Congratulations, Graduates!

USC Union Holds 2025 Commencement Ceremony

On Saturday, May 3, USC Union held their 2025 commencement ceremony with the Honorable Sammy Diamaduros as commencement speaker.

Sammy G. Diamaduros, is a native to Union, South Carolina, and Class of ’83 graduate from Union County High School. He has made an impact on the Union community through both his 35-year legal career and his extensive community service. After graduating from Wofford College in 1987 with a double degree in economics and government, he went on to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law.

He began his career as the assistant solicitor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, encompassing Chester, Lancaster and Fairfield counties, where he prosecuted criminal cases. After leaving his position, he opened a private practice in Union, handling domestic, criminal, civil and worker’s compensation cases, doing criminal defense work in both magistrate’s and general sessions court, and performing numerous real estate closings. He also served as the county’s attorney from 2000 to 2024. He is currently a family court judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit.

Judge Diamaduros’ community service includes serving on various local boards: the Union County YMCA Board, Union County Crime Stoppers Board, Union Christian Day School Board and USC Union Educational Partnership Board. He is also a member of the Union Rotary Club, a past member of the Piedmont Citizens Committee and president of the Union County Bar. He is active in several Union County schools and sports organizations and is a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“You are joining many accomplished Union alumni who have made a difference in your community,” said University of South Carolina president Dr. Michael Amaridis in welcoming graduates and their families. “I hope that no matter where you go, you will contribute to the greater good.”

Diamaduros said that he was “humbled” to get to speak to this year’s graduates. “This is a really big deal,” he said. “You only do it once, and nobody can take it away from you.” Diamaduros took classes at USC Union before pursuing a degree in economics and government from Wofford College. He joked about being apprehensive in taking a Dr. Charles’ class through dual enrollment in high school with a “very smart” classmate. “It ended up being just me and Prof. Randy Ivey in this class together,” he said. “He, of course, got an A. I did not.”

Diamaduros’ advice to the class of 2025 was to take advantage of all the opportunities that life gives them. “You can be successful no matter where you go,” he said. “You have to make the most of it. Work hard, play hard, rest – life is a balance, not a race.” In closing he joked and shared a few words of wisdom from a speech he said he generated on ChatGPT, but ultimately decided not to use because it was so good that everyone would know he didn’t write it. “Believe in yourself, never, give up, stay strong, take chances, and be kind,” he said.

Dlyan J. Pruitt received the 2025 Commencement Scholarship Award. Pruitt will graduate with his associate’s degree in 2026. He then plans to get a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with the goal of becoming an environmental inspector.

Dr. Sarah Carter was recognized as USC Union’s distinguished teacher of the year for the 2024-2025 school year, her first year at the university. “Dr. Carter foster’s a community-oriented classroom,” said Dr. Susan Elkins, Palmetto College Chancellor. “Her teaching methods enrich the educational experience for students.”

The Kennedy Academic Award was established by Mr. B.F. Kennedy and his late wife, Myrna, to publicly recognize and reward the USC Union graduate with the highest GPA each year. This year’s recipient was presented to Lea Baldwin, who graduated with her Associate in Science. Baldwin has maintained the highest GPA in her graduating class and received various academic awards, including this year’s Film Culture Award and Student Academic Success Center Leadership Award.  Despite personal challenges, namely losing her mother to cancer at age 16, Baldwin has attended school full time while also working in USC Union’s Academic Success Center and part time at Wal-Mart to support herself and her younger sister. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree and graduate studies in public health at USC Columbia. “Lea Baldwin exemplifies the resilience, determination, and academic excellence that defines the Kennedy Award,” said Associate Dean Dr. Majdouline Aziz.

The Class of 2025 Graduates are as follows:

