ADVOCATE
ADVOCATE
J ay L u c as, 2010 wi n t e r Co m m e n c e m e n t S p e ak e r
COKER HOSTS FIRST-EVER WINTER COMMENCEMENT Coker College hosted its first-ever winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 17, 2010, in the Watson Theater of Coker College’s Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. Jay Lucas, representative for the 65th District in the South Carolina House of Representatives, delivered the keynote address
J o sÉ Co l i n a, A d j u n c t P ro f e ss o r o f t h e Y e a r
and was awarded an honorary doctorate of law.
WEB EXTRAS For more photos & information, visit: coker.edu/winter-commencement
The College awarded 77 degrees to day and evening students, and the Class of 2010 presented the Distinguished Adjunct Professor-of-the-Year Award to José Colina. Colina, an Adjunct Professor of Spanish, previously won the award in the 2005-06 academic year and has taught in the ALPHA program since 2001. Before Colina recieved his award, Jay Lucas delivered the commencement address. “We are honored to have Jay Lucas as our commencement speaker,” said Coker President Dr. Robert Wyatt [ top left ]. “Jay is a true champion of our region of South Carolina. His outstanding leadership skills serve as a great example for our graduates as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.” Lucas has served the 65th District in the South Carolina House since 1998 and was elected Speaker Pro Tempore on November 17, 2010. Lucas is also a partner in the law firm Lucas, Warr and White, Attorneys at Law. Lucas served as Financial Director for the City of Bennettsville from 1982 to 1984, County Administrator for
Fairfield County from 1984 to 1986, County Attorney for Darlington County from 1990 to 1994 and Hartsville’s City Judge from 1995 to 1996. He has been named Legislator of the Year and Professional of the Year and won the Earle E. Morris, Jr., Public Policy Award. Currently, Lucas is Chairman of the Darlington County Republican Party and is a member of the Hartsville Lions Club. He is a past Board Member for the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman for the Hartsville National League and past Co-Chairman for the South Carolina House Rural Caucus. In 1975, Lucas graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina (USC) with a bachelor’s degree. From USC, he also earned a Master of Public Administration in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate in 1987, graduating third in his class. Lucas resides in Hartsville, S.C., with his wife, Tracy, and son, Will.
COKER SINGERS/CHAMBER SINGERS PRESENT CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Coker College Singers and the Coker Chamber Singers presented their annual Christmas concert, “Arise, Your Light Has Come, A Coker Christmas,” on November 30, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville. Conducted by Dr. William Carswell, Associate Professor of Music at Coker, and accompanied by Ronda McElveen, organist at First Presbyterian, the Singers presented a variety of holiday songs including timeless classics such as Silent Night. The Coker Singers are the largest choral group at the College with more than 35 members, while the Chamber Singers are Coker’s premiere choir consisting of just 16 vocalists.
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