Meet the 2024 Valedictorian

Each year for commencement William Peace University recognizes the student whose academic record places them at the top of the class as Valedictorian.

The Katherine Bryan Sloan Graham Award for academic achievement was established in 1969 in memory of Katherine Bryan Sloan Graham, the first student to matriculate at the Peace Institute in 1872.

Additionally, this award is given to the student who, in the faculty's opinion, exemplifies commendable traits of citizenship, cooperation, and concern for others.

The 2024 winner is Emmarose Boylan.

"My first reaction was that of disbelief and shock because I never would have thought that I would be getting such an award," Boylan said. "Especially when younger me previously thought that she wasn't going to get anywhere in life, but now years later is able to say that she was able to do this is amazing to me. It took a couple of days to truly process what it meant, and when it did, that disbelief turned quickly into excitement."

Boylan, a native of Raleigh, will earn her Bachelor of Arts in Game and Interactive Design. Boylan is a two-time Junior Marshal for commencement and boasts a 4.0 GPA.

She reflected on her time here at WPU.

"I am most proud of two things during my time at peace; my growth, both personal and skill based, from the beginning of my college career to now and the friends that I was able to make and seeing their talent grow alongside me," Boylan said.

Boylan credited her professors throughout her time at WPU who helped facilitate her creativity and curiosity, allowing her to grow her technique as a game artist and a storyteller.

"I honestly would not be here today without them as they were the amazing bunch of individuals that I knew that I could rely on," Boylan said. "I am so proud of all of them to see how much they have grown throughout the years as well."

To view these students click here: https://peace.meritpages.com/achievements/Meet-the-2024-Valedictorian/176325