UofSC Aiken announces fall 2020 commencement speaker

University alum Dr. Jason Holt to address fall graduates

Aiken, SC (11/10/2020) — Aiken High School principal Dr. Jason Holt will deliver the commencement address at The University of South Carolina Aiken's fall commencement ceremony on November 20, the university announced today.

During his 15 years as an educator, Holt, 36, taught at Jackson Middle School and South Aiken High before becoming an assistant principal at South Aiken. Later he served as the principal at Paul Knox, which became a science-themed school under his leadership. Holt was also the principal at Jackson STEM Middle, helping the school transition from a traditional middle school to a nationally STEM-accredited school.

In 2019 Holt became Aiken High's principal. There he will oversee the Cambridge International program, an inclusive program that allows students to earn college credits for advanced coursework while giving them a global perspective.

Holt is the recipient of several education awards including Inez Tenenbaum Award from the S.C. State Department of Education.

Holt completed his doctoral studies in educational innovation at Augusta University after earning an educational specialist degree in educational leadership at Georgia Regents University. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education from UofSC Aiken.

Last month the university announced its plans to hold the fall 2020 graduation ceremonies in Aiken High School's football stadium on November 20. The outdoor venue allows for a safer gathering place for family members and the graduates. The ceremony is usually held in December, but as a precautionary measure, students will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving holiday, and instead will complete the remainder of their work online.

The exercises will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Aiken High School, located at 449 Rutland Drive in Aiken. The rain date will be Saturday, November 21.

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