he Bicentennial celebration began officially on January 10 with an Opening Ceremony on the Horseshoe and a Celebration Picnic on Greene Street. More than 3,000 people came to campus for the festivities, which began at 10:45 a.m. with a processional down the Horseshoe. Included in the processional were members of the faculty and administration, the Bicentennial Commission, the Student Senate, visiting college and university presidents, former SC governors, members of the SC Legislature and judiciary, Mayor Bob Coble, Governor Jim Hodges and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley.

Featured in the 11:00 a.m. ceremony were remarks from President Palms, Mayor Coble, Dr. Jaroslav Pelikan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Yale University, and Governor Hodges. The USC Symphony Orchestra performed the debut of the 1801-2001 Overture, composed by Dick Goodwin. The ceremony culminated with a keynote address by Secretary Riley.

Following the ceremony, a barbecue picnic in front of the Russell House, complete with festive music by the USC Steel Drum Ensemble and a visit from Cocky, entertained the enthusiastic crowd and rounded out a beautiful opening day of Bicentennial celebration.

Photo captions:

Bicentennial Commission members Jean Toal, Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court, and Henrie Monteith Treadwell, W.K. Kellog Foundation Director, gather at the President's House before the processional.

Governor Hodges, President Palms and Secretary Riley after the ceremony.

Provost Jerry Odom leads the faculty in the processional.

President Palms welcomes guests to the Horseshoe and announces the official start of the bicentennial year.

Governor Hodges, a USC alumnus, expresses his pride in the state's flagship university. Secretary Riley's keynote address emphasizes education and partnerships.

A special ceremony stage was constructed off of the McKissick Museum.

Dr. Donald Portnoy conducts the USC Symphony Orchestra in the debut performance of 1801-2001 Overture, composed by Dick Goodwin.

President of the Student body Jotaka Eaddy leads the Mace Party in the recessional.

Governor Hodges, President Palms, Dr. Pelikan and Secretary Riley after the ceremony.

Greene Street was the site of the festive Celebration Picnic that followed the ceremony.

Beautiful South Carolina January weather and delicious barbecue enticed more than 3,000 people to take part in the picnic.