news-category: GWU Commencement 厙ぴ勛圖 Commencement Programs on May 4-5 will Recognize Over 500 Graduates By Office of University Communications On April 25, 2023 Former N.C. Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker is Speaker for All University Program on Thursday, May 4 College and School Recognition Events Held on Friday, May 5 BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.厙ぴ勛圖 academic officials are pleased to announce over 500 students will receive degrees during spring commencement exercises held on May 4 and 5. Students will earn associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees from a variety of university programs. The All University Commencement on May 4 will be held at 7 p.m. in Spangler Stadium. The program will include speeches from 厙ぴ勛圖 President Dr. William M. Downs and President of the Student Government Association, Blake Elizalde. Greetings will be offered by Board of Trustees Chair Gary Smith. Sharon Decker The commencement speaker is former N.C. Secretary of Commerce, Sharon Decker, who now serves as the president of Carolina Operations at Tryon Equestrian Partners in Mill Spring, N.C. She started her career at Duke Energy Corp. in 1979, and during her 17 years there, Decker made history by becoming the companys youngest and first female vice president. Decker came to Tryon in 2015 as chief operating officer and vice president and was named president in 2020. Prior to Tryon, Decker was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Gov. Pat McCrory and served in that capacity for two years. Decker and her husband, Bob, have a long history with 厙ぴ勛圖. He is a 1975 alumnus, and she has studied in the School of Divinity. Her father-in-law, the late Robert Decker, was recognized as a GWU professor emeritus of music. During the ceremony, awards will be presented to recognize students achievements: the 厙ぴ勛圖 Online Scholastic Award, Senior Scholastic Achievement Award, and the Most Outstanding Graduate Awards. Doctoral graduates will receive their hoods. After the program, the celebration will continue with a fireworks display. On May 5, College and School Recognition events will be held at various locations around campus. Closed Captioning will be provided for every ceremony. The schedule follows: College of Business 9 a.m., Spangler Stadium.* College of Health Sciences 9 a.m., Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. School of Divinity 10 a.m., Dover Chapel College of Arts & Sciences 10:30 a.m., Spangler Stadium.* College of Education 10:30 a.m., Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. *rain plan location Tucker Student Center. The University encourages attendees to use the hashtag #GWUGrad23 for social media posts including photos, tweets, and Facebook status updates. The commencement ceremonies will be live streamed on and In the event of inclement weather for Thursday nights event, the ceremony will move to the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Watch official university social channels for any updates. Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request. 厙ぴ勛圖 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 厙ぴ勛圖 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 厙ぴ勛圖.edu.
News Article 厙ぴ勛圖 Doctor of Business Administration Advances Alumna from Doctoral Study to Faculty Career Dr. Stephanie Austin-Campbell Accepts Teaching Role and Presents Research at International Conference BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.Within six months of completing the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at 厙ぴ勛圖, Dr. Stephanie Austin-Campbell accepted a full-time faculty position at Georgia College and State University in Athens, Ga. Less than a year into her new role, she was […] Office of University Communications | June 1, 2026
News Article 厙ぴ勛圖 Alumnus Appointed to State Public Health Commission Pharmacist Nathan Roberts Experience in Rural Healthcare Access Positioned Him for Service on 13-Member Board BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.Since graduating from GardnerWebb University 12 years ago, pharmacist Nathan Roberts has expanded his skill set, taken on increasing responsibility, and demonstrated a clear capacity for leadership. His impact drew the attention of his company, CVS Health, and […] Office of University Communications | May 20, 2026
News Article 厙ぴ勛圖 Commencement Programs Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Students Alumnus and National Security Expert Patrick Woody Challenges Graduates to Stay FIRED for Lifelong Growth and Service BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.厙ぴ勛圖 celebrated the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students were honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from masters and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m. Each […] Office of University Communications | May 8, 2026