USC Aiken Grads Saluted During Convocation

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AIKEN, SC (12/15/2017) The University of South Carolina Aiken Alumni Association gained almost 250 more members following December convocation, which featured Kelly Cornish, Class of '89, as the guest speaker.

"Run your race with purpose and tenacity," Cornish told the graduate and undergraduate degree candidates.

"From this moment on, pursue your passion, be resilient, and strive for meaning in all that you do."

Cornish currently serves as TD Bank's Senior Vice President, Head of U.S. Diversity and Inclusion. She co-authored It's Work! How Will You Show Up? with Myron Rolle. In it, she offers professional and personal tips to help ensure success in the workplace.

Suggestions she shared with the graduating Pacers, included: always believe that every difficulty comes with a lot of opportunities; tap into your own passion; never think that you have no other choice; and find others who share your passion.

Among the December graduates, there were:

Number of degree candidates: 243

Number of international graduates: 7

Number of student athletes: 17

Number of graduates from Aiken County: 104

Number of graduates from South Carolina: 202

Number of veterans or military students: 11

Number by degree (major)

Master of Education (Educational Technology): 1

Master of Science (Applied Clinical Psychology): 4

Bachelor of Arts (Biology): 1

Bachelor of Arts (Communication): 14

Bachelor of Arts (English): 5

Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts): 12

Bachelor of Arts (History): 1

Bachelor of Arts (Music Education): 1

Bachelor of Arts (Political Science): 6

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology): 6

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology): 14

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Early Childhood Education): 7

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Elementary Education): 6

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Middle Level Education): 0

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Secondary Education): 2

Bachelor of Science (Biology): 12

Bachelor of Science (Chemistry): 6

Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science): 13

Bachelor of Science (Industrial Mathematics): 1

Bachelor of Science (Math and Computer Sciences): 5

Bachelor of Science (Psychology): 4

Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 46

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: 62

Bachelor of Science in Education (Secondary Education): 0

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: 2

Before the graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees, Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor, encouraged the Pacers to continue to embody the university's core values, particularly engaged citizenship.

"Knowledge is of little value unless you put it into practice for the benefit of the greater good. Your talents, knowledge and abilities can be beneficial not just to you but to your friends, family, colleagues, community - and in many cases, your country," Jordan said.

"I have absolutely no doubt that you will represent your alma mater well and your professors, your mentors and your colleagues here at USC Aiken will continue to follow your accomplishments with tremendous pride."