South Carolina State University Changes Course on Commencement Speaker Following Student Protests

South Carolina State University has announced it will select a new speaker for its upcoming commencement ceremony after days of student protests over the initial invitation to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.

President Alexander Conyers announced the decision during a press conference on Wednesday, stating the university would change course out of "abundance of caution."

According to President Conyers, the HBCU's original invitation to Evette was based on her impressive business credentials and entrepreneurial background. As the founder and former CEO of a company that grew from a startup into a billion-dollar enterprise, university administrators believed she could offer valuable insights to graduating students.

"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. She represents the kind of innovation, resilience and real-world achievement that aligns with the aspirations of our graduates," Conyers stated.

The president expressed gratitude to Lt. Gov. Evette for her willingness to engage with students and for accepting the initial invitation.

However, after several days of student protests on campus voicing opposition to Evette's planned appearance, the university administration decided to reconsider. Conyers noted that the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution for safety and with careful consideration."

Despite the change in commencement plans, President Conyers announced that SC State will welcome Evette to campus at a later date for a more constructive conversation with students, faculty, and staff outside the commencement setting.

Acknowledging the student demonstrations, Conyers praised the campus community's engagement:

"Our students have exercised their rights in a manner that reflects the importance of civic engagement and respectful discourse within a university community."

The president emphasized that SC State must remain a place where ideas are exchanged freely and constructively, noting that student voices are an important part of the academic experience.

In response to the university's decision, Evette released a statement on social media addressing the situation. In a Facebook post, she wrote: "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. 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."

The university has not yet announced who will replace Evette as the Spring 2026 Commencement speaker.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.