Graduate Speakers

2007.02.10

Western Governors University

Joel Ellington earned his Master of Education, Management and Innovation degree. On February 10, 2007 Ellington was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2007 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

I appreciate the comments from Dr. Stephens on lifelong learning. And again, I echo her sentiments that many of us here are very familiar with, intimately familiar with, the struggles and the passion that are involved in lifelong learning. And in the spirit of that I would like to share with you a little glimpse into the anatomy of a degree, a postgraduate degree at Western Governors University.

It actually starts in the spring of 1910 when a young man was born to a large family in the rural hills of the Ozarks of Northeastern Oklahoma. As I mentioned, he had a large family and as many of the people in the area, they were fairly poor. There was no running water, no electricity, and he wore nightshirts that went to his knees until he started kindergarten.

In kindergarten he got his first pair of overalls which were hand-me-downs from his brothers. And he continued in those overalls until third grade. In third grade, when he had a pretty functional knowledge of the basics of arithmetic, reading and writing he did what most youth did at that time and he quit school and went home to work in the fields. It was at this time that he was given his own pair of shoes which he wore in the fields. They were, again, a pair of hand-me-down boots that he got from one of his older brothers that he wore as he worked in the fields with his family to ensure their health and vitality through the winter.

A few years later, in very rural Kansas a young lady was born, again to a large family. They were a little more city folk, if you will, and this young lady attended school until seventh grade when the passing of her father, who had a great passion for education, changed the dynamic of their family and she, like the man from Oklahoma, was forced to enter into the workplace and help support the family.

They later met and married. And though neither of them was ever able to return to their formal education they raised ten children – nine boys and a girl – on the education that they had received. They both had a good focus on education but again, with the distractions and the demands of family, were never able to return themselves.

Now, fast forward a little bit to some of my experience. I was born the sixth of a family of ten. The two oldest brothers were married preceding my memory. They both graduated high school and went on to about one year of college. The others that were ahead of me were lively, difficult characters, I imagine, in my parents’ eyes. And by the time I reached high school both had left to pursue their own paths, which did not include furthering their education. And by the time I had moved on through my high school years my younger siblings had also dropped out, with the exception of the one girl that was in our family.

I would add a couple of interesting little vignettes here in that I remember when I started ninth grade, high school, I was mortified to find they didn’t call it ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade but there were names that went with those and I had never heard those before in my life. And I spent the first few days glancing at a little cue card that I scribbled on saying, “I’m a freshman. Then it’s sophomore. Then it’s junior. Then it’s senior. Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior.” And so my experience with education was all new to me and my parents and my siblings weren’t much help.

As I entered into my senior year there was a requirement by the state for me to sit down with a counselor and to talk about what would happen next. And this counselor asked me very directly, and I remember like it was a week ago, “Do you plan to go to college?” The thought had never entered my mind. I didn’t consider it an option. And after a moment of getting my feet back under me I asked her, “Is that a possibility?” and she said, “Well, yes, but your grades kind of need to come up a little bit.”

So focused on that, I brought my grades up. I applied and was accepted to go to college. I ran off to college remembering they start over again with freshman, sophomore, junior and senior and went to a junior college in Idaho and with a brief break there finished two Associate’s degrees, something that no one in my extended family had ever done before. I met a lovely young lady there who supported me as I went along and we have four children of our own. Because of the demands and the distractions of that I finished my career there with my second Associate’s degree and went into the workforce.

Time went by. One of the things I wanted to do more than anything else was to teach. And I did a lot of things that involved training and other informal classroom environments but it didn’t involve teaching children. So in the winter of 2000 I returned to college in Northwestern Missouri. Ironically, not far but basically in between the hometowns of the young lady from Kansas and the man from Oklahoma and with the support of my wife and our four children, continued on and received in 2003 a Bachelor’s degree that allowed me enter into the classroom as a formal teacher.

I was thrilled. It is something, again, that had never been done in my family before. And as I left there, a very good professor there who I had been fairly close to approached me and said, “Of course you’re going to go on and work in the graduate program” and that it was ever present and very intimidating to me. It loomed large beyond my means.

As I investigated universities that would allow me to do that while I was supporting now four teenagers and my wife, I stumbled onto, through some investigation on the Internet and recommendations by a friend, Western Governors University. And I started my sojourn in Western Governors University. And I could stand here for 30 minutes and barely touch on what happened. And I won’t do that to you. What I will say is I felt I worked pretty hard and without the help of a mentor it never would have happened. My mentor stayed with me and called me and assured me that I could do it.

And I would like to tell you about an experience that I had last summer that kind of synopsizes how that went. Dr. Jennifer [Inaudible] was my mentor. I had just rejoined the military fulltime and was trying to get my youthful body back so that I could pass the rigors of their physical training demands. Running in the hills of western Utah, there are a couple of hills that I just could master. And at the same time I was really struggling with one particular stage of my educational progress.

At the time that I was about to throw in the towel Dr. [Inaudible] called me and she said, “Joel, I know you. You can do this.” And the critical part of this is that I believed her. And as I ran around and was running up one of those hills there was a goal – there’s a speed limit sign, which always made me laugh. There was no way I was going to get 30 miles an hour out of that hill. But there was a speed limit sign that I really wanted to attain. And as I reached that I looked ahead and probably 80 yards further up the road – didn’t seem like much when I was walking, but running – there was a little hill and echoing in my mind were the words of my mentor, Dr. [Inaudible] saying, “Joel, you can do it.” And so I leaned forward, looked at the ground and plodded on and jogged until I made that summit. I stopped and looked and from that summit that is basically at the point of the mountain, we call it in Utah, I could see North Salt Lake and Springville, a distance of about 50 or 60 miles with the Rocky Mountains in the background. It was absolutely beautiful.

About three weeks later I finished the capstone, wrapped up my degree and was able to – she called me. I was actually on a field exercise. She called me on the phone and she said, “Joel, you’ve done it.” And I will always consider that little extra mile that was required, and it really wasn’t much, but it was the hardest part. That’s my smoke a bit. And every time I get in a little bit of trouble half the military guys think I’m going out for a little smoke break, which is surprising, but that’s my smoke a bit. That’s where I give just a little bit extra. And that’s what we all have within us. And that’s what Dr. Stephens was talking about this morning, that desire and that passion to reach that extra goal. I would add to that now that I run the length that goes around behind that and I pass that point on my way back down the hill. And I attribute that a lot to Dr. [Inaudible].

I encourage you to reach out just a little bit more. When you’re not sure that you can do it, find those people. Find those Dr. [Inaudible] in your life who can give you that little bit of extra go. And that is what Western Governors has done for me. So today I stand before you with a degree that no one in my extended family has ever been able to achieve, and I don’t attribute that to me. I dedicate it or I attribute it to the fine support that I’ve had, and especially I dedicate it to my father in whose memory in the last graduations that I’ve attained I’ve worn my black dress overalls under my frock and who is that father of ten who raised those nine boys and that girl on a third grade education. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2007.02.10

Western Governors University

Richard Todd Wood earned his Master of Business Administration. On February 10, 2007 Wood was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2007 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

I’m very honored to be in front of all of you today. To our honorable president, provost, distinguished faculty members of Western Governors University, the graduating class of 2007, families and friends in attendance and watching live on the Internet. I just want to say that I am incredibly honored to be here before you today. This is a very, very special moment in my life. We’ve heard some wonderfully encouraging things starting with Dr. Stephens. Thank you, Dr. Stephens, for encouraging words. I’m really looking forward to my calculator. [Laughter]

Make sure I get that, will ya? If I have any problems working it I’ll call you. [Laughter]

So I knew that in preparation for today I wouldn’t need to say anything necessarily thought-provoking or inspiring. We’ve had those who’ve gone before me who’ve done a phenomenal job doing that. Maybe one day I’ll stand before a graduating class and my charge will be to deliver that inspirational message, but that’s not my mission for today. I even contemplated being the funny guy because every graduation needs one. It cuts down on the naptime of the audience. [Laughter]

But then it dawned on me that I would be amiss if I stood before you guys today and the faculty of this fine institution and said anything other than thank you. My message today is not directed toward those of us who are graduating. I believe that there are others here today who have covered that and those of us who have received our diplomas and are getting ready to enter into the next phases of our lives, we have all that we need to go forward and do just that.

The individuals I want to speak to today are the founders of Western Governors University, those who have provided the leadership at the board level for the last decade, and the faculty and administration of this fine school. The ones who have had the vision to begin this university deserve a lot of credit because as you well know, they have pulled off something that is very, very different than what anyone else has done.

And with those words as my preamble, I greet the leaders and the faculty on behalf of us, the graduating class of Winter 2007 with that simple message, thank you. I believe the phrase “thank you” has in many ways been diluted by today’s society. Either people use it too often to acknowledge trivial things or it’s not used at all when it should be. In either of these instances many of us hear that so much that we tend to shrug it off as a cliché phrase. The context of the “thank you” that I deliver to you today, the faculty, on this day is one that is rooted in genuine appreciation of your efforts and the mission that you’ve committed your lives to to make us better.

I first learned of WGU on an online discussion board. As I was getting ready to apply to several other schools I read a thread that mentioned WGU. And like many of us, I thought to myself, “Western Governors what?” There were four main things that were a requirement to me as I searched for that school for me to go and finish my MBA. First, the school needed to be accredited, of course. As we all know, WGU has so many accreditations that Dr. Mendenhall, I hear, might have to scrapbook them because he’s running out of wall space to hang them up. [Laughter] That is a wonderful problem to have.

Second, I did not want a school that was so expensive that my CPA would have thought that my student loan balances came from a medical school. And third, I wanted an online program that is flexible to my schedule, and sometimes that’s a pretty crazy schedule. Like many of us, I’ve written papers at 3:00 in the morning plenty of times, finished assignments at odd times during the day when I had the time to do it, not when someone else told me I needed to have it done. That’s one of the most wonderful things about the school, is the flexibility to be able to adapt that to wherever you are in life.

And finally, when I was researching where I wanted to apply I wanted a school to have great feedback from those who had actually been there. I’m a firm believer that a slick brochure means nothing if the personal testimony from those who have attended does not reflect what’s actually in it. And I can say that my experience at WGU has been exactly what I read on that discussion board. A young man had encouraged me, basically had listed his experiences and what he had gone through here at this school, and basically said, “Try it. You’ll like it.” And today I can stand before you and say that he was right.

As we all know, a successful team must have a variety of different members, and WGU has such a team. Soon after I applied I was contacted by WGU’s fantastic enrollment department led by Christopher [Inaudible]. These guys were literally my first contact. They say you never can get a second chance to make a first impression, and they were my first contact. In the beginning it’s sometimes easy to wonder if you had made the right choice, and dealing with the enrollment department in the beginning helped assure me that I had made that right choice. I think I would also be amiss if I didn’t personally thank Christine Nielsen, my enrollment counselor. A lot of times it’s easy to forget about those guys that we talk to when we were applying. She was so wonderful that I remember I think I had really found the right place here. I don’t know if she’s here today, but Christine, thank you.

And finally, we get to my mentor, Dr. Linda Gunn, who was the best mentor in the world. I know that everybody here says that their mentors are the best, and I defend your right to be wrong. [Laughter] Seriously, I know that all of you have probably had as great experiences with your mentors as I have as WGU’s assembled a fine faculty here of quality people. But I almost liken my journey through the MBA as going along the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz. And I can say that Dr. Gunn was my guide along the way to everything that I possibly needed. She was my Tin Man, my Scarecrow and my not-so-Cowardly Lion and she got me to the Land of the MBA. I just want to say, Dr. Gunn, thank you so much for helping me along the way.

No matter what I encountered she was there to guide me through it and to give me all the support and encouragement that anyone could ever hope for. I also feel like I should thank the WGU library staff, the bursar's office and the assessment department. These are the gears inside the engine that make this thing run that helped us get to where we needed to be, scheduling our assessments, making sure that our financial aids were applied correctly. All of these things came together and that’s why we’re sitting here today. So to each of those departments I want to say thank you.

I’ve been in school for 24 of the last 28 years, since enrolling in kindergarten at age four in Whitfield, Virginia. And I have always considered myself never to be a big fan of school. It was just something that I felt like I had to do. Until I got here I never really enjoyed school that much. So for the first time in my life this is a bittersweet ending for me rather than just a sweet ending. I was always happy to be done previously and now I’m kind of sad that it’s over.

For those of you graduating in the business program, I can say with your Bachelor’s degrees, and if you’re thinking of getting an MBA I can say go for it. If you’ve had a positive experience so far, which I’m sure you have, it will only get better from here. And if for some reason my speech has encouraged you to do that, please give me your name so I can go through the refer-a-friend program. You never can have too many gift cards. [Laughter]

And last but not least, I want to thank my family, my mother and father who are watching on the East Coast, and also my wife, Wendy, who put up with me with a lot of late nights of writing papers when I probably was a little grumpier than I should have been. But she deserves a big thank you as well.

And so my simplistic message comes to a close. I don’t know if this was the first graduation speech from a student that was directed solely at the faculty, but if it is, then perhaps what I said here today was long overdue. Honorable provosts, president, distinguished members of the board and dedicated faculty and staff of Western Governors University, on behalf of us, the graduating class of winter 2007, we say thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2007.07.14

Western Governors University

Lori Williamson earned her Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education degree. On July 14, 2007 Williamson was a graduate speaker at the Summer 2007 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Lori Williamson: Welcome everybody, and a particular welcome to those watching online, those of us who could not be with us today. This is not my first experience with a WGU commencement. I actually watched two of them as I was trying to finish the program for encouragement. And if there are any of you out there watching who are in that position, look at all of us here as a promise that through perseverance, you, too can accomplish your goal.

We've all been brought here today by different paths that began with imagination and believe that our dreams can come true. And sometimes you just have to have a different dream than the one you started out with.

The day that I signed up for the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at WGU was the day that my husband and I decided that our struggle to try to have a second child was going to be over. And this was not our first experience with this. We had been through it before, and fortunately have a beautiful son who's celebrating his seventh birthday today. But I knew that without a second child coming, and having a four-year-old, that it would soon be time to say goodbye to precious preschool moments and hello to new beginnings.

So I always thought teaching would be something I would be good at, and I knew I wanted to be there to watch every moment of my son growing up as well, so it was very important for me to find a program that allowed me to be with him as much as I could. I loved the idea of a competency-based program, and as I searched -- found Western Governors University, that really made the most sense for me so that I could be the kind of mother I wanted to be while he was still there, but also be on my path to a new dream.

Of course, you do have to have a little competency to be in that kind of program. And my undergraduate was in a bachelor of science in hotel administration, which is a far cry from elementary education. And in the beginning I thought, "Well, you know, I'll get a new laptop and I'll hang out at Starbuck's and be on the internet. How hard could it be?" [Laughter] But I was really wrong about that. And I was astounded at the depth of the Western Governors University program.

When I did my demonstration teaching, there was another student from a different online program also doing their student teaching, and that student had to be observed twice by somebody who was completely unaffiliated with the elementary school, who did not have any ownership in that school, would just come and watch and leave. When I shared with her that I was being supervised by the principal of the school, that I had to be observed eight times, and that I had to meet with her before and after every observation for a total of 16 meetings, she was blown away, and the teachers there were amazed at that. And when I even share that with fellow teachers now, they are just so amazed at what we were expected to do.

So I thank WGU for allowing me to walk onto one of the most elite campuses in my city, Memphis, Tennessee, and have it look like I knew exactly what I was doing. [Laughter] They were surprised at classroom management skills and at instructional theories. They asked me for advice. They were just amazed, and they were really surprised that I was a brand new teacher.

When you struggle with fertility and being able to have your own child, you realize that each child is an amazing gift, and that just brings it home to you. And I remember a child during student teaching who was struggling. He was a little first-grader. And I looked at him and I said, "You are a smart boy." And he looked at me and he said, "But, Mrs. Williamson, I wasn't smart until you came." And for that moment, he believed in himself because somebody else believed in him. So WGU has helped me to realize my new dream of working with children. And I get to spend my day making small difference to them, and they, in turn, make a mighty difference for me.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the summer homes of Ford and Edison. Edison was several years Ford's mentor, and when Ford shared his idea of wanting to create a gas engine, Edison was the one who encouraged him and told him to go for it and helped him. So I'd like to say thank you to all of our mentors who have encouraged us, especially Jennifer Jackson. As you have seen that power in your lives, never forget that you have that power in other people's lives. So whether you're going to continue on in education or business or IT or the health professions, use your gifts and talents to encourage others, even for what might seem to you the smallest moment. You will never know how much you encourage someone else.

On that note, I'd like to thank those people who encouraged me. I don't think I saw the inside of a grocery store for about two-and-a-half years. My husband and son got very good and doing that routine and cooking and a tremendous support. And I'm just amazed that I have about 25 family members who've traveled here from five different states to celebrate with me today. And so thank you to them. So today is a day to remember where we've been, celebrate where we are, and then imagine, dream, and believe in the hope for tomorrow. God bless you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2007.07.14

Western Governors University

Randy Potts earned his Master of Business Administration, Information Technology Management degree. On July 14, 2007 Potts was a graduate speaker at the Summer 2007 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Randy Potts: Dozen eggs, gallon of milk, a pound of cheese. I take the hint, honey. Administrators, faculty, honored guests, alumni, family and friends, and finally, the graduating class of summer 2007, congratulations. I was contacted by [Inaudible] in the provost's office who asked me, "What would you tell the graduating class of summer 2007?" And I've been contemplating that very question ever since.

I first sought advice from my wife on what she thought, and she asked, "Why'd you choose WGU," or, "How did WGU change your life?" She quickly inferred, "Oh, I know. Speak about what I owe my family, and how I will support my wife as she pursues her accounting degree at WGU." [Laughter] That reminds me, Senator Enzi, we need to request some help from your office in navigating the Department of Education. There seems to be a computer glitch in my wife's records.

One of my cynical daughters -- I say that very proudly -- "Does not matter what you say. They all have to sit there and listen to you anyways." [Laughter] She went on, "Heck, most of them will be, like, falling asleep, and you should just make repetitive statements to capture the few moments at the time that they're conscious long enough to understand what you said." [Laughter]

I told my director I'd been asked to be a student speaker, and he said, "You know, I was really looking forward to coming to commencement, but now I'm not so sure. I think I have something to do on a Saturday afternoon." I suspect that a lot of it had to do with the long list of honey-do's that he had been accumulating himself over the past several months working on all the hours trying to acclimate me to the office environment.

I also thought about what were some of my most memorable experiences and memories regarding WGU, and it dawned on me, my most memorable memory has absolutely nothing to do with a traditional college experience. That was one day a job recruiter picked me up at the hotel and drove me in to a Salt Lake City parking lot. And in that parking lot, there stood before me the tallest building with a sign that proudly proclaimed the "Home of Western Governors University." And before that, I never considered where my university even was.

A fellow WGU alumnus, Glenn Kennedy, also had something that made me think a little bit deeper. And that was one day he said his fondest desire would be able to root for the WGU football team. Maybe this is what fantasy football really is. I recall my earliest memory, that of Education Without Boundaries -- if you all recall that class -- facilitator Beverly Blaire. When I thanked her following an assignment, I stated that I now believe I had been properly WGU-ified. And she thought that was a great new term.

Well, there are several sad experiences for me as well, and I'm sure many of you will share these experiences. First, the withdrawal of not being able to access or even needing to access your AAP anymore. By the way, there's not much to do at 2:00 in the morning. I miss having to call my undergraduate program mentor, Craig Thorsten, and make some cockamamie unusual request for assistance, which somehow he was always able to fulfill. Craig, you truly are incredible. So let's stop single-handedly supporting the local health care profession. I have a job now.

Then there's Dr. Wright and the way you always expanded my thinking in directions I never thought I would ever have to consider. Linda, Linda, Linda Gunn, the absolute most passionate student supporter, magician, brain surgeon, mystic extraordinaire, and my graduate mentor. How you always made the impossible possible, and I still can't see your sleight of hand. Travis, Jackie, Kemp, and the wonderful new addition, Sean. Assessment scheduling, financial aid, the bursar's office, and the rest of the entire support staff at WGU. You truly do make the entire WGU experience smooth and effortless, allowing all of us to concentrate on our studies. Thank you.

So here it is, graduating class of 2007. If your tomorrows include developing young minds of the future, providing exceptional healthcare to services to your community, supporting technical revolution within your organization, becoming a driving force in the entrepreneurial business world, or challenging yourself to seek higher education, I wish you great success and earnest achievement.

