Lowcountry graduates celebrate as commencement weekend kicks off

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — On Friday, Cadets at the Citadel kicked off celebrations with the commissioning ceremony for graduates who will be enlisting in the military after graduation, following the traditional long gray line parade in the afternoon and ceremonies throughout the weekend.

“I am just incredibly overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for all the people who came to support me, and also just a little reflecting on myself today with the trials and tribulations I had to overcome to get to this point. It wasn’t an easy road, so getting to stand in front of you today with the gold bars on is still pinching myself,” said Gianna Rabassi, a senior at The Citadel.

Over at Charleston Southern University, students are celebrating the first graduation ceremony on campus since 2021.  

“We have 36 kids in our class, and we have seen them almost every day for three years, so we are tightening and leaving them with something none of us want to do. It’s only sadness with graduation right now is leaving them,” said McKenzie Waite, a Graduate of Charleston Southern University nursing program.

As the graduates walked across the stage, over 2400 students from Trident Technical College were applauded by faculty. School leaders said they looked forward to seeing what the students would accomplish.

“We hear back from graduates who become employees of the college employees of different organizations or businesses in the community, and they’re constantly telling us about the wonderful interactions they had with not only the faculty or the staff at the college but also with their classmates,” said Evan Reich, The Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Trident Technical College.