All in the family: Dad, daughter march in University’s anniversary of 200th graduation

The five young men in the University of South Carolina’s graduating class of 1807 probably never imagined women in college classes, much less a 55-year-old man receiving his college degree more than 30 years after beginning its pursuit.

But times change. And in the 21st century, Courtney McVicker, 22, shared the commencement stage Monday (Dec. 17) with her dad, Dr. Don McVicker, 55, who was a student at the university from 1971 – 74.

McVicker ended his days at Carolina when he received early acceptance to study at the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The McVickers were among more than 2,100 graduates from the university’s eight campuses who participated in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of its first graduating class. John Caldwell, Anderson Crenshaw, Walter Crenshaw, George Glenn and John Harper from Mount Bethel Academy in Newberry County were the graduates in the South Carolina Class of 1807.

A video tribute commemorating the first class called the charter of South Carolina College “a dramatic new beginning for South Carolina.”

From a class of five, the university has grown to 240,000 living alumni and an economic impact of $1.5 billion on the Palmetto State, University President Andrew Sorensen said.

Although McVicker went on to earn a specialty license certificate in endodontics from the Medical College of Virginia and to have a successful career in Charleston, he felt that not having his undergraduate degree “was one small box on the educational journey that was never checked. It was always a slippery question to answer when I was asked where I received my undergraduate degree, like not going to one’s high-school prom. It just didn’t feel complete.”

After reviewing his transcript from MUSC, the University of South Carolina awarded McVicker a degree in interdisciplinary studies. The father and daughter, wearing bright yellow cords over their black robes, were cum laude graduates.

McVicker, who returned from a dental mission trip to Honduras over the weekend, announced at Thanksgiving that with his daughter’s permission he would walk at the Dec. 17 commencement – some 33 years after leaving the Columbia campus.

“The spotlight is on Courtney,” he said. “After all, she’s the one who has worked so hard over the last four years.”

But Courtney, 22, who received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications, loved the idea. “I thought it would be very special, and it’s great that it’s working out like this.”

Fortunately, the senior McVicker didn’t have to worry about finding a cap and gown at the last minute. He borrowed both from his son Jason, 26, who graduated in August from the university with a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management.

The younger McVicker thought it an honor that he could pass along his graduation garb to his dad. “He’s an excellent role model,” he said. “He always told me ‘If you work hard, you’ll be rewarded.”

Jason’s learned that already. He went from waiting tables at McCutchen House on the university’s historic Horseshoe last spring to an internship over the summer at a Hampton Inn in Charleston. He recently was promoted to be guest-services manager at the inn.

With Courtney weighing her options for a career in public relations and Jason gainfully employed, McVicker is looking to a new future in which service to others will be key.

“My focus and energies are being redirected to serve less fortunate people.”

Service wasn’t a goal when he was a Carolina student.

“It was all about me then,” he said. “But your life changes. It’s time for me to shift my life from one of professional success to one of personal significance.”

Earlier in the day, the university awarded 82 doctoral degrees in a ceremony at the Koger Center.

A repeat of the commencement is scheduled to air at noon Wednesday, Jan. 2, on the SCETV digital cable channel.