Living Education-Charlotte: 2025-2026 Graduation
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
The eighth academic year of Living Education-Charlotte has come to a close. On the morning of Friday, May 22nd, 2026, our students gathered with their families and guests for graduation, receiving their hard-earned certificates.
Opening the ceremony, Program Director Mr. Jonathan McNair shared a slideshow presentation of the year in review. Following this, Mr. McNair addressed the students and guests by recounting statistics and details of the year. He compared the experiences and lessons learned this year to a smorgasbord. Life presents a wide variety of rich experiences and choices, but there are also bad ones. Mr. McNair encourages the students to make the effort to choose right.
Following this, Mr. McNair introduced his brother and Assistant Director of Church Administration, Mr. Rod McNair, to give an address to the group. Mr. McNair’s presentation revolved around a central piece of advice he himself had learned as a student many years before: You will be the same person in one year as you are now, save for the people you meet and the books you read. Mr. McNair admonished the students to pick their associates wisely, and to read well and widely.
The highlight of the ceremony was the conferring of credentials. Instructors Mr. Kenneth Frank and Mr. Wayne Tlumak announced each student and helped Mr. Gerald Weston, Presiding Evangelist, in presenting the certificates to each graduate. Surrounded by friends and family, this special occasion is an exciting milestone and accomplishment for each and every student. Following the presentation of the certificates, Mr. Weston addressed the group, and encouraged the students to make the most of their educational experience here in Charlotte as they continue forward in their lives. Afterward, students and guests enjoyed a beautiful reception filled with fellowship and refreshments.
This year of Living Education has produced 10 alumni of our foundations program, receiving their Certificate in Biblical Foundations. Additionally, three returning alumni have now graduated from our Student Leader Program, and will soon be headed to Thailand to volunteer as English teachers over the summer. All in all, Living Education-Charlotte has produced 84 alumni over its eight academic years.
Over the past nine months, our students have learned many things. They’ve learned about the Bible, personal finance, cooking, music, history, and more. But even more than that, they have been taught how to put God’s way of life into practice for themselves. This year of education is only the beginning of a lifetime of godly learning.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
