South Carolina State University will move in a different direction for its upcoming commencement speaker after days of student protests over the selection of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
President Alexander Conyers, in a press conference on Wednesday, said the school will change course out of “abundance of caution.”
Conyers said the HBCU’s original invitation to Evette was based on her background as a business leader and entrepreneur.
“From the outset, our decision to invite Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette as our Spring 2026 Commencement speaker was rooted in her record as a business leader and entrepreneur. As the founder and former CEO of a company that grew from a startup into a billion-dollar enterprise, she represents the kind of innovation, resilience and real-world achievement that aligns with the aspirations of our graduates.
We are grateful to Lt. Gov. Evette for her willingness to engage with our students and for her time and consideration in accepting the invitation.
Our intent was to provide students with a speaker whose professional journey could offer practical insight and inspiration as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Out of an abundance of caution for safety and with careful consideration, the university has decided to move in a different direction for this Spring Commencement.”
Conyers said SC State will welcome Evette to campus at a later date for a more constructive conversation with students, faculty and staff outside the setting of commencement.
The decision follows several days of protest on campus, where students voiced opposition to Evette’s planned appearance as graduation speaker.
“Our students have exercised their rights in a manner that reflects the importance of civic engagement and respectful discourse within a university community,” Conyers said. He added that SC State must remain a place where ideas are exchanged freely and constructively, and said student voices are an important part of the academic experience.
In response to the school’s decision, Evette released a statement on social media suggesting the developments validate her fight to end DEI initiatives on college campuses.
