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Following approval by the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, USC Spartanburg announced on Wednesday, June 30, that it is changing its name to USC Upstate to signify expanded vision, mission and goals for the university. The name took effect July 1. "This name change positions the university to serve both as a catalyst and support for efforts to think, plan and act regionally as other important enterprises have done," said Dr. John C. Stockwell, chancellor of USC Upstate. "It both signals and impels the continued expansion of partnerships and services across the I-85 corridor. The change in name also further cements this university�s relationship with the USC system." USC Upstate is a metropolitan university, meaning that it acknowledges as its fundamental reason for being its relationship to its surrounding cities, their connecting corridors and expanding populations. The university has responded to regional workforce demands by offering market-driven degrees to Upstate residents. For more than 10 years, the university has been educating students not just on the Spartanburg campus but also in Greenville at the University Center of Greenville (UCG), a nonprofit consortium of seven higher-education institutions dedicated to increasing access to educational opportunities for the citizens of the Greater Greenville Metropolitan Area of South Carolina. USC Upstate has emerged as the largest provider of academic programs at UCG, generating more than 70 percent of the Center�s baccalaureate enrollment.
Continued and substantial growth for USC Upstate is anticipated over the coming years, with much of that growth occurring with an expanded presence in Greenville. USC Upstate�s main campus in Spartanburg will continue to grow as well, particularly given its residential undergraduate student population, and with the forthcoming construction of the library, the wellness/fitness center, the health education complex and additional housing. The name change is met with tremendous support as it is expected to benefit the Upstate in terms of economic development, public/private partnerships and overall regionalization. "This region can only grow if it understands the critical importance of the role of higher education," said Bill Barnet, mayor of the City of Spartanburg. "Our economic development boundaries are directly related to the health and strength of institutions such as USC Upstate. This is an important step forward." "The USC Board of Trustees and I strongly endorse this change," said Dr. Andrew Sorensen, president of USC. "It will enhance the mission of the state's flagship university, which is to serve the entire state through teaching, research and outreach." (Images provided by USC Spartanburg)
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Stockwell also announced that Dr. Judith Prince, formerly the associate chancellor for strategic initiatives, has been named vice chancellor Greenville, effective immediately. Prince has served in various positions at the university, including interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and assistant vice chancellor for graduate programs and extended learning. 