USCA grads now ready to face world

Christina Koulianos, a School of Nursing graduate, uses her cap for some needed advertising. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

The job market remains uncertain, but for scores of USC Aiken seniors, Thursday was a night to celebrate.

A total of 222 students were eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony at the Convocation Center, many of them non-traditional students.

Brandon Aaron graduated from Silver Bluff High School in 2002 and attended college before leaving a few years later.

"I started job-hopping, and then I came to USCA in 2010," Aaron said. "This has been a long time coming, and now I have direction in my life with a couple of good job options."

The guest speaker was Jeff Wallace, who retired as the Aiken Standard editor in 2010. He attended USCA in its early years at Banksia, a Winter Colony home that now serves as the Aiken County Historical Museum.

Wallace went on to receive a journalism degree from the University of South Carolina. He recalls the small rooms, the labs in the basement, the classrooms that were once bedrooms and sitting rooms. "The USCA you are graduating from," Wallace said, "was the dream of those who founded the university. The dream continues to grow. We are now in year 50 of academic excellence. You're completing one leg of life's journey tonight."

He credits communications professor Ernestine Law for influencing his choice of journalism as a career. When Wallace graduated from USC, Law helped him land his first newspaper job. Professors today are still serving their students in just that way. "You are now ready to leave for an unknown future," he told the graduates. "It's a scary world, but it's time for you go out and make your mark."

Chancellor Dr. Tom Hallman also acknowledged the USCA's 50th anniversary, as did four House members with the Aiken County Legislative Delegation. S.C. Reps. Tom Young, Bill Clyburn, Roland Smith and Bill Taylor presented Hallman with a proclamation recognizing the university's latest achievement in its history.

Senior sociology major Julie Shade has dealt with obstacles throughout her life; cerebral palsy has confined her to a wheelchair. But that was simply another challenge to overcome. She graduated from South Aiken High and then attended Aiken Technical College before transferring to USCA. She has enjoyed her experiences at all three schools.

Shade's choice of major was not by chance. She wants to pursue a master's degree in social work and then work for a school district.

"It is about giving back," she said. "I want to help people since I've been helped so much in my life."

Blake Leaphart, the outstanding senior graduate, urged his classmates to never give up in their pursuit of their dreams.

"Use the lifelong friendships and memories to guide you through your life," he said. "Let's be thankful for all USCA has given us and for the professors' and our parents' support. Go Pacers! Let's go change the world."