U.S. News ranks Moore School International Business No. 1

Columbia Regional Business Report
Published Sept. 13, 2011

The same month that it breaks ground on its new Darla Moore School of Business building, the University of South Carolina has been recognized for having the nation’s top undergraduate international business program by U.S. News & World Report.

Across the USC system, USC Aiken is No. 1 among public regional colleges in the South, and USC Upstate is ranked No. 3. USC Columbia also was ranked No. 54 for public universities and also featured in the section, “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” for a second year.

Clemson University was ranked No. 25 for public universities, according to the report.

Clemson was cited for its commitment to student success, garnering recognition for learning communities and writing in the disciplines.
Additionally, Clemson is among the top “up-and-coming schools” that have made “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities,” U.S. News said.
“Being ranked among the nation’s top 25 universities for the fourth consecutive year is a significant accomplishment and a tribute to the hard work of Clemson faculty, staff, students and alumni,” said Clemson President James F. Barker.

The Moore School’s undergraduate program earned the No. 1 ranking for the 15th consecutive year, and the school itself moved up one spot to 42 for overall business education nationally.

“The Moore School is delighted to have retained our best-in-class No. 1 ranking for our undergraduate international business program while further improving our overall undergraduate programs ranking,” Dean Hildy Teegen said.

“Our faculty and staff continue to lead with our innovative curriculum and programming in ways that clearly resonate with students, employers and our loyal alumni. We are proud to advance our economic development mission by educating the most noteworthy leaders for global business right here in the heart of the Palmetto state.”

USC also earned accolades for the second consecutive year for its student-enrichment offerings. A section titled “A Focus on Student Success” cites USC for having one of the nation’s best programs for First-Year Experience and Learning Communities.

Leadership, Sustainability Focus of USC, Duke Energy Program

The University of South Carolina and Duke Energy have established an Executive-in-Residence Program that will bring some of the corporation’s top leaders to campus to discuss sustainability and leadership during the academic year.

Created around the theme, “Leadership in Sustainability,” the program will bring together university leaders, faculty, students and staff with Duke Energy executives from the fields of energy and environmental policy, economic development, power distribution and delivery, communications and government and regulatory affairs.

USC Provost Michael Amiridis said the partnership with Duke Energy is an outstanding example of a public-private partnership that will enhance understanding of the importance of leadership and sustainability.
“As one of the largest power companies in the United States, Duke Energy has consistently demonstrated leadership in the area of sustainability,” Amiridis said. “By inviting their executives to spend time on campus to interact with students and faculty, we expect to help our students and faculty expand their understanding of these complex themes and, hopefully, come away with an enhanced appreciation of the critical importance of leadership and sustainability for success in the global marketplace.”

Catherine Heigel, president of Duke Energy South Carolina, said Duke Energy was pleased to collaborate with USC on developing leaders for the energy sector.

“Duke Energy is committed to serving customers and communities in a way that is affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible – a difficult assignment that we take very seriously,” said Catherine Heigel, president, Duke Energy South Carolina. “We are excited to collaborate with the University of South Carolina to develop the energy leaders of the future who will balance these important objectives over the next several decades.”

The program will get under way in September and conclude with a public energy forum in February. Six executives are scheduled to visit the campus, speak to undergraduate and graduate students, tour research facilities, talk with faculty and administrators and deliver a public lecture. Each executive will be hosted by a college whose academic offerings match the visiting executive’s background and experience.  The first two Duke Energy participants in the Sustainability in Leadership Program and the dates they will visit are:

Sept. 13 — Janice Hager, vice president of integrated resource planning and regulated analytics (College of Arts and Sciences). “Building A Sustainable Energy Future.” 3:30 p.m. Russell House Theatre.

Oct. 6 — Jim L. Stanley, “Wired for A Sustainable Energy Future” senior vice president of power delivery (College of Engineering and Computing) 3:30 p.m. Amoco Hall, Swearingen Engineering Center.

Amiridis said the Leadership in Sustainability Program, which is the first of its kind at USC, brings an important dimension to the university’s leadership programs, particularly the newly minted Carolina Leadership Initiative.

“Leadership is an increasingly important trait for individuals to have if they are going to be successful in any endeavor they choose,” Amiridis said. “By addressing topics such as responsibility and integrity within the broader realm of sustainability, the Leadership in Sustainability Program complements the Carolina Leadership Initiative and is one more way that our students can gain valuable preparation for life after Carolina.”

