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The second week in May, ������Ƶ will hold commencement ceremonies recognizing the Class of 2023 at our three campus locations in Hickory, N.C., Asheville, N.C. and Columbia, S.C.

“With another academic year coming to a close, we are excited to recognize our outstanding graduating seniors and graduate students for the Class of 2023,” said ������Ƶ President Dr. Fred Whitt. “They’ve worked tremendously hard and we as a university family are thrilled to celebrate them and their achievements.”

Commencement Ceremonies

• Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m. — Columbia and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary graduate students, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
• Friday, May 12, 6 p.m. — Hickory undergraduate and graduate students, Moretz Stadium
• Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. — Asheville graduate students, Renaissance Asheville

������Ƶ Graduating Student Highlights

• William Blair
  Engineering Physics
  Blair is planning to use his bachelor’s degree to help others through a nonprofit specializing in home repair and construction for vulnerable homeowners in the community.
• Kyle Dugger
  Psychology
  Drafted by the New England Patriots as the 37th pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Dugger was the first player chosen outside Division I. Dugger graduated from ������Ƶ with a major in engineering physics in 2020.
• Samuel Fisher
  Sports Management
  For Samuel Fisher, being an ������Ƶ Bear is in his blood. As a fourth-generation legacy student, he was SGA president, a student-athlete and will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
• Summer Reich
  Music and Theatre
  From Playmakers to music to cheering to being on the Homecoming court, Summer Reich made her experience as an ������Ƶ Bear a fulfilling one. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in music and theatre, she will be continuing her musical theatre studies at Circle in the Square professional training program as one of 15 selected into this prestigious acting program housed in a Broadway theatre.
• Shelby Taylor
  Nursing
  After losing her mother in 2018 and father in 2020, Shelbey Taylor decided to be her own advocate and continue to pursue her dreams of a college degree. Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication, she will be graduating with her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

For those unable to join us in person on the Hickory campus, a commencement live stream will be available at www.lr.edu/live.