Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: May 13, 2024|All News, Photo Galleries
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University bestowed honorary doctoral degrees upon three government
officials during Friday’s Spring 2024 Commencement Convocation.
SC State Board of Trustees Chairman Douglas Gantt and President Alexander Conyers
presented Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to:
South Carolina state Rep. William W. Taylor.
South Carolina state Sen. Katrina Shealy.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who also delivered the Commencement
address.
South Carolina Rep. William W. Taylor has distinguished himself as a consummate leader
as evidenced by his accomplishments in the SC House of Representatives. Taylor is
a legislative authority in leadership, organizational transformation, and public service;
he is serving his seventh term in the South Carolina State House of Representatives
in prominent roles throughout his tenure.
South Carolina Sen. Katrina Shealy has distinguished herself as a consummate leader
as evidenced by her accomplishments in the Senate. Shealy has served more than 12
years of service in the South Carolina Senate and was the only woman serving in 2012.
Shealy is the past chair of the Southern Legislative Conference Human Services and
Public Services Committee and past chair of the National Foundation for Women Legislators
and founder of Katrina’s Kids, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, which strives
to give “Every Chance to Every Child” in foster care and group homes.
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, III has distinguished himself as a consummate leader
as evidenced by his accomplishments has served more than 40 years of military service
and achieved the rank of four-star general. A retired general, Austin became the first
African American secretary of defense when the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment.
Austin served in a variety of assignments, including as assistant division commander
for the 3rd Infantry Division and commanding general for the 10th Mountain Division
