Gardner-Webb Honors Achievements of 2024 Summer and Fall Graduates

Over 400 Recognized at Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 13

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—In Gardner-Webb University’s commencement ceremony on Dec. 13, former N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson challenged his audience of over 400 graduates to follow their dreams with all their hearts. Dobson, a 2005 GWU alumnus, served over 14 years as a North Carolina elected leader and recently became the president and chief executive officer at North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA).

The ceremony began with a welcome from Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs to the 2024 Summer and Fall graduates and their guests. “Today, we celebrate your achievement. We celebrate your persistence, and we celebrate your determination,” Downs praised. “And, perhaps most importantly, we celebrate the promise that each of you will carry forth from this moment and from this place…the promise of a bright and rewarding future. We also give thanks for everyone here this morning supporting you. To all of the parents, spouses, friends, and loved ones of our graduates, I want to say how pleased we are to have you here at Gardner-Webb University…and on behalf of our faculty, staff, and trustees, thank you for everything you have done to support our graduates during their time with us.”

The program included the invocation, a prayer of thanksgiving, offered by Vice President of Christian Life and Service and University Chaplain Dr. Josh Parrott, and the singing of the national anthem led by Dr. Aaron Rice, associate professor of music and chair of the Department of Music. Gardner-Webb Board of Trustees Chair Gary Smith brought welcome and greetings from the board. Music was provided by the combined Gardner-Webb University Orchestra and Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Patricia Sparti, professor of music. 

Downs introduced Dobson, who manages the NCHA’s work to represent Its membership of more than 135 hospitals and health systems throughout the state. The Association unites hospitals, health systems and care providers for healthier communities, advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships to make high quality healthcare equitable and accessible for all. His role also includes directing NCHA Strategic Partners, a subsidiary that helps healthcare providers access cost-effective products and services and the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation, the charitable, non-profit innovative and programmatic arm of the association.

Dobson’s career included serving as a McDowell County Commissioner, a state representative, and Commissioner of Labor, during which he also was a member of the Council of State. For eight years, Dobson represented the 85th state house district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state. He also served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee and chair of the House Health Committee.

A North Carolina native, Dobson received his bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University. He lives in Raleigh and Nebo with his wife, Valerie, and their daughter, Kennedy.

Speaking to the graduates, Dobson shared three statements that he wished someone would have told him on his graduation day. He explained that he didn’t have the traditional college experience. He left college after his freshman year to take a job at a local manufacturing facility where he worked the night shift. Then, when terrorists attacked America on Sept. 11, 2001, he was deeply affected and knew he needed to return to college to get an education. “However, I was married with a mortgage by that time,” he told the graduates. “Had it not been for this University and the opportunities that it provided for guys like me from a blue-collar background, I would have never been blessed to represent McDowell, Avery, and Mitchell Counties in the North Carolina State House and there is no way I would’ve had the honor of serving North Carolina as your Commissioner of Labor, nor the opportunity I’ve been given now to lead the North Carolina Healthcare Association, working with hospitals and health systems across the state.”

He continued, “So, President Downs, I have to say thank you to you, the faculty past and present, and thank you to this University for the opportunities provided to a poor boy from western North Carolina. And to be here standing before you today as your commencement speaker is truly one of the honors of my life.”   

After encouraging graduates to follow their passions, Dobson’s two other challenges included: “Don’t let the drama of life pull you down,” and “You must never quit.”

Referring to the “Rocky” movies, Dobson summed up his advice, “If you really pursue your dreams and put your whole heart into life, you will have a meaningful full life, far more good than bad, but you will get knocked down, you will get bloodied, you will get scared, and you will get hurt … You really don’t lose at life unless you give up. If you look at history, those men and women who were able to persevere through failure and hard times are the ones that go on to be great. Never, ever quit pursuing your dreams.” 

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Aubrey presented scholastic awards to students in the online and traditional undergraduate programs. The Gardner-Webb Online Scholastic Award is given at each commencement to the online student with the highest cumulative grade point average. The 2024 Fall Online Scholastic Award recipient was Elizabeth Dahl, who earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Next, Aubrey presented the Senior Scholastic Award, given to the members of the graduating class who earn the highest grade point average during their terms of university study. There were two winners this year: Caitlyn Hamrick, who earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, and Kyndal Jackson, who earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. Jackson was also recognized in 2020 as the second recipient of the Tucker Scholarship, the University’s most prestigious undergraduate award.

Doctoral candidates received their hoods, and Downs conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates. Lesley Villarose, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, led the graduates in the traditional turning of the tassels.

Video from the 9 a.m. ceremony is also available on The University’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Commencement was followed by recognition services as follows:

• 11 a.m. – College of Health Sciences, Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center
• 11 a.m. – School of Divinity, Dover Chapel
• 11 a.m. – Godbold College of Business, Tucker Student Center
• 1 p.m. – College of Education, Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center
• 1 p.m. – College of Arts and Sciences, Tucker Student Center

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.