The University of South Carolina Aiken held its December Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2023 on Thursday evening at its Convocation Center, awarding more than 300 graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
“I take great pride in knowing that you now go forth into our community to build successful careers and compose amazing lives,” said Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann to the degree candidates in his opening address. “Based on the foundations laid by those above you, strengthened by your early education and sharpening home at USC Aiken.”
ROTC Cadet Jason Fallaw swore the Oath of Commissioned Officers to begin his commission into the United States Army as a second lieutenant, by Lt. Col. Matthew Miller. Per military tradition for his rank, 2nd Lt. Fallaw presented his father with the traditional silver dollar in symbolic exchange for his first salute.
As part of the commencement exercises, the school honored graduating senior Harshi Lodha Jain with the Outstanding Senior Award. Jain, a dean’s list student throughout her two years at USC Aiken, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in business administration with a marketing concentration, as well as a bachelor’s in psychology, with a focus on social psychology.
The commencement speaker was Brandon Baskett, a 2012 alumnus from the School of Education with a doctorate in Education Leadership. In his presentation, he summarized his own story as a former USCA student, from his first day as a freshman in August of 2007, to his time as a student teacher at Silver Bluff High School, through his current role as the director of Lexington County School District One’s The College Center program, which assists first-generation college students.
Baskett encouraged the graduating students to be mindful of their individual paths, to be wary of comparisons and imposter syndrome and to craft a vision for their lives and careers.
“Wherever you are, embrace there,” he said. “Don’t dwell in the past, try to live in the future. There was a time when you looked forward to this very moment.”
Baskett concluded his talk with a quote by writer James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Two graduates received their Master of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology, and 84 received a Master of Business Administration. Another 54 will begin work as registered nurses, while 18 will go into teaching K-12.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
