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Commencement Ceremonies on May 8 will Celebrate Achievements of Over 500 Graduates

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥敽＝峭� will celebrate the achievements of over 500 graduates on May 8 in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Traditional undergraduate students will be honored at 9 a.m., with graduates from master鈥檚 and doctoral programs recognized at 2 p.m. 聽

鈥淐ommencement is one of the most meaningful days in the life of our University, as we celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and achievement of our graduates,鈥� noted GWU President Nate Evans. 鈥淓ach of these students leaves 海角网 prepared not only for professional success, but to lead lives of purpose, service, and impact. We are proud of what they have accomplished and excited to see the difference they will make in their communities and beyond.”

Each ceremony will begin with the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell. As America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year, the bell鈥檚 symbolism carries special meaning. It has long been used to open Gardner鈥慦ebb commencement ceremonies, convocations, and special assemblies. The bell was first rung in the fall of 1970 to inaugurate Gardner鈥慦ebb鈥檚 first year as a senior college.

The replica weighs 44 pounds and stands 15 inches high. It is one of a limited edition of 2,400 bells produced to mark the bicentenary of American Independence (1776-1976)鈥攐ne for each month of the 200 years. The certificate of ownership states: 鈥淭his is to certify that Bell No. 0395 was cast by order of 海角网 College, Boiling Springs, N.C., at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London. This bell is to the scale of one-fifth the original Liberty Bell ordered from the same foundry by the Province of Pennsylvania in 1752, and was cast on the same site.鈥�

Senior Scholastic awards will be presented to traditional undergraduate and online students, and doctoral candidates will receive their hoods. Evans will confer undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

The featured speaker, Patrick Woody, a Gardner鈥慦ebb 2003 alumnus and former student body president, will bring the commencement address. He is founder and CEO of Point of Warning, a consulting firm that provides risk, intelligence, public policy, and organizational improvement services to government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

A cybersecurity professional with experience across the U.S. Intelligence Community鈥攊ncluding the CIA, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center鈥擶oody directly advised multiple U.S. Presidents, White House leadership, Cabinet officials, and Congress on critical national security issues.

He later served in leadership roles at Twitter, Twitch, and Epic Games, where he became a recognized authority on combating online harms such as extremism, information integrity, child safety, and strategic partnerships. Before his time in government, Woody worked for the One Economy Corporation, using technology to improve the lives of individuals and communities facing poverty in the United States and abroad.

Woody received a Bachelor of Arts in history at 海角网. He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations and comparative politics from George Mason University and doctoral work in international relations at the University of Maryland.

Woody has had the privilege of serving on the boards of directors for multiple organizations.

The ceremonies will also be available for live streaming on The University鈥檚 and channel.

海角网 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., 海角网 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 海角网.edu.