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University of south carolina
FAMOUSLY HUNGRY
T
wo years ago Laura Aboyan, ’05 public relations, won a contest from the Columbia Visitors Bureau for the state’s Restaurant Week. She had won 25 gift cards to restaurants, bars and cafes across the city.
But quickly her winnings became more than
a few nights out. Aboyan, a certification and assessment administrator in the College of Education, started documenting her brunches, lunches and dinners on a blog, The Hungry Lady. The idea took off. This year she released a book, “Columbia Food: A History of Cuisine in the Famously Hot City,” which details the delectable history of Columbia cuisine. What do you like most about blogging about food? “I love to eat and I like to try new things I wouldn’t otherwise.”
Zhùhè nín! Congratulations to the first group of stu-
What is something memorable from your time
dents to graduate from the International
tasting Columbia’s best cuisine?
Business and Chinese Enterprise program
“I’ve rediscovered beets. I fell in love with them.”
in the Darla Moore School of Business. The
Is it easy to find local, non-chain dining options in the city? “There are so many originals. Sometimes you have to dig to find a Columbia original, but more and more are popping up.”
innovative program features undergraduates from Chinese University of Hong Kong and USC who spent two years studying in Hong Kong and two years in Columbia. “These 31 students are true pioneers. Their courage and commitment is an enormous
What’s your favorite restaurant?: “I’d have to go with Terra in West Columbia. It was the first place I ate and it set the bar so high. The atmosphere, the food, the staff.” —Liz McCarthy
accomplishment that will serve them well throughout their lives. Their greatest asset is each other and the network of peers they have built,” says David Hudgens, director of the IBCE program.
USC MOM For years USC students have put Viki Sox Fecas’ number in their cell phones but not with her name. Typically she’s identified as “USC Mom.” Fecas’ nurturing spirit has been evident in all of her work with students — from teaching 28 sections of University 101 in the past 25 years to her job at the USC Career Center from which she retired in 2011. In both capacities, she helped guide a generation of students through the journey of preparing for college life, graduation and entry into professional
!
careers. “University 101 has offered me incredible opportunities for professional development and a way to challenge and support students,” said Fecas, who enrolled “Fecas was not just a professor to her stu-
in the course as a freshman in 1979. “Teaching University 101 is a neat way to
dents but guided us with care as a motherly
connect with students who are desperate to find their place in a large institution
figure. With me being so far away from
with someone who knows their names and understands the struggles they’re
home that sense of security she provided
going through.”
was very helpful and heartwarming.”
This year she was recognized as the Outstanding Teaching in University 101 winner. —Chris Horn
S CIENCE CORNER OH BABY! MAPPING THE INFANT BRAIN Six-month-old infants are beginning to develop brain areas that are extremely sensitive to faces and critical for recognizing familiar people. Psychology professor John Richards recently created the first infant brain atlas that consists of average MRIs from 3 – 12-months-old infants. The brain atlas is used to relate a MRI of an infant’s brain to the electrical brain activity when the baby looks at its mother’s face. The atlas identifies the specific brain area that generates the EEG, revealing the brain areas that may be important for a baby remembering its mother’s face.
uscTIMES Vol. 24, No.9 | May 9, 2013
USC Times is published 20 times a year for the faculty and staff of the University of South Carolina by the Division of Communications. Managing editor: Liz McCarthy Designer: Linda Dodge Contributors: Peggy Binette, Craig Brandhorst, Frenché Brewer, Glenn Hare, Thom Harman, Chris Horn, Page Ivey, Steven Powell, Megan Sexton, Jeff Stensland and Marshall Swanson Photographers: Kim Truett
To reach us: 803-777-2848 or lizmccarthy@sc.edu Campus correspondents: Patti McGrath, Aiken Candace Brasseur, Beaufort Shana Dry, Lancaster Jane Brewer, Salkehatchie Misty Hatfield, Sumter Tammy Whaley, Upstate Annie Smith, Union
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