USC Union
USC Union Class of 2023
Daniel Prince
May 12, 2023
Ann Carmichael was the commencement speaker
The University of South Carolina Union held its commencement on Saturday, April 29, on the grounds of USC Union’s Patrons Park. The commencement speaker this year was Dr. Ann Carmichael. Carmichael served at USC Salkehatchie from 1991-2020, serving first as Director of the Walterboro Campus and Coordinator of Development, and later serving as Dean of the school. She retired as Dean Emerita in 2020.
Trent Turner was awarded the Kennedy Academic Award this year. The award was established by B.F. Kennedy and his late wife, Myrna, to publicly recognize and reward the USC Union graduate with the highest GPA each year. Turner is from Waynesville, NC, and went to Tuscola High School. He played for the Bantams baseball team and maintained a 4.0 GPA. After graduating from USC Union, he will play the next two years at Western Carolina.
It has been a tradition of the University of South Carolina and its campuses to award a scholarship for the upcoming academic year in honor of the commencement speaker. This year’s recipient is Hannah Madison Copeland. Copeland graduated from Union County High School last year, where she participated in USC Union’s dual enrollment program. She has distinguished herself academically, earning President’s and Dean’s List honors. She is the recipient of the Public Communications Award for 2023 and is a member of the USC Union Research Club. Copeland is a nursing major with plans to enroll in the USC Union/USC Aiken joint nursing program. Her long-term goal is to become a nurse anesthetist. She is currently working at Union Medical Center as an ER technician, an administrative assistant, and a companion to homicidal and suicidal patients.
Dr. Emily Schaefer was recognized as USC Union’s Teacher of the Year. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. The university notes that Dr. Schafer is an inspiring teacher who has a knack for creating engaging, safe, and thought-provoking learning environments, where all students feel valued, supported, and heard. She creates unique learning opportunities for students, having mentored several undergraduate student researchers and developed a study abroad program to Guatemala that she will lead this summer. On campus, she is engaged in meaningful and high-impact service activities that advance our mission. Her contributions to the academic community are widely recognized, publishing extensively in leading academic journals, and presenting her work at numerous conferences around the world. Dr. Schafer embodies the highest standards of academic excellence, and we are proud to honor her with award and look forward to her continued contributions.
In all, 45 students received an Associate in Arts degree, including Andrew Baxley, who has worked as a part-timer for WBCU helping call sporting events. William Berry, Trent Turner, Bryson Daniel, Madeline Suzanne Gilstrap, and Alexander Ramirez Bernal all graduated with highest honors. 54 students graduated with an associate in science degree, with Kellie Elaine Egeland, Jak Everett, and Marcos Quithuac Perez-Gonzalez graduating with highest honors. Seven graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing—Makenzie Grady Edwards, Brianna Nicole Fish, Hannah Faith Gilliam, Madilyn Elizabeth Grant, Hannah Hockgeiger, Grace Elizabeth Lee, and Carson Scott Nance. 13 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Palmetto College, including William Daniel Harmon, who graduated Summa Cum Laude. Also, 10 students graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, including Amber Elizabeth Thompson, who graduated Summa Cum Laude. Congratulations to the graduates of USC Union’s Class of 2023.