Nearly 400 students graduate from USC Aiken

May 4—The first soon-to-be graduate recognized at USC Aiken's spring commencement ceremony Wednesday evening wasn't wearing the traditional blue cap and gown like her classmates.

In fact, when Kayliah Kennedy of Columbia received her diploma and shook Chancellor Dan Heimmermann's hand on a ramp inside of the USC Aiken Convocation Center, she wasn't wearing a cap and gown at all.

Instead, Kennedy wore the Army service uniform and the first bit of business during the ceremony — once everyone had marched in and the Pacer Detachment of the Army ROTC presented the colors — was Lt. Col. Matt Miller, an Augusta University professor, administering Kennedy's oath to enter the Army as an officer.

"It means a lot. It means anything is possible, that I can overcome and overachieve anything that I put mind to," Kennedy said after the ceremony. "It's been a lot time coming [with] a lot of tears but, honestly, this is the greatest achievement that I have ever accomplished in my life."

Kennedy said after the ceremony she decided to become a commissioned officer because she loved helping people and leading others. She added she felt destined to enter the military.

Her stepmother, Danielle Kennedy, is a master sergeant in the Army stationed at the Pentagon.

Kennedy is expected to start training at Fort Lee in January. She added she hopes to one day become a physical therapist in the Army.

Wednesday evening, though, Kennedy, who received a bachelor of science degree from the College of Sciences and Engineering, joined the nearly 400-strong USC Aiken class of 2023 to celebrate another accomplishment: graduating from college.

Heimmermann called Wednesday's ceremony the culmination of all the faculty and staff do at the school.

"Student success is our No. 1 priority at this university and the testimony of that is graduating and going onto a rewarding career," he said. "These students are on their way toward that."

Twin sisters Delaney and Emily Trushel, both former USC Aiken basketball players, also received Bachelor of Science degrees from the College of Sciences and Engineering — they majored in exercise science — during the ceremony.

The Trushels said their favorite memories at USC Aiken were making the NCAA Tournament this year and defeating North Georgia twice during the regular season.

For them, graduating means going their separate ways. Delaney will go to West Florida and pursue a master's degree in athletic training while continuing her hoops career. Emily will go to North Georgia and pursue a master's degree in physical therapy while continuing her hoops career.

Two members of the class of 2023 enjoyed the Greek life at the school and will return to the classroom after graduating.

Kasheyonna David, a biology major, also received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Sciences and Engineering.

She said her favorite memory was building a community in Greek life. David is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

David said she plans to attend pharmacy school at Campbell University. She added she hopes to return to her hometown, Walterboro, to provide a needed service to the community.

Rachel Weatherford received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Education.

She said her favorite memory was "running home to Zeta Tau Alpha on bid day."

Graduation also means returning to the classroom for her. She said she's going to be a third-grade teacher at J.D. Lever Elementary School.

Picking up some extra hardware during the ceremony was Elizabeth Basile, another graduate from the College of Education. She was named outstanding senior student during the ceremony.

The ceremony also featured an honorary degree presentation to the commencement speaker, Savannah River National Laboratory Director Vahid Majidi, and remarks from Michael Amiridis, president of the University of South Carolina system.

Aiken Standard Reporter Bill Bengtson also contributed to this article.