Don Dowless, North Greenville University’s vice president for academics, encouraged the 2011 graduating class – a record-breaking 288 students – to love people in the same way God loves them.
Faculty member Don Dowless addresses NGU spring graduates. Dowless will become president of Shorter University in June.Dowless will be leaving the university to become the 19th president of Shorter University in Rome, Ga., in June.
The school’s commencement ceremony took place May 5.
“Christianity must be shared,” Dowless told the graduates. “Let people know you love Jesus Christ. God will give you the confidence and strength.”
Dowless concluded his address by reading a selection by Dr. Seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go,” said Dowless.
Dowless came to NGU in 2006 from Charleston Southern University, where he served as associate provost and dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2000.
Dowless was ordained to the ministry in 1982 by Good Hope Church, Youngsville, N.C., and has served in pastorates in North Carolina and Texas and as interim pastor of Charleston Heights Church, Deer Park Church and Holmes Avenue Church in Charleston.
At the conclusion of his address, Dowless was presented with an honorary doctor of Christian leadership degree by NGU president Jimmy Epting and Arnold Emery, chairman of the NGU board of trustees.