By the way, if you're just waking for a moment or falling asleep, I'm almost done. My fellow graduates, never forget we are WGU. Keep us all informed as to your life's milestones and accomplishments. Post them regularly on the community blogs and in your profile on the alumni website. There you go, Sean. Looking for and reading your updates will help my fellow OCD alumni in transitioning from the constant checking every five to ten minutes for updates in Taskstream, or the grading reports of our completed assessments. We truly do require this transitional therapy. Again, congratulations, thank you, and y'all can wake up now.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2008.02.16

Western Governors University

Mathew Brothers earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree. On February 16, 2008 Brothers was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2008 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Matthew Brothers: Woo-hoo! I made it! I braved many of Utah's great black diamonds to be here today and I made it in one piece. My name's Matt Brothers and I definitely do not work for NASA. [Laughter]

First off, congratulations to all the graduates for making it this far. That is an amazing accomplishment. I'd like to thank everyone that believed in me, this would not have been possible without the love and support from all my friends and family. Many of whom are here today or watching online. Hey, guys. Thanks to my Aunt Jan, who some of you here today may have been lucky enough to have as a mentor. Jan introduced me to Western Governors and persuaded me to enroll. She believed that I have what it takes to make it at Western Governors University. Either that, or she just really wanted a gift card for signing up friends or family. [Laughter]

When I told her I did not even own a computer my Uncle Dan and Aunt Jan told me they would give me a laptop if I went to Western Governors University. So I figured I'd give this online school thing a try, I mean, if nothing else for the free laptop computer. [Laughter]

Both Jan and my mentor Jill Merit played a very active role in my education, and for that I am forever grateful. Jill really helped me to stay on track and be able to always see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was able to juggle a full-time job, full-time school and still manage to have a personal life. And I'm truly inspired by the stories of my fellow graduates and all the obstacles you all have overcome in your personal life in order to make it here today and graduate. All of you have helped me whether you realize it or not, and together we have achieved something that we could not have done alone.

Just a couple years ago I never thought I'd be able to graduate college. I just never had the ambition in the past. I actually attended Auburn University for a couple of years and never really excelled like I have at Western Governors University. When I say I attended Auburn University for a couple years, I actually mean to say I attended a lot of parties at Auburn for a couple years. [Laughter] Unfortunately they do not hand out degrees there for taking on such mentally grueling classes such as tennis one through four and music appreciation. [Laughter]

I was a little reluctant to sign up to an online school at first and questioned the validity of distance learning. But now I'm an adamant believer in Western Governors University. I constantly suggest it to everyone I know, sometimes to complete strangers if they let me. [Laughter] Western Governors has helped me to reach goals that I once thought were unattainable. Western Governors gave me a chance to prove to myself that I could graduate college with just a little willingness, ambition, drive, and a free laptop computer. [Laughter]

In all honesty it was a lot easier to finish this degree than I had expected. The convenience of such a flexible school schedule and the ability to attend class in my underwear has forever changed my perception of higher learning and has proved that online classes are the future of education. [Laughter]

I was looking online for a unique and inspirational quote, perhaps the likes of Aristotle or Socrates, instead I found this quote by George Foreman. [Laughter] It says, "I think sleeping was my problem in school. If school had started at four in the afternoon I'd be a college graduate today." [Laughter] Well, thanks to George Foreman and Western Governors University [Laughter] school can start at four in the afternoon, or at anytime we want it to. So for that very reason I'm standing here today with a degree.

I'm truly honored to be here in front of ya'll today and thankful that I could participate in such a surreal experience. Thank you to everyone that made this possible, and thanks to my mom and dad, my brother James, my girlfriend Connie, for all competing with a computer for my time and attention. Thank you to all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and family that are here in Utah, and those that have been here for me in the past. Thank you to Western Governors for having a graduation ceremony so close to so many fine ski resorts. [Laughter]

And good luck to all the graduates in your future endeavors. And thank you everyone for listening. And if there's anyone interested in hiring me, I do have a diploma from a fine university, please feel free to talk to me afterwards. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2008.02.16

Western Governors University

William Sparkman earned his Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics Education degree. On February 16, 2008 Sparkman was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2008 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Fellow graduates, family, friends, and those watching on the internet, I want to share a little about the road I took to get here today. My mother began her career in education at the elementary level, but realized that it was not exactly what she wanted. So she quickly switched to secondary education and loved it. She eventually became a high school principal. Hi, Mom. [Laughter] She's watching, I hope.

While I was in college the first time, many years ago, I substituted the high school level and didn't exactly like it. Since my mom had the same opinion of the elementary level I didn't think I would like that either. So my career path began as a sports editor of the Mulberry Press, my hometown paper in Mulberry Florida. I was also the sport reporter, sports photographer, sports layout, and even delivered papers to circulation boxes around town. Small paper.

I was also spending my summers at Boy Scout Camp, where as an Eagle Scout, I served three summers as an ecology director and two summers as program director. I decided then to enter the ranks of professional scouting, serving 12 years in several councils, including a three-year stint as the Associate National Director of the Order of the Arrow.

I eventually landed in London, Kentucky, the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken and home of the World Chicken Festival, where my son was now to enter elementary school. My son was an interesting student. He could ace any test, but would not do any work. I spent time volunteering at the school to see if I could offer any help with his situation. Eventually I was offered a job as an instructional assistant, or para educator, as they're called now, working with the fifth grade. I did that job for nine years.

Several years into the job I realized that I was doing a lot of the same things that the teachers did. Two other instructional assistants were going to school working on their teachering certification. Now, I knew being a single parent that I couldn't quit my job to go back to school and I would have limited nights to go to school, so it would take a long time to finish. I checked around and discovered Western Governors University. Now, I still knew that even with WGU, when it came time for my student teaching income could be a problem.

It was the United States Census Bureau that solved that problem when I went to work in a permanent, but part-time position, three years ago. I then took the plunge into Western Governors in August 2005. My job with fifth graders all day, doing census work for about 35 hours a month, keeping track of my son who was now 16. [Groans] [Laughter] He's now 18. That doesn’t make it any better. Sorry, Josh. And working towards my degree kept me busy, but WGU offered everything that I wanted. I didn't have to sit in class, I could go as fast or as slow as I wanted. My degree would be accepted in Kentucky and Pell Grants and other financial assistants were available to me.

The communication has been super between me and my mentors. First Emily Lyman who got me off to a roaring start. And then Carol Williams who continued to push me towards that degree. The communities, the resources, and my mentors were all of invaluable assistance through the process. Western Governors University offered everything that made it perfect for me. And as more people discover WGU I believe that more great teachers will be there for more great students to find success in the classroom.

The one problem that I knew that I would have would be in having to write everything I did through Taskstream. [Laughter] When I was in tenth grade my English teacher said to me, "Bill, you will never be able to write." I'd always believed that. It's amazing what impact a teacher can have on a young person's life. It almost kept me from going back to school. The influence that each of us have is larger than you can imagine. Be careful in not only what you say, but how you say it. Make those experiences sincere, and make them positive.

Now, writing sports is not exactly rocket science, the Taskstream would need a lot more polish. It didn't take me long, however, to see that I could write. What one teacher nearly did to me I have to make sure that I do not repeat. But sometimes brick walls may pop up. For those of you who might be a little squeamish, you might want to close your ears for a few seconds. It's the story of a brick wall that started with a toenail and how the toenail saved my life.

Back in June I had an ingrown toenail on my left big toe that had to be removed. The doctor checked it again on September 18th, I was right in the middle of my student teaching. And I'd also had a cyst that had appeared on the right front side of my neck in early September. I had a cyst removed several years ago from the back of my neck and I didn't think anything of this little thing. The doctors sent me straight to the hospital. After the tests it was determined to be Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctors don't know what causes it, but there it is.

I've been knocked down, but I refuse to be knocked out. I continued to do my student teaching and my Taskstream work lagged behind some, but I persevered. Without my toenail problem I believe that I still would not have seen the doctor today, probably waiting until the summer to have the cyst removed.

So those brick walls will appear from time-to-time in your career, do not let them stop you. There are no failures, just teaching moments. As Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed, I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Find a way to make it work. Persevere, use your resources, ask your fellow graduates or colleagues for guidance. For those of us who will become teachers, become a super teacher and brick walls do not hurt you, for it's too important in the life of a child.

Now, I want to thank South Laurel Middle School in London for having me as a student teacher. Tanya Lewis, my host teacher, Sheila Webb, her para educator and right arm, Shawn Sweeny, an assistant principal who set everything up, the staff and students were all wonderful in helping this old man get through his student teaching. And to Carrie [Inaudible] in helping for the cohorts' seminar, it was an outstanding experience. I have to say a very special thank you to the staff and students at Johnson Elementary School in London. I spent nine glorious years there, but the last several months have had its ups and down and they have cheered me on through all of it. I would not be feeling as good as I do without their support. I would like to mention all their names, but I'm thinking of you right now. Mmm.

To sum up about my road to get here, another small brick obstacle, my doctor since I was still taking treatments that I should not fly on an airplane. So the last road that brought me here today, and it was a tough one through Wyoming, [Laughter] was the one from Kentucky to Utah as I drove across country. I want to thank the folks at WGU who worked with me to get me here. And thanks, Mom, and my son Josh. Good luck everybody.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2008.07.19

Western Governors University

Kimberly Lillywhite earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree. On July 19, 2008 Lillywhite was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2008 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Kimberly Lillywhite: Good morning. I was asked to share with you a little bit of the journey that it took to get to this point today. I’m grateful and honored, also, to be standing here, it was a long road.

The road that I traveled started a long time ago when I was a young person living in Texas. And it's taken a lot of twists and turns that at that time I didn't think would be in my path. I was encouraged by my parents to write down my goals and my dreams and aspirations for life and then map out the way that I would achieve them. I calculated the extent of my journey and I mapped out my plan very carefully. My goals were to be an elementary school teacher, a wife, and a mother. My goals were to be accomplished in that specific order. At this time when I graduated, my parents informed me, along with several of my elders, that my goals were admirable, but they would never be accomplished together.

The day after I graduated from high school I left Texas to come to Utah on scholarship to another institution. I began my studies, and like most young people, found the social life and freedom that college brought was very empowering. I studied, I think, I went to class, I worked, and I dated. My grandma used to tell me I had to date a hundred frogs before I could find my prince, and I was out there to do that. [Laughter] I met a really great guy and decided that goals number one and two could be accomplished together, why not? Who couldn't have a 4.0 study buddy all the time?

So our life changed slightly and I got married, and Justin and I continued our education. Rose colored glasses were soon removed by the reality of bills and obligations. While we both continued to go to school we also had to work and pay the bills. So we transferred to another in-state institution to attend school and we served as resident directors for a bunch of freshman in on-campus housing. That was an adventure. During this move I encountered what would be the first in a series of medical setbacks. I had to cut my schooling to part-time and later that year, to our surprise, we found out that we would be expecting our first child.

Now I had to carefully look at my life's goals and if I really thought that I could accomplish them all. I decided to work on the goal of being a mom for a few years and put my goal to graduate from college on hold. It was an exciting and tremendous time. I loved being a mom and I loved playing with my kids. And I would play with anybody else who would loan me their kids. My friends would often say that I was crazy to give up on college, that I would have made a really great teacher. But I would just smile and tell them that I hadn't given up, that my road was just taking some twists and turn that I hadn't anticipated.

After graduation for Justin we accepted his first teaching job -- because we all know that graduation is a "we" process -- we moved our family, and I joined the PTA, served on the community councils, volunteered in the classrooms, listened to kids read, played on the playgrounds, did anything I could to be involved. I hoped that someday that I would be the one who had my own classroom and would be able to finish.

Over the next several years more medical roadblocks were put in our path as I received diagnosis requiring multiple surgeries and procedures. Diagnosis of cancer, auto immune disease, meningitis, and other barriers caused a partial eclipse to fall over my goals. But with the support of an amazing family, determination, and a positive attitude I was able to make steady progress towards recovery and accomplishing all of my goals.

When our youngest daughter entered first grade I, like many others, graduated from the teachers college, began working in the public school system as a classified employing, meaning that you really weren't supposed to be saying you were teaching children. I love children and wanted to make a difference in their lives. Every day I went to work with the idea that to the world I was just one person, but to one child that day I was going to be the world. I was going to make a difference. After working in a Title One School and as the technology specialist, and the director of the extended day program for several years, I was encouraged by others and I decided it was time to finish. I enrolled in WGU and went to work.

I was assigned WGU's most amazing, positive, terrific, and encouraging mentor available out there. We worked so well together, I would set my goals and my mentor would give me insight and we would work together to achieve my goals. I think when we first started my mentor thought my goals were a little lofty and I was going to be disappointed. But she never offered a negative word, she was always there for me even when it wasn't my turn on her schedule. Kim King is an incredible example of the mentoring program at WGU. Because of her assistance and the program I was able to accelerate and finish my teacher certification in six months.

Sociologist Robert K. Merton is quoted as saying, "If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Many giants have helped me reach this goal. Over the years my perspective of goals has sometimes dimmed and I began to be discouraged. These giants would then lifted me up and allowed me to stand on their shoulders so that I could view my goals on the horizon. Then my goals and dreams became achievable again.

My giants include my parents who gave me my firm sense of direction in life and encouraged my independent spirit and drive. I have the most wonderful husband, Justin, who stood by my side and was my personal motivator and to keep going. He is amazingly optimistic and has helped me every step of the way to achieve this goal. Our four children, Justin, Joshua, Jacob, and Kenzie, I love them. They had to sacrifice so much for me to do this. They gave up their individual talk time at night, they forfeited camping trips, fishing trips, family outings, and they even had to make some of the meals themselves so I could read hundreds of pages a night and study. They even turned flashcards for me. They probably could have received a degree, too. [Laughter]

My second mom who never gave up on me, she will always be one of God's angels on earth. My extended family members who rallied around our family, they have seen us through difficult times and are here to celebrate the positive ones with us as well. I had amazing educators who surrounded me from the Davis School District, and especially from Crestview Elementary, they offered insight and direction. And as you all know, you had friends or family that read paper after paper after paper after paper after paper, anxiously awaiting the grade as much as you did. [Laughter] I think they got to the point that they were secretly hoping that I was to the last task in Task Stream so they wouldn't have to listen to my theories any longer. I also thank the doctors and community members who offered encouragement, hope, and positive outlooks along this journey.

A few years ago I would have told you that my life map had changed forever and that the goals I set as a youth would never be brought to fruition. But thanks to the grace of a loving Father in Heaven I have been able to get past the roadblocks and become the best wife, the funnest mom, and the happiest WGU graduate ever, it has just taken 18 years longer than I had originally anticipated.

To my teaching career I am going to take with me the positive influences that the people from WGU and others have been on my throughout this experience. I'm going to help each child stand a little taller with self-confidence and determination. I am going to try to instill in each of them a love for lifelong learning and to be proud of whom they are and the goals and dreams they have for themselves.

As we leave this graduation I hope each of us will take into our communities the life lessons so many have shared today and be part of the positive changed around us. I hope that you have many opportunities to support individuals who need giant shoulders to stand on so they can see a little farther, and maybe see on the horizon the fruition of their dreams. Ghandi stated, "Be part of the change you want to see in the world." Let today be the day that we embark on that journey for each one of us. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2008.07.19

Western Governors University

Roger Osborne earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree. On July 19, 2008 Osborne was a graduate speaker at the Winter 2008 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

Good morning, I'm Roger Osborne. And what I'd give to be able to take the energy in this room this morning, bottle it up and open it up some day when I'm much older and gray-er.

Fellow graduates, faculty, distinguished guests, family and friends, it is with great honor and humility that I stand before you. Honor. You know, as I was trying to put on paper my thoughts and feelings about this day, I decided to take a moment and look up the word honor. One definition says that honor is the privilege of being associated with or receiving favor from a respected person, group, or organization. Well, I can assure you that is exactly how I feel today. I feel privileged to be associated with each and every graduate, and I feel privileged to be associated with this college, Western Governors University.

As a busy father to four precious girls, a husband to an incredible wife, a full-time Information System supervisor, and a part-time business entrepreneur, I didn't have time to spare and it didn't take a reasoning and problem solving in the context of humanities class to come to the conclusion that traditional brick and mortar classes would not fit into my schedule.

Undoubtedly many students have come through WGU's virtual doors looking with high hopes that an online curriculum would be quick and easy. They may have been hopeful that the journey would be one that they could get through and move away without any hardship. However, once their academic action plan was populated, Taskstream homework assignments began piling up, they learned all too quickly that this would neither be easy nor painless.

In some respects online learning brought unique challenges. Most, if not all of us, have families, jobs, and countless responsibilities competing for our time each day. Had we not established a strict learning schedule allotting the necessary time for our studies and stood absolutely resolute in making our dreams a reality, we would not be where we are today. Time management and unyielding commitment is unquestionably the key to success.

I personally struggled a great deal with math more than any other subject. It was a required course that I had allowed to stand between me and a degree for more than 20 years. Math was my personal Goliath. Writing, history, even science never held a candle to this beast. And I was absolutely terrified and I took the pre-assessment. You can picture me hyperventilating and I just resigned myself to get an e-mail from my mentor, Dr. Paddock, saying that my dreams of receiving a degree were a waste of time. I imagined him and all the other mentors sitting in some makeshift, smoky teacher's lounge passing my score around and laughing at me. But that email never came. Instead Dr. Paddock went over the areas that I didn't do so well in, he gave me some much needed guidance and direction. And throughout that I even found a few of my own helpful resources as well. Before I knew it I had slain this beast, this giant that had stood in my way all these years. Was it easy? No, but it was worth it.

Once in a reply to an email I had sent to Dr. Paddock shortly after I failed my pre-assessment for ethics, I was asking him to allow me to add another class to my term. He replied back that he would let me take another class, but that he had a hard time truly trusting someone who couldn't pass ethics. Such a funny guy. And I will never forget Dr. Paddock telling me shortly after I passed my final capstone project, Roger, when you start to think of how grateful you are to be away from all the tests and assignments, think about how grateful your mentor is to be away from you. He didn't really say that, I thought it would be funny anyway.

It is important that I recognize those closest to me who in their own special way made this dream standing here before you a reality. First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Angela. Her absolute unwavering support during this time was and is quite simply beyond all words. Not once did she ever tell me you're going to have to put down his books and come in here and help me when quite honestly I'm sure she wanted to more times than one. She is my rock, my helpmate in the truest sense of the word and she's my best friend. Your sacrifice Angela, will never be forgotten.

I would also like to thank my children, Julie, Kara, Rhiannon, and Sarah who reminded me each day why this goal held such significance and meaning not only to allow me to provide each of them with a better future, but also to show them that a long held dream by their father could be stitched and woven into reality.

Not to say there weren't sacrifices. A few weeks before I completed my final task, I was talking to my youngest daughter Sarah. She's six years old. And I told her as we were eating breakfast one morning I said, "You know, I'm only two courses away from finishing my degree?" and she let out this really cute little girl shrill. And I said, "Wow, you sound almost excited about me graduating as I am." to which she replied, "I am." And I said "Well, why?" And she said, "Because Dad, I've missed playing with you."

But in the words of Anatole France, "To accomplish great things we must dream as well as act." The sacrifices I made during this journey were unquestionably worth the sacrifice and price. My hope is that one day that my daughters will look back to this time and realize that their father loved them beyond all measure and he proved his love, not only in the times that he spent laughing and playing, but also in the time that he spent in quiet solitude preparing for this next journey and this bittersweet event.

My mom who is watching this commencement through the video feed always told me I could do anything I wanted. My father passed away a little more than a year ago would have been very proud too. They both gave encouragement when I needed it most and they believed in me even when I didn't, and I'm forever grateful for their sacrifices. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't say a huge thank you to my mentor Dr. Paddock. Dr. Paddock was always there whenever I needed guidance and direction and at times I'm sure he probably wanted to put my email address on a spam filter, but to his credit he didn't. In all seriousness, I could have not have a hand-picked a better mentor, and you are an asset to this institution and I thank you for that.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "That what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." We, as graduates of an online learning institution have taken a road less traveled. A road that does not allow for complacency and half-hearted attempts. One that has no time for indecisiveness. This is a road where each person passes or fails based on their efforts and theirs alone. Through all the struggles, studying for exams or the daunting feeling that would sometimes overcome me just as I pressed refresh button just one more time in Taskstream, to see if it had been graded, you've all been there, I learned three very important life lessons: One, that I could do it. If I put my mind to it, absolutely anything was possible. Two, I learned through each and every completed assignment and every test that I passed, if I put in the hours required, my dream was possible. And three, I learned that through my actions I was breaking free of a mold of yesterday's standards and decisions that had tried to define me and I had become determined to no longer become bound by my past.

