May Commencement Sends Graduates on Diverse Paths

Linda Hellstein '08, a biology major with secondary certification, adjusts the graduation cap of fellow biology major, Charles Bergman '08.

An art student shook hands with President Anthony DiGiorgio and kicked his heels in glee as he exited the stage. Others waved to family members and friends in the audience as nearly 570 seniors graduated May 10 at the Winthrop Coliseum.

Graduation at Winthrop remains an exuberant time for everyone.

As the college experience ends during this 122nd academic year at Winthrop, several students have decided to remain in the Rock Hill community to work. Tillman award winner Tracy Sims '08, a modern languages major, will teach Spanish at the Nations Ford High School. Others will venture to far away places.

This can be seen just with the other four Tillman Award winners as each heads to a diverse destination. The other recipients, who also achieved a perfect grade point average, were Brooke Currie '08, psychology major who will work in an after school program and then head to graduate school; Amy Haley '08, a psychology major who will go overseas for missionary work; Pohai Nu’uhiwa '08, an early education major who will teach in an elementary school in her home state of Hawaii; and Christina Williams '08, who will enter law school. Learn more about all commencement award recipients.

DiGiorgio charged the graduates to thank those who helped them along the way and to approach their lives, careers and families with enthusiasm. “You will be judged, not by your heroic deeds, of which there will be many, but by your smallest act of charity, grace and wisdom,” he said.

One student took the service to country to heart. Andrew Hicks '08, a sociology major, left hours after graduation for Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia. The U.S. Marine Corps reservist expects to deploy Iraq in September as an ammunitions technician for a seven-month tour. “This is a great opportunity,” he said that will allow him to decide if he wants to remain a Marine or seek a law enforcement job.

Others also weighed different opportunities. Brandon Blackwell '08, a psychology and sociology major, pondered which flight school to attend in hopes of becoming a corporate or commercial pilot. Jessica Cook '08, a biology major, was encouraged that she was accepted at five of the five graduate schools to which she applied. She has decided to study molecular medicine at Wake Forest University.

This commencement was unique in that the May ceremony was web cast for the first time. Also, during the graduate commencement exercises on May 8, the first class of social work master’s degree recipients were given their degrees. DiGiorgio himself achieved a milestone as he presided over his 50th commencement ceremony on May 8.