About 400 undergraduate and 70 graduate students received degrees in a ceremony at the College of Charleston’s TD Arena on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The number of master’s candidates nearly doubled from 2010 when 40 graduate students earned degrees.
Watch highlights of the ceremony.
“The College’s graduate programs utilize the resources found naturally throughout the Lowcountry,” says Dean Amy McCandless. “As a result, our programs continue to grow in popularity both with local working professionals and students relocating for our programs. We continue to witness considerable intellectual growth in Charleston. Our students appreciate the willingness of industry experts to share their experiences and knowledge, and often come back to the College as adjuncts to pass on that knowledge to another group of up and coming professionals.”
Robert “Bobby” M. Hitt III, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, delivered the commencement address telling the graduates, “Your contribution to the 32% of adults with four-year degrees helps build Charleston’s creative class, its manufacturing business savvy and its entrepreneurial spirit. Your talent is the backbone of a solid economy in this region, and our state as a whole.” On a lighter note, he said, “If you remember anything today, remember to thank those who have picked up the phone when you have called them for money over the past four years. Your support networks have helped you through the wild ride of college. You will always need them in life.”
Hitt 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 Columbia, Hitt 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 also received 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.
