Clouds loomed overhead, but even that couldn’t dull the excitement as 506 master’s and doctoral degrees were conferred during the 2024 University of Lynchburg Commencement ceremonies.The graduate-level celebrations launched with the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 16, in Sydnor Performance Hall. The event honored 15 EdD students.
University President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar greeted the doctoral candidates and highlighted the important role they will play when they leave Lynchburg.
“You must lead the way as a bright light in the darkness, illuminating the path forward — some days with data, reason, and certainty, and some days by faith,” she said. “Leadership is not an easy mantle to bear, but I am confident you will wear it with courage and with grace.”
Dr. Roger Jones, co-founder and co-director of the Center for Innovative Leadership and Professional Development at the University of Lynchburg, then addressed the Doctor of Education students as their keynote speaker.
Jones has dedicated more than 20 years to the University. He took the opportunity as keynote speaker to reflect on how the Doctor of Education program he developed with his colleague Dr. John Walker has stood the test of time.
“While there have been some minor modifications to the curriculum, the foundation for this program remains relatively unchanged,” Jones said. “During my 53-year professional career, this doctoral program remains one of what I consider my top five accomplishments. I think we got it right.”
Jones then encouraged the students to reflect on the cornerstone lessons in leadership they received during their time at Lynchburg.
“Let me remind you again of the importance of your leadership model — the one you initially developed almost three years ago and revisited less than a year ago during your oral comprehensive exams,” he said. “Your leadership model will remain important. Develop it. Expand it. Reframe it. Just do not forget it!”
A certified CliftonStrengths coach, Jones reminded the graduates of the importance of having strong leadership to build the future and how their individual strengths are essential to becoming those leaders.
“Failure is assured when one cannot see a way forward, cannot see a future,” he said. “As a leader, help others ‘see’ who they can become. Make the invisible, visible, and do it in [a] strength-based way.”
Jones closed out by reciting a poem titled “The Builder” and asking the group, “Which role will personify your leadership?”
Watch a video of the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies ceremony here.
On the second day of celebrations, Friday, May 17, a total of 133 candidates were celebrated during the Master’s Programs Ceremony at 7 p.m. in the University of Lynchburg’s Turner Gymnasium.
President Morrison-Shetlar greeted the master’s candidates, emphasizing how critical thinking, integrity, hard work, perseverance, grit, curiosity, compassion, a servant’s heart, and the warm welcoming spirit they developed at Lynchburg will serve the world.
“Graduates, it is this heart — the heart of a Hornet — that our society desperately needs more of,” she said. “I trust that when you leave here, your impact on those you meet will not only be life-changing — but world-changing.”
Morrison-Shetlar went on to introduce her good friend and keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Nygaard. “He is an exceptional leader in our community who deeply shares our values,” she said.
Nygaard is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease and currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors at Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Celebrated for his contribution to the advancement of cardiology in Central Virginia by founding the cardiac catheterization lab and interventional cardiology program at Centra, Nygaard emphasized that learning is a lifelong process.
“As you are set to start a new chapter of your life, realize that your journey of learning is by no means over. In fact, I suspect it has just begun,” said Nygaard. “You will only be successful if you engage in lifelong learning. You must maintain a level of curiosity that allows you to continually seek out new knowledge, new experiences, and new perspectives.”
Nygaard then instructed the candidates to do five things.
The first, he said, was to continue learning: “Grow with your profession or field of study.”
The second instruction, he said, was to follow your interests: “Never stop exploring anything you find interesting.
“And I will guarantee you that your interests will change and expand over the years. These interests will prove useful in ways you would never suspect.”
Third, he told the candidates to not only take from their community, but to give back: “Volunteer: it is extremely rewarding.”
His fourth instruction was to stay connected to the University of Lynchburg: “Continued affiliation at any level will bring you joy and enhance the value of your degree.”
Finally, Nygaard told the graduates, “Don’t wait 30 years like I did to let the Dr. Drews in your life know what an impact a professor has made on your life.”
After the conclusion of the keynote’s well wishes to the candidates, Morrison-Shetlar took the stage again.
With the assistance of Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. John Day, Morrison-Shetlar greeted and congratulated each smiling candidate as they mounted the stage to receive their diploma.
Watch a video of the master’s programs ceremony here.
