SC State’s Fall Convocation keynote speaker tells freshmen, ‘You belong here.’

Coroner Naida Rutherford spoke to students at SC State’s Fall Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium. Her speech was to motivate students. She emphasized that if students are struggling, they ask for help.

She described her speech as a full-circle moment.

“To be able to give the convocation speech at an HBCU when I didn’t even think I would ever go to college is just a full-circle moment for me.” Rutherford said. “I think this gives students an opportunity to see someone like them, who comes from a place like where they came from.”

Emphasizing “You belong here,” she informed freshmen that adversity gives them tools to think creatively and critically.

“No matter where you come from, it doesn’t determine what your future may be,” Rutherford said.

The annual Fall Convocation is intended to welcome freshmen to the SC State campus and to prepare them for their collegiate experience.

Kameron Sutton and Jordin Oglesby introduced themselves as the 2024-25 freshman class president and vice president.

“I didn’t know that anything about a keynote speaker, and I didn’t know that I would shake hands with the mayor today, but I am thankful for it all,” Sutton said. “It was an amazing experience. I got to learn my Alma Mater, I got to meet some amazing people, and I got to meet my Board, so out of everything, it's an experience I would recommend every freshman to have.”

The freshman class president said one of his biggest takeaways was something similar to what his father told him growing up: “It’s not about where you come from or who you are, it's about what you can make yourself to be and where you want to go in life.”

Oglesby said what she got most from Rutherford's speech is, “Your story does not define you.”

About Naida Rutherford.

Rutherford’s journey from homelessness to becoming a history-making public official is a testament to resilience, service, and determination. In 2020, she was elected to serve as the coroner of Richland County, South Carolina — home to the state’s capital.

Her victory made her the first woman, first medical professional, and first African American to hold this position in the office’s 173-year history.

Rutherford quickly gained national recognition, not just for her role as a Coroner but also as an inspiring motivational speaker. Featured in USA Today, she has cultivated a strong social media presence, especially after launching innovative youth programs designed to introduce young people to unconventional career paths, like investigating causes of death. Rutherford enjoys bringing popular crime shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigators" to life for her audiences, offering a glimpse into the real-world side of forensic science.

Based in Columbia, Rutherford is also a nationally board-certified nurse practitioner, dedicating her medical expertise to serving underserved communities. Through her "ASK A DOCTOR" series, she bridges the gap between medical professionals and community needs, providing crucial resources and information.

Whether dealing with natural or unnatural deaths, Rutherford approaches her work with compassion, guiding families through the shock and sorrow of loss. She believes that every individual’s passing carries a unique story that deserves to be told with dignity, empathy, and justice.

Her life’s work is driven by the belief that no matter the circumstances surrounding someone’s death, their truth is vital and worthy of being heard. Rutherford’s journey from adversity to leadership is a powerful example of how determination and a commitment to serve can transform lives—not just her own, but those of the people she serves every day.