So here I am today standing before you, a big smile on my face, a cap and tassel proudly displayed on my head. I am a college graduate. All of the graduates here today can be proud that we have prevailed against the shadows of doubt which attempted to poison our minds and by telling us that we would fail. We have stood squarely in the face of raging storms and wind that would have tossed us off course had we not resolutely stood as form to reach the uncharted lands just over the horizon.

Milton Berle was once quoted as saying, "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." Well, each of us here can be proud of the door standing before us. With great precision and steadfast purpose we have through countless hours of studying and learning crafted a solid frame and an exquisite door through which we can all pass. And standing just across that threshold our future has never been brighter.

In parting, I'll leave you with these final thoughts. Success is not based on your past, only on your present and future. And there are very few, if any, who have had greatness thrust upon them without them first having moved in the direction which greatness stood. And finally President George W. Bush who famously had a C average in college once told the graduating class of Yale, "To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions I say well done, and to the C students I say you too may one day be president of the United States." If that is your goal, just makes your father's president of the United States first. In all sincereness I salute each of you and I wish each of you nothing but continued success. Thank you, and have a good day.

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2009.01.24

Western Governors University

Leila Crouse, a public health educator from Southern California, was able to complete her Masters degree online through Western Governors University while working full time and caring for a family of six. Selected to speak at the WGU Winter Commencement, Crouse shares her experiences and talks about the benefits of earning her degree online through WGU.

Leila Crouse earned her Master of Science, Health Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Can everyone see me? [Laughter] I'm going to calm my nerves by saying hi to my four kids over there and my husband. Good morning fellow graduates, parents, faculty and guests. Thank you for all coming here today, especially those of you've traveled the distance. Nevertheless I must say Salt Lake City's beauty is worth the trip. This event is a special time for all of us. All the graduates have worked hard to get here and we're finally done. Whoo hoo.

We also want to take this special time to recognize family and friends for their support and patience. I am very honored to be giving this speech, although I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to say. I decided I would tell you what the school has meant to me and about my experience that brought me here today. Many of us come from different backgrounds and we're all here for one purpose, to earn our education and achieve higher degrees.

My personal story is one of a full-time working professional mother of four who returned to school after many years. The comment I most often received during my graduate studies was I don't know how you do it. Although graduate school was a big deal for me personally, I didn't think too much of it, but I realized that in our society it is still not the norm for older working married adults to go back to college. Although adult education is a growing trend and full of many success stories, people still find it above and beyond. We would all like to have finished all our schooling before marriage and family, but like myself and many others who are here today, for whatever reasons our paths took us in different directions.

I received my undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara in 1993 in sociology and law. At this point in my life I was burnt out of school and declared I would never go back to school again, very different from Scott. I was also first generation in my family to accomplish this degree so it was more than enough. Next it was time to find a job and a career. I started in social services working with abused children and moved on as a health educator with the Department of Public Health. Currently I'm working at the community college as a health educator with our future young adults and my career continues to be rewarding.

As my career developed and my passion for work grew stronger, I was growing professionally and personally as well. I started to crave knowledge in my field and I wanted to go back to school, and this was six to eight years after undergraduate school, so I learned never say never guys. But the thought of going back to school was not an easy one especially because those four kids and my husband were my priority. It's taken me fourteen years to go back to school. Distance education was new. There were many obstacles.

For one instance, my employer at the time did not want to accept a degree from distance education and preferred traditional schools because they were not up to date with new online programs. This was discouraging, but I decided to take my chances as I found many other companies and individuals successfully applying new cutting-edge online programs. In my search, I found many programs, but I had many common uncertainties and fears that we all share, such as accreditation, tuition costs, hours of commute, time away from home and work. The decision was challenging.

I did find one online program that seem realistic, but it ended in disappointment. I learned distance education as we all have learned requires a higher level of discipline, strong time management, organizational skills, and commitment and support. That's when I found Western Governors University on an online search. I found it unique with a mentoring and competency based features. It was too good to be true. Without a doubt it's been hard work, but today's event confirms it was well worth the ride. We are often told that education will open doors and because of my master's degree, today my career has already experienced new, unexpected opportunities and has truly made the hard work meaningful.

Finally, there are lasting memories. To be able to take a class or complete papers with my three year old sitting on my lap, or to have my older children learn that Mommy had to pass on a great movie or a weekend outing to finish schoolwork, or to trade in date nights with my husband for late night reading and studying. Today this event is especially important to me for my children to witness that all things are possible, you simply have to just go for it guys.

WGU made our educational goals attainable. The mentors are so vital to keep us guided, motivated, supported, accountable and some of the best people we will ever meet. More importantly, WGU programs are credible and valid for our professional and educational needs.

In closing, today we acknowledge our hard work and accomplishments. We have reached a turning point in our life. For some, this will be the end of formal education. Others will continue into their current careers or new endeavors. For others, this is simply the beginning process for their continuing education. Whatever venue we choose to pursue, there will be rewards to gain, challenges to face, and opportunities to encounter. We and our children are the future of this country and this world. We must always keep new ideas, new goals and ambitions to sustain our place and offer continuous improvements in our ever changing world. Whatever life brings you, always remember the future is what you make it.

Thank you Western Governors University. Thank you my mentors, Dr. Malia Stevens and Dr. Martinique Kumu, and thank you to my husband David, and my kids Sean, Noah, and Bella and Eva. Congratulations fellow graduates. God bless you all and thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2009.01.24

Western Governors University

Shari Davis, a Las Vegas substitute teacher battling cerebral palsy, had three goals when she enrolled in online, nonprofit Western Governors University about 2 years ago: to finish her degree, have a classroom of her own, and improve her physical condition. When she walked to the podium to deliver her commencement address at WGUs Winter Commencement last month in Salt Lake City, Shari had met all three of those goals.

Shari Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Transcription of video:

Congratulations fellow graduates. By completing our degree programs at WGU, we've demonstrated our belief in the importance of education. Though we've all faced many challenges along the way, ultimately none of us allowed any obstacles to block our path. We have arrived here today through perseverance and determination. Webster's dictionary defines perseverance as "continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition, or previous failure."

I'm sure we've all had to overcome discouragement, opposition, or failure at various points in our lives. Personally, even though I've overcome many challenges in my own life, I didn't fully realize the importance of perseverance until I started substitute teaching while pursuing my degree in interdisciplinary studies.

I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade, but I'd always allowed others to discourage me. Then about three years ago, a friend of mine who teaches second grade asked me to visit her classroom for a few days. After the experience I had in my friend's classroom, I finally decided to pursue my dream. Over the years, however, my health and mobility had declined considerably, so when I accepted a long-term substitute teaching assignment, I struggled.

I was born with cerebral palsy, and as my mobility declined, my muscles throughout my body had atrophied. This caused severe pain my limbs, neck, and back. I was also having a tough time completing my competencies because the typing was so laborious. And every time I had to revise a task, I became more frustrated. I even seriously thought about quitting WGU because after giving every ounce of energy I had to my students in the classroom, I had nothing left to devote to my own education.

I felt like my dreams were slipping through my fingers, and I was so ashamed that I couldn’t tell anyone that I was struggling and in pain. Then one night, my husband heard me crying when I thought he was asleep, and I decided to tell him everything. Together, we found a way through. We developed and implemented a nutrition and exercise plan to reverse my physical decline. To address my struggles with teaching and studying, I decided that I should ask my mentor and teacher friends for guidance. Their ideas and support really turned things around for me. I had no idea what a strong support system was already around me.

As educators, we teach our students to ask for help. I just had to learn to do so myself. While pushing myself through the task for each competency unit of my WGU program, I also noticed several reoccurring themes that inspired me to continue. Those themes are achievement, motivation, goals, and dreams. I was learning to motivate my students to achieve their goals and dreams by doing their best and never giving up. I soon realized that I could not expect my students to always do their best if I wasn’t always doing mine. Then I thought with perseverance and determination, I could make my own personal dreams come true while inspiring my students to discover and pursue their dreams.

I did my best to balance work, home, and school while attending WGU, and through it all, managed to complete my entire degree program in two years and one month. [Applause] And four days ago, I accepted a licensed teaching position as a fifth grade teacher. [Applause] I have also done my best to improve my physical condition and overall quality of life and will continue to do so. To date, I have lost 61 pounds and increased my mobility from barely walking around my house to walking over 1,200 feet without stopping, which is the length of four football fields, not including end zones. [Applause] And to now standing before all of you today.

I have learned that with the support of friends and family, anything is possible if we want it and are willing to work hard enough for it. I'm reminded of a quote by author Robert Cooper who said, "There are two kinds of dreams. One is a dream that's always going to be just that, a dream. A vision that you can never really hold in your hand. Then there's a dream that's more than a dream. It's like a map, a map that you live by and follow for the rest of your days, knowing that someday, you're going to stand on the top of that mountain, holding everything you thought of right there in your hand."

Earning my interdisciplinary studies degree at WGU in order to become a licensed elementary teacher has been incredibly valuable to my life. Through perseverance and determination, I am now standing on the top of this mountain, getting ready to climb the next one. Fellow graduates, as we leave the ceremony today, we should all be encouraged to follow our dreams and make them come true, regardless of the challenges we may encounter. Thank you, and congratulations.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2009.07.11

Western Governors University

Dolores Northrup had been in the nursing profession for 12 years but needed a degree to further her career. During WGU's 2009 Commencement, she shared how WGU helped her accomplish that goal.

Dolores Northrup earned her Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree.

Transcription of video:

Hello, my name is Dolores, and I'm a graduate of Western Governors University, Bachelor Science in Nursing Program. And I would like to start by thanking my wonderful mentor, Michelle Winters, for all her support and for nominating me for this wonderful opportunity of speaking with you today. And I'd also like to thank my family for all the help and support they gave me as I worked toward my goal of my BSN.

I have been in the nursing profession for 12 years, and like many of you out there, I realized that if I wanted to pursue other career options in my profession, I would need to obtain further education. So knowing that the time was right, and I was ready to go back to school, I started doing research on RN to BSN programs. I looked at both the traditional schools and online programs. And after a few bumps in the road, I was introduced to Western Governors University. I read several testimonies from students like us and graduates that had graduated from various programs, and I was very impressed.

I would be able to use the competency-based approach because I would be able to use my knowledge and skills that I have attained in my 12-year career as an RN. And I was very excited about this option, as I know many of you were, when you realized that your dreams of attaining your goals in higher education were about to come true. As an added bonus, I wouldn't have to change my work schedule to accommodate my school.

I sent in my transcripts. I took the intake interviews. I met my mentors online, and I got ready to start taking the courses I needed to achieve my BSN. All of the courses online. What was I thinking? I knew the basics of how to use my computer, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to do a totally all online program. But I knew that I was going to be dedicated to the program because I wanted to finish as fast as I could. I knew there were going to be quite a few long days in front of the computer in my future, but that didn't stop me. I knew that I could do it.

So first came Education Without Boundaries, my introductory class, and I wondered, "What did I get myself into?" But by the end of the week, I was getting into it, and I really appreciated all the insight it gave me into the expectations of the WGU programs. Then came Task Stream. That was a whole new concept. But my mentors are great, and they helped m navigate through it, and soon it was like I had been doing it for years. I knew I was well on my way to achieving my goal.

I'm sure you all have felt frustrated at times throughout your course of study. I know I did. There were plenty of times when I couldn't figure out what they were asking me to do, or I couldn't find the information that they were wanting. But instead of staying frustrated for long, I would contact my mentor, or I would post a comment in the wonderful communities about the issue I was having. Then, I would just go onto another task or another course, and I would wait until I got my answer that I needed, and go on.

Then there would be the frustration of waiting once you sent your task in to be graded. It seemed like it took forever, but it was usually only a couple of days. Then there was the frustration when you got it back, and it said you didn't pass because you totally forgot a section. So you couldn’t complete it until you completed that section. And you're saying, "Well, how did I do that?" And it's pretty easy. I did it a couple of times myself. [Chuckling]

So you fix the error. You resubmit it, and you go on. But putting all of this aside, knowing that you want to succeed with WGU, you have to set your mind to it, and you have to know that you are going to dedicate about 12 to 20 hours a week to your schoolwork. Having the support of family and friends is a great boost. But also remember, don’t beat yourself up because you aren't making those gourmet meals you used to, or your house isn't as clean as it used to be, because the goal is to focus on your school and get that degree that you are wanting.

But do remember to give yourself a break occasionally, because you and your friends and your families need it. You need to get away for a couple of days. Just put the books away. Put your computer away, and go do some fun things together, because once you do that, you'll come back refreshed, and you'll be ready to tackle those tasks again to work towards your goal.

But always keep that goal in mind. This will help you to stay on track for your current goals and any future goals that you have. And for all of us today who have met our goals, way to go. WGU knew you could do it when they accepted you on as a student, and that for those of us who are just starting out or continuing in your educational dreams, WGU is waiting for you with open arms to help you attain those dreams.

So congratulations to all of you today for your great accomplishments. I know that it will help you in your future, as it has for me. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2009.07.11

Western Governors University

Tammy Ramsey, a mom and wife, shares her journey of earning her teaching license to become a provider for the family when her husband was unable to work.

Tammy Ramsey earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Transcription of video:

Welcome, everyone, or as we say down South, hey, y'all. [Chuckling] My name is Tammy Ramsey. I am a 41-year-old wife, mother, and now a college graduate. I'll be the first to tell you that public speaking is not my forte. But I am honored and willing to stand here and tell what Western Governors has done in my life.

Twenty-four years ago, I graduated from high school. I married and put college plans on hold. I had a wonderful husband and two sweet step-children. I worked a part-time job while my husband, Steve, had a career with the railroad. Life was great. Six years later, after we married, our youngest daughter, Molly, was born prematurely, and I became a stay-at-home-mom.

Still in the back of my mind, I dreamed of going to college and earning a degree. When our daughter started school, I decided to go back to work. I became an elementary school paraprofessional. I loved my job. Just a few years later, life threw my family a curveball. Steve became sick and was placed on disability and could no longer work at the railroad. We were scared. I prayed for strength and guidance. I knew the time had come for me to step up to the plate and do what I had to do for my family.

I enrolled at the local community college and took night classes while working a fulltime job. After four years, it started to take its toll. I felt like I was getting nowhere. That's when I heard about Western Governors, and it sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to finish my teaching degree. Psalm 24 says, "May God grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all of your plans." Western Governors University was an answer to prayer for me.

I began in May of 2006. I was given an incredible mentor, Kevin [Inaudible]. I can't say enough good things about Kevin. He became my mentor, my cheerleader, as well as my friend. WGU is very blessed to have Kevin on their staff. He deserves an award for putting up with me. [Chuckling] I recall one particular time when I was feeling so overwhelmed, and just felt like I couldn't finish up my tasks by the time they were due.

Kevin knew I was discouraged. During one of our phone calls, I asked him, "Kevin, how am I gonna do this?" He responded by saying, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." A few days later, I received a package in the mail. It was a jar of BBQ sauce from Kevin, all the way from Hawaii. He said it would make the elephant taste better. [Applause] Kevin, you'll never know how that lifted my spirits.

As graduates, we should all feel proud to be a part of Western Governors. It has been a very positive experience for me. We have learned that through hard work, determination, and perseverance, we can accomplish a major feat. Most of us have done this while juggling family life and fulltime jobs. We have learned that we can sometimes perform magic tricks, like writing essays while you watch your kid play ball.

Looking back, we can all see that we've learned more than what our task and task screen required. I am sure you will agree that number one, perseverance pays off. Two, hard work won't kill you. And three, no matter what your age or your situation, your dreams are achievable.

Western Governors has changed our lives for the better. Times are tough for many right now with our country's economic situation. We are well-prepared to face these tough times. We have earned a college degree, and that means we are teachable. We have worked hard to better ourselves. I envision myself and my fellow graduates as successful men and women who share a common bond. And that bond is Western Governors University.

We will be proud to tell others our success stories. Western Governors has helped me achieve a lifelong dream of becoming an elementary school teacher, and I will begin my new career this August at Naomi Elementary School in Lafayette, Georgia. This university cares about its students and wants them to succeed. They go the extra mile to ensure that we do this. We've been challenged through rigorous tasks and exams and to make the best of our personal situations.

I know I am a success story, but it has been a joint effort. I want to thank Western Governors University and my mentor Kevin for guiding my way and keeping me on track. Thanks to my mother for cheering me on and being an inspiration to me from the nursing home bed. Thanks go out to my mother and father-in-law for prayers and support, and especially those four little words: this too shall pass.

Sarah Jones, my dear friend, thanks so much for all of your help and advice. To my family members who are here with me today, Tom and Denise, thank you for your support and for bringing me to my college graduation. That is a special gift. Molly, my daughter, you're a very big part of my success. Thank you for believing in me. Steve, my husband and best friend, your name should be on my diploma as well. Your support has been overwhelming. I want to thank God for giving me courage and strength. From the fullness of His grace, I have received one blessing after another.

I would like to leave you with a quote from news anchorman Tom Brokaw. It's easy to make a buck. It's tougher to make a difference. You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of it as an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world. Thank you, and congratulations to the 2009 graduates of Western Governors University.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2010.02.20

Western Governors University

David Cooper was selected as a graduation speaker for WGU's Winter 2010 Commencement. David is from Green Valley, PA.

David Cooper and earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

I'll lift those a little bit higher. [Chuckling] Good morning, Western Governors University, family, friends, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests. My name is David Cooper, and I just want to take a little bit of time to speak to you about experience with Western Governors, which is very near and dear to my heart.

I first want to say thank you to Western Governors for bestowing this honor to allow me to speak at the 2010 Commencement Ceremony. It's truly an honor, and I'm forever grateful for the honor being bestowed upon me. I also want to thank my wife and my kids. They're not here with me today, but I recognize that they're my foundation, and without them, none of this is possible. So my wife, I know she's looking via online, so I want to say thank you to her.

When I look out into the audience, you know what I see? You know, I see men working two jobs to try to make ends meet. I see families struggling to figure out how they're gonna go to school and keep a roof over their head. I see parents trying to set an example for what education means to their kids. Nothing could be more important than this experience here at Western Governors University.

I also see, much like I am here, a bunch of students. Some of has tried to attend school in previous years, and haven't had the opportunity to be as successful as we would've liked. We're full of starts and stops, beginnings and beginnings again. But with determination, we all walked to make it to this day, and this is a proud moment. Each of you should be proud in the opportunity that we have here, because Western Governors University embodies what learning should really be about. It really should be about flexibility. The opportunity to go to school on your time in your time. It should be about affordability. We shouldn't have to mortgage our futures to pay for the educational opportunities of today.

Also, it should be about mentoring. Everybody in here should have or could use a mentor, form the littlest to the oldest. And having someone – a listening ear, a caring person, to help you navigate through life's challenges, through education's obstacles, well those are things that we hold near and dear to our hearts, and we have to continue to remember that Western Governors University is at the front of the revolution to be able to help us accomplish that.

You know, when I started at Western Governors in 2009, like many of you, I was scared to death. You know, I'd been out of school for some time, and, you know, I'm asking myself, "What am I doing?" [Chuckling] You know. How can I go back to school? I mean, I didn't get it done the first time. You know? My experience from a university perspective, I've got more memories of standing in line at the bursar's office, wondering whether my financial aid check was gonna be there. Or wondering whether I was gonna be able to register for the class that I needed to take that semester. Or trying to figure out what was gonna happen on Thursday or Friday or Saturday, you know, which party was gonna be where. I guess I'm by myself in that regard. [Chuckling]

Fast forward quite a few years. I had an opportunity to work in corporate America. I feel like I've been rather successful in that capacity. I've lived all across the United States. I've even lived and worked in Asia for a few years. But I recognize that through all of this success, or the modicum of success that I had, something was clearly missing. I needed to have my educational experience match my professional experiences. I needed to have the opportunity to be able to do more than what I was doing in the business world. And I recognized, through my professional successes, that I had the talent, the dedication, and determination to do anything that I wanted to do if I just rolled up my sleeves and gave it a try.

Pundits from the outside may suggest that hey, here I am in corporate America, and I'm overachieving. But in the back of my mind, I recognized that you know what? I was actually underachieving. If I could accomplish this things without a business management degree, can you imagine what I possibly could've accomplished had I have had it? That was the nail in the coffin for me to come back to school. And Western Governors was the vehicle to allow me to do just that. At that very time, at that very moment, I recognized that I needed Western Governors University. And Western Governors University helped to fulfill my needs to allow me an opportunity to learn in the way that I knew I could and like many of you, that you could.

Let me tell you a little bit about what I don’t see in the audience. What I don’t see is I don't see the graders. Maybe it's just me, but you know, those invisible people behind every Task Stream performance assessment. You know? I recognize that they had a job to do, and I commend them for how well they did their job for me. [Chuckling] But if anyone is a grader, I mean no harm. I mean no offense. But I would ask my fellow WGU alums if you know a grader, or if you see a grader today, just give them a hug. And be sure to whisper to them that I'm sorry for all those not-so-nice things that I said in my head when I got those performance assessments back, and I had to resubmit, and resubmit, and resubmit.

