Senate: Cromer, Young, Bennett, Adams, Alexander, Allen, Bennett, Blackmon, Bright, Campsen, Cash, Chaplin, Climer, Corbin, Davis, Devine, Elliott, Fernandez, Gambrell, Garrett, Goldfinch, Graham, Grooms, Hembree, Hutto, Jackson, Johnson, Kennedy, Kimbrell, Leber, Martin, Massey, Matthews, Ott, Peeler, Rankin, Reichenbach, Rice, Sabb, Stubbs, Sutton, Tedder, Turner, Verdin, Walker, Williams, Young, Zell

Attorney: Good

Drafting Assistant: Charlton

Date: January 21, 2026

DOC. ID.: /LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL/DG/DRAFTS/LC-0386DG-EB26/LC-0386DG-EB26.DOCX

 

 

A senate RESOLUTION

 

To recognize and honor the University of South Carolina on the occasion of its two hundred twenty-fifth anniversary, and the entire university of South Carolina system, for its many and significant contributions to the education, health, and civic life of our citizens and to declare Tuesday, February 17, 2026, "CArolina Day-225 Years of Service" at the State House.

 

Whereas, founded in 1801, the University of South Carolina (USC) marks its two hundred twenty-fifth anniversary in 2026, and for more than two centuries has been integral to the prosperity, progress, and civic life of the State by educating generations of South Carolinians and serving as the state's flagship institution; and

 

Whereas, the USC system serves as a vital engine for South Carolina's economy, workforce, and quality of life through education, research, healthcare, and public service; and

 

Whereas, with support of the General Assembly, USC educates more South Carolinians than at any time in its 225-year history, while maintaining affordability by freezing in-state tuition since 2019; and

 

Whereas, the USC system serves nearly sixty thousand students statewide and benefits from record in-state enrollment, record applications, and the strength of a global alumni network including more than two hundred thirty thousand in South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, USC remains on strong financial footing, with revenues exceeding expenses, healthy reserves, disciplined fiscal management, high credit ratings, and fourteen consecutive years of national recognition for excellence in financial reporting; and

 

Whereas, USC continues to earn national distinction for student success, including ranking first among public institutions for first-year experience, graduation rates among the top ten percent nationally, and more than sixty nationally ranked academic programs; and

 

Whereas, USC has established itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) by providing free AI tools to students, faculty, and staff, offering AI credentials, launching AI-4-SC to expand AI education statewide, and preparing graduates for the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce; and

 

Whereas, USC set records in research and philanthropy in 2025, achieving more than three hundred twenty million dollars in sponsored research awards and record private fundraising, reinforcing its designation as a Carnegie R1 research university focused on solving South Carolina's most pressing challenges; and

 

Whereas, USC has launched the Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse to promote civil dialogue, cooperation, and understanding of America's founding ideals, a mission of particular importance as the nation approaches its two hundred fiftieth anniversary; and

 

Whereas, as South Carolina's leading producer of health science graduates, USC is expanding healthcare capacity through its new Health Sciences Campus, anchored by a new School of Medicine, a growing Brain Health Network and Brain Center, and the Southeast's first comprehensive neurological hospital and rehabilitation center; and

 

Whereas, USC student-athletes continue to excel both on the field and in the classroom, with nearly three-quarters earning SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition each year; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the enduring commitment of the University of South Carolina and the entire USC system to access, affordability, innovation, financial stewardship, healthcare advancement, and service to the people of this great State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the University of South Carolina and the entire University of South Carolina system for more than two centuries of service and leadership, and for its many and significant contributions to the education, health, economy, and civic life of our citizens, and declare Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as "Carolina Day-225 Years of Service" at the State House.

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