USC Board of Trustees Approves Academic Initiatives, Innovation Center

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The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved numerous academic initiatives, facilities projects and contract agreements during its final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17.

The Board of Trustees approved a trio of new academic programs during the meeting, including:

* Postbaccalaureate certificate in disasters and climate-ready public health.

* Master of Science in Quantitative Economics.

* Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education.

The board approved 10 program modifications, with most coming from the College of Information and Communications.

Six bachelor’s programs — advertising, broadcast journalism, journalism, mass communications, public relations and visual communications — saw curriculum changes, while the Bachelor of Arts in Media Relations added concentrations in media production and media studies.

The board also approved the addition and deletion of concentrations for the history master’s and doctoral programs.

The Master of Sports and Entertainment Management degree added an off-campus instructional site in Charlotte, N.C.

New innovation center, other academic initiative approved 

The board approved a new Economic Policy and Innovation Center in the Darla Moore School of Business.

The following academic initiatives were also approved:

* Tenure and promotion for 32 USC faculty members beginning in Spring 2025, eight honorary academic titles and four new hires with tenure.

* One new dual degree program: a master’s in international business with Audencia Business School (France).

* Approval of 100 percent online delivery for the Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies and a postbaccalaureate certificate in railway engineering.

* Program terminations for a Master of Science in Advanced Athletic Training and the combination doctoral degree in epidemiology and environmental health sciences.

* One honorary academic title and one program modification at USC Aiken.

* Four honorary academic titles and faculty manual revisions at USC Upstate.

* Confidential honorary degree candidates.

The board also approved USC’s 2025 internal audit plan as well as a gift naming opportunity.

Facilities approvals

The Board of Trustees approved a new STEM Innovation and Research Building during Tuesday’s meeting as well as a budget increase to an athletics project.

The building — which is part of USC Next, the master plan for the Columbia campus — will dedicate two floors to an entrepreneurship and innovation space with the upper three floors designed for research.

Thanks to additional private support, USC can increase its budget to renovate and expand its field house. The expansion will create a new lobby for fans and renovate existing restrooms. 

Contract approvals

The Board of Trustees approved 10 athletics contracts, including a deal to make Mike Shula the Gamecocks’ new offensive coordinator. Shula received a three-year deal running through 2027.

Five assistant coaches were extended through 2026: Marquel Blackwell, Mike Furrey, Sterling Lucas, Travian Robertson, and Lonnie Teasley.

Four coaches were extended through 2027: Joe DeCamillis, Shawn Elliott, Torrian Gray, and Clayton White.

New Vice President for Marketing Dan Dillon had his contract approved by the board.

Workforce Housing Demand Sparks New Wave of Construction

As rents and housing prices continue an upward trend, demand for workforce housing is becoming the driving force in the Columbia multifamily market as single-family home permit issuances remain below recent highs despite steady demand, according to a new report by Colliers.

These pressures are sparking a new wave of projects centered in the peripheral East Columbia and North Richland County submarkets, each of which has seen substantial industrial job growth in recent years, Colliers said in the report.

It said the overall market performance remained strong, though submarkets with access to Interstate 77 saw the strongest absorption.

Additional construction is likely in the greater downtown area targeting higher-income segments as recent market-rate construction in this area has largely stabilized within six months, Colliers said.

It added transaction volume remained low as a national supply glut and high rates create ongoing acquisition challenges. 

Colliers is the largest full-service commercial real estate firm in South Carolina.

Nucor Announces Guidance for the Fourth Quarter of 2024 Earnings

Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) on Dec. 16, 2024, announced guidance for its fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2024.

Nucor, which has operations in South Carolina, said it expects fourth quarter earnings to be in the range of $0.55 to $0.65 per diluted share.

Nucor reported net earnings of $1.05 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2024 and $3.16 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Reflected in the third quarter of 2024 losses and impairments of assets are non-cash charges of $83.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, and $40.0 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, related to the impairment of certain non-current assets in the raw materials and steel products segments, respectively.

Nucor officials said the largest driver for the expected decrease in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2024 is the decreased earnings of the steel mills segment caused by decreased volumes and lower average selling prices.

The officials expect earnings in the steel products segment to decrease in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 due to decreased volumes and lower average selling prices.

Earnings of the raw materials segment are expected to increase in the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 (excluding the impairment charge taken during the third quarter of 2024), the officials said.

During the fourth quarter, Nucor has repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares at an average price of $149.81 per share (approximately 13.1 million shares year-to-date at an average price of $168.75 per share).

Nucor has returned more than $2.73 billion to stockholders in the form of share repurchases and dividend payments year-to-date.

HGTV Dream Home 2025 Giveaway in Bluffton, SC, Now Open for Entries

Today through 5 p.m. ET Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, fans can enter for their chance to win HGTV Dream Home 2025 located in Bluffton, South Carolina.

The prize package, valued at over $2.2 million, includes a newly built, fully furnished home, and a new 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC, along with $100,000 and a five-year supply of paper towels from Viva.

Eligible fans can enter daily at HGTV.com/Dream and FoodNetwork.com/HGTVDreamHome, where they will find full details, the official rules, as well as additional home features.

Spanning over 3,000 square feet, the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom was built by Shoreline Construction and was designed by Court Atkins Group.

The home's interior design is by Brian Patrick Flynn.

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