You know, seriously, though, I want to make sure that I crystalize this moment and acknowledge that you are all the best of the best. And the reason that I say that is, is that despite all the naysayers that said you couldn’t do it, or why are you going to school, or you're too old, or you're, you know, you're too experienced, what are you doing, you forged on. And you’ve found a way to get it done and see it through. And for all the pundits that suggested that, you know, what is Western Governors, and what kind of school is that, hey guess what? Accredited, flexible, using mentorship to help people achieve their dreams. To me, it sounds like a pretty good school.

You know, you guys are the people that persevered through all of the things that happened in life. Multi-tasking, you know, juggling the kids off to school, going to work, studying from midnight to whenever you could, you know, literally let your head hit the pillow, only to wake up that next day and do it all over again. And you all represent the best that education has to offer, and I want to make sure that I share that with you all today.

As I was kind of putting together this speech to talk to you today and share my experiences, you know, a poem came to mind by a famous poet named Edgar A. Guest. And the poem is called See it Through. And when I think about that poem, it really helped to crystalize and symbolize how that poem applies to each and every one of us here today. The poem goes a little something like this.

When you're up against a struggle, when you're squarely face-to-face,
lift your chin, set your shoulders, plant your feet, and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it, do the best that you can do.
You may fail, but you may conquer. See it through.
Black may be the clouds about you, and your future may seem grim,
but don’t let your nerve desert you, keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen, despite all that you can do,
running from it will not save you. See it through.
Even hope may seem but futile, when with trouble you're beset,
but don’t let your nerve desert you, you're only facing what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting. Don't give up, whatever you do.
Eyes front, head high, to the finish see it through.

I can say here now that with WGU, we have collectively seen in through. Congratulations, graduates, and all the best to you. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2010.02.20

Western Governors University

Shannon Klieves was selected as a graduation speaker for WGU's Winter 2010 Commencement. Shannon is from Spring Hill, FL.

Shannon Klieves earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Transcription of video:

I just want to start by saying it's an honor to have the opportunity to be standing in front of you as a graduate of WGU. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to stand up here and share my personal story with you, even though it's a very scary experience for me. While I have no problem speaking to kids in the classrooms, speaking in front of adults is quite another story. [Chuckling]

I want to take the time to thank my sister, Leslie, and my grandma, Mimi. I especially want to thank my husband, Chris, for all the babysitting, diaper duty, and paper editing he's done for me. I also want to thank my children, Hunter and Reed, for spending tummy time watching mommy type papers on the laptop and story time listening to mommy read textbooks. [Chuckling]

And I can't forget about all the support from the WGU staff, especially my mentor, Dana Horgan, for her support in the good times and the bad. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. And just like my classmate, I too remember lining up all my baby dolls, Barbie's, and stuffed animals in rows and pretending to teach them. I would read books them and even give them homework, but for some reason, they never turned it in. [Chuckling]

I cut school buses out of cardboard boxes and would push them through the house, dropping my dolls off at their bus stops. Every day when I'd return with my buses, my dolls would be there waiting on me, reminding me of my dream to become a teacher. WGU has helped me turn that dream into reality. As a result of my work at WGU, I'm now a licensed teacher in the state of Florida.

My childhood years were challenging, and I didn't have a storybook home life. As a result, by the time I was in third grade, I was already well behind other children in my class. Fortunately, my third grade teacher recognized that I was struggling and had me tested for learning disabilities. I was diagnosed as being dyslexic. As I moved through school, my home life continued to affect my ability to be successful in school. As a teenager, I was extremely shy and withdrawn.

I was just about to get married to my husband when I decided it was time for me to go to college. Shortly after we married, I applied to WGU and was able to qualify for financial aid. During my first year at WGU, my husband and I both worked long hours and didn't get to spend much time together.

During my time at WGU, I've experienced several miracles. Some of these miracles that have occurred while I was a student at WGU were my children, Hunter, who's 22 months old, and Reed, who's nine months old, and another who's due this June. As I mentioned, the boys have spent a lot of time watching and helping their mommy study for her degree.

In my years at WGU, I've developed a terrible habit I call stalking. This stalking refers to the number of times that I've logged in to Task Stream to check on my assessments and progress. Just the other day when I logged in, I noticed I had logged on 2,936 times. And that's not counting all the times I stayed on and just hit refresh. [Chuckling] I bet most, if not all, the grads at WGU know what I'm talking about and are guilty of the same thing.

Now that I'm a teacher, I hope to be able to repay all the teachers who helped me by helping other students learn to read. When I was in elementary school and struggling to learn to read, it was a teacher who took the time to make sure I could learn. And now, I can do that for other children.

My journey at WGU is proof to everyone else that anyone who believes in themselves, no matter their background or disability, can achieve anything they put their mind to. WGU has helped me to overcome some of the difficulties that I have encountered with my dyslexia by providing tutoring and other resources along with tons of support. This support has given me the confidence to get through my studies and complete my degree.

My tory demonstrates that even a little girl who hadn't learned her alphabet by the third grade can achieve their dreams. I am happy to say that I no longer teach baby dolls and Barbie's, but I am now teaching real, live elementary school children.

Again, I would like to thank all WGU staff and my mentor, Dana Horgan. To my sister and grandma, thank you for never letting me give up. To my husband and children, thank you for sharing our time together to allow me to study and finish my degree. I'd like to close by reading a quote from Dr. Seuss. "Don’t cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2010.07.17

Western Governors University

Michael Varno of Georgia, earned his bachelor's degree in Information Technology online at Western Governors University, and spoke at WGU's July 2010 commencement ceremony in Salt Lake City. He shared his story of accelerating his online IT degree program while working full time.

Michael Varno earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Transcription of video:

I would like to open my speech by quoting the late Groucho Marx. "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into other room and read a book." This quote can present itself in numerous ways, but to my fellow graduates and me, today, it explains our opportunistic drive to succeed beyond the ordinary. Oftentimes when a television set was turned on at night, we had to retreat to our studies, and in the case of Groucho, this was obviously very educating.

Personally, the biggest challenge of my WGU career was maintaining a successful career while accelerating my education. At times, I felt that being a full time student at WGU and a full time employee was impossible. But my mentor, Jose, gave me the confidence to succeed while teaching me how to successfully balance the multiple endeavors that come with life.

He was always there to answer my questions regardless of the hour. In fact, I actually educated my mentor. Because of me, he learned the importance of adding the caller ID feature to his phone. [Laughter] ]But because of Jose, I was able to set realistic goals that with hard work, were well within reach. The innovative approach that WGU exhibits allows us to achieve the required competencies at our own pace. Depending on our drive, this can be a good or bad thing. Unfortunately, my experience falls within both categories.

A good example I experienced was that I was able to complete 96 competency units within 8 months. [Applause] This is an achievement I am very proud of. I was only able to accomplish this by learning how to prioritize my schedule and set realistic and achievable goals. WGU has taught me how to better hone this attribute which has improved my professional skills in the workplace.

A bad, or rather less than optimal example, was when I revised a Task Stream assignment during a movie at a theater on my phone. [Laughter] Now the reason it was less than optimal, and not bad is because it was a movie I was not particularly inclined to see. You know, the stereotypical franchise that has vampires glistening in the sunlight. The name as escaped me the moment, but... Anyway, by the time the credits were displayed, I had just submitted my revision for grading. Needless to say, after that adventure, I can now text with the best of them.

These two appearances are firm examples of how WGU not only helped us, but also provided us with unique ways of achieving our goals. I personally cannot think of any other school that provides this much flexibility to ensure that their students will succeed. Participating in online education has taken tremendous strides for the better. However, before WGU, they lacked the ability to identify competencies that a prospective student may possess. To me, each online education that I researched touted their excellent curriculum and frugal pricing. But it all seemed like marketing. I did not have the feeling that my past 11 years within the IT industry would be accounted for. Then I came across WGU.

Their slogan is simple: Online, accelerated, affordable, and accredited. Not only is this approach easy to understand, to me it states "Use your knowledge to fortify an accelerated education." And it has. WGU has given me a new sense of direction in life while I am enthralled to better myself not only academically, but in anything that I do. This is quite infectious, and I would not have gained this attribute through a typical school.

I have a very hectic work schedule where I'll often find myself traveling. I cannot fathom accelerating at the pace WGU allowed me to at any other school. Since my graduation at WGU, I have been promoted from an IT Technical Advisor, to an IT Operations Manager. [Applause] Just think, if I had gone through a traditional university, I would not have had this opportunity until years down the road.

But do you know what really impressed my employers? The way I was able to succeed with my professional and collegiate career in parallel. They told me that my achievements displayed the qualities of a true leader. And as I gaze out at this graduating class, that is exactly what I see. A group of college graduates that not only have the skills to deliver today, but the skills to deliver that we can ensure - I'm sorry - that we can - oh! I almost had the finishing down good, sorry. But the skills to ensure that we can deliver tomorrow. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2010.07.17

Western Governors University

Stephanie Blaine earned her Master of Science, Nursing degree. On July 17, 2010 Blaine was a graduate speaker at the Summer 2010 WGU Commencement. This WGU Commencement took place at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Transcription of video:

As we've all traveled here together today, in an effort to celebrate our accomplishments through furthering our education, I would like to thank the administration, staff, faculty, family and friends who assisted in making this possible for each of us. Each of us have come with uniquely different stories as to how or why we pursued our education at Western Governors University. And I find it an honor and privilege to share my story with you this morning.

I recall is thinking as a young girl that I wanted to be a nurse. I desired to care for others in the best and worst times of their lives, someone to share in the joy of new life, someone to console, comfort, and protect in the time of loss. In 1993, as I completed my bachelors of science degree in nursing at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, I can recall pontificating what it would be like to share my passion of nursing with others through education.

I greatly admired many of my undergraduate nursing faculty and thought one day I want to teach. I want to be the one that shares my knowledge and my experiences. I want to be the one who shows new nurses what the art of nursing truly means, which is serving others.

After years of practice in the profession of nursing, and years of living life, I didn't give that dream too much thought. I only envisioned it as a fleeting moment that would never come to fruition. Therein was the impossible dream. In 2007 I was given the opportunity through my oldest daughter's pursuit of her own nursing career to meet someone who would become very important and very influential in my life: Sue Nichols. This meeting was not by coincidence, it was providence. The opportunity to become a nurse educator unfolded right before my eyes.

As I took on this challenge, I was working nights in labor and delivery, teaching during the day, and raising a family of four with a wonderful husband who pastors our small church in northwest Missouri, and home schools our four children. Our weekly Sunday attendance nearly outnumbers the town's population of 189. A few fun facts that amaze people when I speak of Worth County, Missouri are: There are no stoplights in the entire county. We only have a part time health clinic. And 911 was just put in last year. [Laughter]

Honestly, people only show up in our town if they're lost or if they have a reason. It is a town where nobody uses blinkers because we already know where you're going. [Laughter] The community that we live in is very rural, 30 minutes to an hour away from any major town or city. From a college that could potentially offer me the opportunity to advance my education, there lies my pursuit of my masters of science in nursing at WGU in December of 2008.

WGU was a perfect fit for me as I was able to complete my education on my time schedule right from home. It was a very challenging 18 months of my life, yet so rewarding. One of the greatest challenges that I experienced while working toward my MSN at WGU was juggling my schedule with a full time job, full time family, and a desire to complete the 24 month program in 18 months. I had phenomenal support from WGU, my family, friends, and co workers which allowed me to do just that: Complete the program in 18 months.

The flexibility of the program was monumental in facilitating my rigorous schedule which leads into the role of WGU. I have been able to attain what I thought was an impossible dream because WGU has provided an opportunity for me to advance my education with a top notch MSN program. WGU feels like a part of my daily family. The relationships that I been able to develop through the online students will go beyond this season of my life. The online communities have provided encouragement, support, lasting friendships and with people who live miles apart.

I was able to advance my career within weeks of obtaining my MSN. I signed on with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to complete a summer project of item writing for the standardized NCLEX RN exam, and to participate in reviewing content within the course offered by this organization that could potentially help someone be successful on the examination. I have also had the privilege and honor to accept a position as a student mentor at WGU. [Applause]

This is yet again a dream realized, an opportunity to hopefully impact the lives of others who will experience a program in which I was greatly enriched, especially through my own mentors. Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned while at WGU are that you will get out of your education as to what you put into it. That is why I encourage everyone to be involved in the online communities, teleconferences, and webinars when they are offered. I have learned that when you are at a breaking point someone out there in the community has been where you are, and most likely will encourage you through your particular situation. Most often for me that was my mentor, Shanna [Inaudible], Sue Hunter, and Tori [Inaudible].

I feel that I am more prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st century with the education and process changing, the responsibilities of professional nurse expanding, and the advances that are being made in technology on a daily basis. My experience at WGU has challenged me to take risk that I would've never considered. I have learned to couple my training with my passion and desire to empower others within the profession of nursing, spurring them on to believe the impossible dream.

This dream is attainable for each of us, yet the dream is prone to burden. Though we are diverse in age, gender, background, and education, we're not diverse in three questions that burden each of us. Those three questions are: Where, when, and why? You came to WGU with the expectation of answering the where of your heart. Where will this education take me? Where will I go? Where will my life be in five months or in five years? The anxious anticipation of the where of our education begets another question: When? When will this education take me to the where of my new horizons and my new opportunities? When will I see my time, effort, and investment take me where I want to go?

Through first hand experience, I am convinced that if you and I dwell on the what we don't know, we become anxious, unproductive individuals with no purpose. I believe for us to become confident, productive people with purpose, we must face the where and when by answering the simple question why. Why did you do what you did to get here today? For many, the answer may be varied, but there is one abiding principle that unites each one of us for a secure future. It's service.

Not so long ago, a humble man that crossed the human timeline abided in the simple principle of service, specifically service to his fellowman. He specifically said he did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Through his service and sacrifice, the entire human timeline was forever changed. There is no more noble task than when we abide by the principle of service through sacrifice. This is the why for our education. This is the why for our life after WGU. We serve all of those in our circle of influence through sacrifice.

As you and I serve through sacrifice, the where we will go, and when it will happen no longer matters. The only thing that will matter will be the contentedness of knowing the blessing you will be to your fellow man. There is no higher honor for each of us by which needs no recognition. It is the service through sacrifice that will carry each of us forward into a future of confidence, intrigue, and security.

In conclusion, I thank you again for this honor and privilege to come before you and share a bit of my story. My story would not have been possible if it weren't for my wonderful parents, Ken and Bonnie [Inaudible] who taught me patience and perseverance. My husband Jeff of 21 years who has inspired me beyond this earthly developing place. My children, Ashley, Paige, Molly, and Jeshua, who have patiently supported me through this process, as well as the rest of my family and friends and co workers.

I challenge each of you today with God's blessing to embrace a bright future of service through sacrifice, to not only benefit your life, but to benefit those around you. I leave with you these profound words to live by from a woman robbed of or sight and her hearing at the age of 19 months. Helen Keller states, as she obviously understood the why. She states, "There is joy in self forgetfulness. So I try to make the light in others' eyes my sun, the music in others' ears my symphony, the smile on others' lips my happiness." And may each of us do the same. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2011.02.12

Western Governors University

Jozelda Porter was selected as a student speaker for Western Governors University's 2011 Winter Commencement Ceremony. Jozelda is a teacher from Jackson, Tennessee.

Jozelda Porter earned a Master of Science, Educational Leadership degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning. Today is a momentous day because it is the culmination of many months of hard work and determination. Our global society requires that we develop our skills as new and better processes develop. Technology provides an opportunity to complete training that we might not normally get to complete for various reasons.

There are hundreds of online universities that promise to take you to the next level. But being a researcher by nature, I began my quest of finding the best online university. After carefully comparing the available choices, I found an awesome university called Western Governors. As an older student, I was apprehensive about being able to complete my assignments and get them submitted correctly, and meeting with my mentor or talking with him. Many of my friends have gone to online universities, and some of the horror stories had me a little spooked.

However, to my delight, WGU was everything that these others were not. Everyone, from the enrollment counselor to the bursar, were very helpful. I was blessed with an amazing mentor who guided me through a very trying and difficult emotional time. I sincerely believe that had it not been for the kindness and compassion of the WGU faculty and staff, this day would not be happening for me.

I started this journey in August 2009, and soon after my personal life began a downward spiral. First, because of restructuring in my district, I was moved to a different position, and this move cost me financially. So I began to worry if I could be able to complete it. But God worked it through for me.

Not long after that, I suffered another blow. My mother was diagnosed with cancer, and the long battle began. I struggled with a hectic work schedule, a sick parent, and my coursework. The plus in all of this was that I could assess my schoolwork at any time of the day or night. So when I would normally have sleepless nights, I was able to complete my coursework. The professors were very helpful, and they always gathered me quickly in the right direction.

The weekly calls from my mentor kept me focused and on track. I felt like I had my own personal team to motivate me to succeed. Each time I spoke with my mentor, he always told me I could make it. He was very supportive, and always worked to answer any problems that arose. The encouraging emails, the calls and all kept me pumped up enough to go on when I felt I could go no further.

In December 2009, I watched as my mother lost her battle to cancer. Many days were spent between my home, the hospital, and work, but I grabbed every available moment to work on my task. I was very fortunate in that I spent my mother's last night with her. And I can remember in the hospital room her asking me what I was working on, and I expressed my concern that I might not be able to finish my program. She looked at me very sternly, even though she was very weak, and she said to me, "You will finish on time, because I didn't raise quitters." [Laughter]

This was one of the darkest periods in my life, but my WGU family stuck beside me and encouraged me to run the race. On every hand, there was someone checking on me to assure I was where I needed to be. I felt like I was the only student that WGU had, and they were all pulling for me. When my mother passed, I really wanted to give up, but my amazing children, Erica, Tyrese, and Katie, refused to let me slip into an abyss. They were my strongest supporters. Not a day went by that they did not ask if I had logged into WGU, or if I had checked Taskstream to see what my evaluations where. [Laughter] My granddaughter, Katie, even made it a competition to see which of us would score the highest each week.

The flexibility of WGU afforded me an opportunity to make a lifelong dream a reality. As the new year approached, I dove into my work with renewed determination, only to be faced with more setbacks. My daughter found out that she was expecting her second child, however, she was facing a life-threatening experience that could make her lose her life, as well as the baby's. But prayer saw us through it, and now I expect to see my new granddaughter, Addison, in April.

Following this harrowing experience, yet more trouble found my address. My 25-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, I was devastated, and I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I knew then that there was no way I would graduate, because I was consumed with grief and anxiety over my son. I called my mentor to explain what was going on, and he immediately began the process of getting me the help I needed. I felt like he went above and beyond what his job required. And I want to personally take this opportunity say to Alberto Flores, you are one of a kind and the best mentor that WGU has. Your compassion was unbelievable. [Applause]

The amazing thing about WGU is that they make you feel like you're the most important thing in their day. You have unlimited resources, flexibility, and a group of people whose main goal is to help you succeed.

Another outstanding faculty member, Dr. Lee Brown, was just as amazing as my mentor. From the very start, his advice was invaluable as I completed my capstone. At WGU, I found the courses to be challenging and relevant to today's educational issues. The course taught how to improve our educational system. WGU taught me how to be the best educational leader that I could be. Relevant situations enable me to see firsthand what my WGU training could do for me. Many times, I found myself in actual situations as they were presented in class.

WGU is an awesome university that addresses the whole student. My training has opened many new doors for career improvement. I will be able to be a principle, a supervisor, or even a superintendent. Over the next few months, I will be deciding which position I want to accept.

To my amazing children, my pastor and first lady, Abbott and Susan Simmons, to all of my brothers and sisters, and to my WGU family, I say a heartfelt thank you for making my dream a reality. I dedicate this moment to my mom, but most of all, I give all praise and glory to God. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2011.02.12

Western Governors University

Tammy Hosang was selected as a student speaker for WGU's 2011 Winter Commencement Ceremony. Tammy is from Oakland, Michigan.

Tammy Hosang earned her a Master's of Science, Nursing.

Transcription of video:

Good morning. Welcome, graduates, family members, faculty, and friends. I consider this opportunity an incredible honor.

My story starts in a small suburban town in the state of Michigan. I, like many other girls my age, dreamt of becoming a nurse one day. From the time I was young, I had a lot of practice. You see, I grew up in a large family with five brothers and a wonderful mother who was deathly afraid of blood. When one of the boys would hurt themselves, it was my job to hold the wound while my mom ran for help. [Laughter] Needless to say, that happened often.

