The largest college at the University of South Carolina has a new name honoring the vision and generosity of a prominent alumnus and his family.
The official name, the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, was announced on Wednesday (April 23) during a ceremony on the university’s historic Horseshoe. The name recognizes a transformational gift from Bonnie and Peter McCausland and The McCausland Foundation. Their gift will create one of the nation's premier career development programs for students in the liberal arts and sciences, expand research and teaching in neuroscience and brain health, and support faculty excellence.
USC President Michael Amiridis expressed his deep appreciation for the McCausland family's historic contribution, which totals $75 million.
“This gift from Peter and Bonnie and The McCausland Foundation marks a new beginning for our university’s oldest and largest college,” Amiridis said. “The McCauslands’ commitment will strengthen the work of faculty and staff who offer to our students the knowledge and skills needed for robust careers and meaningful contributions to society. The broad reach of this investment in the arts, humanities and sciences will expand opportunities for USC students and impact the state of South Carolina for generations to come.”
Peter McCausland, a 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina who majored in history and who went on to found Airgas Inc., said the college and its faculty were foundational to his success. “Through this gift, I hope to continue the legacy of excellence of the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, while expanding the opportunities for students majoring in arts and sciences to leave USC with the curiosity and critical-thinking skills to help them pursue their dreams,” he said.
Gift supports career development, neuroscience and faculty
The McCauslands’ landmark gift will have an immediate impact on students by creating new opportunities for internships and research.
The gift will expand the college’s career development programs by providing paid internship stipends for up to 150 students per year, allowing them to explore career interests and gain professional experience without financial barriers. Combined with other USC programs, this will create one of the top career development programs available to students in the liberal arts and sciences.
The gift also will invest in the college’s neuroscience major — the university’s fastest-growing academic program — by creating funds for student and faculty research. This enhances the work already being done by the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging, which has attracted nearly $50 million in research grants since its establishment by a gift from the McCauslands in 2006. It and will contribute to USC’s growing commitment to brain health research, teaching and clinical work.
“Through this gift, I hope to continue the legacy of excellence of the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, while expanding the opportunities for students majoring in Arts and Sciences to leave USC with the curiosity and critical-thinking skills to help them pursue their dreams.”
Faculty excellence also receives continued support from the McCausland Foundation gift. The McCausland Faculty Fellowship, established in 2014, recognizes extraordinary early and mid-career tenure-track faculty who have excelled in both teaching and research. The McCauslands’ continued support will strengthen that program while providing additional funds to ensure that USC recruits and retains world-class faculty.
“The McCauslands' gift is truly extraordinary,” said Joel H. Samuels, dean of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. “The liberal arts and sciences have always been the foundation of higher education, but our success in preparing students to launch careers is often overlooked. This gift allows us to create programs that will help our students discover their interests and develop skill sets that help them thrive in purposeful careers.”
In addition to the financial support, the McCauslands provide a vision for what students can aspire to, Samuels said. “At the University of South Carolina, Peter McCausland discovered his passion for history, which helped him develop the confidence, critical thinking and communication skills necessary to pursue a successful career,” Samuels said. “This gift empowers our college to do this for even more students as we begin this next chapter of our history.”
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences joins an esteemed group of named colleges at USC, including the Darla Moore School of Business, the Arnold School of Public Health, the Joseph F. Rice School of Law and the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
About Bonnie and Peter McCausland
Bonnie and Peter McCausland have long been champions of education and supporters of the University of South Carolina. Peter McCausland, a 1971 USC graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history, built a successful career in the business world as the founder of Airgas Inc., which grew to become the fifth-largest industrial and medical gas company in the world. Throughout his career, McCausland has remained closely connected to his alma mater, serving on former University President John Palms’ advisory council and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Board of Visitors.
Bonnie McCausland shares her husband’s passion for education and the arts. She has built a dynamic career rooted in creativity, care and community service. After earning a bachelor's degree from Tufts University, she worked as an occupational therapist before launching two successful businesses in needlepoint and interior design. A dedicated philanthropist, she has served on numerous nonprofit boards — including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation — and remains active in The McCausland Foundation.
Together, the McCauslands have been instrumental in supporting cultural and educational institutions across the country. Their legacy at USC, through both their philanthropy and their advocacy, reflects their commitment to providing students with transformative opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact on society.
About the college
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the University of South Carolina. A dynamic community of more than 10,000 students across 38 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs, the college prepares students for opportunities in a wide variety of careers. The college's courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences support all USC students in developing the foundational skills necessary to succeed and flourish in their personal and professional lives.
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences drives innovation and impact in South Carolina and beyond. Award-winning faculty, dedicated staff and outstanding students work together across disciplines in the college to understand the past and present, address today’s challenges and create possibilities for a better world.