On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the University of South Carolina Upstate held its graduation ceremony, also known as Commencement, on the main quad of its Spartanburg campus. The Class of 2023 consisted of 747 graduates who completed all requirements of their degree program and are now ready to take the next step in their academic or professional journeys. Each degree candidate was recognized by name and congratulated by the dean of their college or school.

The event was deemed “special and unforgettable” by USC Upstate Chancellor, Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D. He went on to say that “the day was nothing short of stellar and went off without a hitch.” From the beautiful grounds to the setup, logistics, and remarks, this event allowed USC Upstate to truly celebrate an exceptional group of graduating students and the uniqueness they added to the community. Chancellor Harris expressed his gratitude towards the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other supporters who made the event possible and gave the students the send-off they deserved.

The university graduated several outstanding students, one of which was Taleb Sleiman, a biology/pre-dental major from Lebanon. Taleb came to the U.S. to continue his education at USC Upstate, with the goal of attending dental school after graduation. While a student, he was a peer facilitator and a science and French tutor at the Student Success Center. He enjoyed meeting new students and sharing his experiences with them. The best part of his experience, he said, was engaging with other students, professors, instructors, and staff members and forming positive relationships with them. After graduation, he plans to work in a science/biology field while he applies for dental school.

Caitlyn Hunter, a communication major from Panama City Beach, Fla., was also among the graduates. Since transferring to USC Upstate, Caitlyn was an active and enthusiastic advocate for the university while working in the admissions office and giving campus tours. One of her favorite memories is the investiture of Chancellor Harris, which made her “feel proud to be a Spartan and hopeful for the future” of her university. Caitlyn said the most valuable part of her experience at USC Upstate was the support and encouragement she received from her professors. Her internship with Smoak Public Relations in Greenville has led to a full-time job as an assistant account executive after graduation.

Another notable graduate was Georgia McClintock, a master’s candidate in informatics from Greer. Georgia is not only a USC Upstate alum, having received her bachelor’s in 2008, but she is also a longtime university employee. She has offered students support and encouragement in her roles as an administrative assistant in the mathematics and computer science department and now as a career advisor in the office of career management. She says being a student and employee has allowed her to experience both sides of campus life. Among her proudest achievements as a graduate student was publishing an ebook on academic advising analytics.

Overall, the graduation ceremony was a momentous occasion for the University of South Carolina Upstate and the graduating class of 2023. The students worked hard to earn their degrees, and the ceremony was a fitting celebration of their achievements. The university looks forward to seeing what the future holds for these exceptional graduates.

To view all of the photos from our May 2023 commencement, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uscupstate/sets/72177720307972607/

To watch the ceremony recording, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICuC-Nuynr4.

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