{"id":5445,"date":"2024-10-28T19:31:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T23:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gwu-today.com\/?p=5445"},"modified":"2024-10-28T19:31:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T23:31:27","slug":"press-release-gardner-webb-officials-announce-speaker-for-2024-december-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gwu-today.com\/?p=5445","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE: Gardner-Webb Officials Announce Speaker for 2024 December Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Courtesy of the Gardner-Webb University Office of Communication & Media Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson is a 2005 Alumnus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.\u2014Gardner-Webb Alumnus and N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson is the featured speaker for the December 2024 Commencement program at Gardner-Webb University. The University\u2019s graduation ceremony will take place on Friday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m. in the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.<\/p>\n\n\n

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N.C. Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cI am honored and excited to be speaking at commencement,\u201d said Dobson, who was sworn in as North Carolina\u2019s 18th labor commissioner on Jan. 2, 2021, after serving eight years in the state House of Representatives. Dobson represented the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs noted, \u201cIt is appropriate that as we send hundreds of new GWU graduates out into the workforce that we hear from our state\u2019s Commissioner of Labor. Josh Dobson is a Gardner-Webb product, and he is especially well positioned to speak to the Class of \u201924 about what lies ahead for them in the world of work. We look forward to having one of our own\u2014an alumnus who rose to serve in the Council of State\u2014return home and provide remarks at Commencement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dobson served as a McDowell County Commissioner from 2010 to 2012 before being appointed in 2013 to the 85th House district seat. Dobson subsequently ran and won re-election to the 85th district seat in 2014, 2016 and 2018. During his time in the Legislature, Dobson served as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the House Health Committee. In 2020, Dobson won a closely contested election for Commissioner of Labor. Dobson is not seeking reelection in 2024, and he will wrap up 14 consecutive years of service in elected office following this November\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dobson earned a Bachelor of Science in social science from Gardner Webb and a Master of Public Administration from Appalachian State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The N.C. Department of Labor is charged by statute with promoting the \u201chealth, safety, and general well-being\u201d of more than 5 million workers across the state. Employee safety is Commissioner Dobson\u2019s top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition Events<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n