South Carolina State’s decision to withdraw an invitation for Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to speak during the school’s spring commencement has drawn the ire of state lawmakers.
Nine South Carolina House members are calling for SC State to be stripped of state funding after the school canceled a planned appearance by Evette to speak during the May 8 ceremony, according to WSPA-TV
The controversy stems from the university’s decision on Wednesday to withdraw Evette as its spring commencement speaker following student protests.
A petition opposing her appearance drew more than 20,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon, with organizers pointing to her political positions, including opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and her alignment with conservative policies.
Republicans leading the defunding charge
In response, opposing Republican lawmakers sent a letter Thursday to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister, urging that SC State receive no funding in the next version of the state budget.
“There is no reason why state tax dollars should continue to fund a state institution where not all South Carolinians are welcome,” the lawmakers wrote. “If the Lt. Governor of South Carolina is unwelcome due to different political ideologies and an inability to keep her safe, it is time to defund and reevaluate.”
The letter criticizes the university for rescinding its invitation, arguing that institutions of higher education should expose students to diverse viewpoints rather than “capitulate” to political disagreement. Lawmakers also raised concerns about campus safety, calling it “inexcusable” that Evette’s appearance was canceled over security issues.
SC State officials have not publicly detailed specific threats but cited safety concerns in announcing the cancellation.
President Alexander Conyers, in a press conference on Wednesday, said the school changed 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.”
The letter was signed by Reps. Gil Gatch, Thomas Beach, Jackie Terribile, Sarita Edgerton, Josiah Magnuson, John McCravy, Melissa Oremus and Cally Forrest Jr.
Evette responds to backlash
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.
“The fact that a speech had to be canceled for credible safety threats is exactly why we cannot give up the fight to end indoctrination and DEI on campuses once and for all,” she said in a Facebook post. The root problem is professors who gin up feigned outrage at the detriment of their students, who they should be teaching to think critically. End tenure now.”
