Mars Hill University announced on May 5 that it will honor nearly 200 graduates during its spring commencement ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at Moore Auditorium. The event will also recognize Wayne Higgins of Weaverville, North Carolina, a retired businessman and longtime university trustee, with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
The ceremony is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the university’s YouTube channel. Student speakers include Laela Jimenez from Naples, Florida, representing traditional students as a nursing major, and Jakub Pawelczak from Knightdale, North Carolina, representing Adult & Graduate Studies as a social work major. Special music will be performed by Jordan Speece of Lewisville, North Carolina. Matthew Pacheco from Windermere, Florida will deliver the invocation. Paul Powell—a Mars Hill alumnus from the class of 1971 and current chair of the board of trustees—will address attendees on behalf of the trustees.
Wayne Higgins is being recognized for his decades-long service to Mars Hill University in various leadership roles since graduating in 1975. His career was spent with Carolina Farm Credit where he retired as senior vice president and member of senior management. Higgins has served on both the board of advisors and board of trustees since beginning his tenure in 1998; he completed two terms as chair before being named trustee emeritus in 2019.
Higgins participated in presidential search committees that selected Presidents Dan Lunsford and Tony Floyd. He also contributed to major fundraising efforts such as serving on campaign steering committees—including leading the Together We Rise campaign that reached its $24 million goal for building a new campus center.
In addition to these honors—such as induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022—Higgins has supported students through scholarships awarded over more than two decades to North Buncombe High School seniors attending Mars Hill University.
Other events associated with commencement include a pinning ceremony for Judge-McRae School of Nursing graduates on Thursday afternoon—a tradition marking their transition into medical practice—and recognition for Heritage Students whose immediate family members are alumni.
