Saturday Commencement Ceremony Celebrates CofC Class of 2026

Students from the College of Charleston School of Business, School of Education and School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs gathered under the stately oaks of the Cistern Yard at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, to celebrate the conclusion of their undergraduate academic journey and the start of a bright future.

President Andrew T. Hsu welcomed and congratulated the students: “You have a long and open road in front of you to make your life what you want it to be.”

Several members of the Board of Trustees were in attendance as well as representatives from the Foundation Board and Alumni Association.

Michael and Amy Bennett ’82, founders and owners of Bennett Hospitality, received honorary degrees. Michael spoke to graduates about coming full circle.

“Many years ago, I was right here on this campus: hammering nails, working with my hands and trying to figure out what my future might look like,” he said. “To be honest, I didn’t have a grand plan. What I had was the willingness to work. I started my first business 50 years ago, renting bicycles at the City Market back when there were 50,000 tourists a year coming to Charleston – and now we have 8 million!”

He offered graduates three pieces of advice. The first is to work harder than everyone else: “Don’t argue about what you’re owed – prove what you’re worth.” The second lesson is to be honest: “I learned quickly that your word is everything.” The third lesson is to be kind: “Kindness creates a feeling, and that feeling is what lasts.

“When you put them together – hard work, honesty and kindness – you create something powerful,” Michael continued. “Add that to the education, discipline and perspectives you’ve gained here at the College of Charleston, and you are more prepared than you realize.”

Alicia Caudill, executive vice president for student affairs, presented the Presidential Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to finance major David Byrd, who spoke to students about the challenges ahead.

“One of the most valuable things I learned here was a new perspective on failures, mistakes and regrets,” Byrd said. “It’s easy to push those difficult experiences aside, pretend they didn’t happen or bury them somewhere out of sight. But when things go south, take accountability and own what’s yours. I learned that these experiences are actually indicators you’re doing something right; they mean you’re changing, adapting and becoming better than you were yesterday.”

Brady Quirk-Garvan ’08, president of the Alumni Association, welcomed the newest members into the association, and Suzanne Austin, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, presented Artium Baccalaureatus degrees to the following students:

• David William Bowen, Classics
• Anastasiya Budrevich, International Business
• Ethan Jacob Cole, Classics
• Lauren Foster, Classics
• Linda Elizabeth Funkhouser, Classics
• Madeline Renee Hunter, Secondary Education
• Emma Alice-Elizabeth Jansen, Archaeology
• Abigail Christine Lee, Religious Studies
• Charlotte Katerina Papatheoharis, Marketing
• Aidan Howard Ruman, Classics
• Patrick Connor Ruman, Classics
• Grayson Raines Taylor, Classics
• Addison Holliday Ware, Classics

After congratulating four students who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average – Michael Ray Bogle (Spanish), Samuel Hagan (accounting), Adrianna Tyshira Jackson (early childhood education) and Abigail Christine Lee (religious studies) – Austin noted that there are 158 students participating in the weekend’s commencement ceremonies who have completed the Honors College requirements: “All 158 students are wearing medals in recognition of their academic accomplishments and deep engagement as leaders within our community.”

The ceremony concluded with the alma mater, led by voice major Colin Covington.