SC State students protest Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette being selected as commencement speaker

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - Students at South Carolina State University protested Tuesday over who the school has chosen as its commencement speaker.

Multiple sources confirmed to WIS that South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette was selected to speak at SC State’s commencement on May 8. Evette’s office also told WIS that the lieutenant governor “was honored to accept the invitation.”

SC State, the state’s only public historically Black college, has not made a formal announcement about Evette as of Tuesday afternoon.

Students were seen marching with signs on campus and also organized a sit-in against Evette, who is also running for governor as a Republican. They argued that Evette’s beliefs and current campaign do not align with the school’s values.

“She can’t speak over us. She doesn’t relate to us. She doesn’t support us,” said Gianna Wright, a SC State student at the protest. “None of her viewpoints align with any Black person that goes to this school. It’s a slap in the face. It’s distasteful. It’s disrespectful.”

SC State President Alexander Conyers met with students during the sit-in, but didn’t say if the school was considering changing plans.

“She has a story if you would listen to it. She’s a female business owner. a millionaire business owner. She has a story that none of you may not know that I’m not fully aware. I know a lot of it,” Conyers said as he addressed students. “But again, a decision was discussed. I’ve heard your concerns, and as updates become available, we will certainly update you.

Evette, who was in Washington with Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday, addressed the protest in a video on her social media accounts.

Let’s be clear: facts trump feelings in the real world. President @realDonaldTrump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history.

Here is my response to the protests today at S.C. State University. pic.twitter.com/HYF4XjzZd0

— Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (@PamelaEvette) April 28, 2026

“Let’s be clear, facts trump feelings in the real world,” Evette said in the video. “President Trump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history.”

The lieutenant governor also said that she “must be doing something right because woke mobs are coming after me for being a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses.”

“Just like President Trump, I’ll never back down or bend a knee to the woke radicals,” she continued.

Evette added that she will have more to say at a later date, ending the video by stating that she looked forward to commencement.

Students say they plan to keep protesting throughout the week.

This is a developing story. Stay with WIS for updates.

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