South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Robert “Bobby” M. Hitt III will speak at the College of Charleston’s 2011 Winter Commencement. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the TD Arena (301 Meeting Street). Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. More than 400 undergraduate and 40 graduate students will receive degrees during the ceremony.
Robert “Bobby” M. Hitt III was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to serve as Secretary of Commerce in January 2011. Hitt most recently was manager of corporate affairs at the BMW Manufacturing Company in Spartanburg. He is a native of Charleston and graduate of the University of South Carolina. USC recognized him as Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2006.
As director of planning and development for the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough law firm in ColumbiaHitt was involved in bringing the BMW Manufacturing Company to the Upstate, one of the state’s largest success stories. He worked for 17 years at The State and The Columbia Record newspapers, and served as managing editor for three years. Hitt is the immediate past chairman of the S.C. Manufacturers’ Alliance, vice chairman of the Public Affairs Steering Committee for the Southeast Region of the National Association of Manufacturers and the immediate past president and tournament chairman of S.C. Charities Inc. (BMW Charity Pro-Am).
Hitt will also receive an honorary degree. 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.
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.
