A record 111 Anderson University students received diplomas during winter commencement exercises Dec. 17. In addition, several students received master’s degrees in education in only the second graduation ceremony to include the awarding of master’s degrees.
The commencement address was delivered by Carol Burdette, mayor of Pendleton, CEO of United Way of Anderson County and board chair for Advance SC, a charitable trust which supports education, economic growth, existing manufacturing, and public assistance agencies in Duke Energy’s South Carolina service area.
Burdette told graduates that public officials throughout the region are enthusiastic about the impressive growth occurring at Anderson University. She noted that in recent days the university has added several new academic programs, nearly quadrupled the size of its campus and received national recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top “up-and-coming universities in America.”
She encouraged graduates to do their utmost to advance their alma mater even further and to strive to do well in life while maintaining the faith and integrity instilled in them at AU. Burdette also gave high praise for the Christian mission of the institution, noting that it was refreshing to be able to speak as a public official at a ceremony where she could discuss her faith openly.
Terry Tritt, a 1979 graduate, received the Alumni Achievement Award from the university. A professor of physics at Clemson University, Tritt is one of the world’s most decorated authorities in thermoelectric materials research. In addition to his work at Clemson, Tritt has served at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., first as a National Research Council Fellow, and later as a staff scientist.
In thanking Anderson for the role it played in his development, Tritt said, “Had it not been for my time at Anderson, I would not have been able to achieve the things I have in life.” Tritt specifically recalled that it was during a freshman astronomy course at Anderson that his interest in science was sparked, dramatically changing the course of his life.