The University of South Carolina announced on Apr. 29 that thousands of graduates will participate in spring commencement ceremonies beginning Thursday, May 7. President Michael Amiridis will deliver remarks at all four baccalaureate ceremonies at the Colonial Life Arena. Separate events are planned for the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, both Schools of Medicine, and doctoral graduates.
These ceremonies are significant as they mark an important milestone for nearly 10,000 students across the USC system who are completing their academic programs this spring.
The schedule includes several notable honorary degree recipients. On Friday, May 8 at 3 p.m., Sheila Johnson will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Johnson is known as an entrepreneur and sports executive who co-founded Black Entertainment Television in 1978 and currently serves as CEO of Salamander Collection, a company managing luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Caribbean. She is also recognized as the only African American woman with ownership stakes in three professional sports teams: the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals, and WNBA’s Washington Mystics.
On Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m., Scott Bessent will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Bessent began his career with Brown Brothers Harriman before joining Soros Fund Management where he served as chief investment officer from 2011 to 2015. He was appointed Secretary of the Treasury in 2025 after leading Key Square Capital Management.
Ronald Leopold will receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree during Saturday’s afternoon ceremony for his work on policies related to war victims and social justice while serving as executive director of Amsterdam’s Anne Frank House since 2011.
Joseph F. Rice—an alumnus whose family made a $30 million gift supporting professorships and scholarships—will be honored with a Doctor of Laws degree during law school events; Motley Rice LLC employs more than 130 attorneys nationwide according to university information provided.
Ceremonies begin May 1 at other USC campuses throughout South Carolina.
