Parent and Family News- June 2021

Volume 3 - Issue 10, June 2021 Spring Semester

In This Issue:

Dr. Daniel Heimmermann Named Chancellor

Dr. Daniel Heimmermann Named UofSC Aiken Chancellor

The university is pleased to announce that following a national search, which produced more than 100 applications, Daniel Heimmermann, Ph.D., will be the next chancellor. Heimmermann currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at The University of Texas Permian Basin (UT Permian Basin), a position he’s held since 2014. Prior to that, he served at the same capacity at Mississippi University for Women. The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved the appointment at its meeting on Friday, April 9. Dr. Heimmermann will assume leadership of UofSC Aiken effective July 1, 2021.

For more information click here.

Celebrating the Class of 2021

The university celebrated its newest alumni during spring commencement on May 5. To allow for social distancing, two ceremonies took place at the Convocation Center. During the first ceremony, graduates receiving degrees in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science were honored. At the second ceremony, those receiving degrees in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Education got their recognition. William H. "Bill" Tucker, a senior partner in the law office of Hull Barrett P.C. in Aiken, was awarded an honorary degree during the second ceremony. The degree was awarded in honor of his decades-long commitment to the legal profession, his lifelong volunteer service to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Aiken community, and for his stalwart support of higher education and philanthropy.

Belle Wheelen, president and CEO of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges, delivered the commencement address at both ceremonies. Wheelen is the first African American and the first woman to serve as president and CEO of SACSCOC. Her career in higher education spans more than four decades and includes roles as a faculty member, chief student services officer, provost, college president, and secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In several of those roles, she was the first person who is Black or a woman to serve. Read more on on Dr. Belle Wheelen here.

A recording of both ceremonies can be viewed here.

Spring 2021 Outstanding Senior Student

Grace Fulton was selected as the Outstanding Senior for spring 2021. Fulton is a model student who has demonstrated a solid dedication to her education, as evidenced by her 4.0 GPA and deep level of intellectual curiosity.

Fulton has been praised for her academic interest and performance by communication instructors. She's described as a confident student who completes whatever assignment is placed in front of her with excellent effort and academic thought.

Fulton has been further described as an adaptable, empathetic, and hardworking individual. She is a true leader in the classroom who provides excellent contributions to class discussions and demonstrates the highest research, analysis, and introspection levels. Such skills allowed her to excel both in and outside the classroom. She participated in several research opportunities and internships throughout her college career, including an independent study where she examined 2020 South Carolina election advertisements.

In addition to academics, equestrian opportunities have been a defining feature of Fulton's university experience. She has been a member of the eventing team since fall 2017 and has served as the team's president since fall 2020. Additionally, Fulton has served as team captain for the women's polo team for the past two years after helping revitalize the group. She shares her polo expertise with others through her coaching work with Aiken Youth Polo. These significant contributions have made her a well-respected member of the local equestrian community.

Throughout her time at the university, Fulton's strong leadership abilities have made her a valuable member of several other student organizations such as the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Chancellor's Ambassadors.

Fulton plans to pursue graduate work in political communication to encourage more spaces and opportunities for marginalized voices.

COVID 19 Update: Masks to become Optional

Beginning June 1, 2021 face masks will be optional on campus for summer programs and campers.

Last summer, the university implemented a mitigation plan, called Ready, Set, Return. This plan was updated in December as information about COVID-19 expanded and state guidelines were rolled out.

The university is ready to move forward in updating the plan for a third time to include information about vaccines and the latest requirements issued by the state.

A team of university representatives will work with the COVID Coordinators to discuss updates to the plan and come up with recommendations for how the campus should proceed when more is known about the limits of the vaccine.

This month, the group will update the plan while keeping in mind requirements issued from the Governor's Office, the Statehouse, the Office of State Administration, and recommendations from CDC and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental (SCDHEC).

The university advises that anyone visiting campus should refer to CDC guidelines regarding circumstances when one should wear a mask. Additional information will be forthcoming from the COVID Coordinators as we make this modification to our guidelines.

To view the current Ready, Set, Return plan, visit: https://www.usca.edu/pacer-ready/

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UofSC Aiken Student Leader Podcast

I hope you enjoyed the Parent and Family Relations Podcast this semester. We recognized student leaders who have made a big impact across campus. We also discussed how students can be involved on campus and upcoming events for all students. Please take time to listen to all the great students from the semester.

Click here for Podcast

UofSC Aiken and DHEC Provide

Free COVID-19 Testing Site

Free drive-up COVID-19 testing continues for all UofSC Aiken students, faculty, staff, and the greater Aiken community.

Testing site and guidelines:

Testing is conducted six days a week - Wednesday through Monday, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The Convocation Center parking lot located at 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, provides two drive-through testing lanes.
No insurance card is needed, but you will need to present a driver’s license or UofSC Aiken ID.
No insurance card needed, but you do need a driver's license or UofSC Aiken ID.
SC DHEC (SC Department of Health and Environmental Control) will provide trained staff to administer the test. They will follow all HIPAA guidelines and regulations.
SC DHEC will analyze and provide results of testing within 24-48 hours of testing
A pre-registration link is available for your convenience. It is rrtesting.com/uscaiken.
For more information, please contact Mr. Deri Wills at Deriw@usca.edu or 803-641-3787.

Please continue to revisit Ready, Set, Return, our comprehensive, campus-wide mitigation plan. The revision date appears on the front cover when new information is added.

Updates on the campus’s condition will be reflected on the dashboard each Friday and will cover weekly updates on Thursday evening each week.