PRESIDENTS OF SC COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND TEC SCHOOLS

President of the Ecumenical University

Dr. Beverly Jones Gurley, a retired South Carolina Superintendent of schools, has served in many positions in Education for over 40 years. In 2022, she was appointed the President of the Ecumenical University, a prestigious institution providing higher education to students from diverse backgrounds worldwide. With a Doctorate Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from South Carolina State University. Dr. Gurley returned to her university to serve as an Adjunct Professor, continuing to teach periodically. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Coker College Master of Arts Degree in Education, Administration and Supervision from Winthrop University.

Dr. Gurley advocates for the community, dedicating her life to community empowerment. She is committed to educational advancement and takes pride in promoting the importance of education. Dr. Gurley is an established entrepreneur who has organized several businesses in multiple industries.

Dr. Gurley has been given numerous awards and honors in education throughout the state and community. Dr. Gurley is reputable for reviving failing schools. She is recognized for her expertise in working with groups to create organizations dedicated to improving people's lives. As a testament to Dr. Gurley’s exceptional K-12 educational leadership and supervision, a wide variety of programs spear-headed by Dr. Gurley continue to thrive and benefit schools and communities statewide. Dr. Gurley has diligently served low-performance schools, including primary, elementary, middle, high, and higher education, along South Carolina’s Corridor of Shame.

Under her leadership, schools have progressed to high-performing statuses in their respective districts and received national and international acclaim. The schools have been awarded numerous accolades, including the South Carolina Palmetto Silver awards, South Carolina Palmetto Gold awards, and SACS Accreditation evaluated by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dr. Gurley received the Leadership and Dedication Award, presented by the Clio Elem/Middle School PTA, 2004; the Outstanding Public Service Award, presented by the IRS (Internal Revenue Services), 2003; and the Effective School and Community Relationship Award, presented by the Marlboro County School Board (MCSB) and Superintendent, 2002.

Commencement Speaker

Representative J. David Weeks is prominent in South Carolina's legal and political circles. He was born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina, and completed his education in the same region. Weeks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morris College, Sumter, a Master of Education degree from Howard University, Washington D.C., a Juris Doctor of Law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Morris College School of Religion.

Deacon Weeks is an active member of the Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, where he has served as a deacon, senior men’s church school and Evangelism Ministry teacher, member of the Brotherhood and Pastor Support Ministries, Men’s Day Coordinator, youth league basketball coach, chairman of the church’s Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Observance, and member of the Habitat for Humanity Ministry. He is also involved in the Christian Education Institute of the Sumter Baptist Missionary and Education Association and the Sumter Association Sunday School Congress.

Rep. Weeks is active in community organizations and has served on various boards of directors, including the Sumter County Community Development Corporation and the Four Bridges Community Development Association. He is also a thirty-second-degree Mason, Shriner, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc life member.

Weeks is an attorney and operate the Weeks Law Office, LLC in Sumter. He formerly served as Municipal Court Judge for the town of Timmonsville, SC, before he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2000. He has since been re-elected multiple times and serves as the chief minority whip for the House Democratic Caucus. He is also a member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. In 2008, Weeks was unanimously elected Chairman of the 39member South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, a position he held until December 2010.

Weeks has been honored with numerous awards and citations throughout his career, including the "Man of the Year" for Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church Distinguished Alumnus and a Presidential Citation from Morris College. He has also received recognition from various organizations for his community service and legislative work.

Weeks is married to Cheryl Hannibal of Sumter, and they have two daughters, Lynette and Davida, and three grandchildren, Maurice, Tishon, and Monica. His hobbies include public speaking, reading, photography, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to music, especially traditional gospel, jazz, and the blues.

Consecrating Bishop

Carson Eugene Wise, Sr. is an accomplished man with an impressive background in education and ministry. He was born in March 1944 to the Late Marie Wise and attended Lexington County Public Schools. Carson graduated with honors in 1962 from Lexington County Public Schools and subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1968. Carson Wise's education did not end with his military service. He attended the University of Maryland Extension from 1963 to 1966 and received his MBA from Federal City College Alumni in 1975. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Howard University's School of Divinity and his Doctorate of Ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in 1996.

Carson has an extensive background in pastoral ministry. He was an assistant pastor at Spirit of Peace Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, Maryland, from 1988 to 1990. He was then appointed as the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church of McLean, Virginia, where he served from 1991 to 2006. After that, he became the pastor of New Bethany Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., where he served as pastor emeritus from 2007 to 2017.

Carson Wise's commitment to education and the church community is evidenced by his 23 years of service as an instructor for the Congress of Christian Education, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. He also served as the Vice President of Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. for the Eastern Region from 2007 to 2010 and is a life member of the organization.

Currently, Carson is a member of Central Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, under the leadership of Pastor Ricky Ezell. He can be reached at (803)931-3992 (home) or (202) 258-7163 (cell) or via email at carson4469@gmail.com. His rich background in ministry and education makes him an asset to any community fortunate enough to benefit from his wisdom and experience.

3:00

PRELUDE CHOIR

PROCESSIONAL LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING CHOIR

National Anthem Choir

GREETINGS

U.S. SENATE

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND CABINET

THE STATE LEGISLATURE

CITY OF COLUMBIA

RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

RICHLAND 1 SCHOOL BOARD

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

JUDICIAL

BUSINESS

CHURCH COMMUNITY

THE HONORABLE LEON HOWARD

THE HONORABLE MAYOR RICKENNMAN

THE HONORABLE PAUL LIVINGSTON

THE HONORABLE CHERYL HARRIS

The Honorable Dr. Ernest McNealy

THE HONORABLE MICHELLE BRANCH HOWARD

MR. DAVID, GREG, AND KEITH GRIMAUD

REV. DORIS HICKS, PH.D.

CALL TO WORSHIP REV. DORIS HICKS

INVOCATION

DOXOLOGY

PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW; PRAISE HIM, ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW; PRAISE HIM ABOVE, YE HEAVENLY HOST; PRAISE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN

REV. CHARLES AUSTIN

CHOIR AND CONGREGATION

The Reading Of The Scripture

PROVERBS 2

1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-9

INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER

HYMN

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

HYMN

CONFERRING OF DEGREES

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

U.S. DOCTORAL CANDIDATES

DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA

REV. LUELLA REDFERN

DR. JAMES MCKENNEY

JAMES L FELDER

CHOIR AND CONGREGATION

DEACON DAVID J. WEEKS

CHOIR AND CONGREGATION

DR. BEVERLY GURLEY

PRESIDENT, ECUMENICAL UNIVERSITY

STUDENTS FROM 14 COUNTRIES

REV. BENJAMIN MAYS BLOCKER