South University Columbia to Hold Largest Commencement in Its History; Campus to Celebrate First Students to Receive Graduate Degrees

Friday, June 22, 2007

South University will award degrees to 135 graduates, including the campus' first ever graduate degrees during the largest commencement ceremony in campus history on June 23, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Koger Center in Columbia. Former Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. will serve as 2007 commencement speaker.

A total of 135 students will receive associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees during the ceremony. Students earned degrees in a variety of fields including accounting, business, healthcare management, information technology, legal studies, medical assisting, paralegal studies and professional counseling.

"Congratulations to the Class of 2007, the largest in the history of the Columbia campus of South University" said Anne Patton, president of South University. "Each of our students has worked very hard and the faculty and staff of South University are very proud of their achieving their goal of earning a university degree."

During the ceremony, South University will celebrate the first ever graduates to earn master's degrees from its Columbia, S.C. campus. South University president Anne Patton will officially present eight Master of Arts degrees in Professional Counseling.

In addition, the campus will also recognize the first graduates to earn the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Nine students will be presented with the degree on Saturday.

"One thing that is most exciting about this class is that 16 students that are receiving their bachelor's degree from our campus previously earned their associate degrees at the campus," says Patton. "These students will have received two separate degrees from South University."

Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels with campuses located in Savannah, Ga., Columbia, S.C., Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla. and Montgomery, Ala. Visit South University online at: www.southuniversity.edu. For more information about South University's online programs, call 1-888-444-3404 or visit http://online.southuniversity.edu.