37 South Carolina Communities Get Funding for Improving Sewer and Water Services

The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that approximately $16.3 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been awarded to 37 communities across the state. These projects will benefit more than 23,000 residents.  A full list of grant recipients is listed below.

“The CDBG program consistently has a positive impact on communities across our state that lack resources for community development. These resources not only help improve residents’ quality of life, but also help create a more competitive environment for bringing jobs and investment,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.

The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process.  Communities receiving CDBG funding are required to provide at least 10 percent matching funds.

To secure grant funding, communities must demonstrate how they are ensuring healthy and safe neighborhoods. The projects include extension of water lines to serve residents without public water resources, improvement to existing water and sewer systems to upgrade services and conform to environmental and health requirements, and development of drainage infrastructure to prevent water overflows and damage to property. These strategic capital investments address public health, safety or environmental quality concerns.

Approximately 82 percent of these funds will be invested in 31 communities in the state’s less developed counties in South Carolina. In all, 15,000 low- to moderate-income households will benefit from these improvements.

All grants awarded through the CDBG program must meet at least one of three objectives:

• Benefit low and moderate income people.
• Aid in eliminating or preventing poor neighborhood conditions.
• Meet urgent community needs where there are threats to public health and welfare, and where other financial resources are not available.

The grants funds are allocated annually to South Carolina from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Department of Commerce administers the CDBG program for the state.  The program assists communities in providing housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities.  Grants are awarded to local governments to carry out a wide range of activities addressing housing and community development needs.  More than 70 percent of the funding will assist the state’s lower income residents.

Community Development Block Grants will be awarded to the following communities:

Town of Andrews – Pump Station Upgrades                                                       $500,000

Beaufort County – Burton Water Extension                                                         $422,500

City of Bennettsville –Sewer Line Upgrade                                                          $497,500

Town of Blacksburg – Youngs Grove Road Water Extension                               $500,000

Town of Blackville – Water System Upgrade                                                       $495,000

Cherokee County – River Drive Water Upgrade and Extension                             $500,000

City of Clemson – Old Central and Charleston Avenue Sewer Upgrade                 $305,550

City of Denmark – Wastewater Lagoon Improvements                                         $495,500

Town of Elloree – Tee Vee Road Water Extension                                               $484,590

Town of Estill – Ruth Street Pump Station Upgrade                                             $422,500

Georgetown County – Marysville Sewer Improvements                                        $500,000

City of Greenwood – Southeast Waterline Upgrade                                             $405,610

Greenwood County – Panola Mill Village Sewer Upgrade                                     $500,000

City of Hardeeville – Drainage Improvements                                                      $500,000

Town of Harleyville – Water Line Upgrade                                                           $500,000

City of Hartsville – Water Line Upgrade                                                               $241,938

Town of Heath Springs – Water System Upgrade                                                $461,385

Town of Hemingway – Baptist Road Water Extension                                          $283,331

Town of Iva – Sewer Upgrades Phase III                                                            $443,737

Town of Jonesville – Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade                                  $500,000

Laurens County – Joanna Mill Water and Sewer Upgrade                                     $500,000

City of Liberty – Woodside Sewer Upgrade                                                        $500,000

Town of Lockhart – Water and Sewer Upgrade                                                    $500,000

Town of Perry – Water System Upgrade                                                            $499,775

Town of Ridgeland – Ridgeland Water Tank Upgrades                                        $429,500

Town of Saluda – Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade                                      $500,000

Town of St. Matthews – Water System Upgrade                                                  $321,947

Town of St. Stephen – Water Tank Upgrade                                                       $500,000

Town of Stuckey – Water Upgrade/Interconnection                                              $494,200

Town of Timmonsville – Water Upgrade                                                             $500,000

City of Union – Highway 49 Apartments Sewer Upgrade                                      $243,893

Union County – Monarch Mill Village Sewer Water Upgrade                                 $500,000

Town of Varnville – Mill Pond Pump Station Upgrade                                          $190,297

City of Walterboro – Jackson Street Pump Station Upgrade                                $340,900

Town of Ware Shoals – Waterline Upgrade Phase II                                             $450,848

Town of West Pelzer – Water System Upgrade Project                                        $447,500

Town of Williamston – Sewer Upgrade Project                                                   $447,611