CofC Honors Class of 2025 at Saturday Commencement

^{Photos by Catie Cleveland}

Graduates from the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts and School of Business gathered under the stately oaks of the Cistern Yard at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, to celebrate the conclusion of their academic journey at CofC and the start to a bright future. Due to concerns with the weather, the ceremony started early and was condensed to ensure that graduates had their names read and the opportunity to officially cross the Cistern.

Dianne and John Culhane and Charles “Buddy” Darby III received honorary degrees. Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Suzanne Austin presented two students with Artium Baccalaureatus degrees and acknowledged the 153 students in the Class of 2025 who have completed the Honors College requirements.

Alicia Caudill, executive vice president of student affairs, introduced Student Government Association president, Adam El Hassan, who graduated with a B.S. in business management. He spoke to his classmates about the importance of kindness.

“Kindness is not a soft skill, it’s a superpower. It’s how we lift each other up when life tries to knock us down. It’s how we build bridges instead of walls. It’s how we remind each other: You are not alone,” he said.

“My grandfather always told me ‘knowledge is power’ – and he was right. But power means nothing if we don’t use it for good,” Hassan continued. “So let’s carry what we’ve learned – in classrooms, in conversations, in moments of growth – and let it fuel the change we want to see.”