William Peace University

William Peace University honors 2024 winter graduates

William Peace University honored 14 graduates from the School of Professional Studies (SPS) program in August.

William Peace University is proud to announce its two student speakers for the 2024 commencement ceremony. Each of William Peace University's student speakers is already getting experience in their respective fields. On Saturday at the 2024 commencement, they'll get to share those experiences and how WPU got them there. The School of Professional Studies (SPS) student speaker is Tiffany Webb. The Traditional Undergraduate (TUG) student speaker is Samuel Teague. SPS Commencement Speaker Tiffany Webb currently works at Combs Elementary School in Raleigh, as part of the Instructional Assistant to Licensure program. She finished her studies at WPU in December and has been at Combs dating back to the time she did her student teaching. Webb was recently honored at the Governor's Mansion, part of WPUs Education Celebration. She says that's just one of the many experiences that made her time at WPU memorable. "I told [Frank Rizzo VP for Student Life] how easy it was to find positive things to say about Peace because my experience has been nothing but phenomenal," Webb said. Webb added that being selected as the student speaker was a "big honor." "I feel like to have been picked to be able to say amazing things about the college itself and my experience, just being part of a fantasy community," Webb said. "I know I have amazing new friendships that will be forever friends. Professors who have turned into friends and mentors, it's been an honor and I'm excited." TUG Commencement Speaker The TUG Commencement will be Samuel Teague, who will be earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology plus a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Teague has been working part-time as a Clinical Nurse II (RN) at UNC Health Rex since May of 2023. Teague has been accepted into the Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science program at the University of Florida. Teague also gained experience working as a RN at Brightspire and Wake Skin Cancer Center.

Each year for commencement William Peace University recognizes the student whose academic record places them at the top of the class as Valedictorian. The Katherine Bryan Sloan Graham Award for academic achievement was established in 1969 in memory of Katherine Bryan Sloan Graham, the first student to matriculate at the Peace Institute in 1872. Additionally, this award is given to the student who, in the faculty's opinion, exemplifies commendable traits of citizenship, cooperation, and concern for others. The 2024 winner is Emmarose Boylan. "My first reaction was that of disbelief and shock because I never would have thought that I would be getting such an award," Boylan said. "Especially when younger me previously thought that she wasn't going to get anywhere in life, but now years later is able to say that she was able to do this is amazing to me. It took a couple of days to truly process what it meant, and when it did, that disbelief turned quickly into excitement." Boylan, a native of Raleigh, will earn her Bachelor of Arts in Game and Interactive Design. Boylan is a two-time Junior Marshal for commencement and boasts a 4.0 GPA. She reflected on her time here at WPU. "I am most proud of two things during my time at peace; my growth, both personal and skill based, from the beginning of my college career to now and the friends that I was able to make and seeing their talent grow alongside me," Boylan said. Boylan credited her professors throughout her time at WPU who helped facilitate her creativity and curiosity, allowing her to grow her technique as a game artist and a storyteller. "I honestly would not be here today without them as they were the amazing bunch of individuals that I knew that I could rely on," Boylan said. "I am so proud of all of them to see how much they have grown throughout the years as well."