More than 700 students were eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at Coastal Carolina University on Dec. 17, 2019, marking the last class of the decade to graduate from CCU. Ron Daise, vice president for creative education at Brookgreen Gardens, was the special speaker during the two commencement cerimonies. Daise used messages from Nick Jr.'s award-winning and internationally broadcasted television program "Gullah Gullah Island" to inspire and motivate the graduates and to remind them that this is only the beginning of their lifelong quest for knowledge. "Realize this day marks only the beginning of continued education. You have not yet reached the pinnacles of understanding, self-awareness, or wisdom. As said by Albert Einstein, 'intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.' Stay hungry for knowledge," said Daise. Daise is known by many as "Mr. Ron" on Nick Jr.'s award-winning and internationally broadcasted television program, "Gullah Gullah Island," for which he and his wife Natalie performed in starring roles. They also served as cultural consultants on the program. For more than 30 years, Daise has promoted awareness of Gullah Geechee culture and history. A cultural preservationist, performing artist, and educator, he has developed and presented stories, songs, and lectures about history, culture, and faith at museums, theaters, conferences, churches, and educational institutions across the country.

More than 445 students were eligible to participate in Coastal Carolina University's summer commencement program on Aug. 9. F. Eliza Glaze, Ph.D., a CCU history professor and the 2019 HTC Distinguished Teacher-Scholar Lecturer, gave the commencement address. Glaze spoke to students about success, saying that it is about more than finances. "We all need to earn enough to live, or even better, to establish some financial stability for ourselves and our loved ones. But even more than that, success is about doing something that we love and that is worthwhile to all."

Coastal Carolina University graduates are exactly what the world needs, according to commencement speaker and doctoral candidate Leigha Peterson. Peterson addressed the graduating class of 2019 - more than 1,200 students - during three separate commencement ceremonies at the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center May 10-11. "Whatever you are, put it out there," she said, "because it is better than good enough. It is exactly what the world needs!"

Coastal Carolina University held two commencement ceremonies on Dec. 14, and more than 700 students were eligible to participate. Ceremonies were held at 2 and 6 p.m. in the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center. Barbara Blain-Bellamy, mayor of Conway, S.C., was the speaker.

More than 380 students were eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at Coastal Carolina University on Aug. 3, 2018. English professor Jen E. Boyle, Ph.D., was the commencement speaker.

Approximately 1,183 students were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University's graduation exercises, held on campus at the HTC Student Recreation Center and Convocation Center in three separate ceremonies May 4-5.

A total of 718 students were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University's fall commencement, held in two ceremonies in the HTC Center on campus on Dec. 15. In his talk to Coastal Carolina University's fall 2017 graduation candidates, commencement speaker Luke Rankin shared advice given to him by his father. "As the years have gone by," said Rankin, who has served Horry County in the South Carolina State Senate since 1992, "I have learned that my father's three-word mantra is a profound philosophy of life. It's expressed in three simple words: observe, record and correlate. "Observe. Pay attention to the world.... Carefully observe the people you interact with every day, from the highest to the most humble, paying particular attention to the latter. Record. Remember what your observations have taught you. Note how can the mistakes you've made be avoided. Correlate. Weave those experiences, lessons and observations into your philosophy and the values you live by. Use that philosophy to forge your path through life to inform the way you treat others." Rankin was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Public Service at the ceremony. Area physicians Charles G. Sasser and Covia L. Stanley were both awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Science. Two graduating students received the President's Award for Academic Achievement, which recognizes students with the highest cumulative grade point averages. The recipients of the award all had perfect 4.0 grade point averages, graduating summa cum laude: Hattie Adeline Jordan, an economics major of Conway, S.C. and Madeline Anne Lee, a marine science major of Fredericksburg, Va.

Coastal Carolina University's held a commencement ceremony for an estimated 390 candidates for graduation Aug. 4, 2017, at the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center on campus. In his remarks, commencement speaker John Hutchens, biology professor and ecologist, encouraged graduates to take time in the future to interact with nature and with other people. "In today's high tech world we are often racing along at breakneck speed, but being outside slows you down and allows you to experience the rhythms of nature," said Hutchens. "You can actually hear yourself think and you can be a part of something bigger than yourself."

Eighty-one Coastal Carolina University students are graduating from the institution's Honors Program. Each graduate has completed a rigorous curriculum composed of at least 24 hours of honors work, including a final honors thesis/project achieving a cumulating grade point average of at least 3.50. The cumulative GPA of the spring graduating class is 3.79. Students presented their work in public forums more than 75 times at conferences or research competitions and have earned numerous awards.

Coastal Carolina University student recipients of the $5,000 bonus Board of Trustees Award, given to graduates who earn their degrees a year early, plan to use the money to pay down student loans, enter graduate school and get a head start on their careers. This is the first class that signed up for the accelerated degree program established by CCU's board of trustees in 2014. The program is open to all first-time freshmen entering CCU. Twenty graduates received the award for completing the program.

Coastal Carolina University's held commencement ceremonies for an estimated 1,145 candidates for graduation May 5 and 6, 2017, at the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center on campus. In her remarks to Coastal Carolina University's Class of 2017, commencement speaker Amber J. Campbell encouraged graduates to be true to themselves and their own course in life instead of relying too much on conventional wisdom. "Don't listen to 'they,' because 'they' will tell you all kinds of things," said Campbell, an Olympic athlete and 2004 CCU graduate. " 'They' don't always have your best interests at heart. 'They' will try to talk you out of your dream. 'They' will tell you that what you're pursuing doesn't make sense or that the career you chose is too obscure. Meanwhile, you might end up a three-time Olympian and travel the world!"

A total of 719 students were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University's fall 2016 commencement, compared to 595 in 2015 and 590 in 2014. Two ceremonies were held in the HTC Center on campus, one on Friday, Dec. 16 and one on Saturday, Dec. 17. Speaking to Coastal Carolina University's largest class of fall semester graduation candidates, commencement speaker Susan O'Malley advised the graduates to follow their passions. "If you follow you passion, you'll find your purpose," said O'Malley, who, following her own early goals, became the first female president of a professional sports franchise at age 29 when she assumed the leadership of the NBA's Washington Bullets (now the Wizards).

Approximately 1,100 students were graduation candidates for Coastal Carolina University's commencement ceremonies on May 6 and 7, 2016, at the HTC Center on campus. Grand Strand businessman and civic leader Dennis L. Wade was the speaker for the event, which consisted of four separate ceremonies.

Coastal Carolina University's held commencement ceremonies for an estimated 360 candidates for graduation Aug. 5, 2016, at the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center on campus. Speaker Robert Young congratulated the class for being the 'first CCU students ever to graduate from the number one university in the nation,' referencing the national College World Series baseball title CCU won on June 30. Young is professor of marine science and director of undergraduate research at CCU.

Approximately 600 candidates for graduation were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University's fall 2015 commencement ceremonies. South Carolina state superintendent of education Molly M. Spearman advised the Class of 2015 not to forget their roots as they go forward in their lives and careers.

Approximately 300 students were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University's summer graduation ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the HTC Center. Pam Martin, Ph.D., professor of politics and international relations, discussed the true value of their diplomas as they begin a new chapter in their lives and placed the new graduates' achievement in a global perspective. "Slightly under 7 percent of the world's population has the degree that you have earned today," she said. "Sixty percent of your fellow U.S. citizens do not have such a degree. Given these statistics, it is clear that you have something to celebrate today!"

More than 1,100 students were eligible for degrees at Coastal Carolina University's commencement May 9 at the HTC Center. Michael J. Gerson, a nationally syndicated political columnist and former aide to President George W. Bush, told graduates not to seek a sense of purpose in fame or worldly success. He advised students to "know who you are, be open to grace, and find the freedom to live lightly and generously." Six students were given the President's Award for having a 4.0 grade point average.

A total of 455 students marched in Coastal Carolina University's fall commencement ceremony Dec. 13, the largest group to participate in December graduation exercises at CCU. Approximately 590 total candidates were eligible to receive degrees. Commencement speaker Edgar L. Dyer, longtime CCU professor and administrator, spoke about the importance of universal public education in the advancement of free and civil societies.

The following students were candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees during the August 2014 commencement ceremony at Coastal Carolina University.

The following students were candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees during the May 2014 commencement ceremony at Coastal Carolina University.

Some 515 students were eligible for degrees at Coastal Carolina University's commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the HTC Center. Michael F. Clayton, recognized as one of the top intellectual property attorneys in the nation, was the speaker. He received the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, during the event. He urged graduates to balance their drive for commercial success with a goal to serve others.

Some 166 students walked across the stage at Coastal Carolina University's commencement exercises on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the HTC Center to receive their degrees. Approximately 300 students were eligible candidates for graduation.

Some 739 students walked across the stage at Coastal Carolina University's commencement exercises on Saturday, May 11, at Brooks Stadium. A total of 950 students were eligible candidates for graduation.

Approximately 400 candidates for graduation participated in commencement ceremonies at Coastal Carolina University's new HTC Center on Saturday, Dec. 15. The area graduates included: