"Vocatio." This Latin noun means an invitation or calling and is the origin of the English word "vocation." Nearly fifty years ago, the first class of South Carolina Honors College graduates created a recognition ceremony for seniors. They called it "Revocation."
When a class is called back together at the conclusion of their collegiate careers, we recognize their accomplishments of graduating "with honors" by revoking their status as active Honors students. They become alumni, and Revocation becomes a bookend to every Honors College graduate's experience.
Commemorating this milestone is the Honors medallion. Introduced in 2020, it is crafted from aged bronze that features DeSaussure College, the Maxcy monument and our Latin motto – Sapere aude, or dare to learn. Our seniors wear these cherished medallions as part of their regalia during university commencement ceremonies.
As they settle into their seats in the Koger Center of the Arts, seniors are presented with a reflection card they wrote during their freshman year to their graduating self. An Honors tradition, the prompts on the card ask them a series of questions such as “what are you most concerned about going into your freshman year?” and “what would you say to your graduating self?”
Several of the paths taken by our Honors alumni tell us just how in tune they are with their younger selves and exemplify their tenacity. Some seniors are given the opportunity to read their cards early for a video shown during the ceremony.
Instead of featuring a valevictory speaker, Senior Marshals preside over the Revocation ceremony. This includes addressing the class with a meaningful speech, unveiling the SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award recipient and bestowing each senior with their Honors College medallion. Senior Marshals are nominated by their peers and selected by Honors College staff.
For Zachary Brown, Sarah Chugh, Shyam Ganesh Babu and Desiree White, this is an unforgettable honor.
Zachary Brown, cyber policy and ethics graduate from Blythewood, S.C., will continue his studies in public policy by attending graduate school at Duke University.
“Before I knew it, I found my way here in the Honors College... I no longer had to feel like an imposter because I realized I never was one. I challenge you today to never let your experiences here in the Honors College be forgotten."
Sarah Chugh, biological sciences graduate from Lexington, S.C., plans to work as a local medical assistant while aspiring to become a physician assistant.
“Being in the Honors College was never just about being the ‘smart ones.’ It was about being curious, asking questions without easy answers and pushing ourselves and others to think deeper, do better and care more.”
Shyam Ganesh Babu, biological sciences graduate from Elgin, S.C., will focus on serving his community and nonprofit before matriculating into medical school.
“I think we often forget to practice empathy and kindness and to pass on the help we’ve received to others. As alumni, I hope we do just that. The Honors College gave me the space, the mentors, the people and the opportunity to figure that out, and I’m leaving better because of it.”
Desiree White, data analytics of music and culture (BARSC) graduate from West Columbia, S.C., is exploring graduate school options while also pursuing opportunities in the music and music museum industry.
“It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about having the courage to show up. Show up curious. Show up willing and, sometimes, show up scared. Because that willingness to step forward, even without certainty, is what carries us.”
Budding alumni are not the only ones to receive accolades during Revocation. Two awards are given out during the ceremony: the William A. Mould Outstanding Senior Thesis Award and the SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award.
For the SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award, seniors are asked to nominate a professor who has taught an Honors course, facilitated meaningful classroom conversations amongst Honors students or influenced the life or career of an Honors College student. Once all the nominations have been accepted, the graduating class votes on the award-winning professor.
This year’s SCHC Outstanding Faculty Award recipient is none other than biological sciences assistant professor Melissa Ellermann, Ph.D.
“She is incredibly passionate about providing hands-on training in biomedical research to fully prepare students for the next steps of their career,” says Brown as he introduces Ellermann to the audience.
In addition to her lab research on “how dietary factors and gut bacteria can affect one’s risk of chronic inflammatory diseases,” she teaches an advanced microbiology course for Honors students.
“This course has been one of my favorites in the SCHC and continues to shape the research I conduct in her lab,” says Andrew Pana in his nomination letter for Ellermann.
Noting her guidance as his senior thesis director, Pana continues: “Dr. Ellermann has taken the time to understand my goals and tailor her mentorship to support my academic and professional development... [She] is an exceptional mentor who genuinely cares about her students’ growth and success.”
Exceptional mentors mean a great deal to our equally exceptional students –– especially regarding the senior thesis. Recipients of the William A. Mould Outstanding Senior Thesis Award, aptly named after the first dean of the Honors College, are nominated by their thesis directors in recognition of the impact of their thesis work.
“Dr. Mould was an advocate for the senior thesis requirement,” says French professor emeritus Lucille Mould, “believing that it was the ideal capstone experience for South Carolina Honors College scholars.”
Miranda Borland, a global studies and Spanish major, is the 12th recipient of the William A. Mould Outstanding Senior Thesis Award. Looking at global asylum policy through the U.K. – Rwanda asylum partnership, Borland's research offers a unique perspective through “extensive analysis of the policy from the perspective of the Rwanda government.”
“Miranda has been deeply involved in migration studies throughout her four years at USC. Her thesis represents an impressive culmination of her coursework and independent research,” says Borland’s thesis director Austin Crane, Ph.D. “It also provides a springboard into her chosen career field of immigration law.”
“Congratulations to you all,” says Steven Lynn, Ph.D., Honors College dean and Louise Fry Scudder professor, as he addresses the audience.
From classroom instruction to Honors thesis and national fellowships guidance, the support our seniors received from their peers, mentors and university faculty and staff means everything. The Honors College also acknowledges how instrumental dedicated supporters and family members are to the success of every graduate.
“There are people sitting behind you who are here to celebrate you, who have supported you in various ways,” dean Lynn continues. “You, the class of 2026, should stand up, turn around and give the audience a standing ovation.”
Seniors do not hesitate to rise and face the audience behind them, immediately spotting their supporters out in the crowd of over 600 people. Many applaud, some try to shout out their names, all share this moment with the ones who helped them along the way.
Revocation ends as quickly as it began, mirroring their last four years at the University of South Carolina. With medallions in hand and memories flashing, Honors alumni prepare to enter new spaces, careers and communities. We hope they carry with them the lessons that shaped their time here in the Honors College.
As the class of 2026 boldly embarks on their next adventure, Brown's final remarks in his speech ring especially true –– “Never forget that you belong in any room that you step in.”
