South Carolina State University rescinded an invitation for Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette to speak at the university's 2026 [1] commencement ceremony.
The decision follows student-led protests at the historically Black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The event highlights the tension between university administration and student bodies over the political alignment of guest speakers at academic milestones.
Kameron Sutton, a student protest leader, said that he and other students organized against the invitation. Students said the presence of Evette felt like a "slap in the face" because of her political stance and support for policies they oppose [2], [3].
The protests occurred in the weeks leading up to the planned event. Students said the Lieutenant Governor's political associations were incompatible with the values of the student body and the institution [3], [4].
University President Alexander Conyers addressed the controversy regarding the speaker's rhetoric. "I refuse to let outsiders refer to the future of America as 'thugs,'" Conyers said [5].
The university eventually canceled the speaking engagement following the pressure from the student body. The administration said it needed to maintain a supportive environment for the graduating class during the 2026 [1] festivities.
Sutton and his peers said the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the commencement. They said the platform of a commencement speech should not be used for figures whose policies they believe harm their community [2], [4].
“"It felt like a slap in the face."”
This incident reflects a growing trend of student activism at historically Black universities (HBCUs) regarding the political vetting of guest speakers. By rescinding the invitation, the university administration prioritized student sentiment and the perceived ideological alignment of the speaker over the prestige of a high-ranking state official.
