Lt. Chris Beddingfield, of the Columbus Police Department, was awarded the Bachelor of Sciences degree in Social Sciences in a graduation ceremony held at Gardner-Webb University on August 3.

Lt. Beddingfield graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA.

According to Lt. Beddingfield, the Human Services degree is basically a counseling degree, with courses in law and psychology, which parallels the criminal justice degree.

&dquo;This degree will really help me in my work with the Columbus Police Department,&dquo; Beddingfield says. &dquo;The education I received will help me deal with crime victims, substance abusers, suicidal persons, and people with other disabilities with more understanding and skill than before completing my degree.&dquo;&bsp;&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;

Beddingfield completed his degree through Gardner-Webb&squo;s GOAL Program, which made it possible for him to take classes at night and on weekends.&bsp; The GOAL program (Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners) is an undergraduate degree completion program where traditional undergraduate classes are offered at a more convenient time and location for working adults.&bsp; &bsp;

&dquo;I can&squo;t say enough about my classmates, family, co-workers, and employer who all helped or sacrificed in one way or another with the completion of my degree,&dquo; Beddingfield added.