News Summary
Converse University marked a historic moment during its commencement by graduating a record-breaking class of 222 undergraduates, the largest in its 136-year history. This event underscores the university’s transition to co-education and showcases the academic excellence of its students, including 80 with honors and a Fulbright Scholar. Speeches from President Boone J. Hopkins and Congressman Jim Clyburn inspired graduates to embrace their future roles as leaders. The ceremony was a visual representation of the significant cultural shift occurring at the university, reflecting broader trends in higher education.
Spartanburg – Converse University celebrated a historic milestone during its commencement exercises on May 17, 2025, graduating a record-breaking class of 222 undergraduates, the largest in the institution’s 136-year history. This event marked a significant achievement in the university’s transition to co-education, reflecting a cultural shift and the evolving educational landscape of small colleges across the nation.
Among the graduates, 80 students received academic honors, which underscores the academic excellence maintained by the university. Notably, one of the graduates achieved the esteemed title of Fulbright Scholar, highlighting the high caliber of applicants and students at Converse.
The class of 2025 entered Converse as freshmen in the 2021-2022 academic year, a pivotal time when the university began admitting male students as residential students. Prior to this change, male students had participated in online programs but were not permitted to live on campus.
This transition to co-educational status was officially enacted in the fall of 2021, following a decision made by the Converse Board of Trustees in 2020. It represented a significant shift for the university, which had historically been one of the few all-women’s institutions in the United States since its founding in 1889. The first cohort of men graduated in 2022, with the inaugural class under the new policy completing their studies in 2024.
President Boone J. Hopkins, Ph.D., addressed the graduates during the ceremony, emphasizing their strength in navigating a transformative era characterized by the dual challenges of welcoming male students and the global pandemic. He acknowledged their resilience and adaptability in a changing academic environment.
Linda Layman Redding, chair of the Converse Board of Trustees and a graduate from the class of 1988, spoke to the graduates about the importance of self-confidence and the need to trust their voices as they step into roles as future leaders in their respective fields. This message reinforced the institution’s commitment to empowering all students as they embark on their post-graduate journeys.
Keynote speaker Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) further inspired the graduates by highlighting the potential they possess to contribute positively to society. He shared personal anecdotes about overcoming challenges and underscored the historical breakthroughs in medicine to motivate graduates to seek innovative solutions to contemporary societal issues.
The commencement ceremony featured co-mingling of male and female graduates sitting together, serving as a visual symbol of the significant cultural shift occurring at Converse University. This arrangement not only celebrated academic achievements but also marked a new chapter in the university’s history.
The decision to admit men as residential students mirrors broader trends affecting small colleges, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting demographics of prospective students. The move has potential implications for enrollment strategies and institutional sustainability as Converse University navigates the evolving landscape of higher education.
In conclusion, the historic graduation of the class of 2025 at Converse University marks a defining moment in the university’s history and an important step in its evolution. With a record number of graduates, the university continues to adapt and embrace change, positioning itself as a modern educational institution equipped to meet the needs and aspirations of a diverse student body.
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