Homecoming is one of the most anticipated traditions at South Carolina. Each year, students and alumni pack Williams-Brice Stadium for a day of football, tradition and nostalgia. For third-year criminal justice student Myron Harris, though, this year’s Homecoming will stand out for reasons that extend far beyond the Saturday game.
For the past three years, Harris has helped lead his classmates through his work in Student Government. The 2025 Homecoming football game became a public celebration of that dedication and service to his school when he was crowned Homecoming King.
Community outreach sits at the heart of Student Government at USC, and Student Government’s mission is to empower students to become leaders on and off campus. We want students to lead in word and deed in the classroom, at home and even after they walk across the stage at graduation.
No one exemplifies this kind of leadership better than Harris, which is why it was no surprise when he was crowned as royalty on Oct. 25. Known for his warm smile, infectious laughter and talent for bringing people together, when Harris walks down Greene Street, he rarely goes more than a few steps without stopping to greet someone by name, ask about a test or follow up on an earlier conversation. There is no one at USC who is more fit for both his role as Student Government director of outreach and Homecoming King.
But Harris has worked tirelessly to arrive where he is today. As student body vice president in high school, Harris threw himself into campus life and arrived at USC eager to build on that experience. His USC Student Government journey began back in 2023, with his acceptance into Freshman Council, the precursor to his role in cabinet, where he served as the Secretary of Liberties and Representation.
Working alongside three separate administrations, Harris has seen his fair share of change within Student Government. Harris remembers a time when the various Student Government branches were rather divided. As an extrovert, Harris has appreciated Student Body President Courtney Tkacs and Vice President Jordan Richardson’s emphasis on cross-branch collaboration this term, and he has worked to model that spirit in his own role.
Outside of Student Government, Harris is involved in the USC chapter of Phi Delta Phi, a prestigious pre-law fraternity and honor society, as well as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the TRIO Opportunity Scholars Program. Despite that long list of commitments, Harris said he is most proud of his intentionality in his relationships.
“A lot of successful relationships that I have cultivated are from the simple fact that I can remember details about people,” Harris said. “It allows me to build rapport and eventually friendships with those around me."
With a packed schedule, intense course load and aspirations to attend law school, Harris has little downtime, yet he manages to keep those around him a priority. During his term as outreach director, Harris has launched several projects to connect USC students with the greater Columbia community. One of the most visible is the social media tag #SGinCola, which highlights Student Government events and service opportunities across the city and invites students to engage with life beyond the classroom.
“One piece of feedback that I constantly heard was that Student Government is a very cliquey and niche space,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, Student Government members are students just like them who are trying their best to better the university.”
Harris recounts his crowning as one of the craziest moments of his life. When they announced his name, the student section erupted in applause and joy for their beloved classmate. Not that Harris heard any of it, far too overwhelmed by the excitement of the moment to take in every detail.
“It happened so fast that I think I reacted late to the crown,” Harris said. “My friends told me I clapped and jumped."
While to many, his crowning appeared as nothing but a fun tradition, to those who know Harris well, his crowning was a tangible symbol of his three years of dedication to his peers and community. Harris encourages students hoping to make a difference to try new things and take advantage of the unique opportunities college has to offer.
As Harris prepares to graduate in a few short semesters, the university will feel his absence. He plans to attend law school and continue advocating for others, this time in a courtroom instead of the Leadership and Service Center.
May we all be a little more like Harris and treat each new person we meet as if they are old friends. Wherever his next steps lead, his warmth and approachability are sure to win over the hearts of those around him, just as they did ours long before he wore the crown.