SC State freshmen listen as retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. James J. Scott addresses them
about forging new beginnings.
James J. Scott drew on his journey from childhood adversity to military service to
challenge freshmen to persevere.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — “You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can decide what happens next.”
That was the message South Carolina State University alumnus and retired U.S. Army
Lt. Col. James J. Scott had for the university’s Class of 2030.
Scott, a 1993 SC State graduate, was the featured speaker at the university’s Fall
Convocation on Sept. 17 at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. The annual
ceremony formally welcomes each freshman class into the SC State academic community.
Scott offered a charge to the Class of 2030 under the theme “New Beginnings, Endless
Possibilities.”
He said he understood what it was like to forge new beginnings after he, his mother
and his siblings were nearly killed in a house fire his father set in the spring of
1974.
“You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can decide what happens next,”
said Scott, who spent seven months in the hospital recovering from his injuries.
His father was sentenced to life in prison, while Scott was separated from his siblings
and placed in foster care for a short time because of the extent of his mother’s injuries.
Scott found sports and the military to be places where he could belong and thrive.
Sports taught him teamwork and discipline, while the military gave him structure and
confidence.
He also found a home at SC State, even after initially leaving the university after
only three weeks.
“There was something about this place. The history, the people, the pride, the Bulldogs.
I could actually see myself here. It felt like home, it felt like family,” Scott said.
While his football journey at the university didn’t initially work out and he had
trouble handling the responsibilities that came with the freedom of college life,
he eventually found his way back after nearly a month away.
He had plenty of time to think about his decision in his small hometown of Ridge Spring,
South Carolina, where he said an old military veteran told him to get his “butt back
in school and don’t ever come back except to visit.”
“I could spend the rest of my life talking about who I used to be, or I could get
busy becoming the man I was supposed to be. This time I understand what being a Bulldog
really meant,” Scott said.
“It wasn’t just a mascot, it wasn’t just a school, it wasn’t just a football team,
it was family. And, Bulldogs, I was here to stay,” he said.
SC State President Alexander Conyers (right) emphasizes the message U.S. Army Lt.
Col. James J. Scott (left) delivered to the university’s Class of 2030.
Lessons in perseverance
Scott went on to become the first college graduate in his family and a commissioned
officer in the U.S. Army. He spent 27 years in the Army and devoted more than 39 years
to military and federal service.
“When you are tested, keep moving forward. Don’t falter,” he said, encouraging students
to talk with and stay connected to professors, advisers, other faculty and staff,
and their classmates.
“One of the greatest things you will receive from South Carolina State University
will never appear on your transcript. You are becoming part of a family,” Scott said.
The author and mentor also wrote an inspirational memoir, “Changing Faces,” in which
he shares his personal journey of overcoming childhood tragedy, adversity and difficult
circumstances through faith, perseverance and education.
“Your beginning does not determine your ending. The fire did not destroy my future.
Class of 2030, your story is just beginning. Write your story, build your legacy.
Wherever life takes you, never forget the institution that helped prepare you to get
there,” Scott said.
‘The future is yours to shape’
SC State President Alexander Conyers challenged the freshmen to focus on building
a transformative vision that will help them become the future leaders and innovators
the world needs.
“That transformation will require discipline, determination and vision. I challenge
you to perform at your highest level in every classroom, lab and learning space you
enter. I challenge you to build a strong foundation that will sustain you … throughout
your career and your life,” Conyers said.
President Conyers also urged students not to forget the sacrifices made by their family
members, alumni, mentors and other leaders who helped pave the way for them.
“I challenge you to equip yourselves with the tools to succeed, to keep growing, to
keep striving, and to never, ever stop learning. As Bulldogs, you now join a community
that has made an impact on this campus, across our state and around the world,” Conyers
said.
“Remember that your SC State family is here to support you every step of the way.
Welcome to South Carolina State University, the future is yours to shape. We cannot
wait to see the great things that you will achieve,” he said.
SC State Board of Trustees Chairman Douglas Gantt encouraged the Class of 2030 to
strive for excellence, be resilient and stay true to their values.
“Your journey begins today. We believe in you, and we’re excited to see all that you
will accomplish,” Gantt said.
2026 freshman scholarships
Mister SC State John Seay-Oliver and Miss SC State Jakari Jones were among the university
leaders present at the convocation.
Seay-Oliver recognized the following 2026-27 freshman scholarship recipients:
Honors College Presidential Scholars: Jude Adderley; Christian Angrand; Kaleb Benjamin;
Alayna Brown; Maya Dames; Anasimi Sali Isa; Christian Johnson; Dewayne Lynch; Jacob
McCormack; and Bernise Ulysse.