Associate in Arts

Katie Ford Austin

Abby Michele Benfield, With High Honors

T’Yonna Domonique Boone

Nazir Turkir Brandon- Savage

Jay Vaughan Brunson- Hartgill, With Honors

Kaleb Dean Butts, With High Honors

Peyton Jeffrey Cannon, With High Honors

Kaitlyn Danielle Cornelison

Richard L. Crawford, With High Honors

Graham Alan Cromer

Bryson Thomas Dameron*, With High Honors

Dashaun Christopher Dawkins

Keagan B. Dean

Ashley Duncan

Rachel Ellen Duncan

Kennedy Lee Fennell

Mary Elizabeth Fisher

Hayden Daniel Friend

Peyton Michael Friend, With High Honors

Adrienne Dawn Fuehrer, With Highest Honors

Hayden Alexander Garner, With Honors

Natalie Grace Garner, With Highest Honors

Timothy Garner, With High Honors

Christian Malachi Gibson,

Lian Sum Lal

Holden Thorne Lipford, With Highest Honors

Richard Ellis Luman

Trevor O’Brien Merck

Diajah Sheray Moore, With Honors

Kyler Lee Scott Murray

Christopher Adam Neilson

Zamorhia Rachell Norman

Jedidiah Orhue Omoghan, With Honors

Kayden Noah O’Shields, With Honors

Eliza Anne Petty

Jayna Rae Rhinehart

Briggs Douglas Richards

Catherine Michelle Roby, With Highest Honors

William Elijah Scott, With High Honors

Amelia Grace Sherbert, With Honors

Joshua Terrell Smith

Kalei Bryanna Stanford

Andrew Bryson Stephens, With High Honors

Abigail Anne Tessigner, With Honors

Garrett Austin Vaughan

Jaeden L. Weathers

Marianne Nicole Whisenant

Bryant Walter Whitlock, With Honors

Kennedy Nevaeh- Samantha Williams

Scott Austin Young

Associate in Science

Sarah Hampton Adame, With High Honors

Blake Stoy Baldwin

Lea Marie Baldwin, With Highest Honors

Abby Michele Benfield, With High Honors

Tyreshia Keionie Bishop-Lott

Brett C. Boone, With High Honors

T’Yonna Domonique Boone

Ayden Grace Burgess

Logan Farr Campbell, With Honors

Dawson Bryce Carden, With High Honors

Morgan Michelle Shane Catoe, With High Honors

Donovan Conrad Cobb, With Honors

Richard L. Crawford, With High Honors

Lapri Tynicia Cromer

Bryson Thomas Dameron*, With High Honors

Jayda Reah Davis, With Highest Honors

Destiny Nicole Diaz

Rachel Ellen Duncan

Kennedy Lee Fennell

Hayden Daniel Friend

Natalie Grace Garner, With Highest Honors

Charles Jeffery Grant Jr.

Raegan Grace Green, With High Honors

Isaac Russell Greene

Cohl Harding, With High Honors

Ashlee Louise Hoile, With High Honors

Bryson Lee Holderness, With Honors

Jonathan Conner Howard

Henry Jedidiah Howie

Sarah Elizabeth Hutson

Colin Dale Ingle, With Highest Honors

Ionia Iasha Johnson

Brandy Michelle Jones

Tyrone D. Little

Richard Ellis Luman

Kierra N. Martin, With High Honors

Josue Mejia

Trevor O’Brien Merck

Mila Mzamane, With Honors

Kayden Noah O’Shields, With Honors

Linda Katherine Ponder*

Joshua T. Raines, With High Honors

Briggs Douglas Richards

Miley Faith Robinson

Catherine Michelle Roby, With Highest Honors

Amelia Grace Sherbert, With Honors

Rylee Ann Shuhart

Caroline Grace Sinclair

Hollie Michelle Smith

Terry Lee Smith Jr.

Loren D. Solomon, With High Honors

Andrew Bryson Stephens, With High Honors

Bailey Alyse Stewart, With Honors

Jarran Lee Tennant

Abigail Anne Tessigner, With Honors

Katelyn Lucille Rose Truitt

Antwon Demetruis Warren

Marianne Nicole Whisenant

Bryant Walter Whitlock, With Honors

Kennedy Nevaeh- Samantha Williams

Scott Austin Young

USC Columbia Palmetto College Programs Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies

Lillian Frances Carter, Magna Cum Laude

Rachel Dennehy, Magna Cum Laude

Chekira Edwards

Za’Kyah Janae Jeter- Walton, Cum Laude

Janie Cecilia Knox

Julie Latham, Magna Cum Laude

Kelvin DaRrell Means Jr.

Christy Lashelle Miller

Taylyn McKynzie Price

USC Columbia Palmetto College Program Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

James Quintin Alverson

Kaj Shannay Campbell

Jaclynn DeLuca, Magna Cum Laude

Sydney Hope Dunlap

Rachel Cole Gallman

Dana Ann Harding, Cum Laude

Melinda Michelle Hullett, Magna Cum Laude

Sandra Powell Williams

USC Aiken Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Maddyson Grace Ferguson

Haleigh Elizabeth Hendrix

Laura Michaela Parris

Courtney Parker

Roberts Blakelee Wisher

USC Beaufort Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Amber Lauren Northcutt, Cum Laude