Hartsville, South Carolina – Neel Sus, a distinguished graduate of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM), will soon be back where his school career began. Sus will give the commencement address for the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 30. The event will be held in the DeLoach Center at Coker University in Hartsville. It will bring together students, family, staff, and alumni to celebrate a big milestone.
Sus, who graduated from GSSM in 1995, has spent almost 30 years cultivating his reputation as a cutting-edge leader in the tech industry. He has led Susco Solutions, a software company based in New Orleans, through years of growth as its founder and CEO. The business and its culture have both received national attention.
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Susco Solutions is known for its RocketClaims™ platform and focuses on modernizing processes for mid-market enterprises and building specialized claims management systems. The company has been on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest-growing enterprises for five years in a row and has been awarded one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces in the United States twice.
Sus explains that going back to GSSM means a lot to him because the school changed his life in many ways, both intellectually and personally. He says that GSSM helped him grow as a person and gave him the ideals that later helped him in his job.
“Returning to GSSM as this year’s commencement speaker is incredibly meaningful to me — not just because it’s been nearly 30 years, but because this school played a pivotal role in my personal transformation,” Sus said. “It challenged me in ways I didn’t expect — not just academically, but emotionally and socially. Being invited back is both humbling and energizing — it feels like coming full circle.”
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GSSM President Danny Dorsel expressed enthusiasm for Sus’s appearance, highlighting the value of alumni sharing their stories.
“From his time here as a student to building a successful business in New Orleans, he’s been an inspiration to many. I know the Class of 2025 will take away meaningful lessons from his journey and insight,” Dorsel said.
The doors will open for guests at 10:15 a.m., and the ceremony will start at 11 a.m. There will be seating on the main floor and in the bleachers, and staff and junior ushers will be there to assist attendees. At 9 a.m., all of the graduating seniors will meet in the GSSM gym for a class photo.
After that, they will go to the DeLoach Center for the ceremonial ceremony. After the presentation, there will be a celebration in the school’s North Lobby and dining hall. If you can’t make it, you can watch the proceedings live on the GSSM website.
As he prepares to address the graduates, Sus offers advice drawn from his own experience:
“You’ve already proven yourselves intellectually — but your next stage of growth will come from how you show up in your relationships and how deeply you’re willing to know yourself. Seek feedback, embrace discomfort, and focus on becoming someone who lifts others up,” Sus added.
Additional details about the ceremony and the graduating class can be found at the GSSM website.
