Gardner-Webb to Recognize Graduates from 2024 Summer and Fall Semesters

Over 400 Graduates will be Honored at Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 13

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University will celebrate the achievements of over 400 graduates on Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. The commencement ceremony honors graduates who completed their degrees in the 2024 Summer and Fall semesters.

“This will truly be one of our favorite and most joyful days of the academic year,” shared Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs. “I look forward to joining with my colleagues at Commencement in recognizing student success, formalizing the completion of degrees, and delivering a charge to our graduates as they prepare to embark on their careers. The charge I will give them is to live out GWU’s ideals and mission—to serve God and humanity—in all that they do and for all whom they encounter. We are proud and excited for the Gardner-Webb University Class of 2024!”

Scholastic awards will be presented to students in the online and traditional undergraduate programs. Doctoral candidates will receive their hoods, and Downs will confer undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

The speaker is former N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson, a Gardner-Webb alumnus. Dobson became the president and chief executive officer of North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) on Nov. 12. 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.

He manages the Association’s work to represent Its membership of more than 135 hospitals and health systems throughout the state. 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.

With over 14 years of experience as a North Carolina elected leader, Dobson’s career has 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.

While in the state house, Dobson helped to write and pass a law to protect healthcare worker safety by making violence against hospital employees a felony. He also worked to enact changes to the state’s mental health law regarding involuntary commitment of individuals in behavioral crises. He contributed to landmark legislation expanding Medicaid for an additional 600,000 North Carolinians.

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.

The 9 a.m. ceremony is also available for live streaming on The University’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Commencement will be 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.