December 11, 2010
Coastal Carolina University's graduates and their families filled the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for the graduation ceremony,
A total of 471 candidates from August and December were eligible to march in the ceremony, 45 of those were master's degree recipients.
"I'm just excited to be with my friends, to be finally graduating. Cause we've been through some painstakingly excruciating exams so we're just ready to get this over with," said Obi Ekechukwu.
"It's pretty exciting, a little overwhelming, and hasn't really set in yet," added Katie Upchurch.
Four students received the President's Award, the University's highest academic honor, for having perfect 4.0 grade point averages. They were Jessica R. Flansburg of Georgetown, psychology; Jill F. Nyhoff of Myrtle Beach, political science; Maranie R. Staab of Conway, communication; and Kaitlin E. Wilkes of Charleston, accounting. All graduated summa cum laude.
Commencement speaker Dick Raskopf urged graduates to engage with the world, even when "you can't control it," like during the present recession. He is publisher of the Sports Illustrated Golf Group.
Raskopf offered a three-point strategy based on "An Athletic Approach to Life," including: "Be prepared to win, embrace unexpected opportunities and never stop learning."