I graduated from high school in 1976. Yes, I know, I'm a woman revealing her age. Coming from a middle class family of six, my parents could not afford to pay for our college. This was also during a time where it was not always expected that a young woman would attend college. If I wanted to attend, I had to figure out a way to pay for it myself. So I enrolled in a diploma RN program that was hospital affiliated. The hospital agreed to pay for my tuition if I agreed to work at the facility for a two-year period. That is what I could afford at the time, so that is the path I chose.

Being a diploma graduate worked for a very long time. I eventually landed a position that I loved and stayed at for 25 years. I was a practice manager for a large family practice. My staff became part of my extended family, and my bosses were my friends. As the years went on and healthcare began to change, it became more and more difficult for physicians to remain independent in their practice. This meant that to survive in today's healthcare, they had to become affiliated with a large institution or become a hospital-based practice. So the physicians I worked for had no choice but to join a large practice supported by the hospital.

After about a year and a very smooth transition, the large group decided that it was time for the final change. The current practice closed, including a change of location, and most of my staff, including myself, lost our jobs. My life changed forever in one quiet meeting.

It was devastating, and it almost felt like going through a divorce. A very long, happy chapter in my life was coming to a close. I was in a fog for a few weeks. This happened in December of 2008. When I awoke from that fog, the question was: What now?

When I first asked myself what my future would hold, I thought back about the beginning in nursing school. I knew if I wanted to make a difference, I had to do something that would inspire others to do their best. I couldn't fall apart like I so desperately wanted to. I have a young teenage daughter and her friends to set an example for. So I did a little research and I asked myself: What do I want to be when I grow up? I decided that I wanted to teach. So I went back to the beginning, and it was time to finish my schooling. That is when I found Western Governors University.

I did a lot of research regarding school. I knew as I did as a young adult that if I wanted to do it, I had to be able to afford school. I also knew that I was motivated, and the more classes I could complete in a semester, the less expensive it would be. Not every school offers this opportunity. I wanted all my past experiences and my nursing profession to count.

Going back to the beginning also meant going back to the hospital setting where it all began. So at the age of 50, I accepted a full-time midnight position on a very difficult cardiac med-surg floor at a very large hospital in Metro Detroit. My position would be to work three twelve-hour shifts a week. That allowed me to have four days off a week to be able to concentrate on school. That was the good part. The bad part is that at my age and the age of my children, I had to work midnights. My daughter was 11 years old at the time, and still wanted a kiss from Mom every night at bedtime.

Thank goodness I have a great husband and supportive extended family that helped me get through this very difficult time. This gave me extra motivation to work very hard in school, so I knew this would only be a temporary situation that would not last forever.

The beginning of going back to school was hard. I had never done computer-based schooling before. My generation grew up with a telephone that was stationary on the wall, a four-channel television set, face-to-face conversation, and in today's day of texting and iPads and Facebook and over 500 channels of TV, it was a whole different way of going to school and communicating.

My first contact with the school was a great note and phone call from my wonderful mentor and eventually my friend, Michelle Winters. She was a wonderful inspiration and a calming voice when things became nerve-racking. She also became one of my biggest fans and cheerleaders through my one-and-a-half-year journey at Western Governors University.

At first, I needed help adjusting to the computer programs. But as time went by, things became easier. During my journey, I had a very difficult math class to pass to finish my bachelor's degree. It had been years since my dreaded high school trigonometry class. My 17-year-old very smart son and some of his friends became my tutors for this difficult task. [Laughter] All they asked for in return was all the beef jerky I could make and all the Gatorade they could drink. [Laughter] When I finally passed the class, they cheered and, too, were very proud of our group accomplishment.

Going back to school after such a long absence was like riding your first bike with training wheels. By the end, you're riding like an expert, and the beginning is just a distant memory. The same thing happened with going back to work at the hospital. I learned so much by being back on the floor where it all began. By the way, whoever said "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" never worked the midnight shift at the hospital. [Laughter]

I finished my bachelor's degree in a matter of eight months, and then I asked myself: Why stop now? I decided that if I wanted to achieve my goal of becoming a nurse educator, I had to get my master's in nursing education. I figured it was time, at my age, to pass on all the valuable information that I had learned over the years to the brand new nurses of the future. I also wanted to be an inspiration to those who felt that maybe they were too old to begin again. I was determined to finish so I could move on with my career. Never tell a girl with five brothers "you can't." As my brothers would tell me, "There's no crying in baseball."

At the beginning of August, just before finishing my degree, I had the opportunity to interview for a nurse educator position at the hospital where I worked. I was very nervous and excited all at the same time. I was offered the position, even before I completed school. I now work with some wonderful mentors and friends, and thank you, Linda and Ann, and all the rest of you for showing me the way. My new title is clinical nurse specialist, and I am teaching the nurses of the future, helping them get ready for hospital life.

I just want to say that I'm proud to be a Western Governors University graduate, and I can't believe that I'm here on this stage telling my story. If someone would have told me this three years ago, I would've laughed and said, "Not a chance." But I'm here to tell you that anything is possible. I asked myself: Why do I want to tell this story? Then I realized if I could do this at my age, I want people to know and believe that it's never too late to go for it in life. Nobody climbs this mountain alone.

So in conclusion, I must say thank you to Western Governors University; my friend and mentor, Michelle Williams; my husband and best friend, Don; my loving children, David and Elizabeth; my mom and dad, who taught me about family love, support, hard work, and perseverance; and my loving brothers who made me strong in life. So now every day at work, I get to sign my name "Tammy Hosang, MSN, Master's of Science in Nursing." Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2011.07.23

Western Governors University

Jeff Solheim graduated with a bachelor's degree in Nursing from online university Western Governors University and spoke at the July 2011 commencement ceremony of the online school.

Transcription of video:

Dr. Mendenhall, esteemed faculty, mentors, fellow students, family, and friends, let me begin by thanking you today for your presence here. I'm sure most of you in the room are acutely aware of the sacrifices that we, as students, have made over the past few years to reach this point. And your willingness to celebrate with us here today serves as recognition of both the challenges we have faced, and the achievement we have obtained. Why are you going back to school? Are you crazy? If I had a dollar for every time I heard those words, I probably could've paid for most of my tuition.

You see, 20 years ago, I graduated from nursing school with a diploma in nursing. And like many nurses who graduated with a diploma in nursing, I had every intention of going back to school early in my career to get my bachelor's degree. But, like many nurses, I found that life got in the way.

Shortly after graduation, I was promoted through the nursing ranks: Charge nurse, manager, administration. And from administration, I went to work for the government, and then into the consulting world. And this rapid career progression left me little time for advanced education. And much of the impetus from continuing my education was lost in the success of my career. Every time I thought of going back to school I would ask myself, "Why would you go back to school? Really, what would be gained at this part of your life?"

Well, as my career was advancing, I was often invited to speak at venues, including commencement ceremonies and graduations much like this one. And one of the central themes of my presentations as a spoke to graduates was the importance of professionalism in the career. One hallmark of professionalism is continuing education. And I often asked myself how could I talk about professionalism and continuing education when I was not pursuing it myself. This was the momentum I needed to seek my bachelor's degree in nursing. But the question was simple: How would I return to school while balancing a full-time career, family, and social obligations?

Western Governors University seemed to be the perfect answer. The competency-based program would allow me to draw on the myriad of life's experiences that had brought me to the point in my life where I was, and would serve as a foundation for the further learning that I knew I needed to do. The self-paced learning style would allow me to continue to grow my companies and pursue my growing speaking career.

The looming questions finally had answers. Why are you going back to school? Because it is my professional responsibility. How would I return to school with my busy life? Through a program such as one offered at Western Governors University. So here I am standing before you today having completed not only my bachelor's degree last year, but my master's degree this year. And as I offer this commencement speech, I can hold my head up proudly this time knowing that I am practicing what I preach in regards to professionalism.

Now, since each of you has already obtained your degree, I don't feel the need to talk about professionalism today. So instead, I thought I would share just a couple of life's lessons that I have learned that have helped shape the career that have brought me to where I am today.

The first life's lesson I would leave with you is to find what you love in life and pursue it with a passion. Each of you has now completed a huge milestone in your life, and for many of you, the question at this point becomes: What do I do now that school is behind me? My recommendation to you is to find the thing in life for which you are most passionate about and apply yourself wholeheartedly to that thing. People who pour themselves into what they love will enjoy it with the greatest success, where those who pursue goals for reasons other than their own passion, such as the pursuit of material wealth or doing what others have suggested you do, will never find the success they desire. True success arises out of pursuing what one is passionate about.

So ask yourself now: What is it that I am most passionate about? And after you have answered that question, figure out how you can take the education that you have now completed and apply it to your passion. This will serve as the foundation for future success.

The second life's lesson I would share with you today is dream bigger than you ever thought possible. If all barriers could be removed from your life, whatever those may be -- finances, family, and social obligations, ghosts from your past, or any other numerous factors -- what would you like to do? What would be the ultimate success in your life? It is only when we dream that we have a goal for ourselves. You see, life without dreams is like a ship without a rudder. It becomes directionless and it drifts.

My final life's lesson I want to share with you today is many times the only thing that stands between you and what you really want is yourself. You may know what your love in life is. You may have dreamed great things. But these only lay down the foundation for success. Finishing the project involved taking risks. We are graduating today in a tough economic time. Some of you have already had a chance to put your education to use, and you're working in the industry you want. I would assume others of you are either working for employment, or looking for a different job that utilizes the new educational level you have just achieved. I urge each of you today to pursue exactly what it is that you want, even if that goal may seem unreachable, because you will never, ever know that you could do until you have tried.

Today, we are closing this chapter in our life, the chapter of continuing education. You have proven that you can accomplish incredible things. But as we close one chapter, a blank page sits before us. It's ready to be written upon. Take hold of the pen that records the history of your life. Dream bigger than you ever thought possible. Find what your passion is in life, and don't let self-doubt stand in the way. Begin writing the next chapter of your life. And my wish for you is that you will realize nothing but great success. Congratulations, fellow graduating class here in the summer of 2011.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2011.07.23

Western Governors University

Wynn Hall was selected as a student speaker for WGU's 2011 Summer Commencement Ceremony. Wynn is from Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated with a B.A. in Science, Biology.

Transcription of video:

To me, today is such an emotional day…[Crying] as you can tell, because it means so much more than just getting a degree. It represents the end of many chapters of my life, and the opening for others. I have been working on my degree of and on since the year 2000, and I've been actively working with WGU for the last three years.

The past 11 years since I began my question for a higher education, I have lived a lot of life, felt a lot of heartache and pain, yet never have I once thought about giving up my dreams to be a teacher; the inspiration for our future. I have always set goals for myself, and while those goals may have been postponed due to the trials and tribulations of life, I can say today that I have reached my first major goal, and look forward to the many more I hold within my heart.

From the day I was born, my life has been tumultuous and has pushed me to become a stronger person. I was born just three months premature, weighing two pounds with just a five percent chance to live. My family didn't even name me for ten days, but when they did, they named me Wynn, which stands [Crying] -- which stands for "winner." Because I am a fighter, and I was not willing to give up on living before being able to lead a great life and inspire and encourage others.

For most of my childhood, I suffered from emotional problems that ended up being both debilitating and life-threatening. It was a very difficult time for me and my family, but through extensive therapy, the love of my family, teachers that never gave up on me, and relentless determination, I decided I would be someone. It was then that I realized if I could be such a powerful affliction, that I can do anything. I've never given up on that belief, and it fuels me daily.

Through tireless effort, I was able to graduate from high school on time. Walking down the stage that day meant I am alive and I will succeed. I decided soon after that that I wanted to become a high school teacher so that I could help students to realize that they are capable of anything, no matter what life throws their way. I decided I wanted to be that teacher, the teacher that all students remember because of her caring and respect, her high aspirations and expectations for them, and because she never gave up on them.

Because I had grown up a very troubled youth, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and give them the tools to blossom as I did. I knew I wanted to work with secondary students because this represents a time in their lives where they are finding their identity, shaping their future, and deciding what affect they would like to have upon their world.

I became unexpectedly pregnant during my first semester in college right when I had decided I wanted to travel the world doing study abroad programs. I would have my doctorate by the time I was 25. Boy, did I have a lot to learn about how life can change. Within the next four years, I had married and had two more boys, and continued to work slowly on my degree.

A few years later, I became a single mother with three boys to raise and dreams to catch. After struggling to create a balance between work, school, and my children, I decided to find an online program. I was elated to find that WGU offered a highly accredited degree program in secondary science education, my passion. In the midst of my degree program, I got married to the love of my life, whom also happens to have three children. Before I knew it, we became the Brady Bunch. [Laughter]

We were ecstatic to buy our own house that all eight of us could comfortably live in, however, just two weeks after moving in we lost about half of our income and were forced to give up our home and lose pretty much everything. Finally, during the last 12 months of my degree program, I had to have three surgeries, the final operation being brain surgery. This was a very difficult time for my whole family, as they almost lost me several times. I spent 23 days in intensive care because of complications, and was forced to spend about another four weeks in bed.

Yet even with all of life's complications, I managed to complete two years worth of coursework during the final nine months, and have maintained 100 percent academic success throughout my entire program. [Applause]

I had a burning determination to finish my degree program by May so that I could begin teaching this upcoming August. Even though at 19 during my first semester in college, though I had it all figured out and would have my doctorate's by 25, now at 29 I couldn't be more proud – [Crying] sorry -- to be receiving my first bachelor's degree.

Therefore, today celebrates never giving up hope, never releasing my dreams to the wind. Today means that I will be able to instill the same determination to succeed in my students. Today commemorates my unending strength to become something better. Today is a day for my six children to watch me walk down the stage to see that all my hard work has paid off, and that they can look forward to the same success. Today, my mother and father can be proud that a daughter they once thought would not live to graduate high school has triumphed against all odds because they never gave up hope. Today is a day to recognize that we are all powerful, that we are all masters of our own success, our own destiny, and our own affect upon the lives of others.

I want to thank WGU for creating such a wonderful program that has helped us all succeed, and has genuinely prepared us for our careers. I would also like to thank my mentor, Leon [Inaudible], for always being available, providing me guidance, and always helping me to push on.

I want to thank my family for having faith in me, especially my mother and my father, who are my heroes. Most importantly, I want to thank my husband for supporting me emotionally and financially towards my goals, and putting up with all the seemingly endless nights of staring at the back of my head buried in computer or books.

And to end, a favorite quote of mine by Rabbi Hillel which signifies my life: "I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing." [Applause]

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2012.02.11

Western Governors University

Julie Laub of Kaysville, Utah, speaks at online university Western Governors University's commencement ceremony in Atlanta, February 11, 2012. Julie earned her teaching master's degree online through WGU's competency-based online education model, and was hired to teach chemistry at a local high school.

Julie Laub earned her Master of Arts in Teaching, Science Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning. It is an honor and privilege to speak to you on this momentous day. And may I first say a heartfelt congratulations to each of the graduates. Your hard work, steady perseverance, and enduring effort have got you to this moment. For that, we are given honor and esteem.

As I reflect on my own educational experience, I realized what has brought me here today began a long time ago. When I was 12 years old I had to do science for a project. At that time my dad worked at a power company as a laboratory technician. He took me to work with him to get ideas for the science fair. He let me do titrations with phenolphthalein indicator for solids by oven drying and pH tests. I was hooked. It was from that experience that a love for chemistry was planted in my heart.

Upon graduation from high school, I attended a junior college. I had an excellent professor that encouraged and strengthened my love for chemistry. I graduated with an Associate's Degree and transferred to the University of Utah where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. I was fortunate to secure a job at DataChem Laboratories where I worked my way to an Organic Chemist II position. I worked in the semi-volatile gas chromatograph mass spectrometry organic department. And there wasn't an acronym for it. [Laughter]

Through the course of working and going to college I met and married my husband. After working as an organic chemist for three years, we had our first child. When she was seven months old, with the support of my husband, I chose to lay down my career. Five children and fifteen years later, I have loved being at home taking care of our children.

In August 2010, a subtle change entered to my life again, with the influence of my father. It was at the conclusion of our youngest daughter's birthday when my dad approached me. He told me he knows that I would be a good teacher. I love children. I love chemistry. He thought it would be a good fit. He and my mom offered to pay for me to go back to school to earn a teaching certificate. After much prayer, thought, and research, I took my parents up on their offer.

On January 4th, 2011, I began a master of arts in teaching science at Western Governors University. And one of the many benefits of the degree at Western Governors University is the ability to accelerate coursework. That is exactly what I did. I completed 25 competency units in less than five months. I completed all of my coursework, research project, and pre-clinical work by May. In June 2011, I received a phone call from our local school district. A chemistry teaching position was open and the pool of chemistry applicants is low.

My pre-clinical adviser recommended the district interview me. Through a flurried process one week later, I was offered and accepted a full time teaching position at a nearby high school. [Applause] Oh, thank you. I began work in August 2011 as well as the last 15 competency units of my degree. On December 14, 2011, I graduated and had a full-time position teaching international baccalaureate first and second year chemistry, advanced placement chemistry, and honors chemistry.

I am so thankful for the opportunity and quality education afforded by Western Governors University. I'm also thankful for the love, support, and thoughtfulness my parents have poured into my life all of these years. For my husband, his encouragement and help. From my daughters as they took on more chores and walked in patience. My in-laws, many home cooked meals [Laughter]. My kids were thankful for that too. And for my mentor [Inaudible].

It was in the heart of a child the love for chemistry was birthed in my life. It is in the heart of a woman, wife, mother, daughter, and now, teacher that I seek to share my passion for chemistry with the next generation of children. Education is a precious gift. It is an honor to be but a facet in the overall educational experience moving from the one being educated to the one educating.

Whatever is your story, whatever brought you here today, know that you have succeeded in accomplishing an outstanding worthy achievement. Again, to the graduating class of 2011 at Western Governors University, many congratulations. And many blessings to each of you as you pursue your future endeavors. God bless you. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2012.02.11

Western Governors University

Keith Sosebee of Lafayette, Georgia, earned his bachelor's degree in Information Technology-Networks Design and Management online at Western Governors University. He spoke at the online school's February 2012 commencement in Atlanta.

W. Keith Sosebee earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning, everyone. I started my degree program with WGU in July of 2011, but my story with WGU started several months before that, almost by accident. I've been working in the IT field for several years and was going through some of the email newsletters that all IT pros get, whether we want them or not. I happened to see an advertisement for an online college, Western Governors University. I had checked in several of these online colleges before and so I was immediately skeptical. Upon looking at the website, I saw several things I liked. Accelerated, affordable, accredited. I really liked affordable. Accelerated is great, and accredited, well, how can I go wrong? And I began looking at the degree programs that were offered. I was immediately impressed by the fact that while attending WGU I would be able to gain IT certifications.

After applying, I was even more impressed with how much transferred from my associates degree and the IT certifications that I'd already acquired. When I first began reading about the competency-based learning approach, I wasn't really sure what all that entailed. The more I read and the more my enrollment counselor explained, I discovered that this was the approach to learning that I had really been looking for all along.

The next part about WGU that I really liked, was having a mentor there to help me all the way through. My mentor, Mary Gordon, was great. I'm sure she was always busy doing other things, including working on an advanced degree of her own, but she always took time to talk with me and help me out like I was the only student she was working with.

The course mentors were always very willing to help and made sure that I had all the resources that I needed to understand and complete the work required. Even though I was doing my work online and away from a campus, I never felt that I was alone. On a more personal note, I already had a lot going on before I started school. I got married and we found out that we had a baby on the way.

I began my studies in July knowing that I had to get as much done as possible before October when our baby was due. My wife and my grandmother wound up in different hospitals on the same week on different sides of town in August. They both were having problems breathing and we were all afraid the baby would try to come too soon. I spent a few nights in the hospital and when things were calming down a little, I was still trying to keep my reading up because I had a test the next week. They all made it out of hospital fine, which was a huge relief and answer to prayer.

Everyone said I was crazy and taking too much on, but I knew that if anyone could manage to pull it all together then I could. To show you just how crazy I am, let me tell you about my capstone project. It was around the end of September and I was down to three courses: Technical writing, project management and my capstone project. I was able to get technical writing accomplished and was working on the capstone project when my wife called me from the doctor's office and told me that her doctor had scheduled her to be induced on October 10th.

Well, I doubled my efforts and that Monday morning while we were in the hospital waiting for things to happen, I proofread my project and submitted it from the hospital. I'm not sure if I was more worried about my grade on the project, or being a first time dad, but let's just say that was a wild day. Later that night, my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that we named Allie, and a few days later on my birthday I got more good news that I passed my project.

