University of South Carolina President, Robert L. "Bob" Caslen Jr., presides at each
commencement exercise. Official ceremonies include Carolina’s time-honored tradition
of honoring each degree candidate individually.
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