Lander University will conduct its fall graduation on Saturday, Dec. 12, when 200 graduates are scheduled to cross the stage in the Finis Horne Arena to receive their degrees. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.
A live stream of the commencement ceremony will be available here, beginning Saturday morning.
Families and guests are encouraged to arrive early because of security measures that will be in effect. Chief Eddie Briggs of Lander's Police Department said backpacks and book bags will not be allowed into the arena, and all other bags will be subject to search by Lander police officers. He added that the doors to Horne Arena would be closed and locked 15 minutes before the graduation ceremony begins.
The commencement speaker will be Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who is in his third term as U.S. Representative from the 4th Congressional District, which includes Spartanburg and Union counties, and portions of Greenville and Laurens counties.
In May of last year, Gowdy was named Chairman of the House Select Committee investigating events surrounding the terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya. He is also a member of the House Committees on Ethics, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary, and he serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security
Gowdy graduated from Baylor University with a degree in history and went on to earn a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was a member of the scholastic honor society.
He was a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for six years before his election as 7th Circuit Solicitor. During his tenure as solicitor, he appointed a Violence Against Women Task Force and created a protocol to help expectant mothers with drug habits to break their cycle of addiction. He also expanded the Drug Court and implemented a Worthless Check program.
Gowdy has been recognized for his commitment to victim's rights, excellence in prosecuting death penalty cases and enforcing drunk driving laws.
He and his wife, Terri, have two children.