The University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) situated in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a public university that was established in 1967.
Initially named the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, it underwent a name change in 2004 to better represent its educational mission in the Upstate region of South Carolina. USC Upstate is a member of the University of South Carolina System and boasts an enrollment of around 5,200 students and a faculty of approximately 340 full-time members. The university holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Historical Background
The origins of USC Upstate trace back to the closure of a nursing degree program by the Spartanburg General Hospital. In response, spearheaded by G.B. Hodge, local leaders established a new educational institution. Initially starting as a two-year college in 1967 with 177 students, the school transformed into a four-year university in 1975 and adopted the name University of South Carolina Spartanburg. Over the years, the university expanded both in campus size and educational scope.
In 2004, the name change to the University of South Carolina Upstate was approved to reflect its commitment to serving the educational needs of South Carolina’s Upstate region. USC Upstate also plays a significant role in the University Center Greenville, a consortium of seven higher education institutions in and around Greenville, South Carolina.
Academic Divisions
USC Upstate comprises several colleges and schools:
- College of Arts, Social Science, and Humanities
- College of Science and Technology
- Mary Black College of Nursing
- George Dean Johnson Jr., College of Business and Economics
- College of Education, Human Performance, and Health
- University College
Student Life
Spartanburg in 1909
The university offers a vibrant student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and academic teams that promote intellectual and interpersonal growth through community service and diverse cultural activities.
Greek Life
Four F-16Cs from the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Air National Guard Station, Eastover, South Carolina, perform a low-level flyover to conclude the half-time festivites on Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the University of South Carolina’s Williams-Bryce Stadium in Columbia South Carolina. (Released to Public)
Greek life at USC Upstate includes a range of fraternities and sororities:
- Alpha Sigma Phi (2020)
- Chi Upsilon Sigma (NALFO sorority, 2021)
- Delta Zeta (1992), Phi Mu (1993), Zeta Tau Alpha (2002) among NPC sororities
- NPHC fraternities like Alpha Phi Alpha (2009), Kappa Alpha Psi (2009), Omega Psi Phi (2011), and Phi Beta Sigma (2007)
- NPHC sororities including Alpha Kappa Alpha (1998), Delta Sigma Theta (1979), Sigma Gamma Rho (2001), and Zeta Phi Beta (2002)
Athletics
Williams–Brice Stadium at night
USC Upstate’s athletic teams, known as the Spartans, compete in Division I of the NCAA and are part of the Big South Conference. The university sponsors 13 collegiate teams in sports like basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, softball, track and field, cross country, and women’s volleyball. The team colors are green, white, and black.
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina