Announcement
May 11, 2021
Charlamagne Tha God urges SC State grads to be
‘necessary’ during Spring 2021 Commencement
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Oliver C. Dawson stadium was filled with applause as graduates walked across the stage on Friday, May 7. Approximately 250 graduates from undergrad and graduate programs received their degrees and were honored for their academic accomplishments at South Carolina State University.
“To whom much is given, much is required. We have high expectations of you,” SC State President James E. Clark said as he congratulated the university’s newest alumni. “We look forward to you taking to the global stage and becoming leaders in your fields, your community and society as a whole. When you are met with adversity, it will be the Bulldog tenacity that will see you through.”
 
Over the past year, many students had to deal with the difficult transitions of the COVID-19 pandemic but were still able to push to the end and receive their degrees.
“I am just so excited that I graduated today,” said April Finley, 39, who received her education specialist degree in administration. “I ended up at SC State because everybody that I worked with in education is a graduate of State. I had never heard of State before, I’m from Georgia, but I just fell in love with the school and I just desired to become a bulldog.”

Students who received a 4.0 GPA were also recognized and will each be rewarded with  a $5,000 stipend to celebrate their achievements. Those students are Andjela Mihajlovic with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Kiera Simmons with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology, and Megan Swirczek with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology.

The university also recognized returning graduates whose commencement ceremonies were conducted virtually in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Lenard Larry McKelvey, known professionally as “Charlamagne Tha God,” speaks at SC State.
Multimedia mogul and cultural icon, Lenard Larry McKelvey, known professionally as “Charlamagne Tha God,” served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Charlamagne, native of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, is one of the most influential voices of this generation and cohost for The Breakfast Club, one of the nation’s top-rated Hip Hop and R&B radio shows.

“Each and every one of you is necessary. The reason you’re necessary is because with the certification that you have worked for, the certification that you have earned, the certification that you are leaving with today is equipping you to go out into the world and serve,” Charlamagne said.

He spoke on the value of being a public servant and giving back. He emphasized the
importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their contributions to the prosperity of the black community.
“Nothing will scare the world more than educated sisters and brothers who are proud to be black, moving together as one. Unity and group operation is necessary. Pride in your blackness is necessary. You, the 2020 and 2021 graduating class of South Carolina State University, are necessary,” Charlamagne said.

Charlamagne explained how his career started as a radio host for several stations including Hot103.9 in Columbia, SC. Since then, he has become a great voice and representative of his hometown and for the state of South Carolina. He has also been a contributor to the university as he established The Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund by contributing $250,000 to S.C. State’s Alumni Association in 2019 to honor his mother and grandmother. His mother, a 1975 SC State alumna, was on hand for her son’s speech.

The university honored both Charlamagne and SC State Alumnus Armstrong Williams with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees during Friday’s ceremony. Williams is founder and CEO of Howard Stirk Holdings and host of the Armstrong Williams Show.
Shawn Blue, Armstrong Williams, Danielle Riley and Cameron Allen
“College to me is the best preparation for life. It teaches you how to resolve conflict and work as a team, but also how to enjoy the things of life,” Williams said before the ceremony. “I love that we have the Howard Stirk Holdings Journalism Foundation for these young, thriving broadcasters and entrepreneurs. To be with them today and see them in their regalia, and their gowns and hats, and to see that they’re graduating, there’s such a peace.”
Along with being known for his history and experience in the television industry, Williams started the Howard Stirk Holding and D.C. Opportunity Media Scholarships. In March 2017, he also donated $250,000 to his alma mater.

This spring’s graduating Armstrong Williams Scholars were Cameron Allen, Danielle Riley and Shawn Blue.

“It meant a lot to be an Armstrong Williams Scholar and to go through the whole process and be selected for my GPA and my work,” said Allen, 22, a Mount Pleasant, South Carolina resident planning a career in broadcasting or social media management and marketing. “It’s been reflected and proven that I have a really good work ethic through being chosen for that scholarship. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity, for the funds, even to be at this school, this illustrious HBCU, South Carolina State University.”

Media Contact
Allie Harris-Beeks
Communications Specialist
SC State University

 
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About South Carolina State University
Founded in 1896 as a land grant institution with a mission of providing service to the citizens of the state, South Carolina State University has evolved from a small teachers’ college into a major University center of learning and research. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., South Carolina State offers more than 50 different fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels. South Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools.