NC Confers Degrees Upon Largest Graduating Class
On Saturday May 2, Newberry College conferred degrees upon the graduating class of 2026 in two separate ceremonies. The spring and summer class represents the largest graduating class in the College’s history, with 248 undergraduate students and 37 graduate students, for a total of 285 graduates.
The class also included the inaugural cohort of the online Master of Education degree in Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum, the College’s fourth online master’s degree program, which launched in 2025. View the commencement program and recordings for the first ceremony and the second ceremony.
“My wish for you is that you learn to see yourself as God does; wonderfully made, perfect, and forgiven in his eyes. Find the peace that passes your own understanding, and joy despite your circumstances. Experience love that casts out all fear. Experience the God who guards your hearts and mind. And find your Magnificent Obsession; something so important other than yourself that you dedicate your life to,” said Dr. David Harpool, president of Newberry College.
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Since 2014, the honor of the spring commencement address has been awarded to members of the graduating class, selected by fellow seniors, faculty, and staff. This year’s
address was delivered by Paul Fisher, a communications major from Lenoir City, Tenn. During his remarks, he emphasized the importance of education to make a positive impact on the world and build a better future.
“As you go out now, your education is your armor. You didn’t just get a piece of paper. You didn’t just pass classes; you learned to think critically, you learned to solve problems, and you learned how to work with people. These are the skills that make you a competent citizen. These are the skills, the knowledge, and the resources gained that allow us to create a better future,” Fisher said.
SPECIAL AWARD
The College awarded Peggy Barnes Winder ’86 with the Luceo Mea Luce Award, the highest honor the faculty can bestow, and given to individuals whose lives of devotion, learning, and service exemplify the motto, “by my light, I enlighten.” Winder is retiring after more than 40 years at Newberry in various roles, first as a student, then as a faculty member, coach, and staff member. She joined the Newberry College faculty in 1990 as an instructor in physical education. She received tenure in 1996 and was promoted to full professor in 2002. In fall 2025, she transitioned from the classroom to a full-time administrative role as the director of the Muller Center for Campus and Community Engagement. She has earned many accolades not only for her academic service to Newberry College, but also as a scholar-athlete.
Class of 2026 Quick Facts
The spring and summer graduates represented 27 states, one United States territory (Puerto Rico) and 12 other countries — Canada, Australia, Mexico, France, Spain, Zimbabwe, Poland, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Turkey. The most popular majors were business administration (56), exercise science & human performance (20), health science (18), sport management (17), and nursing (16).
On Saturday May 2, Newberry College conferred degrees upon the graduating class of 2026 in two separate ceremonies. The spring and summer class represents the largest graduating class in the College’s history, with 248 undergraduate students and 37 graduate students, for a total of 285 graduates.
The class also included the inaugural cohort of the online Master of Education degree in Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum, the College’s fourth online master’s degree program, which launched in 2025. View the commencement program and recordings for the first ceremony and the second ceremony.
“My wish for you is that you learn to see yourself as God does; wonderfully made, perfect, and forgiven in his eyes. Find the peace that passes your own understanding, and joy despite your circumstances. Experience love that casts out all fear. Experience the God who guards your hearts and mind. And find your Magnificent Obsession; something so important other than yourself that you dedicate your life to,” said Dr. David Harpool, president of Newberry College.
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Since 2014, the honor of the spring commencement address has been awarded to members of the graduating class, selected by fellow seniors, faculty, and staff. This year’s
address was delivered by Paul Fisher, a communications major from Lenoir City, Tenn. During his remarks, he emphasized the importance of education to make a positive impact on the world and build a better future.
“As you go out now, your education is your armor. You didn’t just get a piece of paper. You didn’t just pass classes; you learned to think critically, you learned to solve problems, and you learned how to work with people. These are the skills that make you a competent citizen. These are the skills, the knowledge, and the resources gained that allow us to create a better future,” Fisher said.
SPECIAL AWARD
The College awarded Peggy Barnes Winder ’86 with the Luceo Mea Luce Award, the highest honor the faculty can bestow, and given to individuals whose lives of devotion, learning, and service exemplify the motto, “by my light, I enlighten.” Winder is retiring after more than 40 years at Newberry in various roles, first as a student, then as a faculty member, coach, and staff member. She joined the Newberry College faculty in 1990 as an instructor in physical education. She received tenure in 1996 and was promoted to full professor in 2002. In fall 2025, she transitioned from the classroom to a full-time administrative role as the director of the Muller Center for Campus and Community Engagement. She has earned many accolades not only for her academic service to Newberry College, but also as a scholar-athlete.
Class of 2026 Quick Facts
The spring and summer graduates represented 27 states, one United States territory (Puerto Rico) and 12 other countries — Canada, Australia, Mexico, France, Spain, Zimbabwe, Poland, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Turkey. The most popular majors were business administration (56), exercise science & human performance (20), health science (18), sport management (17), and nursing (16).
