University of South Carolina Aiken alumnus Brandon Baskett will speak at the university's December Commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Convocation Center. Approximately 245 bachelor's and master's degrees are expected to be conferred as part of the ceremony.
Baskett graduated from USC Aiken's School of Education in 2012 and now leads Lexington County School District One's The College Center, a program that assists first-generation college students in achieving their goals through dual enrollment and the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) framework.
"I had a very rigorous English teacher at South Aiken High School," Baskett said. "They prepared me to be an English teacher. When I got to USC Aiken, I declared education as my major and never looked back."
During his time as a Pacer, Baskett said he found the small class sizes helpful and appreciated the opportunity to build relationships with his professors.
The Commencement ceremony will also honor graduating senior Harshi Lodha Jain as the university's Outstanding Senior Student. Jain is a double major receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in social psychology. During her time at USC Aiken, Jain not only excelled in her academic and research pursuits but actively participated in various student clubs and organizations.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Angela Saxon, angela.saxon@usca.edu