Lee University will hold its 196th commencement ceremonies May 8-9. Dr. David Hoag, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), the leading voice for Christian higher education, will deliver the commencement address on Saturday morning at 9:30.
 
“It is a privilege to welcome Dr. David Hoag to Lee University for commencement,” said Dr. Phil Cook, president of Lee. “David has faithfully served Christian higher education with wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving students faithfully. I have great respect for the leadership and influence he has carried throughout his career and in recent years with the CCCU. I am grateful our graduates and their families will have the opportunity to hear from someone whose life so clearly reflects both conviction and service. I know his words will be a meaningful encouragement as our students mark this important milestone.”
 
Hoag, who was most recently president of Warner University, a CCCU institution in Florida, from 2016-24, is a CCCU board member and has demonstrated a lifelong dedication to Christian higher education through decades of leadership in Christ-centered universities. He has served in advancement and executive roles at four CCCU institutions, including Asbury University, Greenville University, Trinity International University, and Warner University.
 
He previously served on the executive committee of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) and on the Council of Presidents for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
Hoag earned a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education from St. Louis University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Asbury University. He is married to Joanna, his wife of 38 years, and they have two married daughters.
 
Graduation festivities will begin with a hooding ceremony for students earning graduate degrees on Friday, May 8. This service is a ticketed event and will take place in the Cornerstone Chapel.
 
Following the Friday hooding ceremony, all graduates will march in the commissioning ceremony on the South Campus Quad Lawn. During commissioning, a special occasion for students and their families to reflect on their experiences at the university, five student speakers will share brief stories about their time at Lee. Students will also lead in the invocation, special music, and benediction. Each graduate will be presented with a personalized Bible in a traditional walk across the stage.  
 
On Saturday morning, 376 undergraduate and 57 graduate students are expected to receive degrees during the ceremony. Of the 57 graduate students, four are doctoral students.  
 
The commissioning and commencement services will not require tickets unless inclement weather forces the ceremonies indoors at the Paul Dana Walker Arena (PDWA), where seating is limited. If moved inside, a livestream will be available in the Conn Center for guests without tickets to the primary venue (PDWA). Climate-controlled overflow seating will also be provided for both services if the ceremonies remain outdoors.
 
The hooding, commissioning, and commencement ceremonies will be available for livestream viewing at leeu.live.  
 
For more information about commencement exercises, contact the Academic Events Office at [email protected] or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info.