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Lander University, in Greenwood, SC, presented Hollywood screen star and Asheville resident Andie MacDowell with an honorary doctorate of humane letters during commencement exercises on May 5. During her commencement address, Ms. MacDowell spoke proudly and with great affection of her volunteer work as national spokesperson for The Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center Foundation, a part of the Mission-St. Joseph's Hospital System. The honorary degree was the result of her philanthropic work, not only for The Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center, but also for her work with Habitat for Humanity.
After graduating from Gaffney (SC) High School in 1976, MacDowell attended Winthrop College before dropping out in 1978 to pursue a modeling career.
"Acting is my job," she told the audience that packed the 2,500-seat Horne Arena and an overflow crowd of 600 who watched the ceremony in the Cultural Center Auditorium via closed circuit television. But MacDowell went on to explain that her work with children is what she does to give back to society. As part of her work with the Children's Health Center, Ms. MacDowell has established three camps, Andie's Camp for Kids, for children who are victims of diabetes, cancer and asthma. She feels as if "a guardian angel is watching over me" for her good fortune with her own good health as well as that of her children, Justin, 14, Rainey, 12, and Sarah Margaret, 6. While living in Montana several years ago and prior to her move to Asheville, Ms. MacDowell became involved with environmental philanthropy, and she was also active with the United Way. But now, she devotes any volunteer time she is able to carve out of her busy life with her family and her career in movies, modeling, and commercials, to children and The Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center. Andie MacDowell's career has included such films as "sex, lies and videotape," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Green Card," "Groundhog Day," "Michael," and the recently released "Town and Country." She is also seen in numerous cosmetic commercials and on the covers of many fashion magazines.
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