SAN DIEGO, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:
BPI), a leading provider of postsecondary education services, announced today
that Ashford University graduated a total of 1,702 students in its May
semiannual graduation. Twenty-five associate's, 1,275 bachelor's and 402
master's degrees were awarded in today's ceremonies.
More than 500 Ashford University graduates from 40 states and four countries
participated in commencement ceremonies held today at the Clinton, Iowa,
campus. It was the largest graduation in the school's history. More than 90
percent of graduates participating in the ceremonies earned their degrees
online and came to the campus from out of state. Clinton, Iowa, with a
population of less than 28,000, embraced these students, as well as their
friends and families, while local hotels and restaurants experienced a surge
in conjunction with graduation festivities.
U.S. Olympic gymnastics star Kerri Strug gave the keynote address at each of
Ashford's graduation ceremonies. She made Olympic history with her courageous
performance during the 1996 Olympic Games when she landed an unforgettable
vault on an injured ankle to help the United States clinch its first Olympic
gold medal in the team gymnastics competition.
"This is an exciting time in our institution's history, because it's the first
time we've needed two ceremonies to accommodate participating graduates," said
Jane McAuliffe, Chief Academic Officer of Bridgepoint Education and President
of Ashford University. "It's great that so many of our online students chose
to come to Iowa to receive their diplomas in person. It's a wonderful way for
them to celebrate their educational experience with Ashford."
From New Yorkers to Californians, most of the online students who participated
in the ceremonies had never met face-to-face, yet earned their degrees
together.
"Online learning is increasingly popular," McAuliffe said. "Technology makes
higher education more accessible and more affordable, especially for
non-traditional students ranging from working moms to military war veterans,
career launchers to career enhancers."
In 2007, Ashford University had 876 total graduates. In 2008, the number
increased to 2,567 total graduates. The May 2009 graduating class is the
largest in the university's 90-year history.
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering
associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the disciplines of
business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences.
Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions - Ashford
University and University of the Rockies - deliver their programs online as
well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado
Springs, Colorado, respectively.
About Ashford University
Founded in 1918, Ashford University is a coeducational higher education
institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, with programs in education,
business, accounting, criminal and social justice, computer animation and
graphic design, and other areas. The University offers undergraduate and
graduate degrees, as well as a range of student activities and athletics, at
its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Online degree programs are available in education,
organizational management, business administration, and psychology. The
University offers high quality yet highly affordable on-campus and online
programs, with tuition fees among the lowest in the U.S. compared with other
private institutions. Its tagline is: "Higher Education Made Affordable"(SM).
SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
CONTACT: Diane Salucci, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor
Relations, +1-858-668-3690, diane.salucci@bridgepointeducation.com, or Shari
Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations, +1-858-668-2586, ext. 2513,
shari.rodriguez@bridgepointeducation.com, both of Bridgepoint Education
