In his remarks to Coastal Carolina University's Class of 2015, commencement speaker Michael J. Gerson advised graduates not to seek a sense of purpose in fame or worldly success.

Gerson, a columnist and former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush, described his experiences as the Bush administration's chief advocate and adviser for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief. Gerson recounted stories of people he met traveling through Sudan and Uganda who, despite their suffering, led lives of courage and purpose with "silent, uncelebrated grace."

"Even our bleakest midnight moments can be used and transformed into a life of purpose," said Gerson. "Altruism is a form of freedom, freedom from selfish wants. The things that make us most proud, in the end, are not what we gain but what we give."

He advised the graduates to "know who you are, be open to grace, and find the freedom to live lightly and generously."

More than 1,100 students were eligible to walk in CCU's graduation exercises, which were divided into four separate ceremonies and moved indoors due to Tropical Storm Ana. The ceremonies were held in the HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center on the CCU campus.

Six students received the President's Award for Academic Achievement, which recognizes students with the highest cumulative grade point averages. The recipients of the award all had perfect 4.0 grade point averages, graduating summa cum laude: Crystal Brooke Clark, an English major of Conway, Oxana Segeyevna Hendrix, an accounting major of North Myrtle Beach; Lyndsey Renee King, a marine science major of Westfield, Pa.; Jordan Lamar Lauver, an English major of Murrells Inlet; Dominic David Saturday, a recreation and sport management major from Ashtabula, Ohio; and Sommersill Elizabeth Tarabek, an English and communication major of Myrtle Beach.

Four retiring CCU faculty members were recognized for their service: Edgar L. Dyer, distinguished emeritus professor; Michael Ferguson, distinguished emeritus professor; Patricia Piver, emeritus professor; and Susan Webb, distinguished emeritus professor.

All four ceremonies can be viewed online.

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