News Summary
University of South Carolina Beaufort celebrated a record-breaking graduation ceremony at its Bluffton campus, with 318 new graduates earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Chancellor Al M. Panu praised the graduates for overcoming challenges, and the event drew over 2,500 attendees. Notable graduates included those pursuing careers in diverse fields such as psychology, nursing, and journalism. The ceremony honored Physician Holton Tim Pearce, Jr. with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to the community. This milestone reflects USCB’s growing reputation in the Lowcountry region.
Bluffton, South Carolina – The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) celebrated its Spring 2025 commencement on May 2, 2025, achieving a record-breaking graduating class of 318 bachelor’s degree candidates. This milestone represents the largest cohort to complete their degrees in the university’s history, highlighting USCB’s growing reputation and commitment to education in the region.
Chancellor Al M. Panu acknowledged the accomplishments of the graduates, emphasizing that each individual’s journey involved overcoming significant challenges. This year’s ceremony took place at the Bluffton campus and attracted over 2,500 family members and friends, marking a significant occasion for the university community.
The graduating class exhibited a diverse array of academic achievements, with the highest number of degrees conferred in the following majors: Psychoogy, Nursing, Business Administration, Biology, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Other in-demand fields included Public Health, Communication Studies, Computational Science, and Hospitality Management. Additionally, three master’s degrees were awarded—two in Computational Science and one in Literacy, further underscoring USCB’s academic breadth.
As part of the ceremony, Physician Holton Tim Pearce, Jr. was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service for his longstanding contributions as a distinguished surgeon and community leader. Pearce has served as a member of the Beaufort-Jasper Higher Education Commission since 1996 and has been its chair since 2011. In recognition of his dedicated service, he was also named the 2025 Physician of the Year by the South Carolina Medical Association.
In a meaningful gesture, Chancellor Jane Upshaw presented autographed prints of artwork depicting USCB to honorary degree recipients Emory Shaw Campbell and Colden Rhind Battey Jr. during the event. Campbell also delivered the commencement address, where he inspired graduates to embrace cultural values and collaborate in their future endeavors.
Among the notable graduates recognized for their exceptional achievements were:
- Stasha Spencer, who will teach ESOL classes at three elementary schools.
- Michael Powell, who switched from biology to medical research, aiming for an MD/PhD.
- Lee Fair, who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in Computational Science.
- Amanda Morgan, who tutored over 100 business students.
- Carolyn Roberts, an active participant in the business program and club.
- Stefny Ankney, an English major managing USCB’s Facebook site and authoring a notable thesis.
- Luke Kerr-Dineen, who completed internships at USA Today and Newsweek & Daily Beast, and is pursuing a Master’s in Journalism at Columbia University.
- Karen Devore, who conducted research for her history thesis in Washington D.C. while caring for her child.
- Othel Plowden, who organized a fundraiser for students’ professional development in Hospitality Management.
- Sarah Legg, transitioning from banking to Human Services.
- Brandon Wells, a military veteran, pursuing a Master’s in Divinity.
- Christopher Roach, aspiring to own an organic restaurant.
- Amanda Henry, shifting from journalism to nursing, earning her BSN.
- Jennifer Dolin, a psychology major accepted into a graduate program at the University of Massachusetts.
- Christine Brown, the first Sociology major to graduate from USCB, aiming for a career in social services.
- Merril Alshizer, pursuing a BA in Spanish for enhanced job prospects in government.
- Payton Frazier, recognized with the Studio Art award for her artistic talents.
The ceremony was presided over by Harris Pastides, President of the University of South Carolina, marking a historic day for USCB. This year’s commencement event not only celebrated individual achievements but also reflected the university’s dedication to fostering educational success and community engagement in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today: USCB Celebrates Largest Commencement Ceremony
- Wikipedia: University of South Carolina Beaufort
- WSAV: USCB Graduation to Impact Traffic Friday
- Google Search: University of South Carolina Beaufort graduation
- Island Packet: Local News on USCB Graduation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Graduation
- Your Island News: New USCB Mace Represents the Lowcountry
- Google News: USCB graduation
- Bluffton Today: USCB Graduates 340 Students Class of 2016
