Since 2025, Presbyterian College will be the permanent host of the S.C. Science Olympiad, a prestigious science competition for K-12 students in South Carolina. This event will draw hundreds of young scientists from all around the state to compete in various team-oriented activities on PC’s campus.
PC President Anita Gustafson expressed her excitement about hosting the Science Olympiad, stating that the college is proud to welcome students to campus and provide them with a space to challenge themselves and each other. The Science Olympiad holds significant importance to the Clinton community, with schools in Laurens County School District 56 consistently performing well in the competition.
At the middle school level in Division B, Bell Street Middle and Clinton Middle schools have won the state Science Olympiad 22 times in the past 38 years, maintaining a 17-year win streak between 2003 and 2019. At the high school level in Division C, Clinton High School has claimed 13 state championships.
District 56 Superintendent and temporary director David O’Shields expressed his excitement about PC becoming the permanent home of the Science Olympiad, calling it a “dream come true.” He highlighted PC’s strong science program and the addition of the School of Pharmacy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs as factors that make the college an ideal host. O’Shields also mentioned the community’s goal of turning Clinton into ‘Science City, S.C.,’ and believes that PC’s beautiful campus and talented professors will provide a great experience for students from across the state.
