USCB Holds Fall 2025 Commencement
The University of South Carolina Beaufort awarded 104 bachelor’s degrees at fall commencement
on December 13, 2025.
“You have reached one of life’s major milestones,” USCB Chancellor Al M. Panu told the graduating class. “Each of you has experienced your own journey to earning a bachelor’s degree. Each of you is a success story, now and in the making.”
The most popular majors in this fall graduating class were Business Administration, Psychology, Public Health, Biology and Hospitality Management. Latin honors (cum laude or higher) were awarded to 39 graduates; 88 percent of the graduates were South Carolina residents.
Shirley Ann Velazquez Rodriguez (below), who was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (summa cum laude), spoke to her classmates.
“Your life will always be in a state of constant construction, and although you won’t
always be in control of what happens, you are in control of yourself and your decisions,”
she said. “So, choose to be good. Choose to bring positivity into a world that desperately
needs it.”
Norman Varnes (above), grounds lead for USCB Facilities Services, delivered the commencement
keynote address.
“This is a monumental day in your lives,” Varnes told the Class of 2025. “There is
so much more that lies before you. Slow down and take it all in. Don’t be afraid to
open that door and see what is on the other side.”
- USCB -
JJ 12/15/2025