[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 1997

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues an article that appeared in the March 9, 1997, edition of 
the State, highlighting the national honors that have been achieved 
recently by the University of South Carolina. The University is 
attaining prominence in a variety of areas of national and 
international importance. I would like to commend the faculty and 
students of the University of South Carolina on their commitment to 
excellence.
  The article follows:

                     [From the State, Mar. 9, 1997]

                       USC Rankings Showcase S.C.

                             (By Fred Monk)

       The University of South Carolina basketball team is drawing 
     national attention to the university and Columbia.
       The impact of its performance isn't lost on USC professors, 
     who are citing with pride the basketball team's achievement 
     in discussions on academic excellence.
       While USC's No. 4 basketball ranking has fans in a frenzy, 
     other rankings are noteworthy.
       The blend of academic and athletic performance is lifting 
     USC's stature internationally.
       Recently, USC received two important recognitions.
       Its graduate international business programs were rated No. 
     2 in the nation by a U.S. News & World Report poll.
       Since the poll's inception, USC has ranked No. 1 or No. 2.
       This is no small feat, even though USC was knocked off the 
     top spot by the inclusion last year of the American Graduate 
     School of International Management, also known as the 
     Thunderbird school, whose sole focus is international 
     business.
       USC is the only public institution in the top five. It 
     leads Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and 
     Harvard.
       In February, USC received another Top Five national honor--
     one equal in university circles to the basketball team's 
     national ranking, said Don Greiner, USC's interim provost.
       For the second consecutive year, USC was awarded the 
     Hesburgh Certificate of Excellence, this time for its 
     faculty/student development program.
       Father Hesburgh's name is synonymous with Notre Dame, a 
     university known for its athletic and academic excellence.
       Other recent national honors USC has received included:
       No. 1 ranking in the Southeast and Top Five nationally by 
     professional journals of the geography department's programs.
       A Top Five national ranking for the pharmacy department.
       The college of journalism's public relations and 
     advertising programs are ranked 12th and 13th in the nation 
     by U.S. News.
       U.S. News also ranks USC's psychology doctoral program as 
     third best in the nation.
       USC's Naval ROTC program received the nation's highest 
     academic ranking by the naval Education and Training Command.
       The college of business was cited by Success magazine as 
     one of the 25 best in the nation for producing entrepreneurs.
       These are a few of many significant achievements USC has 
     been cited for recently.
       But there's another important aspect to recognition.
       Coach Eddie Fogler crafted a basketball team around South 
     Carolina Talent--nine of the 11 players are from South 
     Carolina.
       In academics as well as athletics, USC is trying to keep 
     the best and the brightest at home, Greiner said.
       Through its Carolina Scholars and Honors College program, 
     USC is going after the best students in the state.
       And it has scored well. The 1996 average Carolina Scholars 
     SAT score was 1488.
       But competition for South Carolina's best--in academics and 
     athletics--is keen.
       Some South Carolina high schools don't even include USC 
     when recommending universities for their top students.
       With a continued focus on an investment in academic as well 
     as athletic excellence, USC's recognition will grow. And so 
     will its ability to recruit talent.
       Most important, the impact will be felt across South 
     Carolina.

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