The College of Charleston awarded degrees to over 2,000 graduates during the 2017 Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 12-13, 2017.
While Friday’s ceremony was held in the Cistern Yard, inclement weather forced the school to move the two ceremonies on Saturday to the College’s TD Arena.
Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, left, President Glenn F. McConnell and Kenneth “Mace” Brown at Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Colbert-Busch and Brown both received honorary degrees.
As part of a new tradition announced earlier this year, three College of Charleston alumni delivered the commencement addresses to the graduates.
RELATED: Hear what the graduates had to say about their time at CofC.
Dr. Sam Stafford III ‘68, a physician and former president of the CofC Alumni Association, was the commencement speaker on Friday.
Elizabeth Colbert-Busch ‘79 the director of business development at Clemson University’s Restoration Institute, addressed the graduates at the Saturday morning ceremony.
John Alessi ’98, CEO of Whip-It Inventions, was the speaker at the Saturday afternoon ceremony.
The College also presented honorary degrees to the following individuals:
- Mr. and Mrs. Harry (Reba Kinne) Huge, Harry and Reba Huge Foundation
- Kenneth “Mace” Brown, certified financial consultant and underwriter
- Edward L. Thomas, Jr. ’76, dentistry, posthumously
- James L. Felder, author and former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell ’69 praised the Class of 2017 for their years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication.
“The road here was not easy,” said McConnell. “It was never intended to be. A College of Charleston education is not for the faint of heart. Our faculty challenged you, demanded the best of you, pushed you to think clearly, deeply and independently. You weathered those tests and have proven yourself indeed worthy of a College of Charleston degree.”
Five students graduated from the College with perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