I was able to complete my entire program in less than five months. It was a challenge to balance all the personal hurdles; a full-time job, after-hours projects, getting ready for a new baby. taking care of a pregnant wife, and having three family dinners a week, but hey, I feel it was worth every bit of time and effort that I put into it and I proved something my mom and dad told me when I was little, "Son you can accomplish anything you put your mind to." Thanks, guys.

I tell you all this, not to say oh, look at me how great I am, but to tell you that if you really put your mind to getting this done, you can do it no matter what. It does take sacrifice and a whole lot of discipline, but you know we didn't come to enjoy it. Anyone I come in contact with now that says something about school taking too long or costing too much, I don't hesitate to tell them about the great experience that I've had with WGU. Just ask my sister who is currently applying to start her master's degree with WGU this May.

To the faculty, staff, board members and governors, I say thank you for your efforts to keep this education relevant and affordable. Without you I don't believe I would have ever finished my bachelor's degree. Please keep up the good work for so many others like me that have and will find this school to be the opportunity that they needed to achieve their degree and a brighter future. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2012.07.14

Western Governors University

Jonathan Allen is from Streamwood, Illinois, and graduated from Western Governors University's online Business college. A single father of a teenage son, Jonathan found his WGU degree program served two purposes: The degree gives him the credentials he needs to advance in his career and build a more secure future for himself and his son, and the shared experience as students helped bring him and his son closer together. Jonathan plans to follow up his bachelor's degree with an MBA from WGU, and he aspires to start his own independent consulting firm.

He shared his story as a graduate speaker at WGU's 23rd commencement ceremony in Salt Lake City on July 14, 2012.

Transcription of video:

WGU summer class of 2012, that sounds good. First of all, I would like to thank the 19 governors who helped found WGU. Your vision, dedication, and decision to work together has allowed me, Jonathan Allen, Junior, to stand here today as a WGU College graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in marketing management. It is an honor to be chosen to speak here today.

What started for me as a decision to get a degree because everyone said I should have one instead created an opportunity to be a fellow student with my teenage son. Instead of, "do your homework," it became "let's do our homework together." Sometimes struggling to find that common bond, as a lot of parents do with their teenage children, my son and I found it in an unexpected place and he and I have never been closer. I am proud that as he is here to see me today with my beautiful mom and sister. [Applause]

What started out as a chance to make my resume look better instead became chance to learn practices and procedures through the unique curriculum here at WGU that have made me more efficient in the workplace. I have learned new and improved ways of doing things. I am more confident in my abilities and what I've learned at WGU began to improve my career well before graduation. What started out as a chance to better my credentials instead became a process of bettering myself. This journey has given me all the things that I hope for and so many additional things that I could not have expected.

As a single father, I have to provide financially. There is no luxury of taking time off to be a student. With Western Governors University, effort is mandatory but my ability to earn a living was never compromised. I am so glad that I made the decision to further my education at WGU. I was first attracted to Western Governors University because of the online environment, which allowed me flexible hours and the affordable tuition, which I know from shopping around is the best value out there, but what I received was so much more. I initially attended WGU in 2006, but I quit after a few months because I felt I could not sacrifice hours of work for study.

When I returned to WGU in November of 2010, I found a university that had clearly been focused on continually finding ways to grow and improve. I was absolutely amazed by the enhancements WGU had incorporated for us students in just a few short years. In 2006, I sometimes still used physical books. As one of the few students who can say I was with the university in both 2006 and 2012, I have a unique time perspective and a great appreciation for the impact of WGU's continued improvements.

Although, I fully expected to overcome any obstacles to graduate, WGU's upgraded user free learning environment implemented improvements, made things much more accommodating for me. With a full-time job, a full-time family, and as a full-time student, I can appreciate anything that makes things more convenient.

Having access to my degree plan, business community, and course curriculum on the go and in so many technology driven formats was a game changer for me. More than just the technology has progressed since 2006. The course mentors, my student mentor, administrative departments, everything at WGU seemed to work more efficiently and coherently with one purpose in mind: To empower the student with what he or she needs to be successful not only academically, but professionally as well. So to the pioneers who had the integrity to put the student experience first, the creativity to think of such wonderful enhancements and the dedication to implement them, I would like to sincerely say thank you. [Applause]

To that end, I would like to give a special thank you to my student mentor Melissa Dempsey. [Applause] I could literally set my watch by our Tuesday 5:00 p.m. appointments. Melissa, your belief was contagious. Having started and not finished before, there was room for doubt. With your exuberance, consistency, and expectation of success, there was never any question, we were graduating. You were an exceptional mentor, but you're an even better person.

Although, I don't have time to name all of them individually, I would also like to express my appreciation for all my course mentors. You're willingness to meet, host online webinars, keep flexible hours, update blogs; the list of efforts goes on and on, and clearly demonstrates your dedication and passion for education.

One of my favorite quotes is, "It doesn't matter where you are, you are nowhere compared to where you can go," by Bob Proctor. I posted that in my office at work because at the end of an exhausting workday, I sometimes needed a reminder of why I still had work to do. Everyone in this graduation class is here because we saw an opportunity to enhance the abilities that improve our lives and as a byproduct of that, improve the lives of those close to us. Those we love.

Many people have opportunities presented to them. What separates this class today is that each of us saw an opportunity for growth and we seized it. We took the challenges that came along with it, the long steady hours each week. Less time for social activities. Sometimes less time with family and for some less time to even earn a living. We held on during those frustrating valleys and we maximized and were encouraged during those euphoric hills. Some of us overcame financial obstacles. Others overcame time constraints, some others naysayers.

Many graduates in this class had to work hard academically to understand new or unfamiliar subjects, but we made it. No matter where you were then, or how long ago, what you had to do, you are a 2012 graduate of Western Governors University. [Applause] You started it and you finished it. You are further today as a college graduate than you were yesterday.

If you can graduate college, when many people including yourself at times may not have believed it possible. What else can you do? WGU graduates of 2012, what can you accomplish? The answer is as unlimited as your ambition. This is the end of one journey that opens the door to the beginning of many other journeys.

Let me be one of the first to tell you, we are the WGU class of summer 2012 and we are nowhere compared to where we're going to go. We are WGU. Continue to help build this non-traditional university. Let's stay in touch with each other. Let's share and applaud each other's successes and make the next 15 years even better than the first 15 years. Follow your dreams class of 2012 because dreams do come true if you have the courage and dedication to pursue them. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2012.07.14

Western Governors University

Valerie Velez-Hall, of Taylorsville, Utah, earned her B.A. in Special Education from Western Governors University's online Teachers College. The first person in her family to earn a college degree, Valerie took an unorthodox path to higher education. After high school in her native New Jersey, she received a full scholarship to Rutgers University but opted instead to accept an invitation to travel with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a clown. Today, she works at an accelerated learning charter school, but has aspirations for a career in education to include administration positions like principal and superintendent. Her next step toward that goal: retuning to WGU to pursue her master's degree in teaching.

Valerie shared her story as a graduate speaker at WGU's commencement ceremony in Salt Lake City on July 14, 2012.

Transcription of video:

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is proud to present the greatest show on earth! Oh, no, the circus isn't in town, I was just kidding. But it was a great way to get attention. Wow. People perk right up there.

Actually it also happened to be the announcement I would hear when I ran out from behind the red curtains and took my place in the center ring alongside my fellow clowns. Yes, my name is Valerie Velez Hall, and I was a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus clown. [Applause]

And now I'm going to be a licensed teacher. Right? [Applause] Yeah, I know you're thinking not much of a change, I get it. But actually I did need a degree, go figure. And I didn't have one until now.

Now let's go back a little bit further. Picture it. New Jersey, 1995. Thanks to those Golden Girls fans out there that laughed at that one. Yeah. This was the year I graduated high school and got a full scholarship to Rutgers University. The year that my family cried tears of joy because I would be the first person in our family to attend college. The year that I decided that I wasn't going to live in poverty two blocks away from the projects and on drugs or pregnant at 18 like unfortunately many of my friends were. This was the year that I was going to start my life.

Well, after two semesters at Rutgers, and a bit of cajoling from a friend, I attended an audition at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was for Ringling Brothers Clown College. I walked in and was completely intimidated. There were people juggling, and unicycling, and stilt walking and it was ridiculous how talented these people were. And I decided to stay. You know, I thought I'm not gonna make it. There's no way I have a chance, but what a great story to tell my future children.

The real story actually turned out a little bit better than I imagined. I was selected to attend Clown College, and after all the sprains and bruises and cuts and sleepless nights and lots of pie throwing I actually received a contract to tour with the greatest show on earth. Walking away from a full ride at Rutgers was not an easy choice to make. But I knew my scholarship would be there when I went back, provided it was in the next five years. It wasn't.

But, in those five years, I performed in 28 states, married my soulmate, moved to Utah, gave birth to three amazing children, and started an entertainment company, Utah Funny Girl Productions. [Applause] I was somewhat content with my life, but I also felt like there was something missing. It was like putting together a puzzle of my life and the last piece was nowhere to be found. I would try to shove in a random piece from another puzzle, like joining a club or bowling on a league, or playing tennis. And sure, if I stood back, it made the picture look complete, but looking closer, it wasn't quite right.

It was at that point I realized it was my education. I knew that in order to completely fulfill my life and make my family proud, I would need to go back to school and finish the degree that I had started so many years ago.

Now, I already went the traditional brick and mortar school route, I couldn't do that anymore. Actually I wasn't a traditional student anymore. I wasn't 18 and fresh out of high school. I was a 32 year old married, mother of three, who worked as a professional entertainer. Now when you make your living doing singing telegrams and doing school shows during the day, and DJ and perform as a clown on nights and weekends, you can't really go to a traditional school. I didn't have that luxury.

Or, like a lot of you who work two, three jobs, or single parents, or heck, maybe you don't even like to go into a classroom full of strangers. There's anxiety attacks, I feel your pain. No judgments, no judgments, it's all good. Most of us are just non traditional students that needed that perfect fit to further our education and make our dreams come true. Some of your dreams are to become nurses, some business professionals. My dream was to be a teacher.

I could've just kept entertaining, I mean I did make a decent living at it. But I made a choice to follow my dream. Yes, a choice. It was my choice to enter the education world. It was my choice to run away and join the circus. It was even my choice to run away from the circus and join Utah. [Laughter] Trust me that was a tough choice. And it was my choice to attend western Governors University, and what is choice it was. Oh, yeah, clap it up. WGU. [Applause]

Get off the fence and make a choice. That's the best advice I can give all of you today. You've already made an intelligent choice by deciding to further your education, not to mention the tremendous choice you made by picking Western Governors University which is pretty amazing considering how many school choices are out there. Seriously, shop online, all these universities pop up. Oh, my goodness it's crazy.

But it's great. Click on WGU people. Now you have a choice to decide where you go from here. You may not choose to tour 28 states, pop out three kids in three years, or become a special education teacher. But the choices you make will determine how your life's puzzle pieces fit together. And if you stand back, and you see that you're missing that one piece that completes your picture, choose to find it. Don't just sit there and say, "Well, close enough." Choose to be the best you that you can be. I chose the best me that I could be by bringing WGU into my life. I chose not to give up when juggling school, work, and family. Got a bit crazy.

I chose to listen to my amazing mentor, Suzanne [Inaudible]. Whoo! [Applause] She would tell me, "Val, you can do it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel." And it was great to listen to her. I was so blessed to have her. And I chose to believe my husband, Andy, my mom, Irene, and my three amazingly wonderful children, Julia, Hailey, and Hunter when they told me, "Mom, you are amazing." Love you guys. [Applause]

My daughter Hailey is amazing too because it's her 13th birthday today and she chose to be here and celebrate this because she anyhow how important it was to me. So happy birthday, Hailey. [Applause]

And since I chose the non traditional education options at WGU, my puzzle is now complete. I hope yours is too. My last choice congratulations WGU, summer class of 2012.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2013.02.09

Western Governors University

Cora Edwards of Tampa, Florida, shares her funny and touching story of moving to the United States from England with dreams of making it big - and then realizing that dream by earning her MSN-Leadership and Management degree online at Western Governors University. Cora was a speaker at WGU's winter 2013 commencement ceremony in Atlanta, Philips Arena, February 9, 2013.

Cora Edwards earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Leadership and Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning everybody. I arrived in the United States in 1991 at 24 years of age from the United Kingdom with my four year old daughter Jade in tow. I landed in New York City at JFK Airport and it was only then that I realized that the only thing I had in common with the inhabitants of the United States was the English language, and at times that was somewhat questionable.

My journey was not ending in this vast airport, but just beginning, as I had to board a small charter jet to Burlington, Vermont, and onward to Plattsburgh, New York, my new home. My husband was in the United States Airforce, and a native of St. Louis, Missouri. And he served as my American tour guide at times, especially in the grocery food store.

I remember my first night in Plattsburgh after that marathon journey, we went on excursion to the grocery store to find tea bags and any familiar English food. I was not impressed. I really couldn't understand the concept of iced tea. Why not hot tea? With only the equivalent of a high school diploma, and now another baby on the way, I had to figure out my destiny in this country.

My United States orientation was also acquired through countless hours of documentaries, and biographical specials, and yes, I admit it, talk shows. You see, the weather in this small town was brutally cold and my British coat that I presumed adequate was not meeting the task as the wind cut right through me. I found refuge in the Airforce base library on many cold days and would wander the aisles and explored careers in education systems in the United States.

Alas my days did not only consist of reading and exploring, my husband and I had a family to feed, and furniture to buy. I had to get a job and the local diner that was situated outside of the base met the following requirements: No daycare, and minimal commute, as my driving was still a work in progress, and the constant snow that greeted me didn't help. You see, Plattsburgh was known to have two seasons: Winter and winter is coming.

My job at the diner consisted of filling and decorating doughnuts that numbered at times in the hundreds, and times I believe thousands. My shift was from one in the morning until six a.m., and it was during this time, in a cold and damp kitchen, I would fantasize and wonder about my future. Could I really become anything I wanted to be if I had the right education? What could I become in this great country? Were those television shows, documentaries and historical accounts of people becoming successful and pursuing their dreams true? I toiled away, filling doughnuts every night for a year, listening to a beat up radio playing old country songs. My toes would be cold, my fingers numb, but this experience drove me harder to pursue my dreams. The more I helped customers in the diner, the more I realized I would be a great nurse.

There was no settling in Plattsburgh, we remained there for 18 months, and what would follow would be a series of relocations to other Airforce bases in different states that made my educational pursuit harder and harder. Finally I completed my nursing degree in 1996 and so began a career that I would truly excel in and devote myself to the pursuit of excellence. Every hurdle I met with each move involved the continual accrual of experience and education that reached a pivotal moment after I achieved my bachelor's degree in nursing in 2006.

It was my graduation and I looked across the aisle at the master degree candidates who were wearing their robes with their striking color. This could never be me, I thought. They're so smart, I could never obtain that. But then I discovered Western Governors University and for the first time I counted myself among one of the prospective candidates to obtain my master's degree in nursing. The moment that this became a reality was the day I completed my capstone oral defense in mid September of 2012. I eagerly awaited my results and obsessively checked my email for the notification.

At last I got my Task Stream notification of evaluation. There it was. I was now a masters prepared nurse. I'd done it. Through countless hours of hard work, and at times isolation from friends and family, Western Governors University prepared me to meet this tremendous chapter in my life. I could now become part of the future of nursing and have a credible voice. This degree had made my earlier struggles in my life all worthwhile, and I took a deep breath and whispered to myself, "Cora Edwards, MSN, RN, CCRN."

I looked at my family as they were sitting enjoying a movie, and I told them, "I did it! I have my master degree, I'm done!" They roared with excitement. All the years of hard work paid off. After completing countless night shift, driving long distances, having two additional children, becoming a certified nurse, and experiencing numerous relocations that the Airforce required of my husband, I had done it.

However, this goal was not possible without the constant support of my husband, Bam, my children, Jade, [Inaudible]. And the various mentors at WGU, specifically Sue Hunter and Brenda Luther. It always seemed like they was always someone available to help when I became overwhelmed with course content, and they were always consistent in the same beliefs in my ability, even when at times I'd lost it in myself.

WGU has made me into a truly capable candidate for a masters prepared nursing role and I recently realized that this metamorphosis had in fact occurred after I recently interviewed for a new position at a local facility. The interview process included a presentation to the senior leadership team, and I would also have to repeat this same presentation to a panel of my potential peers. I was able to perform this presentation with confidence and prowess. I didn't just recite this material, I understood it. My confidence soared through the interview as I presented myself as what I was: A sound, professional candidate that was indeed an ideal fit for the position.

Every course and semester at WGU had prepared me to meet these challenges that I now part of my career. I am forever humbled and grateful for the journey that I've experienced and would not change any part of the process it involved. I now have the ability to read and comprehend a research article without any difficulty, all because of WGU.

The WGU nursing faculty has prepared me for this new journey into a changing health care domain, and I truly feel ready to meet the trials that I may face with the ability to exact any change through research and dedication. Now if I could do anything, I would go back in time and give the younger English Cora the following advice: Number one, buy a warmer coat. Number two, iced tea in comparison to hot tea isn't as appalling as you think. And most importantly, keep filling the doughnuts because the future will be brighter and never stop believing that you can become anything in this great country. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2013.02.09

Western Governors University

Rochester Hill, Michigan, resident Nicki Nelson shared her story of losing her hope of a college degree after becoming a teen mom - and then realizing that dream years later thanks to WGU at the February 2013 commencement in Atlanta's Philips Arena.

Nicki Nelson earned her Bachelor of Science, Human Resource Management degree.

Transcription of video:

I had very ambitious expectations for myself as a child and teenager. I was not interested in the traditional girly things like getting married or having babies. All I ever wanted to be was a doctor. I carried good grades through school, and had great expectations for my life. When I was 16 I became pregnant. My family was shocked and devastated. I was the child with the life's ambition, how could this happen?

I had to drop out of high school because of medical problems during my pregnancy. I received my GED instead of my high school diploma. When all my friends and classmates went off to college, I was potty training my son. Then came the big question: What do I do now? How do I support myself and my child? All I had ever thought of being was a doctor. I had no back up plan for my future and medical school was not an option with a toddler.

I was a perfect example of a non traditional student. As I floated through my 20s, I waited tables and running a cash register at the local grocery store. I realized I still wanted a job, but I wanted a career more than a job. I knew without an education I could never realize this dream. Employers' requirements had increased, gone were the days where you secure long term employment with a high school education. I knew I wanted a career that meant something, but I just did not know what I wanted a career in, and I sure didn't know how to get the education I needed.

I figured I would start working with something I was good at: Math. After receiving a diploma in accounting from a local business college I fell into a role at a long term care facility. This role included payroll and personnel. I really liked the personnel side of this job. I was good at benefits and employment law. I decided I wanted to be in human resources.

Wanting more in this career I moved to a human resource assistant position with a local factory, a meat packing plant with 1200 employees. Wow, talk about human resource training at its best. I thought I had really seen all human resource had to offer by working at that plant. I was wrong. No day is ever the same. Regardless where you work, there's always something new.

Human resources fulfilled my excessive need for knowledge and excitement. No situation was ever the same. There was always something new to learn. Everything I had been through in my life gave me guidance to assist the employees with issues that interfered with their work lives. My kids would joke by saying they were going to hang a sign above my office that read, "Dr. Phil's Assistant."

As I progressed in my career into management, I found it was getting hard to move up that ladder that I wanted to conquer. It was getting hard to secure a position and back up my knowledge without a degree. I dreaded that interview question that I knew was coming: What education have you received in your field? I knew I needed my degree if I ever wanted to go any further.

I guess I did want marriage and children after all, because I was married, and at that time I had three teenagers of my own, and two step children. With my kids schedule the only time I had for my own education was late at night, and sometimes on weekends. I kept asking myself, "When will I have time to go to school?" I wasn't getting any younger. It was now or never if I wanted an education. I did not have time to dedicate to a full time school schedule and attending part time, it would take me ten years to get an education I needed.

The only option I thought I had for education was a community college, and the curriculum was just not what I wanted. Then I found WGU. I was amazed at the work at your own pace concept. I didn't think it existed in higher education. Through my discussions with an admission counselor I learned that I would be able to move quickly through material I already knew. I wouldn't be stuck in a lecture hall with 100 other students, limited to 12 semester hours or taking time away from my family and work.

I could do all the things I currently did and get my degree. Was that really possible? I was sure gonna find out. I enrolled in the bachelors of science and human resource management program. After surviving my husband deploying to Iraq several times, one son deploying to Iraq, several kids graduating high school, relocating to another state away from my family, and becoming a grandmother, here I am.

