2020 COMMENCEMENT
No moment in your years as a University of South Carolina student is as meaningful as commencement. Wherever you are right now, this moment is one you began earning during your first moments on campus and one that refuses to concede to life’s curveballs and challenges. You put your spurs up and made it!
There may not be an arena or the familiar closeness of your fellow classmates, but the Class of 2020 is graduating on the biggest stage we’ve ever built. We welcome the world to our celebration of all you’ve accomplished in your time as a student at the University of South Carolina.
Let’s get started.
Order of the Ceremony
President Robert L. Caslen Jr. presides over the the university’s official commencement exercises which include his special remarks, as well as commencement and student addresses, vocal performances and, as always, South Carolina’s time-honored tradition of honoring each degree candidate individually.
- Processional
- National Anthem
- Welcome Remarks, President Caslen
- Student Speaker, Madison Shienker
- Commencement Address, Coach Staley
- Candidate Presentation and Degree Conferral
- Recognition of Graduates
- Alumni Message, Robert Dozier
- Closing Remarks, President Caslen
- Alma Mater
- Recessional
- Special Messages from Cocky, Luke Rankin and Anna Cofie
Processional
Commencement begins as 2020-21 Student Body President Issy Rushton carries the university mace to signal that the proceedings are coming to order.
National Anthem
The School of Music’s Rebecca Loar, 2020 D.M.A., performance, sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Welcome Remarks
President Robert L. Caslen Jr. welcomes you to the 2020 Commencement Exercises and congratulates the Class of 2020 for their commitment and accomplishments as students.
When we leave here today we will all be off in different directions. One thing always keeps us together — this place we have come to call home.
Madison Shienker, 2020 B.A. public relations, College of Information and Communications
Commencement Address
UofSC Women's Basketball Head Coach and USA Basketball Coach Dawn Staley urges the Class of 2020 to find the opportunities in this unusual time in American history. She believes you're prepared to do more than stand at history's door — you're ready to meet the moment.
Candidate Presentation and Degree Conferral
On behalf of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Board of Trustees and the faculty of the University of South Carolina, Provost William F. Tate IV presents candidates for degree conferral by President Caslen.
Graduates of the Class of 2020
Join us to honor 2020 graduates as they graduate to alumni of the University of South Carolina. Find your graduate’s personalized degree acknowledgment by visiting the link of their degree-granting college or school. Names are alphabetized by last name within each school.
- South Carolina Honors College 00:01:12
- College of Arts and Sciences 00:01:20
- School of Law 02:02:08
- College of Education 02:18:53
- College of Pharmacy 02:48:45
- College of Engineering and Computing 03:01:15
- Darla Moore School of Business 03:50:58
- College of Information and Communications 05:31:31
- College of Social Work 06:05:30
- College of Nursing 06:19:10
- College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management 06:36:14
- Arnold School of Public Health 07:23:15
- School of Music 08:10:55
- Palmetto College 08:18:09
Recognition of Graduates
Enter Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time as a graduate to see your personal degree acknowledgement and that of your fellow classmates come to life. Use the links above to view graduates by degree-granting college or school.
You are joining a network of nearly 300,000 alumni who are collectively and individually making a difference in our world.
Robert Dozier, UofSC Alumni Association past president
Closing Remarks
President Caslen officially welcomes the newest University of South Carolina graduates to our alumni community, which includes Gamecocks living and working throughout the world.
Alma Mater
Caroline Lee Miller, 2020 M.A., performance, from the School of Music performs the University of South Carolina alma mater.
Recessional
Graduate Student Association President Maggie Carson retires the mace, concluding the 2020 commencement exercises.
Special Messages to the Class of 2020 Graduates
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From Cocky
Before you spread your wings and fly, take a look back at the last four years with Cocky.
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From Luke Rankin
A parting message — and spurs up — from your 2020 student body president.
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From Anna Cofie
Your 2020 GSA president urges you to paint your canvases and work together toward a better tomorrow.