Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients
A commencement address offers inspiration, practical advice and life lessons. It’s meant to congratulate students on working hard and crossing the finish line to adulthood. The commencement speaker is given the very difficult task of writing something that hasn’t been said before. The speakers strive to write something meaningful that students will remember.
The College of Charleston has chosen the following distinguished speakers to inspire and congratulate the Class of 2025 at the four commencement ceremonies in the Cistern Yard this year: Ron Magnuson (ceremony for the Graduate School on Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m.), Cynthia and Ronald Thompson (ceremony for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs on Friday, May 9, at 10 a.m.), Demetria Noisette Clemons ’75 (ceremony for the School of Health Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics on Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m.) and Janine McCabe ’98 (ceremony for the School of Business and the School of the Arts on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m.).
Honorary Degrees will be awarded to Ron Magnuson, Demetria Noisette Clemons '75 and Cynthia and Ronald Thompson. Below are brief bios for each of the speakers.
Ron Magnuson is the executive director of graduate and executive programs in the College of Charleston School of Business. Prior to the College, he worked at the University of Pittsburgh as the director of administration for the School of Business and taught business ethics and labor relations as an adjunct. In 2014, he was appointed to a full-time faculty position as a clinical assistant professor. In this position, he was responsible for teaching the MBA capstone course.
Before academia, Magnuson spent most of his career in the energy industry. After receiving his electrical engineering degree from Bucknell University, he worked as an engineer for two different utility companies. He then earned an MBA and was appointed to various management positions at Allegheny Energy. His two key executive positions were the executive director of human resources and vice president of the customer business unit. He took part in external management development programs, including the Advanced Management Program at Wharton. He has always been incredibly involved in community and industry organizations and was a member of several boards of directors. He was the chair of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the Marketing Executive Conference and the Pitt Greensburg Advisory Board. The latter gave him the opportunity to serve on the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees.
Magnuson is a father of five children and has seven grandchildren. He is a deacon at his church and an avid tennis player. He and his wife, Charlene, live on Daniel Island, South Carolina.
Cynthia and Ronald Thompson both grew up and were educated in Michigan. They are the proud parents of Sela Thompson Collins, in-laws of Art Collins and grandparents of Matthew, Mackenzie and Mance.
Cynthia is a member of the College of Charleston Foundation Board and is the retired vice president of Midwest Stamping and Manufacturing Company, a supplier of automotive components. Her career also included serving on the faculty of Virginia State University and the Community Health Board of Seattle.
She is an experienced leader in nonprofit governance. She is a curator emerita on the Board of Curators for the University of Missouri System and served on boards of trustees of the St. Louis Science Center and the University of Toledo. She is currently on the Toledo Museum of Art Board of Directors, and is a former board chair. She also served as the national chair of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She has worked with numerous other nonprofit boards and been honored for her dedication and leadership.
Cynthia holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, an M.S. in nutrition from Michigan State University and a B.S. from the University of Michigan. She received an honorary degree from Lourdes University in Toledo, Ohio.
For his part, Ronald has had a long career as an entrepreneur. He was board chairman and chief executive officer of Midwest Stamping and Manufacturing Company, a supplier of automotive components. His previous company, The GR Group, was a specialty manufacturer of defense and railroad equipment. Prior to beginning his entrepreneurial pursuits, he served on the faculties of Old Dominion University, Virginia State University and the University of Michigan.
Ronald is an experienced leader in corporate governance. He was chairman of the board of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, lead director of Fiat Chrysler Automotive and a board member of Chrysler Corporation. He served on the boards of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Ralston Purina, RyersonTull, Commerce Bank of St. Louis, Illinova and Interstate Bakeries. In addition, he has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and community organizations, including the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation. He was recognized by the National Association of Corporate Directors with their B. Kenneth West Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
He has a Ph.D. and an M.S. in agricultural economics from Michigan State University and a B.A in business administration from the University of Michigan.
Demetria Noisette Clemons ’75 is an educational consultant specializing in data analysis, educational administration and situational leadership. She retired after more than 34 years of experience in education, working as a principal specialist for the S.C. Department of Education and as a principal, grant coordinator, counselor and teacher for several school districts in South Carolina.
She is a trustee emerita of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees, having served as a member from 2004 to 2024 and as vice chair from 2018 through 2023. She was a past member of the College of Charleston Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Growing up in Charleston, Clemons had already completed all the required courses for early graduation from high school and enrolled at the College of Charleston by age 16. Three years after enrolling, at age 19, she walked across the Cistern. She has a B.S. in psychology, an M.Ed. in counseling from The Citadel and extensive coursework in educational administration from American University.
For her dedicated service as a member of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees and her exemplary efforts for the betterment of both the board and the College, she received the College of Charleston IMPACT Award and President Theodore Stern Visionary Award. The Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership awards program at the College acknowledged her services to the student community by establishing the Demetria N. Clemons Distinguished Mentoring Award.
Her generosity of time, spirit and wisdom contributed significantly to the past, present and future success of students at the College. She is considered a guiding light to her alma mater, her community and her state.
Janine McCabe ’98 is originally from New Jersey and found her way to the College of Charleston as a transfer student, graduating with a B.A. in theatre. She continued her studies at the University of Virginia, receiving an M.F.A in costume design. She worked in New York City on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in opera and in dance until returning to the College as a visiting faculty member in 2006, tenure track in 2007. She served as department chair from 2014 to 2024. She leads the costume design and technology concentration and teaches in the First-Year Experience.
McCabe serves as the artistic director of CofC Stages and of the Stelle di Domani for Piccolo Spoleto, which highlights alumni, current students, faculty and staff.
In her 19 years at the College, she has designed almost 100 productions, more than 30 for the Department of Theatre and Dance. She mentors student costume designers for all theatre and dance productions and occasionally for opera in the Department of Music. She’s committed to fostering valuable experiential learning opportunities for her students, both on campus and off, connecting them to the profession through work with Annex Dance Company, Charleston Opera Theatre, Pure Theatre, Charleston Stage and Spoleto Festival USA.
McCabe was recently recognized with the 2024 CofC SOTA Alumni Service Award in 2024, 2024 SCTA Award for Excellence in Theatre Design & Technology and the 2024 URTA Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Training.
She is often seen with her 9-year-old son, Charlie, who prefers the College campus over elementary school.