My mother always told me, "God only gives you what you can handle." There are times I questioned that statement, but now I know she was right. Without my life experiences, I could not be the person I am today. I stand before you, WGU faculty, fellow graduates, and family, my husband, my mother, my children, and the rest of my family watching at home. For the first time in my life I'm in a cap and gown. Man, it feels great. [Applause] I think I looked at my passing capstone a hundred times. If I could still look at it now, I would. I just wanted to be sure I completed that program.

I am a college graduate with a bachelor's of science in human resource management. I actually did it without sacrificing time with my family or income from leaving a job to go to school. WGU gave me the tools to succeed in my education. I now have a great career at Global Titanium in Detroit as a human resource manager and I love it. [Applause]

I have the education to take me where I want to go in my career, so why stop now? I reenrolled in the MBA program at WGU. [Applause] I could not be here without my mentor, Andrea Johnson. She was there for me when I didn't think I would ever get that task completed. When I said, "I can't," she was always ready to say, "Yes, you can, and you will." When I was ready to hang it up, she was right there saying, "No way." When I became frustrated with school or life, she would say, "It's okay to be frustrated, let's try to get through this together."

I give a special thank you to my husband, who never questioned my abilities. And my kids, who supported my education journey, even though they ate Hamburger Helper a lot. To my mother, although you gave me lots of traits I complain of a lot thanks for giving me the good ones like ambition and willpower to get me through anything life hands me.

WGU is truly a unique and fulfilling education experience. It has been one of my greatest achievements in life to be on this stage in this cap and gown. I am proud to say I am a WGU graduate. Without a school like WGU, I could not have reached my educational goals. Thank you WGU.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2013.07.13

Western Governors University

Diana Rexroat Cardenasis a Phoenix, Arizona, resident who has earned her bachelor's degree from Western Governors University's online College of Business as part of the Class of Summer 2013. A mother of four, she tried and tried again to earn a college degree, but traditional educational models never fit her lifestyle. In fact, WGU was her seventh attempt at a bachelor's degree. Her success story was driven by more than a commitment to bettering her life and her family's—it was driven by a promise she made to her father just before he passed away. His sense of humor and his pride in her kept her motivated to get through her tasks and earn that long-delayed dream of being a college graduate. And she did it!

Diana Rexroat Cardenas earned her Bachelor of Science, Finance degree.

Transcription of video:

Hello everyone. My name is Diana Rexroat Cardenas. And I want to share a little bit about my experience here at WGU B.S. in finance. Before I do that, I want to take a moment to acknowledge this amazing sight. You all look absolutely wonderful. Gosh. It's actually kind of blinding. [Laughter] Does anyone remember the writing prompt we had to complete before being accepted into WGU? I was absolutely scared that I wouldn't get in. What if they tell me I can't write? What if this is my only chance? It's been a while since I'd seriously gone to school. What if too sappy? What if incorrect grammar? What if? What if?

I decided four years ago to return to school. This was my seventh attempt at getting my bachelor's. Yes, you heard correctly. Lucky number seventh attempt. I was always too busy to get my degree. Kept flaking out of programs. I just didn't know what to do about my need for higher education. Oh, and before I forget, I have four boys, a wonderful husband, plus more than full-time employment, with 50-hour workweeks at times.

My father now comes into the pictures. My best friend. My supporter in all things is now terminally ill. I don't want to scare you, but this part is important, because we all have turning points in our lives that we need to think about. I had promised my dad that I would finish my degree at some point. Six times, broken promises. Right before my dad went into his heavenly slumber like a little girl, I swore up and down that I would finish my degree. I thought this would make everything better. Motivate him to stay alive and not leave me.

My dad was a funny man with a strange sense of humor. Well I can tell you he actually laughed in my face. And not just any laugh. It was a hearty laugh. My dad said that I shouldn't make him laugh like that, because it hurt his entire body. And as he laughed a little bit more, he mentioned something to the effect of, "You sure took a fine time to tell me this, honey. I don't think I'll be able to attend your graduation." It was his way of telling me it was his time and he fell eternally asleep shortly after.

A year had passed by and I was looking at employee discounts at work. Who doesn't love a good deal, right? I came across Western Governors, but I was looking for my next pair of cool shoes, not going to school. [Laughter] I continued shopping, but something made me go back to WGU's website. Strange. I had never heard of this college. Fully accredited. Inexpensive. Interesting. I then remembered my promise. I looked up, out loud, and said, "Okay, Dad. Whatever. I'll do it. I hope this makes you happy." On a side note, you should have seen my coworkers' faces. "There she goes again talking to herself."

I go back to thinking about WGU. Can I do this? Full-time school? Full-time work? Full-time mom and wife? This is a dilemma. How am I going to keep my promise to my dad? I'm just going to have to do it. Other people can do it. Why can't I? My husband, Tom, later that day, another great supporter, tells me, "Yes, I can do this." And yes, I could do this. So I get into WGU. That writing thing we had to do, remember? I receive a call from this real nice sounding lady named [Inaudible], wherever you are. I know you're here somewhere. Mentor extraordinaire. And as Chantal speaks to me for the first time, I'm thinking, "What is this? I have to talk on the phone to this person every week? Really? [Laughter] I'm not liking this phone chit-chat thing." Chantal was and is so nice. I didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her that I really didn't need her. [Laughter] I could not have been farther from the truth. Chantal, wherever you are, I couldn't have gotten this far without you.

I remember Chantal especially when I really couldn't stand it anymore. Telling me I was so close to finishing. That, of course, was three years ago. [Laughter] A few times, she would throw in what I'd call the super zinger. In her sweet voice, "Remember your promise, Diana." And I would think to myself, "Why did I tell her about my dad?" [Laughter] I can't give up.

The truth of the matter is, I don't feel I could have reached my promise of a degree without Western Governors. It all came together for me. Family support, self-pace, and the mentoring process. It does work and it really can be done for those of you out there wondering. As seen in the community chat rooms on any given day, the question of how to succeed at WGU, here's the recipe: remember your goal. Why are you here doing this? An incredible mentor who reminds you of your goal every two weeks who doesn't let you give up. A supporter, such as my husband who much to my chagrin would push me to do my homework, and yes, Chantal, wherever you are, you did that, too. Sheer determination to get you through the rough spots. Never give up. WGU's educational setup. They will be supportive on every level, but just remember, sometimes you have to ask for help.

I'm a prime example of someone, who at 45 has their degree. Besides my fellow graduates, those of you who may be listening and wondering if you can do this, you absolutely can. My fellow graduates and myself are here as proof. Push yourself. I promise, it is worth it. Congratulations to my classmates and fellow graduates. I sincerely thank you for your time and please give yourselves a pat on the back. We have made it. Oh, one last thing. Dad, I know you're here. We made it.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2013.07.13

Western Governors University

Kathleen Cadman, who has earned her MSN—Education as part of Western Governors University's Class of Summer 2013, is from Ogden, Utah. Kathleen is a world traveler, having just recently visited her 100th country. Some of that travel has been for work; others, for fun. And much of it has been to do volunteer work related to her passion for health care and improving the lives of peoples around the world. Through it all, she was able to work on her schoolwork and stay on track to graduation no matter what country she was in. Her degree has already translated to new success stories for Kathleen: After graduating, she accepted a position as a full-time assistant professor of Nursing at Weber State University, and she has been accepted to Johns Hopkins University's Department of International Health for a post-graduate certification in Global Health.

Kathleen Cadman earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning to all of you, and there are a lot of you out there. University is rarely an easy choice for non-traditional students. And obstacles get bigger every year, but we did it. First, for those of you out there whose obstacle was raising children, hats off to you. You have my utmost respect.

For me, I didn't have to worry about kids. But there were two main things that I felt would be barriers to returning to school. First like many of you, I worked full-time. Currently as a director of nursing for a facility in Ogden, Utah. This meant I needed a way to do some of my schooling at night with major cram sessions on the weekends. Something that's just not possible at most universities. Second I really like to travel. I'm not talking about let's go to Vegas for the weekend. I'm talking more of let's bust out the passports and go to Kenya. I've heard it's nice this time of year. Having just returned two weeks ago, I will tell you, it is very nice this time of year.

Throughout my personal and professional life, I've been fortunate enough to travel quite extensively. Some of these experiences have included living and working abroad in Guatemala, Honduras, China, India, and Nepal. Much of which was spent training indigenous health workers in rural regions of developing nations. Other travel opportunities were for the sake of exploration and fun. Falling into the why not category of life decisions. But both variety are something that I enjoy immensely and I had no intention of giving up. So when I was searching for possible nursing grad school options, I ran across the WGU website and it said, "They're flexible, adaptable, and a perfect fit for personal and professional growth." I was a little skeptical, but I figured, "Why not?"

Much to my surprise and delight those words weren't just a gimmick on a webpage. They really meant it. The flexibility at Western Governors allowed me to do it all. I had the ability to cram at times and disappear into the world of adventure at others. I finished my application while on a trip in Eastern Africa and I worked on assignments and what felt like never-ending papers from North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Antarctica. I was able to visit my 100th country last year while coding data and doing statistical analysis of findings for my capstone. Yeah, not the way to see it.

Whether typing papers from a hotel room overlooking Palestine, cursing APA formatting of reference pages from various Mediterranean islands, or reading research articles while playful penguins skidding past outside, I was able to progress through my bachelor's and my master's degrees with relative ease in a combined 18 months. Not only that, but the whole thing cost me less than $10,000. Which for me is more money for travel. [Laughter]

Once I got rolling my true inner nerd came out. I almost hate to admit it publicly, particularly in front of 4,000 people, but I found myself really enjoying academia. Since I've completed my coursework in February, I've gone on and gotten a post-graduate certificate as a certified nurse educator, I've submitted portions of my capstone for publication in scholarly journals, I've been accepted to the Johns Hopkins University Department of International Health as a Post Graduate Certificate candidate for global health, and I've begun preparing my path toward someday relatively soon doing a PhD in the same field. This blossoming of the academic me solidified my decision to switch gears within my own profession and I am pleased to say that in just a few short weeks, I will start my first day of the fall semester from the other side of the classroom. I'm thrilled to have just accepted a full-time position as assistant professor of nursing for Weber State University. Yay, Weber. Wildcats. [Applause]

Thank you. Each of us has our own story. And today is one of those many happy endings that we'll tell in our futures. If you look around you right now, for one brief moment right now and right here, regardless of past, present, future, or random life circumstances, we are triumphant. Today is one of those good old days that we'll look back on fondly in years to come. This dream may not have been possible for many of us, myself included, if it weren't for the support of amazing families, loving partners, encouraging friends, very understanding employers, knowledgeable instructors, and of course, all of our patient mentors. Thanks, Jana.

So I would also like to do a quick thanks to the few, the proud, the coffee distributors of Northern Utah for making day on end of sleep deprivation much more palatable. We, the Class of 2013, thank each and every one of you here in person and in spirit for your role in making it possible for us to say, we came, we saw, we conquered, and we're just getting started.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2014.02.08

Western Governors University

Growing up in a poor area of upstate New York, Marvin Perkins received no support or encouragement from teachers and counselors to attend college. However, a college education was his dream, so while on vacation in Southern California he decided to stay there and go to school. It was there where he met a woman and became a father—but three years later, they divorced, and he was awarded custody of his young son. A single father with heavy work responsibilities, he decided his dream of college would have to wait. Over the years, he managed to grow in his career and become very successful, achieving a six-figure salary and ultimately deciding that he may not need a degree after all. Then the economy crashed and he found himself unable to get a job without a degree. Thanks to Western Governors University, he now has that degree--and a successful career. Marvin shared his story as a graduate speaker at WGU's Winter 2014 Commencement at Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center on February 8, 2014.

Marvin Perkins earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Good morning, family, friends, fellow students, fellow graduates, faculty, those that're here, and those that're watching livestreaming. It is an incredible honor for me to be standing here representing the college of business. Being able to tell my story. All of you graduates have a story. It would be great to hear those. And all those current students have a story. And the alumni as well. So thank you for indulging me with mine.

My story starts in Niagara Falls, New York. I was born and raised in a poor area. One of six children. My mother and father were tremendous. They both attended higher education after having six children. And that is difficult. What would it have been like if they would've have had WGU around when they were trying to get their education? I knew my parents wouldn't be able to help me pay for college. And so I threw myself into everything. I excelled in athletics and academics in hopes to get a scholarship to go to college. I had to fight many obstacles in order to try to obtain a college degree.

No scholarships came. And later on, I would find out that you actually have to apply for scholarships. [Laughter] No wonder no scholarships came. So but that was the mindset in my area. The teachers would try to really encourage the African American kids not to go to college, but to just go into the Armed Services. And so there were those obstacles. So I had to get a college education. I was determined. So round one failed. So I joined right after high school, I did my first semester at the community college. And during the semester break, I got on a bus. Took me four days to get from Niagara Falls, New York to Los Angeles. And after four days on a bus, I wasn't coming back. And so I made my life out in Los Angeles.

And so I got back in school again. And I was geared and excited to get this degree. But then I met a girl. [Laughter] All right. And so Marv Junior was born. [Laughter] And I had to drop out of school again. And so once we got settled as a little family, I got back into school and things didn't work out in that marriage and I had to go through a divorce.

And so during that tough time, I had to ask myself one of the toughest questions that I've ever had to ask myself to date, and it was, was my son better off with his mother? Since this wasn't going to work, with his mother or with his father. And after a lot of soul searching, after I had come to the conclusion that he would be better off with his father, I fought for custody. And thus I had to drop out of school again. That took up all of my time.

And so a year later, I was awarded custody and now, I'm a single parent. The thought is to go back to school, however, [Applause] I appreciate the applause for fathers, but kids deserve two parents at home. [Applause] But I decided I would defer school again until he was raised. He was already missing half of his family and he needed me to be there full-time.

And so by the time he finished school or graduated from high school and he was ready to leave the nest as well, I was making a six-figure income, and I did not need college, [Laughter] so I thought. The market crashed in 2008. The real estate market. And I thought, "No problem. My successful sales track record would be enough to sustain me. What employer would not want to hire all of this greatness?" Talk about delusions of grandeur. [Laughter]

What was interesting is that companies now were trying to interview receiving about 1500 applications for one position where they used to receive 20. So they had to adopt new policies. New policies that the minimum requirement would be a college degree. Now they have applicant tracking system, these where you apply online and they actually keep recruiters from having to look through 1500 applications for one job because they bring the most qualified to the top.

Now you want to hear irony? I sell applicant-tracking systems. [Laughter] I was selling the systems that was keeping me from moving into a better job. I had to get my degree. There was not a choice. I had to get it done. But it wouldn't be easy now. Now I'm married again. I've got two daughters in addition to my son. I've got a granddaughter at this point as well. And I had published a series of DVDs called Blacks in the Scriptures. And started an outreach program, the African American Outreach program that's here nationally and internationally. I'm speaking doing lectures all over the world. I'm working a full-time sales job. My girls are active in sports. My wife is active in shopping. I mean, there is just -- [Laughter] I had no clue how I was going to finish school. But so I had to get it done.

So I started with research. And so part of my research was not only which school would be the best school for me, because mind you, this would be my fifth attempt at a college degree. I will not give up. Like a pit bull. But not only did I research the schools and what would be the best fit, but I would also do research and poll employers, because I was a little skeptical about receiving an online degree. I wanted to see what their perceptions and their perspective was. I talked to students who graduated with online degrees to see how they were treated in the marketplace.

I was amazed that the stigma had gone down. I was impressed with WGU and the competency-based model. And so I got into school. And I was raring to go. And it's like I'm going to do it this time, guys. I'm going to do it this time. I have to do it this time. I cannot move ahead without my college degree. So I start in June and in September, I have to move my family from Los Angeles to Oregon to change jobs and to expand our outreach program in the Pacific Northwest. Going to a traditional school would not have allowed that flexibility. The flexibility of WGU allowed me to start fast out the gate and then take a few months off while I adjusted my family in Oregon and then move them back 18 months later. [Laughter]

It was an incredible journey, but the flexibility allowed that for me. I could not have done this. I attempted, again, my fifth attempt for college, but it was this model that allowed me to get it done with everything else that I had going on. I've got to take my hat off to my mentor. These mentors here are absolutely tremendous. Absolutely tremendous. [Applause]

And mine is the best though. [Laughter] So Deborah Long is absolutely tremendous. If you don't know her, I'd say get to know her. So I got off to a rocky start. A really rocky start. Again, I had to move my family after a few months of just starting school. But then Deborah and I -- I said, "Deborah, again, here's what I need from you. I need you to keep me on track. Make sure I don't get off -- I don't miss a deadline. I'm too busy. This is what I need you for the most." So a couple months into this, I get this notice that I've missed a deadline. And I said, "Okay." So I called WGU student services and said, "You know, I want a new mentor. [Laughter] I love Deborah. She's great and don't tell her I requested this, but I want a new mentor. I missed this deadline. I can't afford it. I've just got to have a new mentor. Just don't let her find out that I requested this." So I get a call from Deborah. "I understand you requested a new mentor." [Laughter] I was like, "What kind of school did I sign up for here?" And so here I am having this very difficult conversation that I did not want to have. And I explained to her why and here's what Deborah said. She said, "I'm sorry. Can you forgive me and give me another chance?"

Sounds similar to a conversation I have with the Savior every day. And I said, "Of course. Of course I can. But Deborah, I just need you. I can't miss anything. Too busy. Da, da, da, da, da." "Okay. Great. Thank you. So we're good?" "Yes, we're good." "You didn't miss a deadline. That was just a reminder." [Laughter]

Talk about the quality of mentors at WGU. Deborah Long, thank you. [Applause] Deborah kept me on track. She made sure I didn't miss a thing and she helped me all the way through. In three years, I was able to finish my degree program. And you know the beauty of it? Three weeks after that, I was able to check the box on an application that said, "Yes, I do have a college degree. Give me that job." [Applause]

So I finished in August. And I started working with IBM in October. And I couldn't have done it without my WGU degree. So thank you guys. My fifth attempt to get this done finally got it done. What an incredible feeling. It is worth every single effort you can put forth. Those who are involved in this, do not give up. Those who don't have it, get involved and get it done. There's nothing like that feeling of having that college degree that no one can ever take away from you. [Applause] So enjoy it. Thank you. God bless you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2014.02.08

Western Governors University

Tracy Anderson, of Petersburg, Virginia, was a para-educator for more than 16 years before earning her bachelor's degree in special education from Western Governors University. She had always planned to go to college but life soon got in the way and her dream was put on hold. Several years later, as a single mother and caretaker for three elderly family members, she decided to return to school to fulfill her dream. She chose WGU because it allowed her to use her work experience in her schoolwork. Three days after graduating from WGU Tracy was hired as an eighth-grade special education teacher. She is continuing her education at WGU and started the Master's in Learning and Technology program this January. Tracy shared her story as a graduate speaker at WGU's Winter 2014 Commencement at Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center on February 8, 2014.

Tracy Anderson earned her Bachelor of Arts, Special Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Dr. Robert W. Mendenhall: We'll now be pleased to hear from four of our graduates. I must say I wish we had time to hear from each of you for we know that each of you have a unique personal story of your journey to this day. But we'll have to have four represent you. We will hear first from Tracy Anderson from Petersburg, Virginia, who has earned a bachelor's degree in special education. She will be followed by Marvin Perkins from Santa Clarita, California, who has earned a bachelor's degree in business management. He will be followed by Merit Sowards from Bradenton, Florida, who has earned a bachelor's degree in health informatics. And our concluding graduate speaker will be Crystal Howard, from Zuni, New Mexico, who has earned a master's degree in nursing, leadership and management. Tracy? [Applause]

Tracy Anderson: Greetings distinguished panel, faculty, guests, and my fellow alumni. Please allow me first to give honor to God for His unmerited favor. I beg your indulgence for a few minutes as I share with you my most memorable experiences on my journey with Western Governors University.

Langston Hughes once posed this question, "What happens to a dreams deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load or does it explode?"

College was always the plan for my future. The idea of having at least one degree by the age I was 22 was as certain for me as my name and birthday. So I assumed. As I learned 21 years later, life does not come scripted and even the best laid plans are vulnerable to life's unpredictable grueling pressing demands. Nonetheless a dream deferred did not mean a dream denied. And years later, I finally decided to pursue a college degree to follow my insatiable passion for teaching. I was 38 years old.

