Office of the Provost

Appointment to an endowed chair or a named professorship (hereafter referred to as "chairs") is intended to be the university's most prestigious recognition for continuing scholarly achievement and distinction. In the selection of an individual for these appointments, teaching ability, character, industry, dedication, promise, stature and productivity in research and scholarship, artistic and creative accomplishment and the best interests of the university are taken into consideration.

Endowed chairs and named professorships are established to attract and retain outstanding faculty who have distinguished themselves through their teaching, research, scholarship and creative works.

• Carolina Distinguished Professors

  A Carolina Distinguished Professor is one of the highest honors USC gives any faculty member. Since it is a university-wide honor, those recognized with the title Carolina Distinguished Professor are among the most outstanding scholars nationally and internationally in their fields.

• Endowed Chairs and Named Professorships

  Endowed chairs and distinguished professorships are prestigious university recognitions for term appointment based on scholarly achievement and distinction within a departmental unit.

• SmartState Chairs

  Since its inception in 2005, the SmartState Program has brought the knowledge and expertise of 43 world-class scientists to South Carolina. Appropriated South Carolina Education Lottery funds and legislatively mandated matching non-state funds provide support for hiring world-class researchers who serve as endowed chairs of the centers.