design, further showcasing their collaborative efforts to uplift the university.
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences joins other distinguished named colleges at USC, such as the Darla Moore School of Business and the Arnold School of Public Health, solidifying its position as a critical component of the university’s mission to foster academic excellence and valuable student experiences.
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Additional Resources
- Philanthropy: U of South Carolina Students and Faculty to Benefit from $75 Million Windfall
- Wikipedia: University of South Carolina
- WLTX: University College of Arts & Sciences to be Renamed
- Google Search: University of South Carolina
- The State: USC Receives $75 Million Gift
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arts
- Columbia Business Report: USC Names College After Family’s $75M Gift
- Google News: University of South Carolina donations
- University Herald: USC Renames College After Historic $75 Million Gift
- Google Scholar: University of South Carolina McCausland
- SC Daily Gazette: USC Receives $75M Donation
