News Summary
The University of South Carolina has renamed its College of Arts and Sciences to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, thanks to a historic $75 million donation from alumnus Peter McCausland and his wife, Bonnie. This substantial gift is designated to enhance career development initiatives and support various educational programs, particularly in the rapidly growing neuroscience field. University officials celebrate the donation as transformational for students and faculty, emphasizing the importance of liberal arts education in shaping future leaders.
Columbia, South Carolina – The University of South Carolina (USC) will officially rename its College of Arts and Sciences to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences after receiving a historic $75 million donation from alumnus Peter McCausland and his wife, Bonnie. This record-breaking donation, the largest single gift in USC’s history, was announced during a ceremony held on April 23, 2025.
Peter McCausland, a 1971 USC graduate and founder of Airgas Inc., one of the largest suppliers of specialty gases globally, expressed his appreciation for the university’s role in his personal development. He credited USC with fostering his curiosity, critical thinking skills, and confidence, which he believes are crucial for success in today’s world.
The newly established McCausland College of Arts and Sciences will utilize the substantial donation to fund career development initiatives, particularly aimed at enhancing opportunities for students studying liberal arts and sciences. Among the planned programs are internship stipends for up to 150 students annually, designed to help them gain practical experience in their fields of study.
A significant portion of the donation, approximately $14 million, is earmarked for the neuroscience major, which has become USC’s fastest-growing academic program. In addition to supporting the neuroscience program, the donation will offer ongoing funding for the existing McCausland Faculty Fellowship, an initiative that honors outstanding faculty contributions in teaching and research.
USC President Michael Amiridis and various university officials have hailed the gift as “transformational,” emphasizing its impact on the university community and its potential to expand educational opportunities for students. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences currently accommodates over 10,000 students and offers a diverse array of 38 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs across fields such as arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences.
This renaming marks a continuing trend at USC, with McCausland College becoming the fifth school within the university to receive a new name in honor of a donor. Other recently renamed colleges include the Joseph F. Rice School of Law and the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, each having received substantial gifts of $30 million.
Peter McCausland has a history of philanthropic contributions to USC, including the establishment of the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging in 2006 and the creation of the McCausland Faculty Fellowship in 2014. Looking toward the future, USC plans to further enhance its academic and research capacities with the development of a $350 million neurological hospital focused on addressing severe brain health issues.
The renaming of the College of Arts and Sciences to the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences not only signifies a notable financial commitment but also underscores the vital role that liberal arts education plays in equipping students to meet future challenges. The donation is expected to create lasting educational opportunities while supporting faculty excellence and student success in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: University of South Carolina
- SC Daily Gazette
- Google Search: University of South Carolina
- University Herald
- Google Scholar: McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
- Cola Daily
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Liberal Arts Education
- WCNC
- Google News: Neuroscience Program University of South Carolina
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