USC Alumni Awards
Each year the Alumni Association has the great honor of celebrating the best and brightest alumni and friends of the university with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Outstanding Black Alumni Award, the Outstanding Veteran Alumni Award, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the Honorary Life Membership Award. In addition, the President of the Association’s Board of Governors bestows the Bethea Volunteer Service Award at the end of their term, every two years. These awards are the highest honors reflecting the ideals cherished by South Carolinians that include service, integrity, character and leadership.
2023 Award Nominations
Applications closed April 1, 2023.
2022 Award Winners
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award
Peter McCausland
A native of Philadelphia, Peter McCausland graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1974. He graduated, cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1974. A gentleman farmer and philanthropist, Peter and his wife Bonnie have two children and six grandchildren.
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Donna Walker
Following in the footsteps of her parents, Donna J. Walker graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and her master’s in business administration. Donna began her career working with her dad as a pharmacist at Cedar Terrace Pharmacy in Columbia, S.C.
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James and Elaine Johnson
James B. Johnson, Jr. and Elaine M. Johnson established The Ann Johnson Institute (AJI) for Science, Technology and Society at the University of South Carolina, in honor of their late daughter, Ann. The AJI was established in 2017 and is dedicated to building diverse communities for the study of technology, medicine and science in past and present societies.
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Outstanding Black Alumni
Anton Gunn
Anton Gunn is a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and a leading expert on Socially Conscious Leadership. Early in his career, he was the first African American from his district elected to the South Carolina Legislature.
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Outstanding Veteran Alumni Award
Brigadier General Andrew Gainey
Brigadier General Andrew C. Gainey is currently serving as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations of the 3rd (French) Division in Marseille, France. Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1992, he was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and has since served in a variety of key leadership positions throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
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Justin Williams
Justin Thomas Williams grew up on his family’s farm in Wagener, SC. After graduating from Wagener-Salley High School, Justin attended the University of South Carolina for his undergraduate studies because he believed USC would provide the best opportunity for him to reach his full potential.
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Bethea Volunteer Service Award
Deepal Eliatamby
Deepal S. Eliatamby, P.E., SCCED is the President of Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc., a professional engineering firm with offices in Bluffton, Charleston, Columbia & Greenville, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. has been recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Companies Head Quartered in South Carolina by SCBiz News’s Roaring Twenties recognition program.
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