SCHC’s winning streak with Goldwater Scholarships continued in 2010 with Sarah Pulliam selected as a Goldwater Scholar and Stephen Timko receiving an Honorable Mention. The University of South Carolina has had from one to four Goldwater Scholars for the past 18 consecutive years for a total of 36 winners. All have been members of the South Carolina Honors College and 50% of USC’s Goldwater Scholars have gone on to receive a second competitive awards, including Rhodes and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Institutions of higher education can only nominate four Goldwater Scholars annually. The Goldwater Foundation recognizes students involved in undergraduate research and committed to careers in research. For a complete list of USC’s Goldwater Scholars go to the archived winners list.
The Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs is a close partner to the Honors College with two missions: assisting students in preparing and applying for national fellowships and serving as the home base for our Carolina and McNair Scholars. Applying for the Fulbright, Goldwater, Knowles, Marshall, Madison, National Science Foundation, Rhodes, Rotary, Truman, Udall and similar awards requires a rigorous and lengthy application process, as well as considerable writing and selection interviews. Partnering with faculty, OFSP specialized in preparing students for the competition. Before the office was established, the University averaged 2.5 national scholarship winners per year. We now average 30 awards per year. University of South Carolina students and recent alumni have won more 489 national awards, and 71% of those have been won by SCHC students.
Located directly across the Horseshoe from the Honors College in Legare College, the friendly OFSP staff are ready to help academically talented students meet their goals. Come visit soon and engage in the process.
Since 2000, the Honors College can boast the following student achievers:
In the 2010—11 academic year, 19 Honors College students advanced in national fellowship competitions with 17 students receiving fellowships as noted below. University faculty members serve on scholarship committees and assist students in preparing their applications. Winners include:
Although our ultimate goal is to see Honors College students earn these prestigious scholarships and fellowships, the preparation process in and of itself enhances their academic and personal skills. Each year, more than 60 faculty and staff members provide individual guidance and support to national scholarship applicants.