Today more than 400 undergraduates and 65 graduate candidates received their diplomas from the College of Charleston. Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg, president of the Medical University of South Carolina, delivered the commencement address at TD Arena. A reception followed in the Cistern Yard.

This ceremony marked the first graduates of the dual Master of Science in Environmental Studies and Master of Public Administration, as well as the first graduate of the operations research graduate certificate (Jessica Rae King). Two students in the Graduate School of the College of Charleston also graduated with both a master’s degree and graduate certificate (Jessica King and Andrea Harris-Long). The largest number of master’s graduates came from the Master of Science in Environmental Studies (MES) program.

During the ceremony, Dr. Greenberg also received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. Nationally recognized for his research on cancer, Dr. Greenberg currently collaborates to improve health, advance medical research, and stimulate economic development.

An honorary degree is given to someone with an exceptional record of distinction and achievement in at least one of the following areas: scholarship, research, teaching, creative arts, and public service, or manifests outstanding acclaim to the College. In addition, the College confers honorary degrees in recognition of outstanding intellectual or creative achievements in scholarship, high distinction in service to humanity, including meritorious contributions to the College or for exemplary leadership in education, business, public service, or other appropriate sector of society.

About the Commencement Speaker

Ray Greenberg had big shoes to fill when he became the president of the Medical University of South Carolina in 2000. The 44-year-old provost was replacing Jim Edwards, a former governor of South Carolina and a College of Charleston alumnus, who had presided over the state university, medical center and six medical colleges for 17 years.

Thirteen years later, thanks to Greenberg’s leadership, MUSC is recognized as a leading health and research university. Perhaps most important, he has continued MUSC’s core mission: the enhancement of health for residents of the Palmetto State. “The Medical University exists to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina and beyond,” says Greenberg. “It is to that end – preserving and optimizing human life – that remains the benchmark against which we must measure our progress.”

About the College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. With more than 11,000 students, the College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.