Wofford College awarded 452 baccalaureate degrees during the 171st Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 18.
Margaret Young ’92, a member of the college’s board of trustees, delivered the keynote address to those gathered on the lawn of Main Building.
“My wish for you today is to remember that you have the power to shape your destiny,” Young told the Class of 2025 in her speech. “Continue to learn, seize new opportunities, nurture meaningful relationships and focus on becoming the best version of yourself.”
HONORARY DEGREES, TEACHING AND SERVICE AWARDS
The college conferred honorary degrees on two individuals: Jerry Cogan and the Rev. John Wesley Culp.
Special teaching awards were presented to Dr. Trina Jones, professor and chair of religious studies, and Dr. Matt Cathey, professor of mathematics. Jones received the Philip Covington Award for Excellence in the Teaching of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Cathy received the Roger Milliken Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Science.
The college presented the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan awards. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards went to James Moon V (student recipient) and Dr. Russell W. Booker (nonstudent recipient). The Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards went to Hope Moreno (student recipient) and Dr. Loreta Dylgjeri (nonstudent recipient).
Read Margaret Young’s Commencement address.
HONOR GRADUATES
The college recognized 10 Honor Graduates for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout their college careers:
Havalynn Madison Abernathy
Walker Reed Barrett
Kaylin Brooke Bell
Conner Michael Eberhardt
Promise Faith Henry
Alexander Gerhard Ollinger
Diego Reyes
Sealy Ann Smith
Katherine Lynn Sullivan
Rivers Douglas West
RETIRING FACULTY
The college recognized two retiring faculty members: Dr. Charles Smith, associate professor of biology (16 years of service), and Dr. Chris Waidner ’87, associate professor of chemistry (18 years of service).
ROTC COMMISSIONING
The college recognized two students who were commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army on May 17.
Simon Augustus Holland
Julia Ann Slaughter
Read the full Commencement news release with honoree biographies.
Watch the livestream of Commencement.
Watch the livestream of the Southern Guards ROTC Commissioning.