Notable Alumni of the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals in various fields. Its alumni have made significant contributions to politics, entertainment, sports, business, and academia. The University of South Carolina - Columbia is ranked 179th in the world, 79th in North America, and 76th in the United States based on the aggregated prominence of its alumni. This article will explore some of the most notable alumni who have walked the halls of this esteemed institution.
Politics and Law
The University of South Carolina has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the political and legal arenas. Several alumni have served in prominent government positions, shaping policy and contributing to public service.
Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in American politics, graduated from the University of South Carolina - Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in 1977 and a Juris Doctor in 1981. He has served as the senior United States Senator from South Carolina since 2003 and chaired the Senate Committee on the Judiciary from 2019 to 2021.
Henry Dargan McMaster has served as the 117th governor of South Carolina since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 50th attorney general of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011 and the 91st lieutenant governor of South Carolina from 2015 to 2017 under Governor Nikki Haley.
Lee Atwater was an American political consultant and strategist for the Republican Party. He served as an adviser to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Atwater aroused controversy through his aggressive campaign tactics, especially the Southern strategy.
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Melvin Horace Purvis II was an FBI agent instrumental in capturing bank robbers John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd in 1934. All of this would later overshadow his military career which saw him directly involved with General George Patton, Hermann Göring, and the Nuremberg Trials.
Clementa Carlos Pinckney was an American politician and pastor who served as a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 45th District from 2000 until his death in 2015. He was previously a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1997 through 2000.
Josiah James Evans, Franklin Harper Elmore, William Harper, George McDuffie, Stephen Decatur Miller, William Campbell Preston and Robert Barnwell Rhett were United States Senators from South Carolina who attended the University of South Carolina.
David Wyatt Aiken, William Aiken, Milledge Luke Bonham, William Waters Boyce, John Bratton, William Huggins Brawley, Preston Smith Brooks, Joseph Raleigh Bryson, Sampson Hale Butler, William Butler, Patrick Calhoun Caldwell, Carroll Ashmore Campbell, Jr., John Campbell, Robert Blair Campbell, William Pegues Pollock and Thomas James Robertson were members of the United States House of Representatives who attended the University of South Carolina.
Arts and Entertainment
The University of South Carolina has also nurtured creative talents who have achieved recognition in the entertainment industry.
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Elle Fanning is an American actress who made her film debut as a child in "I Am Sam" (2001). She has since appeared in numerous films, including "Daddy Day Care" (2003), "Babel" (2006), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), and "Super 8" (2011).
Darius Rucker is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He gained fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina.
Ainsley Earhardt is an American conservative television host and author. She is a co-host of Fox & Friends.
Mike Colter is an American actor best known for his role as Luke Cage / Carl Lucas in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in the streaming television series Luke Cage (2016-2018), The Defenders (2017), and Jessica Jones (2015; 2019).
Bianca Nicole Blair Crawford is an American professional wrestler and fitness and figure competitor, signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Bianca Belair.
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Lilián Annette Garcia is an American ring announcer, singer, and podcaster. She is signed to WWE as a ring announcer for the SmackDown brand and also announces for the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Leeza Kim Gibbons is an American talk show host, best known as a correspondent and co-host for Entertainment Tonight (1984-2000) and for having her own syndicated daytime talk show, Leeza (1993-2000).
Stanley Donen was an American film director and choreographer. He received the Honorary Academy Award in 1998, and the Career Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2004. Four of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress.
Jasper Johns is an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker. Considered a central figure in the development of American postwar art, he has been variously associated with abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and pop art movements.
Chaz Bear, known professionally as Toro y Moi, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and graphic designer, often recognized as a spearhead of the chillwave genre in the 2010s.
Firdous Bamji is an Indian-born actor and writer.
Amos Lee is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock, and soul.
Athletics
The University of South Carolina has a strong athletic program, and many of its athletes have gone on to achieve success at the professional level. The University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1967 and has inducted 222 individuals since then.
Jadeveon Davarus Clowney is an American professional football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2014 NFL draft.
A'ja Riyadh Wilson is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Stephon Stiles Gilmore is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected tenth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL draft.
Daniel Edward Reeves was an American professional football running back and coach in the National Football League (NFL). During his 38 years in the NFL, Reeves participated in nine Super Bowls, the third most for an individual.
Alexander English is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and businessman.
Justin Kyle Smoak is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Francisco Giants and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.
Jackie Bradley Jr., nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals.
Aliyah Boston is an American professional basketball power forward and center for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and the AP Rookie of the Year.
Melvin Ingram III is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, earning All-American honors in 2011. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round with the 18th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft.
George Washington Rogers played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks
Sterling Sharpe played football for the South Carolina Gamecocks before a career in the NFL.
Other Fields
Dawn Therese Brancheau was an American animal trainer at SeaWorld. She worked with orcas at SeaWorld Orlando for fifteen years, including a leading role in revamping the Shamu show, and was SeaWorld's poster girl.
Cheslie Corrinne Kryst was an American television correspondent, model, and beauty pageant titleholder. She was also an attorney and a correspondent for the TV show Extra from October 2019 until her death.
William Kyle Carpenter is a medically retired United States Marine who received the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010.
James Marion Sims was an American physician in the field of surgery. His most famous work was the development of a surgical technique for the repair of vesicovaginal fistula, a severe complication of obstructed childbirth.
Zig Ziglar was an American author, salesman, and motivational speaker.
Bob McNair was an American businessman, philanthropist, and the founding owner of the National Football League's Houston Texans.
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