Clemson University awards more than 1,100 degrees, honors Sen. McGill

Published: December 22, 2011

Clemson University awarded 1,121 degrees Thursday. image by: Craig Mahaffey

CLEMSON — With the occasional tiger paw and “Thanks Mom and Dad” adorning their mortarboards, 1,121 Clemson students received their degrees in Clemson University’s winter graduation ceremony in Littlejohn Coliseum Thursday.

Clemson awarded 803 bachelor's degrees, 253 master's degrees and 65 doctorates.

Reflecting on his father’s generation, S.C. Sen. John Yancey McGill, who received an honorary doctor of humanities degree, challenged the Clemson graduates to be the nation’s next “greatest generation.”

Drawing parallels between the difficulties of the Great Depression with those of the current economic downturn, McGill predicted that “that the economic challenges faced by you and others during this time will serve as a valuable tool, allowing our graduates to more successfully compete in the global economy.”

McGill said he is convinced that “South Carolina’s best days lie ahead,” and that the state is “well-positioned to succeed in the global economy.”

McGill represents Florence, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties in the South Carolina Senate. His committee assignments include Agriculture and Natural Resources; Ethics; Finance; Fish, Game and Forestry; Invitations; and Transportation. He also is on the executive committee of Senate Finance and chairman of the finance subcommittee on Natural Resources.

McGill was honored for his commitment to higher education in South Carolina and for his support of Clemson’s public service and agriculture mission.

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