Saint Leo U To Award Degrees To North Charleston, Shaw Students

SUMTER – Saint Leo University (www.saintleo.edu) will host a regional commencement at 7 p.m., Friday, May 31, at Patriot Hall in the Sumter County Cultural Center for more than 40 new degree recipients. Patriot Hall is at 135 Haynsworth St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Participants in the ceremony studied at the Shaw Education Center at Shaw Air Force Base, the Sumter Education Office, and the North Charleston Education Center. While most students are earning bachelor’s degrees, 13 will earn master’s degrees, and three will receive associate degrees.

Giving the commencement address will be Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis, who earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology in 1991 from Saint Leo University’s Shaw Education Center. Dennis was educated in the Sumter School District, graduating from

Hillcrest High School in 1976. He earned an associate degree in criminology from Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, SC, prior to attending Saint Leo. He earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (basic and management level programs), the FBI National Academy, the 90th National Sheriff’s Institute executive level management school, and Leadership Sumter.

A 37-year veteran of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, he began his career in 1982. His promotion to chief deputy in September 2000 was followed by his election as sheriff in 2004, and he began serving in January 2005.

Giving the Class of 2019 farewell will be Felipe Crespo, who is graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion.

Vanessa Seignious of the Class of 2018 will lead the graduates in the traditional turning of the tassels on their mortarboards and welcome them as new alumni.

Classes for the Summer 2 Semester begin June 24 and Fall Semester 1 classes begin August 19. Registration is taking place at all locations.

Saint Leo’s Shaw Education Center is at 398 Shaw Drive, Building 501, Room 116, Shaw Air Force Base, SC 29152. For information, call (803) 666-3221. The Sumter Education Office is at 2751 S. Wise Drive. Sumter, SC 29150. For information, call (803) 469-0028. The North Charleston Education Center is at 7499 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418. For information, call (843) 554-2111.