During my four-plus years at Coastal Carolina University, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of our students.
Whether you are a member of the Student Government Association, African American Initiative for Men, Presidential Ambassadors, various fraternities and sororities, Chanticleer Athletics or countless other organizations, I have always been inspired by our interactions. You are the reason this University is so great, and I thank you for the difference you have made on our campus.
Together, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth on campus, ranging from a record-setting enrollment of 11,348 students in Fall 2024, to new facilities such as Thompson Library, the Indoor Practice Facility and the soccer complex.
Several other state-of-the-art buildings are on the horizon, including a new home for our Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance which we hope to break ground on before the end of 2025.
Together, we’ve also experienced the impressive growth of our academics, including the launch of the CCU Space Program and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing prelicensure program, and have recognized several new national scholarship recipients.
Each day, I am reminded of the remarkable beauty of our campus.
There’s nothing better than strolling through Prince Lawn or Travis E. Overton Park and visiting with so many of you and our faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students and their families and other visitors. This time of the year truly shows the splendor of our home away from home with campus in full bloom.
As a college president for nearly 25 years now, one of my most satisfying experiences is participating in commencement ceremonies. CCU offers a university-wide ceremony as well as college-specific ceremonies, which reflect the individual personality of each college.
As we turn our attention to the Spring 2025 ceremonies on May 9-10, I look forward to celebrating with many of you and your families during these milestone events.
In mid-July, I will take office as the 27th president of West Virginia University.
Words cannot express my family’s deepest gratitude to the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who have embraced us and made this university so special. We have developed numerous meaningful friendships and cherished memories as members of the Chanticleer family. This will always feel like home to us, and we thank you for that.
Go Chants!
Michael T. Benson
President
