Washington Post Company Senior VP Veronica Dillon delivers
commencement address
CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Hundreds of online Kaplan University students from all across the
United States, and from Canada, Guam and the Virgin Islands, gathered
at the Chicago Symphony Theatre today to celebrate a milestone
event--their college graduation. Juli Norell, the student speaker,
commended her fellow graduates for overcoming obstacles to achieve
their dreams.
In Norell's case, the obstacle was adult Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
"Because of my ADHD, I bounce, I wiggle and I can never sit
still," said Norell, who maintained a 4.0 GPA while earning an
associate's degree in IT. "Before I started at Kaplan, I thought these
were all bad things. Now, I see them as perks, as a part of who I am,
and as tools I can use to help not only myself, but also my family, my
friends, and those around me. I have learned how to use my ADHD to get
things done."
Norell works as a freelance web developer and graphic designer.
She volunteers her services to the Health Care for the Homeless
Project in Minneapolis, which provides educational resources for
at-risk and homeless pregnant teens and teenage mothers.
Norell and her classmates donned caps and gowns, met face-to-face
and mingled with many of their classmates and instructors for the
first time. They were awarded master's, bachelor's and associate's
degrees in business, criminal justice, education and nursing, among
other fields. Kaplan hosts two graduations a year for its fully online
students.
Andrew S. Rosen, CEO and President of Kaplan University, applauded
the graduates for overcoming obstacles and achieving great
accomplishments.
"Kaplan University is changing the world of education as we know
it. We push the limits of what's possible," Rosen told graduates.
"Each of you graduating today is proof of what's possible in your own
lives. You clearly have the drive and determination to break through
barriers and seize opportunities, to make a difference for yourselves,
personally and professionally. This graduating class is the embodiment
of what's possible when you pursue education."
Rosen acknowledged some of the graduates, including a physical
therapist from South Carolina whose bachelor's in criminal justice
helped him land his dream job as a police officer and a former high
school dropout from Missouri who is now the first college graduate in
her family. He also acknowledged the University's first graduates from
the Bachelor of Science in Communications, and Associate and Bachelor
of Science in Health Sciences degree programs.
Washington Post Company Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary Veronica Dillon served as the commencement
speaker. She commended the graduates on their incredible
accomplishments and told them they are now equipped with the tools
they need to succeed.
"If there is one thing I hope you remember from today, it's not my
words, or even those of the others here more eloquent than I, but the
celebration of this moment of your success, your extraordinary
accomplishment, with your families, friends, fellow students and
teachers. May you have many celebrations like this in your life.
Celebrate often and exuberantly and share it with others," she said.
The University also recognized faculty members Ernest Norris of
the Graduate School of Management and Marty McDermott of the School of
Business, who both received Outstanding Faculty awards for their
commitment to their students and colleagues.
Kaplan University, based in Davenport, Iowa, is regionally
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of
the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The
University currently serves more than 41,000 online and on-ground
students through eight campuses and online student support centers in
Fort Lauderdale, Chicago and Phoenix. To learn more, visit
www.kaplanuniversitynews.com.
About Kaplan Higher Education
Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves
more than 80,000 students through 70 campus-based schools across the
United States and in Europe. It also has online programs through
Kaplan Virtual Education and Concord Law School of Kaplan University.
Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic
opportunities, from high school diplomas to graduate and professional
degrees, including a Juris Doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is
part of Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company
(NYSE: WPO). For more information, visit www.kaplan.com.
Kaplan University
Cheryl Stopnick, 954-609-9962 (Cell)
cstopnick@kaplan.edu
or
Michele Pore, 312-706-6006 or 312-502-7534 (Cell)
mpore@kaplan.edu
Copyright Business Wire 2008
