SC State Students Protest Evette Selection as Graduation Speaker South Carolina State University students have launched a protest against the selection of Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette as the commencement speaker for their graduation ceremony, citing her opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with over 2,000 signatures collected on a petition demanding her removal from the role. Students and alumni argue that Evette’s stance on DEI policies does not align with the values and experiences of the university’s predominantly Black student body. Evette, a Republican, has publicly defended her position, rejecting criticism as an attack on her efforts to address what she describes as “radical DEI scams” on college campuses. In a statement released on April 28, she dismissed the backlash as a result of her commitment to “eliminating woke ideologies,” claiming, “I must be doing something right because woke mobs are coming after me for being a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses.” Her remarks have intensified the divide between her and the student community, who see her stance as a threat to institutional progress. Student leaders, including Zaria Tucker, president of South Carolina State’s Student Government Association, have framed the protest as a matter of representation rather than politics. In a Facebook post, Tucker emphasized that the graduation ceremony should reflect the voices and values of the students it honors. “At an HBCU, our legacy is rooted in advocacy, equity, and the power of our voices,” she wrote. “When decisions are made without us in moments that belong to us, it matters.#south_carolina #south_carolina_state_university #deon_tedder #pamela_evette #zaria_tucker
South Carolina Lt. Governor Addresses 'Woke Mob' Protests at HBCU South Carolina State University, the state’s sole public historically Black college and university (HBCU), is at the center of a heated controversy over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s planned commencement address. The dispute erupted after students protested her selection to speak at the university’s spring graduation ceremony, which is scheduled for May 8. The backlash stems from Evette’s political stance and her public criticism of “woke” movements, which students argue clash with the institution’s mission. The protests began on Tuesday, with students gathering near the Donna Administration Building on the Orangeburg campus. They held signs and organized a sit-in, expressing frustration that Evette’s political views—particularly her alignment with conservative policies—do not align with the values of the HBCU. Multiple media outlets, including WIS, confirmed that Evette had been selected to deliver the commencement speech, while her office emphasized her honor in accepting the invitation. However, SC State officials later clarified that the speaker had not yet been officially confirmed, and student leaders were informed of the plan despite the lack of a public announcement. The controversy has intensified as Evette continues her campaign for governor. As a Republican, she serves under Gov. Henry McMaster and has positioned herself as a champion of conservative policies. For many students, the issue transcends party politics. The debate centers on the symbolic weight of the commencement ceremony, a pivotal moment for graduates. South Carolina State, with its deep historical ties to Black education and leadership, sees the event as more than a speaking engagement—it is a platform for values and identity.#south_carolina #south_carolina_state_university #pamela_evette #zaria_tucker #orangeburg
Lt. Gov. Evette Responds to Student Protest Over Commencement Speaker Role South Carolina State University students staged a silent protest on Tuesday against the potential selection of Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette as the university’s spring commencement speaker. The demonstration took place near President Alexander Conyers’ office at the Donna Administration Building, drawing attention to Evette’s political stance and its perceived conflict with the values of the historically Black college. Evette, a staunch advocate for eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and abolishing tenure at public universities, has faced criticism from students and educators for her positions. Evette addressed the controversy in a series of social media posts, asserting that the protests were tied to her and former President Donald Trump’s shared commitment to dismantling DEI initiatives. She claimed that conservatives, including herself and Trump, had done “more for HBCUs than any administration in history” and dismissed the protests as attacks on her efforts to “end radical DEI scams on college campuses.” Evette vowed to “never back down” to what she called “woke radicals,” stating she would “end DEI on campuses once and for all.” She also emphasized her administration’s support for HBCUs, citing $2.4 million in funding from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund to expand online instruction and proposals for tuition grants and financial aid. Democratic State Senator Deon Tedder condemned the protests as a misuse of the commencement ceremony, calling it a “platform for partisan rhetoric” that undermines the mission of HBCUs.#lieutenant_gov_pamela_evette #south_carolina_state_university #president_alexander_conyers #donna_administration_building #deon_tedder
