" I am an athlete here at USC Aiken. The professors work well with me, and understand that I am going to miss class occasionally. They take time to explain to me the things I missed. USC Aiken is the place for me. "
- Jeremy Smith , Business Administration major
Did You Know?
USC Aiken has some of the best professional schools in South Carolina. All three - business, nursing, and education - have received the highest level of accreditation possible. This means more opportunities for you to learn from the best and brightest the University has to offer.
"USC Aiken has the best faculty around! Professors and advisors really have your best interest in mind and will always work with you."
- Dalisha Williams, Middle School Education major
"USC Aiken has so much to offer. Whether it’s Greek life, student activities, athletics, honor societies, or residential life, our campus is full of opportunities and ways to become involved."
- Aaron Doctor, Exercise and Sports Science major
"USCA has many different students from many different backgrounds, but one thing that ties us all together is the campus atmosphere. When I left high school I was scared that I was not going to meet anyone that would be as good as my friends back home. Within my first couple of days at USCA, I had more friends than I have ever had before."
- John Ellis, Communications major
"During the course of my freshman and sophomore years, I was a resident in the Pacer Downs. When I first met my roommate my freshman year, we became the best of friends from the get-go. We found out that we were so much alike in many ways. We connected like brothers, and we are still roommates today during our junior year. "
- Anthony (T.J.) Langford, Communications major
"Getting involved in Greek Life and participating in intramural sports is a great way to meet new people. I have participated in every intramural sport offered, and it has helped me stay active. "
- TJ Johnston, Business Marketing major
"Working on campus is a great opportunity for students at USC Aiken. You have the chance to meet so many faculty and staff members and see what happens behind the scenes here at school. Your job will also work around your class schedule because they always put academics first. "
- Chris Brown, Fine Arts major
"Through the wide variety of classes and clubs, USCA offers a little something for everyone. Its small class sizes, charm, and personal professors make it the perfect choice."
- Jessica Walters, Nursing major
"As a sophomore at USCA, I have really enjoyed the college classroom setting. Since the class sizes aren’t too big, I can always get help from professors anytime I’m in need."
- Thomas Mcleod, Exercise and Sports Science major
"Attending USC Aiken has been a great experience for me. From the campus events to classes and to housing, we are a like a family – a home away from home."
- Alyssa Gadsden, Chemistry major
"I love attending USC Aiken because I feel as if am in a family oriented environment. What I love most about is its location, the independence you gain from attending, and our Pacer spirit!"
- Alesha Jones, Communications major
"I never thought I would meet people from all around the world on such a small campus. You can find the best of both worlds: the advantages of a big campus in a small, friendlier environment."
- Dana Hailat, Biology (pre-dental) major
2010-2011 Theatre Season
The Miser
Directed by Dewey Scott-Wiley
O'Connell Theatre - October 7-12, 2010
The widower Harpagon, so cheap he'd swipe the pennies off a dead man's eyes, rules his roost with a tight, iron fist. His unhappy, rebellious children, Cléante and Elise, are afraid to tell him of their romantic attachments: Cléante has fallen in love with the beautiful but penniless Mariane, who lives with her invalid mother, and Elise has secretly promised to wed Valère, a young charmer of unknown parentage who has flattered his way into being Harpagon's chief steward. When Harpagon reveals his own marital designs-he will wed Mariane himself and yoke Elise to the wealthy but aged Seigneur Anselme-children, suitors, disgruntled servants, and the wily Jill-of-all-trades Frosine conspire to foil the miser before the marriages can take place. When Harpagon's treasure, buried in the backyard, is stolen, he rounds up all the suspects-including the audience-and threatens torture and imprisonment. Only the last-minute arrival of Seigneur Anselme, bearing secrets of his own, can unite the proper couples and restore Harpagon to his one true love-40,000 pounds in gold.
"...highly accessible new translation...takes bold chances without ever losing sight of Molière's original intent...A MISER in which more is always more-what could be more fitting for a play about greed?" -Sun (Baltimore). "The saucy serving of THE MISER...is for those who like their French fare spicy and au courant. The veteran translator James Magruder provides a burlesque kick to Molière's 336-year-old farce, and the result is a delectable evening of shameless off-color gags and timeless double-entendres." -Washington Post. "Magruder has done a wonderful job of tweaking and freshening the 17th-century French farce. It is downright beautiful to behold and marvelous to hear...this [play] is laugh-out-loud funny, and the topical references are fresh, not forced." -Baltimore Guide.
The Pied Piper
Directed by Jack Benjamin
Main Theatre - November 22 - 23, 2010
As if the rat infestation in Hamelin isn't bad enough, poor organization on the part of the Mayor has paved the way for the egotistical Pied Piper to take advantage of the town in his search for fame and fortune. With the help of the audience, the Piper's clever assistant manages to rid the town of the rats, straighten out the Mayor's schedule and teach the Pied Piper how responsibility to others often comes with special gifts and talents. In this delightful participation comedy, adults and children alike become villagers, school children and those pesky rats.
Experimental Relief
Created by University Theatre Player Students
Artistic Direction by Theatre Faculty
O'Connell Theatre - February 11 - 13, 2011
You have heard all about the accolades that University Theatre students have earned throughout their tenure at USCA . Now it is time to join us for a benefit performance created by students to showcase their work as playwrights, directors, actors and designers and support a worthy cause that will be selected by the students and faculty.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (revised)
Based on The Comic Strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer
Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Directed by Dewey Scott-Wiley
Main Theatre - April 15 - 18, 2010
In 1998 the authors and producers of the original 1967 musical show, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, decided it was time for a major revival of the work in a Broadway theatre. The idiomatic, intimate innocence of the characters that is presented in the original stage production has been maintained, but a new perspective has been added by emphasizing the insatiable insouciance of the characters that was held in check in the original. The new cast of six characters includes Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Snoopy and Sally Brown (she replaces Patty.)
The original twelve songs all remain in this version, and two new songs: Beethoven Day (Schroeder & Company) and My New Philosophy (Sally with Schroeder) have been added. This version has an entirely new sound, musically distinct from the original.