University of South Carolina President, Dr. Harris Pastides, presides at each commencement
exercise. Official ceremonies include Carolina’s time-honored tradition of honoring
each degree candidate individually. The president also joins the dean of each college
or school to greet each candidate individually as his or her name is called.
Order of Exercises
The ceremony begins with a procession, led by the university mace, that includes representatives of the university faculties, university officials and deans, members of the Board of Trustees, distinguished guests and the president.
- National anthem
- Invocation
- Presidential opening remarks
- Conferring of honorary degrees
- Commencement address
- Presentation of degree candidates
- Conferring of degrees in course
- Benediction
- Alma mater
- Recessional