Boiling Springs, N.C. – Today, several thousand friends, family and loved ones were on hand to honor the 2008 fall graduating class of Garner-Webb University. A total of 281 degrees were conferred in the first fall graduation ceremony since 1974. This was only the third fall commencement in Gardner-Webb’s 103-year history.
Dr. Bruce Boyles, superintendent of Cleveland County Schools was the commencement speaker and offered several challenges to the graduating students, “In today’s age when we have so many corporate, government and personal scandals wracking our country, having honesty, integrity and compassion is all but a lost art. Doing the right thing for the right reasons is always the best response.”
GWU President Frank Bonner and C. Neal Alexander, chair of the GWU Board of Trustees, provided additional remarks. Student Government Association President, Timothy Lanning offered a time of reflection and remembrance for this graduating class. “Know that wherever life takes you that you are still a GWU Bulldog. This carries with it some responsibilities. You are now ambassadors for the University and for your fellow graduates. The world can be a dark place. It takes good people to change it, to make it better. You have been given a great responsibly along with this diploma, to uphold the standards of Gardner-Webb with your head held high. Serve your community, serve your country, and most of all serve those that you love.”
During the commencement exercises the Senior Scholastic Achievement Award was presented to Meredith White, English major, of Statesville, N.C. for her comprehensive collegiate academic success.
“As you leave Gardner-Webb with the blessings of this faculty, administration and these trustees, you do so beginning a new chapter in your life. You truly will never be the same. You are better prepared and more poised for success than you were before this experience,” concluded Boyles.|
Degree
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Total Degrees
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Popular Majors
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Bachelor of Science
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152
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Business Administration (39) Social Sciences (39)
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Master of Arts
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32
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School Administration (24)
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Master of Business Administration
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26
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Bachelor of Arts
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20
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Religious Studies (5) English (4) Communication Studies (3)
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