Lees-McRae College awards largest number of degrees in College history

Lees-McRae College awarded 251 degrees, the largest number in College history, during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 7. Among the graduates, 23 graduated with honors, 58 graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA), 63 graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) and 33 graduated cum laude (3.50-3.69 GPA).

Dr. Todd Lidh, provost, presented Dianne L. May, member of the Lees-McRae board of trustees, with an honorary Doctor of Humanities. Dr. Lidh also presented an honorary Doctor of Humanities to the president of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), Dr. A. Hope Williams, the 2016 commencement speaker.

Following the acceptance of her honorary degree, Dr. Williams addressed the graduates, “You are ready. You have the education, experience and tools you need for a wonderful future – the future you will make. Embrace this – your path forward.”

During the ceremony, two graduates were honored with the H.C. Evans, Jr. Fidelity Award. Named after the ninth president of Lees-McRae College, the Fidelity Award recognizes academic excellence, campus citizenship, friendliness and service to the College and community. The main campus award was presented to business administration graduate Cameron Redd and the extended campus and online learning award was presented in absentia to nursing graduate Christie Isenhour.

To view photos from the 2016 commencement ceremony, please visit Lees-McRae College’s Facebook page at facebook.com/lmc.edu.