In the 1960s, the citizens of Union formed the Union County Commission for Higher Education to attract a college to their area. The University of South Carolina sought to expand its reach throughout the state and agreed to build an extension campus in Union. Classes began at the campus in 1965 with an initial enrollment of 51 students.
Athletics
USC Union's athletics department, USC Union Bantam Athletics (or simply Bantam Athletics), is home to a variety of competitive sports teams including men's soccer and baseball as well as women's volleyball and softball, all of which compete at the junior college level. Bantam Athletics also has a rifle team, a bass fishing team, and e-sports gaming which compete at the club level.[4]
Clubs and Organizations
USC Union has a number of student organizations:[5]
Created and directed by Randall Ivey, the Upcountry Literary Festival allows poets, musicians, storytellers, playwrights, essayists, and short-story writers the opportunity to gather and share their works. It was held virtually in 2021.[6][7]