(Photo courtesy of Boeing)

Following the U.S.-UK trade agreement, the holding company for British Airways and several other carriers announced plans to acquire a total of 71 Boeing and Airbus aircraft at up to $22 billion, to update its fleet and expand transatlantic service, the trade publication American Machinist reported.

In its Q1 results for 2025, International Airlines Group, or IAG, said it has ordered 53 aircraft for its medium-term long-haul fleet requirements.

The Group said it has ordered 21 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and 32 Boeing 787-10 aircraft for delivery from 2028 to 2033. The aircraft are mainly for replacement, with around one third for growth in IAG's core markets.

Boeing South Carolina is the home of the 787 Dreamliner.

Teammates fabricate, assemble and deliver the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 to customers all over the world.

Formed in January 2011, IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, LEVEL, IAG Loyalty and IAG Cargo.

It is a Spanish registered company with shares trading on the London and Spanish stock exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK. 

MUSC Health in collaboration with Intuitive Health will expand access to immediate medical care across South Carolina through the development of several state-of-the-art emergency rooms (ERs) offering combined emergency and urgent care services.

“This partnership is a significant step forward in redefining how care is delivered in our communities,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health CEO and executive vice president for Health Affairs, University.

Cawley added, “By integrating emergency and urgent care services, we are ensuring that our patients receive comprehensive, high-quality treatment promptly, without the stress of having to decide the level of care they require.”

Studies have shown that a significant number of ER visits are for nonemergency health concerns that could be effectively managed in an urgent care setting.

To address this, MUSC Health and Intuitive Health are launching a combined emergency room and urgent care model that officials say simplifies patient decision-making.

Patients will be triaged upon arrival and provided with the appropriate level of care by emergency-trained staff in a fully equipped facility, which will also accommodate EMS and ambulances.

“We are excited to collaborate with MUSC to bring a transformative health care solution to communities throughout South Carolina,” said Thom Herrmann, CEO of Intuitive Health.

Herrmann added, “By combining ER and urgent care under one roof, we are providing patients with a seamless, cost-effective way to receive the right level of care without the confusion or financial burden of choosing between emergency and urgent care services.” 

Officials said the partnership is further strengthened with the inclusion of Tidelands Health and Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Those institutions will join forces with MUSC Health and Intuitive Health to extend the reach of these combination facilities, further enhancing access to quality care, the officials said.

Wofford College President Nayef Samhat announced he will step down at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, following 13 years of transformational advancement in the college’s academic, cultural and physical landscape.

“President Nayef Samhat is leaving Wofford College in an excellent position. By every metric — academic rigor, new student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, fiscal strength and student, alumni and parent engagement — Wofford College is thriving,” said Christopher A.P. Carpenter, Wofford Class of 1990 and chairman of the college’s board of trustees.

Carpenter added, “President Samhat has an unparalleled understanding of higher education, and he has led with a deep commitment to student access and success, integrity and a focus on the college’s mission and core values. The Wofford College Board of Trustees is grateful for his service.”

Samhat assumed the presidency in 2013.

Under his leadership, the college has completed:

* Two strategic visioning processes.

* A record $470 million comprehensive fund-raising campaign, including endowment growth of over $300 million (the total is now more than $485 million). That endowment growth enabled the college to significantly increase support for high-impact, experiential learning in the areas of study abroad, mentored research, internships and community-based learning.

* Construction of eight campus facilities: the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts, the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium, the Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village, Jerome Johnson Richardson Hall, Milliken House in the Northside Station, Cumming Street parking/tailgate lot, the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies and Hope Field, a new softball stadium.

* Major renovation of 12 facilities, including: the Mungo Student Center, Sandor Teszler Library, Burwell Building dining hall, the Richardson Physical Activities Building, the Blackwell-Quattlebaum Center for Wellness and Counseling Services, the Keisler Family Building in the Reeves Tennis Center, Marsh and Greene residence halls, Jeremiah Tate Track at Snyder Field and the Kang Center.

* Acquisition of property surrounding the campus and in the Glendale community near the Goodall Environmental Studies Center.

* Addition of two women’s sports: lacrosse and softball.

* SACSCOC reaccreditation.

* New marketing and branding initiatives and many other plans, programs and grants that built community, boosted sustainability, championed the liberal arts and enhanced the educational experience for all students.

Wofford is now ranked among the top national liberal arts colleges, recognized for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, value and supportive alumni network.

Samhat has served as chair of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges and on the SACSCOC and IES boards of directors.

Other past national service includes the Council of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities boards of directors, as well as serving on the NCAA Division I board of directors and the NCAA board of governors, including service on the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum and as a mentor for the NCAA Pathway Program.

Samhat’s academic interests include international relations theory, international political economy and the politics of the Middle East, especially international relations in the Middle East.

He has contributed articles, papers, reviews and essays on these and other topics. Samhat is also a staunch advocate of the liberal arts educational experience and has been a national presenter, panelist and commentator on the subject. 

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Samhat holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University School of International and Public Affairs, a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University.

Samhat came to Wofford after serving as provost and professor of political science and international studies at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

Prior to his time at Kenyon, he was the Frank B. and Virginia B. Hower Associate Professor of Government and International Studies and an associate dean at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.

Said Samhat: “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues on the board of trustees, an outstanding senior leadership team, a dedicated faculty and staff, and our wonderful students and alumni for welcoming us and working together to advance our college. Serving as the 11th president of Wofford College has been a singular honor and a great privilege.”

The Wofford College Board of Trustees has initiated a national search for its 12th president.

A search committee comprising trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni will be announced in the coming weeks.

The goal is to name a new president by May 2026.

Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Help recognize excellence in South Carolina’s business community.

The nomination period for the SC Best in Business Awards 2025 is officially underway, and we invite you to nominate the companies and professionals who are setting the standard for quality, innovation, and service across the Palmetto State.

From outstanding restaurants and retail establishments to financial firms, healthcare providers, and entrepreneurs — this is your opportunity to highlight the businesses that make a lasting impact on your community.

Nominations are open through June 8

You may submit one nomination per category per day.
Businesses with the most nominations will move on to the official voting round.

Submit your nominations here

Your nomination can help elevate South Carolina’s best and brightest. Let’s honor the businesses leading the way in 2025.

#SCBestInBusiness #SupportLocalSC #NominateExcellence #SCVotes2025