Former President Bill Clinton will be in South Carolina this weekend to deliver the commencement address at Columbia College.
The small women’s school was able to land the highest profile commencement speaker in the state this year, thanks to Clinton’s friendship with school president Caroline Whitson.
The State newspaper reports Whitson has known Clinton since the mid-1970s when he was just beginning his political career in Arkansas.
Columbia College also hosted Hilary Clinton for a town hall during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Whitson told the State that one of the great things about the Clintons is they always remembered their friends.
The former president is expected to arrive Saturday shortly before the 10:30 a.m. commencement ceremony at the Township Auditorium in Columbia.
Only graduates, their families and the school’s faculty and administration will be allowed to attend the event, where about 235 women will receive degrees.
Whitson, 66, will retire next month after 12 years as president of the Methodist school.
