COLUMBIA – Mary Jane McCants Corradi Lee participated in commencement exercises at the University of South Carolina on May 6.
The exercises were held at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. They began with a series of academic processions. They were headed by the university mace party and followed by representatives of the university faculties, members of the university Board of Trustees, and the university president.
Once the candidates for degrees and certificates were recognized, the National Anthem was sung, followed by the invocation prayer.
University President Dr. Michael D. Amiridis presided. He made sincere remarks that reflected his admiration for the graduates. He shared heartfelt sentiments related to what the students had endured and overcome, over the past several years, in an unprecedented time in education. After Amiridis completed his remarks, the provost presented the candidates. Degrees were conferred in the course by the president, followed by the benediction, singing of the Alma Mater, and the recessional.
Lee graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.
While enrolled at the University of South Carolina, Lee was recognized on the Dean’s Honor List and the President’s Honor List. She was also a recipient of the Life Scholarship and the Lillian Murphy Cain Scholarship presented by the SC Colonial Dames of the 17th Century.
After graduation, Lee, family members, and friends enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Villa Tronco in Columbia. The following afternoon, a picnic was held in her honor at the farm in Blenheim. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing about carefree times and future aspirations for her.
The cabin was decorated with mementos and pictures highlighting Lee’s college experience. A decorated USC cake was cut and served before guests departed.
On May 11, 2023, Mary Jane Lee and her mother, Jayne Lee, left for a graduation trip to New York City. While in New York, they enjoyed two Broadway plays, “Funny Girl” and “Wicked,” as well as, shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
Sights and dining establishments of particular interest, in and around Midtown Manhattan, included: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Times Square, Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Gemma, and Sessions in The Hard Rock Hotel, where they stayed. They also enjoyed visiting Kristin Garris, niece of Luther and Janis Page, who lives and works in New York.
Mary Jane Lee is the daughter of Luke and Jayne Lee. She is the granddaughter of the late Jamie and Mary Lee of Bennettsville and the late Alexander and Janis Corradi, also of Bennettsville.
Lee is a 2020 graduate of Marlboro Academy.
Out-of-town guests for the festivities included Mary Jane’s brother, Carson Lee, from Atlanta, Ga, and her sister, Jayne Carpenter, from Weaverville, N.C.