Charleston Southern University held commencement exercises Dec. 13 at the North Charleston Coliseum. Family and friends gathered to witness 268 graduate and undergraduate students receive degrees.
The commencement speaker was Shawn Jenkins, founder, president and CEO of Charleston-based BenefitFocus. Jenkins received his MBA from Charleston Southern in 1995. BenefitFocus is the largest healthcare benefits software provider.
Jenkins challenged the graduates to look out into the future, “and see what you want to be, to write your own headlines for tomorrow. Sometimes the headlines of the newspaper don’t line up with that of scripture. We have our hands full with this economic situation, but I want to encourage you not to trust in what you see, but trust your heart, trust your inner voice, trust God.”
Jenkins related the story of how Nehemiah heard an inner voice, a leading from God to do a great work. He challenged the graduates to seek God’s plan. Jenkins correlated how, in his Capstone Strategy course at Charleston Southern, he created a business plan for a new venture but let it sit dormant for several years. In 2000, BenefitFocus incorporated, even though a few months earlier the NASDAQ crashed. He encouraged the graduates to stay focused on God’s plan for their lives, despite what they see around them.
Courtney Rittenburg, a communications major from Charleston, said being at Charleston Southern was an eye-opening experience. “It was definitely a positive experience. The professionalism of the university and the professors and their involvement is outstanding.” The sentiment was shared by Dennis Delemar, a business administration major from Charlotte, N.C. Delemar will begin studies at the New York Film Academy in January. “I had a great experience at Charleston Southern. The friendships and relationships I’ve made here will last a lifetime.”
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Shirley Whitfield of Charleston. Whitfield and her husband Floyd are devoted supporters of the university, establishing the Whitfield Endowed Scholarship. “This award means an awful lot to me. Charleston Southern has meant so much to me over the years,” she said.
In his closing remarks, Jenkins challenged the graduates to write their own headline. He told them of a goal card he keeps in his wallet. “Thirteen years ago, I sat in your seat with this card in my wallet. I carry my card to this day to remind myself of what God can do when you write your own headline with him.”