U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman To Speak At Limestone Commencements

Limestone College will welcome Congressman Ralph Norman as its commencement speaker on Friday, Dec. 14, inside Fullerton Auditorium.

Rep. Norman is scheduled to speak at both Limestone graduation ceremonies that day, one starting at 10:45 a.m. and the other beginning at 2:45 p.m.

Congressman Norman is a lifelong resident of South Carolina’s 5th District that he now represents. He currently serves on the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology and the House Small Business Committee.

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology holds jurisdiction over federal research and development unrelated to national defense. It oversees a number of major federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and NASA.

The House Small Business Committee is designed to aid in the advancement of American small businesses. It holds jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration (SBA), issues of financial aid, and federal regulations that pertain to small businesses.

The 5th Congressional District includes all of Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Union, and York counties and parts of Spartanburg, Newberry, and Sumter counties.

Rep. Norman studied at Rock Hill public schools, graduating from Rock Hill High School in 1971. He attended Presbyterian College in Clinton and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

He has established himself as one of South Carolina’s leading businessmen. Rep. Norman joined his father’s property and construction business right after college and grew it into one of South Carolina’s most successful commercial real estate developers.

Over the course of his career, Congressman Norman has served with a number of organizations dedicated to improving the community. These organizations include the York County Home Builders Association, the Children’s Attention Home, the Salvation Army, and the Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors.

It was announced earlier this year that Limestone’s commencement exercises will have a distinctive new look as the College strives to bring together graduates from its various degree programs.

In years past,  Limestone has held separate graduation ceremonies over three days for its Day Campus, Evening Program, and Online/MBA Programs. Beginning in December, there will be two commencement exercises that will take place on the same day.

At 10:45 a.m., Limestone will hold a graduation ceremony for its Arts & Humanities Division and Education & Behavioral Sciences Division. Those majors include (Arts & Humanities) Art, English, History, Liberal Studies, Music, Professional Communications, and Theatre, along with (Education & Behavioral Sciences) Childcare Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Math Education, Physical Education, Psychology, and Social Work.

Then at 2:45 p.m., the College will hold commencement for its Natural/Health Sciences Division and Business & Professional Studies Division. Those majors include (Natural/Health Sciences) Athletic Training, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Health Sciences, and Mathematics, along with (Business & Professional Studies) Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Human Resource Management, and Sport Management.

All graduates will be allowed four tickets for the respective commencement ceremonies for friends and family members. The College will also offer overflow seating in other locations on campus where visitors can view the commencements live via video stream. The commecements will also be made available live over the internet.

Limestone President Dr. Darrell Parker said that the long-range plan is for a similar schedule of events to take place for commencement exercies in May of 2019 and those that follow for years to come.