Graduating science seniors reflect on lessons, support that shaped their SC State journeys

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Graduating seniors from the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at South Carolina State University say the institution taught them life lessons as part of preparing them for their next steps in life.

Whether they’re seeking careers in dentistry or forensic pathology, students expressed appreciation for the support of their instructors and the hands-on learning that the university provided them with as they look forward to graduating.

Several of them filed through the halls of the Leroy Davis Sr. Science and Research Complex on May 1 for a drop-in event for graduating students in biology, chemistry and physics.

 The informal event was an opportunity to recognize the seniors who graduate during the university’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, May 8, at the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

‘They want us to be successful.’

Eden Hemphill, 23, is a senior biology major from Winnsboro, South Carolina.

She said she wants to apply to dental school after graduation.

“I think SC State prepared me very well. I’m a transfer student. My journey to college is somewhat unique, and I feel like I’ve experienced a lot. So whatever grad school has for me, I feel like I’ll be prepared,” Hemphill said.

She said she appreciates the close-knit, family-like atmosphere that SC State staff provided her.

“I’ll definitely miss the sense of family. It feels like home here. The people actually help you genuinely from the bottom of their heart. I can tell that they want us to be successful,” Hemphill said.

Reanna Tucker is a senior biology major from Columbia, South Carolina.

“What I’m going to miss most about SC State is the way that the professors want you to learn. They want you to maintain the information that’s given, and I can say that for most of my classes,” the 22-year-old said.

Tucker wants to go into the forensics field upon graduation.

“I’m not sure which area just yet, DNA analysis or forensic pathology,” she said, noting that SC State had prepared her for her next steps in life.

“It’s actually prepared me a lot. It gave me a lot more lab experience if I were to go straight into forensics,” Tucker said.

She said her instructors at SC State provided her with a good foundation for learning.

“If you build a great connection with the professors, they’ll help you a lot,” Tucker said.

Hands-on experiences shape plans

Payton Abney of Charlotte, North Carolina, is also a graduating biology major at SC State.

“I plan to go get my master’s in biotechnology, and then I’m going to go to pharmacy school afterward,” she said.

The 21-year-old said her learning experience at SC State exposed her to many opportunities.

“I think it’s really just being able to network and meet different people and, specifically in our department, being able to travel and go to different universities. We actually just went to Guatemala in March,” Abney said.

She said her instructors have been instrumental to her success.

“I can say that they really believe in you, especially when they know your potential. I can say that a lot of them have definitely poured into me and worked with me very closely to make sure that I achieve my goals,” Abney said. 

“I think I’ll really just miss having a close family-like bond with everybody in the department and just being able to be myself,” she said.

Abney had served as president and vice president of the Health Professions Society. 

“I would also like to recognize Dr. James Stukes because he was an amazing advisor to everyone. He really just pours into literally every single person he meets.

“Even if he just met you that day, he’s willing to try his hardest to get whatever he can get done for you. Without him, I wouldn’t even know where I’d be, and I’m just very grateful for him,” she said.

Biology major Jordon Moorer of Columbia, South Carolina, said he is looking forward to going to medical school after graduating.

“SC State has prepared me academically, but I also learned a lot of life lessons from teachers. At times when I didn’t want to really push, they would stay up on me kind of like a parent,” the 23-year-old said.

 “I’ll probably miss the staff the most. The staff’s just so helpful, and they’re welcoming. I also transferred. I was at Clemson for a year, but I transferred, and it was almost like a family here. It’s like they really stay up on you. If you need help, they help you in any way they can,” Moorer said.

Department chair proud of students, support systems

“We love our kids. We’re very proud of all of them. Many started off not where they wanted to be, but [they made it] with the support of faculty, mentoring services that we have here at the university, and the supportive programs at this institution,” said Dr. Judith Salley, a biology professor and chair of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at SC State.

“I don’t think we give enough credit to all of the supportive programs … that the university provides. I was director of a statewide program called SCAMP. There were 12 institutions involved across the state of South Carolina. I became familiar with the kind of services they provide their students,” Salley said.

The Louis Stokes South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-SCAMP) was a statewide initiative designed to increase the participation of underrepresented minority students, especially women, in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Salley was the executive director of the initiative, which included a dozen colleges and universities for more than 15 years. 

“Some of them picked students up as soon as they come through the door of their university. They have certain programs they put them in, they shore up the deficiencies that they have, and they move them on out into their desired degree programs. 

“We are starting to do some of that, and that’s why we’re seeing the results. When we do more, we’re going to reap the benefits. We’re going to see more students graduating on time, more students moving beyond graduation because they’re confident in the education they received here,” she said.

“So, we’re putting in place pieces that I’m pleased with when the kids get here, even before they come to us. But we have our own in this department. We have our own support people and support courses,” Salley said. 

The long-time educator said she is proud of the graduates that her department has produced, as well as all other graduates.

“I’m proud of all the students at this university. I love them for even choosing South Carolina State because I am an alumnus of this great university. I love it, I support it, I do all I can to make it great. I try to instill that in my students,” she said.

The science students will be among approximately 380 students who receive degrees on Friday at Spring Commencement, which will begin at 10 a.m. in Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, where seating will be limited to ticket holders.

For more information about SC State’s STEM programs and other fields of study, visit scsu.edu/academics.