CONWAY, S.C. — Anthony Parziale of White Oak, N.C., graduated with a bachelor of science in recreation and sport management during commencement exercises held Dec. 16-17 at Coastal Carolina University.

A total of 719 students were eligible to walk in Coastal Carolina University’s fall 2016 commencement, compared to 595 in 2015 and 590 in 2014.

Speaking to Coastal Carolina University’s largest class of fall semester graduation candidates, commencement speaker Susan O’Malley advised the graduates to follow their passions.

“If you follow you passion, you’ll find your purpose,” said O’Malley, who, following her own early goals, became the first female president of a professional sports franchise at age 29 when she assumed the leadership of the NBA’s Washington Bullets (now the Wizards).

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach. The university offers 70 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree, and 17 master’s degree programs, plus two educational specialist degrees. The university began offering its first doctoral program — the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science — in Fall 2014.

More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.