Coastal Carolina University will hold two commencement ceremonies next December after Saturday’s graduation at the HTC Center grew so crowded that more than 300 people were forced to watch a video of the service in a nearby auditorium.

“We’re learning that we’re bigger than we used to be,” said Eddie Dyer, Coastal’s chief operating officer. “It taught us a lesson. ... We need to do two.”

Dyer envisions Coastal holding separate commencements on the same Saturday in December 2015. He’s recommending that one serve the colleges of business and education, and another celebrate the sciences and humanities. The details are still being worked out, but Coastal officials insist there will be two ceremonies next year.