University of South Carolina visit

Brantley Bissette, falcon news staffer, visits the University of South Carolina and writes his opinion of the historical university.

In February of 1865, the Civil War was ending, and General Sherman burned the city of Columbia to the ground, almost in its entirety. The one portion of the city that survived the wrath of the occupying Union forces was the “Horseshoe,” then the extent of the University of South Carolina’s campus. The school, established in 1801, was made a temporary hospital for both Confederate and Union forces during the war, and was therefore spared.

Since then, the University of South Carolina, or U of SC, has sprawled into a 218-acre campus with 25,000 undergraduate students, many of them from out of state.

The campus, although situated in the heart of South Carolina’s capital and largest city, is completely separated from the hustle and bustle of city life. While walking from building to building, students and visitors are more likely to hear birds than cars.

Despite being 215 years old, the school boasts a variety of brand new facilities, including their new broadcast journalism building and a student center set to open in 2017.

South Carolina is also home to the nation’s best Honors College, a recognition that is shared with visitors at the beginning of campus tours.

The main draw of the school is its ample Southern culture. On campus and around town, Southern hospitality is just as thick as the accents, and students take pride in being rooted in the South.

Another popular feature of the University of South Carolina is SEC football. The Carolina Gamecocks football team is a Division 1 program and a member of the Southeastern Conference, or SEC, notable for producing a wealth of national championship teams through top-level competition. The best way to experience school spirit is to take in a game with over 80,000 fans in Williams-Brice Stadium.

Hungry? Grab a world-class burger just a couple blocks from campus at Pawley’s Front Porch. This little local eatery has gained such a reputation that it was even featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with Guy Fieri. The fries are just as good, if not better, than the huge burgers. If a couple blocks seems like a hike, fret not! Pawley’s has a food truck that frequents the campus.

For being located in a small state, Columbia is a vibrant capital city with endless entertainment. It’s a great location for college students.

For the last few years, U of SC has gained popularity among Virginia Beach students through its rather aggressive recruitment of the area. The school also offers in-state tuition and huge academic scholarships in several situations, making it affordable for Virginians.

If you’re seeking a great college experience, you simply can’t go wrong with U of SC. From my personal experience, SEC schools provide the perfect atmosphere as well as a top-notch education. South Carolina is a shining example of this, and makes obvious students’ southern pride and desire for academic excellence.