Chick-fil-A founder and chairman Truett Cathy gave the address at Charleston Southern University’s commencement ceremony May 8 at North Charleston Coliseum. The university awarded graduate and undergraduate degrees to 340 students.
Cathy was awarded an honorary doctorate of commerce degree. He gave each graduate a copy of his book “How Did You Do It, Truett?” which includes his list of 11 “do’s and don’ts” of proven success. Number 11, he told the graduates, is: “Invite God to be involved in every decision.”
“I was bragging on my three children to someone one day, and he said, ‘The greatest determination of how good a father you were is determined by your grandchildren.’
“If I hadn’t taught these little children how to be good parents by example, I missed my opportunity,” Cathy said.
Arnold Hite, professor of economics, was the winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award. Three retiring professors were honored: Martin James Barrier, professor emeritus of biology; Stephen H. Best, professor emeritus of biology, and Eugene Willis McDermott, professor of business administration and accounting.
Karen Collins, executive assistant in Charleston Southern’s advancement office, received the Distinguished Service Award for her years of service.
Other awards included the following:
– John Barry Christian Scholar Award, to the graduating senior who achieved the highest scholastic ratio, and who, in the judgment of the faculty, evidences the greatest promise for future scholarship: Nancy A. Brockhouse;
– Myrtle K. Hamrick Award, to the female graduate who possesses the highest virtues of Christian womanhood: Katie L. Caulder;
– Academic Excellence Award: Rebecca Davis;
– The Hunter Cup, to a member of the graduating class who has best served the university, and whose character, scholarship and athletic ability are deemed outstanding: Andrew J. McKain;
– Carolyn Killen Hunter Scholarship, to a rising senior in the School of Education: Meredith L. Bradley. – CSU