SC State Fall Convocation moved to Thursday, Sept. 12
Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: August 27, 2024|All News
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s annual Fall Convocation has been rescheduled from
Thursday, Sept. 5, to Thursday, Sept. 12.
Fall Convocation will begin at 3 p.m. in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on
the SC State campus. The keynote speaker will be Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford.
Freshmen students are required to attend. The administration expects faculty members
to attend, as well. Other students, employees and members of the public also are invited.
SC State classes will be canceled from 2-5 p.m.
Naida RutherfordAbout Naida Rutherford
Rutherford’s journey from homelessness to becoming a history-making public official
is a testament to resilience, service, and determination. In 2020, she was elected
to serve as the coroner of Richland County, South Carolina — home to the state’s capital.
Her victory made her the first woman, first medical professional, and first African
American to hold this position in the office’s 173-year history.
Rutherford quickly gained national recognition, not just for her role as Coroner but
also as an inspiring motivational speaker. Featured in USA Today, she has cultivated
a strong social media presence, especially after launching innovative youth programs
designed to introduce young people to unconventional career paths, like investigating
causes of death. Rutherford enjoys bringing popular crime shows like "CSI: Crime Scene
Investigators" to life for her audiences, offering a glimpse into the real-world side
of forensic science.
Based in Columbia, Rutherford is also a nationally board-certified nurse practitioner,
dedicating her medical expertise to serving underserved communities. Through her "ASK
A DOCTOR" series, she bridges the gap between medical professionals and community
needs, providing crucial resources and information.
Whether dealing with natural or unnatural deaths, Rutherford approaches her work with
compassion, guiding families through the shock and sorrow of loss. She believes that
every individual’s passing carries a unique story that deserves to be told with dignity,
empathy, and justice.
Her life’s work is driven by the belief that no matter the circumstances surrounding
someone’s death, their truth is vital and worthy of being heard. Rutherford’s journey
from adversity to leadership is a powerful example of how determination and a commitment
to serve can transform lives—not just her own, but those of the people she serves
every day.