North Greenville University
NGU Fall graduates Arman Rasheed Lindsay and Madison Leeann Syles show off their diplomas after commencement on Saturday.
North Greenville University
From left: NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., Dr. Pauline Emery, Dr. Henry McMaster, and NGU Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Tyler.
McMaster told the graduates to “never give up” and “to dream big”. He detailed his journey to the governor’s office and the political questions facing the state today.
“Always push yourself if you can’t get others to push you,” McMaster said. His quest for the governor’s office began before 1986, but through numerous setbacks did not become governor until 2015, after Nikki Haley resigned to become United Nations ambassador.
McMaster touted diversity and adherence to Christian values as what attracts people including foreign investors to the state.
He told graduates to take risks as he did when he first supported then political newcomer and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. “Everybody said that is the dumbest thing, your political career is over, then on election, I became a genius,” McMaster said to laughter.
McMaster, a lawyer by trade also asked graduates to stay informed and to actively participate in the political and legal process.
On abortion, McMaster said, “I have concluded based on my experience, my faith, and my understanding, that the right thing to do in South Carolina among other things that can be done, by law is to say not one penny of your tax money will go to any abortion clinic or abortion in South Carolina.”
University President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. awarded McMaster with an honorary doctor of law degree and a Bible.
Pauline Emery, a friend of the University, was presented an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
“North Greenville University has never had supporters more influential than Dr. Arnold and Pauline Emery,” Fant said. “Dr. Arnold Emery holds more degrees from the University than any other individual. He has graduated from the Academy, Junior College, and has taken a bachelor’s, masters, and a doctorate from the University.
“He has served on several terms of the NGU Board of Trustees, many as chairman. But, we’re not here to talk about Arnold today, we’re here to talk about his bride of a lifetime,” Fant said.
Pauline Emery was honored for her daily time spent in prayer and in God’s Word. She said a pastor challenged his congregation to read two to eight verses a day. This challenge, along with her grandmother’s influence, caused her to surpass over 340 readings of God’s Word.
“This is a great honor,” Pauline said. She was also presented a Bible. “We thought yours (Bible) might be worn out,” Fant said.
Pauline told the audience to “Read your Bible. It will lead you in the path of righteousness.”