A total of 166 students marched across the stage at Coastal Carolina University's HTC Center today in CCU's first-ever summer commencement ceremony. Previously, both spring and summer graduate candidates were recognized in the May ceremony.

Commencement speaker Holley Tankersley, chair of CCU's Department of Politics and Geography, spoke on the topic "Tomorrow is the Best Day of Your Life."

"So many people tell students that college is the 'best time of your life.' This is false," said Tankersley, who was named CCU's 2012-2013 Professor of the Year. "If college is the best time you'll ever have, what do you have to look forward to?"

She advised students to follow three daily rules: (1) use your imagination; (2) practice understanding; and (3) learn something new. "If you follow these three rules, you'll always have your best days in front of you."

Graduating student Evan Rodrigues of Southington, Conn., a cadet in CCU's Reserve Officers' Training Cadet (ROTC) program, received his commission at today's ceremony from CCU alumnus 2nd Lt. Anson Cavanagh. The U.S. Army ROTC program at CCU was established in 2008 and has an enrollment of 52 cadets.