Conference Overview
The conference begins Friday evening, March 27, with a mixer and hors d’oeuvres in the Science & Technology Building foyer. Saturday’s program includes welcome remarks, department history presentations, an invited talk by Professor Bin Yu of UC Berkeley, alumni talks, a campus tour and an evening banquet.
Most talks will be held in the Science & Technology Building on the USC campus, near the corner of Main Street and Greene Street.
Conference Agenda
Friday, March 27, 2026
Friday evening features a mixer with hors d’oeuvres in the Science & Technology Building foyer.
- 6:00–8:00 p.m. — Mixer with Hors D’oeuvres
S&T Foyer
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Saturday’s program includes department history talks, an invited lecture, alumni presentations, a group photo, a department and campus tour, and a banquet in the Carolina Room at Capstone.
- 8:00–9:00 a.m. — Registration / Continental Breakfast
S&T 351 - 9:00–9:45 a.m. — Welcome Remarks
David Hitchcock, Organizing Committee
Carl Dahlman, Associate Dean, McCausland College of Arts & Sciences
Edsel Peña, Department Chair
Joshua Tebbs, Professor
S&T 351 - 9:45–10:15 a.m. — Founding and History of Department: pre-1985 to 2001
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Joe Padgett
S&T 351 - 10:15–10:45 a.m. — Founding and History of Department: 2002–present
Professor David Hitchcock
S&T 351 - 10:45–11:00 a.m. — Break
S&T 351 - 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Invited Talk: Bridging the Gap: A Comprehensive Approach to Responsible Data Science
Education
Professor Bin Yu (UC Berkeley)
S&T 351 - 12:00–1:15 p.m. — Boxed Lunch
S&T Building - 1:15–1:25 p.m. — Group Picture
Front of S&T Building - 1:30–1:50 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part One
Chris McMahan, Clemson University
S&T 351 - 1:50–2:10 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part One
Wen Cheng, HotelSHIFT
S&T 351 - 2:10–2:30 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part One
Akim Adekpedjou, Missouri University of Science & Technology
S&T 351 - 2:30–2:50 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part One
Beth Walters, University of South Carolina
S&T 351 - 2:50–3:00 p.m. — Q&A Session
S&T 351 - 3:00–3:30 p.m. — Break
S&T 351 - 3:30–3:50 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part Two
Josh Habiger, Oklahoma State University
S&T 351 - 3:50–4:10 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part Two
Bereket Kindo, Kentro
S&T 351 - 4:10–4:30 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part Two
Laura Taylor, Elon University
S&T 351 - 4:30–4:50 p.m. — Alumni Talks: Part Two
Alex McLain, University of South Carolina
S&T 351 - 4:50–5:00 p.m. — Q&A Session
S&T 351 - 5:00–6:00 p.m. — Tour of Department / Campus
In and Near LeConte College - 6:30–9:00 p.m. — Banquet with After-Dinner Remarks
Distinguished Former Faculty: John Spurrier, Don Edwards, John Grego and Lori Thombs
Capstone Building, Carolina Room
Location Information
Most conference events will take place in the Science & Technology Building. Additional events are scheduled in and near LeConte College and at the Capstone Building. The conference program includes campus maps for all three locations.
- Science & Technology Building — main conference sessions
- LeConte College area — department/campus tour
- Capstone Building, Carolina Room — banquet and after-dinner remarks
Campus Map
Get your bearings, find your way to and around campus and check the current shuttle bus locations with the university's interactive campus map.