Keynote Address: Bakari Sellers
CNN Political Analyst
Former Representative from South Carolina
Youngest Elected Offical in America.
Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year
incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina
state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation.
In 2014 Sellers won the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor and is widely considered
to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and leading voice for his generation.
Sellers earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College, where he served as
student body president, and his law degree from the University of South Carolina.
He has followed in the footsteps of his father, civil rights leader Dr. Cleveland
Sellers, in his tireless commitment to public service while championing progressive
policies to address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic
violence and childhood obesity.
In addition to his impressive list of early accomplishments, Sellers served on President
Barack Obama's South Carolina steering committee during the 2008 election. That coupled
with his uncommon ability to reach across the aisle and get things done has led to
numerous accolades including being named to TIME Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2010 as
well as 2014’s “The Root 100” list of the nation’s most influential African-Americans.
Sellers has been a much sought after public speaker and has provided political and
social commentary and analysis on many major national news outlets.
He has served as a featured speaker at events for the National Education Association,
College Democrats of America National Convention, NAACP, the 2008 Democratic National
Convention and, in 2007, delivered the opening keynote address to the AIPAC Policy
Conference in Washington, DC.
Sellers practices law with the Strom Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, SC.
New Student Convocation is an important event that marks the official welcome to the university. ĢƵChancellor,
Provost, Deans, Faculty, and staff convene to help mark the significance of this occasion.
Convocation is our official welcome and Commencement is our official congratulations
– you did it!
What to Expect:
The Academic Processional
Led by ĢƵChancellor, Dr. Kelli Brown
An inspiring keynote address from Bakari Sellers.
Bakari Sellers made history in 2006 when, at just 22 years old, he defeated a 26-year
incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina
state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation.
The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band
The band will perform and introduce you to the ĢƵalma-mater, inviting you to join
them in singing along.
Candle Lighting Ceremony
A beautiful and symbolic tradition with the Academic College Deans and your upper-class
peers The candle lighting represents faculty and students acting together to achieve
enlightenment through acquisition of knowledge. Once lit, the candles serve as a reminder
of your pride in ĢƵ and its permanent place in your heart.
Banner Signing
New students will each sign the Student Community Creed. By signing this Creed, you
are signifying that you are joining a community of scholars who will cherish your
education and give back to this great institution and our community.
Class Photo
New Students will dismiss to the football field where they will be given a class of
2023 t-shirt and have their official class photo taken!