My age, though far from 22, was of little consequence for me. The obstacles and challenges I faced were in my life decision to become a single mother of one. Then age 9 years of age. A full-time special education paraprofessional for over 16 years. And the live-in caregiver for three senior family members, an aunt, 60, with a form of Lupus, my mother, age 73 with beginning Alzheimer's, and a great-aunt, age 101, with acute arthritis. Adding schoolwork to this already frenzied schedule appeared to family and friends, and myself admittedly, a suicide mission. [Laughter] However, with faith the size of a mustard seed and free time of equal size, I enrolled in Western Governors University to begin the journey. [Applause]

Many were the times I contemplated whether now was the right time to take on such an endeavor. I worried that either my daughter, seniors, or studies would meet neglect. Viewing my life from the outside, things may have looked typical. However, with an almost daily routine of being up by 4:45 each morning, taking care of things needed by my seniors while I was at work, getting my daughter to school, and working my primary job until 3:00, and my second job until 6:00. Continuing on to get dinner prepared and served before 7:00. Three days out of most weeks working a third job from home, making sure my daughter had her homework done and recapping her day with her. Racing the clock, I prepared my clothes for work and washed any emergency loads of clothes for my seniors, made sure everyone had taken their medications for the day and finally tidying up anything that just could not wait until the weekend.

The word typical only applies to my life as a student, if it is synonymous with exhausting. [Laughter] Schoolwork could not be neglected and having a mentor assigned by WGU to keep me focused on tasks and direct me to provided resources was my saving grace. Mentors are our connectors and they serve in the same capacity as advisors at a traditional university without the struggle of competing for their time during limited office hours. WGU mentors contact you personally to focus only on you. My mentor was my lifeline. With my schedule having someone to focus on me was a nice change of pace. So when I faced the unusual experience of being assigned a new mentor, it was a change that worried me to the point of considering dropping out all together.

But my new mentor, [Inaudible] listened quietly and patiently to my speech of woe, and then, just as quietly and patiently she talked some sense into me. [Laughter] "Well, Tracy, you have more to give than you give yourself credit for," she told me. "You are more than halfway there and I am willing to see you through, but nothing I say is going to mean anything if you don't believe in your abilities."

That 15-minute conversation with K.T. was the most supportive and encouraging I had heard in over 20 years. I emailed her the next morning to let her know I decided to continue in the teachers' college. She promptly called me and began to outline the course of action we would follow for the next few years to get me to my goal. That day and every conversation after, K.T. was my cheerleader, guide on the side, voice of reason, and if the needle rose, a kick in the pants. [Laughter] She knew my family demands and helped me organize my daily schedule to get tasks completed. K.T. was the push I needed to understand that I could accomplish all that I wanted to accomplish.

The curriculum at WGU was challenging and occasionally required me to extend myself past my preferred bedtime and even watch the sun signal the moon to take rest. In those times, my daughter, [Inaudible], became my study partner as well as comedic relief. She seemed to have a cornucopia of "not until your homework is finished" jokes. [Laughter] Along with Lillian's support was also the support of a dear friend, [Inaudible], who is of the strong opinion that when it comes to education, the words cannot and quit are nonexistent. This, my triad of support, and the grace of God were my sources of strength.

Today, Lillian is an intelligent, happy 14 year old. My seniors thrived and are now ages 65, 80, and she did see her 107th birthday. I continue to work in the same school district of 21 years, however, not as a paraprofessional, but as a licensed, highly qualified special education teacher. [Applause]

Through my educational journey at Western Governors University I now know what happens to a dream deferred. It's nurtured, cultivated, and manifested into a reality. Thank you and congratulations.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2014.07.12

Western Governors University

Jenny Bascos earned her master's degree in nursing online from Western Governors University and is committed to using her skills and knowledge to continue making a difference in healthcare at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, where she works. Her commencement address at the nonprofit university's 27th semiannual commencement ceremony in Salt Lake City on July 12, 2014, contrasted the innovation in healthcare today with the meager settings in her home country of the Philippines, where she began her career.

Jenny Vivian Bascos earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Leadership and Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Congratulations to my fellow graduates. Even as a young child in the Philippines, I've always been a dreamer and an achiever. I would say out loud what I wanted, and I'd do it. I told myself after graduating from high school, "I am going to the United States," and I did. I had my bachelor's degree in nursing, and it paved my way to success, provided endless opportunities to serve people from different walks of life, and experience nursing in many different perspectives.

Today, having completed my Master's Degree in Nursing with Leadership and Management Specialty through Western Governors University, I recall my humble beginnings as a nurse in the third world. Before coming to America, I served as primary nurse at the rural hospital, where equipment and supplies were so scarce. Sutures and needles had to be sterilized for reuse. Gloves were expensive and had to be washed and sterilized for the next patients until they became worn out or torn desperately and had to be thrown away.

I also experience serving in a public health field, where I joined several government medical missions. Our team of doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacies went to far flanks, underserved areas that can only be reached by boat or by foot to provide free consultations with medicine, simple surgical procedures, and tooth extraction services. A great number of people would patiently wait in line for hours, waiting for the needed help and care. The sigh of relief when they got what they came for, their gratefulness, their smiles and tears of joy just fueled my passion for service.

This is completely different than the world of healthcare where I currently work. My heart bleeds as I consider the huge gaps in how we provide health services in different worlds. In the United States, I started out as an RN in a long-term care facility and am now employed as an assistant clinical manager in medical surgical nursing unit at a well-known medical center, part of an integrated healthcare system in Riverside, California. I have come to realize how fortunate we are in this country. I know I cannot change the conditions in my home country, but I know that I can still change something. We always have a choice. I can still make a positive impact in the world I live in now.

My nursing experience back home, along with the additional knowledge and skills I have acquired by obtaining my master's degree in nursing, will continue to remind me of my humble beginnings while fueling my passion to excel and lead the improvement of healthcare for those I am now honored to serve. It may be small steps. However, I know I am making a difference.

My MSN capstone project on quietness at night in the hospital led me to serving on a committee dedicated to addressing the challenge of noise reduction so patients can get a good night's sleep. I also serve on several other committees, including the Thrive Campaign, which empowers my colleagues to make healthier choices, from taking the stairs at work and other initiatives that inspire staff to stay fit and healthy.

Having completed my MSN degree in a short span of 11 months proved to me that everything is possible when I set the goal. Working fulltime, while at the same time being a fulltime wife and mom, along with my fulltime participation in my quest for my master's degree wasn't easy. My mentor, Mary Alice, once told me as I was starting this journey, "It's difficult but doable." She was very honest and supportive from the beginning. Now, I certainly know and fully appreciate what she meant. MSN courses in an online environment require a lot of discipline, determination, and commitment. Time management is of major importance. These were the skills I have learned out of necessity to meet my goal.

WGU has designed the MSN degree to be valuable in its entirety. Not only did it bring professional growth and self-worth but the ethics and values that are learned are far more important and lasting. Being able to add the acronym MSN next to my name does not only bring a sense of pride but most especially a reminder that I have to use the acquired knowledge, competency, and confidence to always perform at a high degree of leadership and lead by example.

My vision is that of my organization, provide extraordinary care, every patient, every time. My job is to fuel the same passion in the nurses that I lead, to engage them in excellence. My MSN degree also serves as an inspiration to the staff who are aspiring to go back to school and earn a higher degree.

More important than my work is my desire to be an inspiration to my young and vibrant boys, Ryan and Ivan, who are with me today, along with my very loving and supporting husband, Reynold. Work-life balance, to me, is extremely important as my family is my priority. They are my inspiration, and they provide strength when I'm extremely challenged at work.

I remember one day, as my 11-year-old boy was looking at the trophies and medals he had earned, as well as his dad's and his brother's, and said to me, "Mom, you're the only one in this house who doesn't have any medals nor trophies." His dad replied, as he heard my son talking, "Mom has lots of diplomas and certificates, and did you know that your mom has achieved the highest level of education among us by completing her master's degree in nursing?" And that was the beginning of yet another rich conversation.

Today, I am showing my kids what it's like to walk across this stage wearing a cap and gown, along with the many other graduates who have worked so hard to achieve this success. Young kids are our future. So to lead them early on is a sublime virtue. Now, I don't hear my son saying anything about the medals nor trophies. This time, I will hear my boys, who are 11 and 6, say, "Mom, get your doctorate degree." Hmm, talk about inspiring, influencing, and leading by example. I think they get it.

I thank WGU and all my mentors for being very supportive. They are very knowledgeable and just amazing people. The books and other study materials would have not been enough to reach the finish line, but the guidance and support of the mentors made this possible. The mentors made this experience a more fulfilling task. It is true. Their only goal is to make you graduate. Thank you very much.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2014.07.12

Western Governors University

Patricia "Bliss" Knight grew up in a one-room log cabin, doing homework by kerosene lantern and dreaming of being an airline pilot in a day when girls were not encouraged to dream such dreams. More than 50 years after high school, Bliss is now an MBA, thanks to Western Governors University's online MBA program. She runs a nonprofit that she started as part of her capstone project, and she teaches flying lessons on her remote ranch in Arizona. Bliss shared her story as a speaker at WGU's 27th semiannual commencement ceremony July 12, 2014, in Salt Lake City.

Patricia Knight earned her Master of Business Administration, Management and Strategy degree.

Transcription of video:

My name is Patricia Bliss Knight. Some of you know me as Patty. It's lovely to be here today graduating with all of you. I have a story to share about the value of online education. When I was a young girl growing up in Alaska, there was no television. So I read during the many hours of darkness about far-off places in books like Gunga Din, Marco Polo, and Bomba: The Jungle Boy. I found that I yearned to see the world, how other people lived. I looked out windows at the clouds and the sky and daydreamed of the independence and freedom learning to fly would offer.

So at the tender age of nine, I decided that I would become an international airline pilot. Pursing this goal gave my life direction and purpose. Living in a one-room log cabin without the amenities of running water or indoor plumbing, we bathed once a week in a galvanized tub all in the same water. This was embarrassing for a pubescent girl. We had light from a single bulb when the generator would start, but when it wouldn't, I did my homework by kerosene lantern.

Attending a one-room territorial school, I listened carefully to what the older children were learning. I found I also wanted horses in numbers. Black Beauty was among my favorite books. My mother always said that "horse" was my middle name. It wasn't really. My middle name is Bliss, the one I go by. I was named after an Army Post after Fort Bliss. I guess it's good I wasn't born at Fort Huachuca. [Laughter]

My parents thought this fascination with flying was just a child's passing fancy. Women didn't have flying careers. They were mothers and homemakers. They feared for my future and were not supportive. I found it was discouraging and expensive to start so many classes in college that I wasn't able to complete because I was always out of town flying.

Life has had a lot of firsts for me. I was a first child. I flew for one of the first air ambulance companies, airlifting patients and medical teams for Stanford and the University of California hospitals. I was the first woman smoke jumper pilot and air tanker pilot with an initial attack rating on contract to the United States Forest Service. I instructed professional flight engineers for their pilot's licenses at Flight Safety International. I flew for three airlines as one of the first women pilots and retired from Delta as a captain. I got to fly the elegant Lockheed 1011 TriStar internationally. My dream realized, I got to see the world.

Appointed as an FAA designated pilot examiner, I administered tests and issued most flying licenses in aviation. I've written about my adventures in commercial aviation in my first book called Air Affair, but it was not until the advent of online classes accredited that I have been able to complete my education, 48 years to a bachelor's degree after high school and 52 years to a master's. [Applause]

And I am first in my community to receive my Master's in Business Administration from Western Governors University. I wanted to learn about business, should I decide to run my husband's refinery, truck stops, and gas stations. I study with my computer set at a large antique dining room table positioned in front of a fireplace. There's a surrounding view of trees and mountains on my Arizona ranch and of my many horses and cattle.

During financial analysis, my husband of nearly 30 years passed away. My student mentor, Maureen Hinckley, gave me emotional support, encouragement, and direction. Without her, I'm not sure I could have continued. Course mentor for financial analysis Ken Cassell understood and was unwavering in his support as one term passed into the next. For weeks, I wasn't able to concentrate. Allan Jones, course mentor for decision analysis in that new term, was kind to patiently explain things that I found interesting and innovative in assembly-line calculations and project management. Somehow, I strengthened and returned from these stunning events.

A term late and with a vacant and heavy heart, I kept going. I developed a 501c3 nonprofit called Aqua Sun Foundation as my capstone project, obtaining tax-exempt status for donors. The organization purchases solar water purification units to send to disaster-ridden and needy areas of the world. Shortly after, I put together a for-profiting marketing LLC called SAM, an acronym for Superior American Marketing.

I'm here today proudly accepting my master's degree from Western Governors University knowing that I was only able to undertake such a challenge because it was online. I've been able to run my remote ranch and give flying lessons off my landing strip while studying. Online education has filled the void and is absolutely the most innovative and best idea in education ever. Thank you, Western Governors University, for giving me this opportunity to share with my fellow students my successful journey to my MBA through online education.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2015.02.07

Western Governors University

Cindy Krupinski, B.S. in Business—IT Management, Livonia, Michigan, whose goals of earning her bachelor’s degree took 16 years to come to fruition, shared her story of years of being dogged time and time again by tragedy and trial—and finally earning her triumph.

Cindy Krupinski earned her Bachelor of Science, Business - Information Technology Management degree.

Transcription of video:

I would like to begin by saying that I am proud and honored to be standing before you today to share my story with you and represent my fellow students and graduates. I hope my words can serve as an inspiration that nothing is impossible. Life's obstacles and struggles are mere stepping-stones to success.

There's a quote by Robin S. Sharma that I use to help keep me motivated when times get tough. "Every event has a why, and all adversity teaches us a lesson. Never regret your past. Accept it as the teacher that it is." Coming from an average-size family, both my parents had to work multiple jobs to provide for us growing up. It was their work ethic and values that gave me the starting point to becoming the person that I am today.

Becoming a mother at the age of 19 and losing my son's father in a car accident when my son was about 2 months old, getting married and having 2 more children, and becoming a stepparent all while attempting to go to school in the hopes to achieve my degree to set the example for my children and to be able to make a better life for my family.

Sixteen years later, yes, you heard right, 16 years to earn a 2-year degree. I had now gone through a divorce, became a single parent for the second time, won my battle with cancer, lost everything I had worked for, including my home and my car, and began a new relationship. I found myself questioning what I needed to do to make a better life for my family. However, you can imagine my hesitation at going another round.

Life has a funny way of shaking things up. So yet again, I found myself facing another challenge, maintaining a long-distance relationship because my boyfriend had to move out of state for work, taking care of my children, working fulltime, and now looking to add in going to school fulltime.

At this point, my oldest had just graduated high school, and he was attending another university. My daughter would be graduating in a few years, and earning a more advanced degree would put me in a better position, but some questions remained. How was I going to afford it, find time to study, and get it done within a short period of time?

My goal through all of this was to complete my studies before my kids graduated high school. Due to my cancer treatment, I missed my first target, but I didn't let that stop me. WGU is accredited, which allowed me to qualify for additional grants and scholarships, along with the discount that my employer currently offered. So with great determination to obtain my bachelor's degree before my daughter graduated, I began looking at my course of study and the time it would take. It was then I realized I needed to accelerate a bit to achieve my goal.

During my third term at WGU, I managed to complete 26 competency units, which allowed me to move graduation up an entire term. [Applause] Within the first few months of attending WGU, I received recognition from my employers, management, as well as external clients, and soon was able to obtain a promotion at work. I attribute a good part of my success to my experience at WGU.

Of course, I do nothing the easy way. I was now adding more responsibility on top of my already full life but maintained a great confidence and a can-do attitude. Don't get me wrong. This journey was not without its failures and struggles to master the concepts. Near the end of my program, I had one class left. Unfortunately, I took the test for that class and did not obtain my usual stellar score. This was a very devastating development, but with the help of my mentor John, along with many other course mentors, I was encouraged not to give up, and they provided great support both personally and academically.

As the new semester began, I continued my weekly calls with my mentor, but I just could not pull myself out of this feeling of disappointment. As we spent roughly a year and a half talking every Monday, my mentor got to know me well, and he could see that this one had hit me hard. But that did not stop him and his conviction that I could do this, and he pointed out how close I really was to my goal. So we pulled out all the stops, scheduling calls with course mentors, sitting in on study sessions, and taking advantage of all of the vast learning resources that were available. I truly believe if it were not for the support that I received from the amazing mentors here at WGU, as well as the sacrifices my family made in those last few weeks, I would have never made it.

One of the many gifts WGU gave me was a new confidence, and with that new tool, I'm creating new opportunities for myself every day. My parents always told me, "Don't let anyone say that you can't do something. If your drive and passion are there, then nothing can escape your reach." Those words have stayed with me through everything I do, a daily driving force, and pushed me to become the first female in my family to earn an advanced degree. I share these same words with my children, with the hope that it motivates them as it has me to reach for the stars and know nothing is impossible, if you are willing to put in the effort and dedication to get there.

I would like to personally thank the people that made this journey possible. Thank you to the many mentors, John [Inaudible], Mindy [Inaudible], Judy [Inaudible], just to name a few, for the constant support and confidence in me. Thank you, Wayne, for the sacrifices you made every day to make my life easier, and thank you to my children. You are my true motivation behind me, and this day is that much more special that we share it together.

I am proud to say that I graduated from WGU with so much more than I could have expected, a new confidence, a new knowledge, and a renewed vision of a bright future with unlimited possibilities. I am proud to be a WGU Night Owl and want to congratulate my fellow classmates in this great accomplishment. I leave you with this quote by Paul Gardner. "A painting is never finished. It simply stops in interesting places."

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2015.02.07

Western Governors University

Lissete Rico, M.A. English Language Learning, Lehigh Acres, Florida, dropped out of high school because of violence but refused to become a statistic—and today, thanks to determination to fulfill her dreams, she is a teacher with a master’s degree and the knowledge that she can do whatever she sets out to do.

Lissete Rico earned her Master of Arts, English Language Learning (PreK-12) degree.

Transcription of video:

Today, I graduate from Western Governors University with a master's degree in English language learning. However, statistically, I really should not be standing here. You see, this is my first time participating in any graduation ceremony. I was a high school dropout. I had to drop out of high school in my eleventh grade year because of the violence that was occurring at my school. And when it finally touched me personally, I felt I had enough. However, my goal was to prove that statistic wrong. I wanted to be an exception to the rule of a high school dropouts outcome in life.

Growing up, I never knew the dangers of my neighborhood or even the lack of money or material possessions we had. My parents worked tirelessly to provide us with the most loving, safe, and nurturing environment any child could only dream of. In my mind, I always thought we were rich. That's how my parents made us feel, and although we were far from rich, we were rich with love.

When I started school is when I realized the realities of the world and the sadness and anger that many children have because they did not have what I had, which is love. In elementary school, I was tirelessly bullied and oftentimes beat up, but when I got home, it's like it never even happened. I would come home to my loving family, and my troubles would disappear. I remember one evening talking to my mother about the children in school, and she reminded me that those children may not have love and happiness or someone to hug when they come home from school. "You do," she said. "Don't be angry with them. Feel sorry for them."

Throughout the years, I knew I had always wanted to be a teacher but the kind of teacher that understands that even little children can have bad days, the kind of teacher that gives hugs and makes their students feel as if they are in their second home. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of those children who grow up not knowing what love is but would have the opportunity to find it within the walls of my classroom and in the comfort of their teacher's arms.

So in that year when I dropped out of high school, I was determined that I would not stop there. During that summer, I took my GED test and passed, and in what was supposed to be my twelfth grade year turned out to be my freshman year in college. It was an amazing feeling knowing that my dreams of having my own classroom were going to come true, but through it all, life happened, and I eventually stopped with just an associate's degree.

I met my amazing husband, we married, and life was great. Until one afternoon on my drive back to work from my lunch break, I caught a glimpse of some teachers waving goodbye to their students on the school busses as it had been the last day of the school year. I literally had to stop my car, and I broke down crying. As I watched that scene, I felt defeated by that statistic, and I felt sad because I wanted to be one of those teachers waving goodbye to their students on the last day of school. I wanted to be that teacher that my students would never forget, and I wanted to make my parents proud.

That was the breaking point for me. I thought, that's it. I am going to enroll myself in college again, and I'm going to finish what I started. I got back to work, and on my down time, I Googled teacher schools, and I came across WGU. It was completely online, and you only had to pay a one-time tuition per term, and in that tuition, you could squeeze in as many classes as you wanted without having to pay anything else out of pocket.

I felt it was too good to be true, especially because I had already had a bad experience with another online university. But after talking to my husband about it, he said, "Go for it," and so I enrolled in WGU with the incredible feeling that my dreams were back on track, but I soon learned it was not going to be easy.

During my bachelor's program with WGU, I gave birth to my first daughter, and when she turned one, I started my internship while seven and a half months pregnant with my second son. WGU was gracious enough to allow me to have a one-month term break in between my elementary education and special education internships. During that month break, I gave birth to my son, and five weeks later, I went right back to my internship. It was not easy.

Believe me, having an exclusively breastfed newborn baby, a one year old, interning, studying for state exams, Taskstream assignments, and nightly feedings was not easy. It took lots of willpower, determination, and support, and I felt that support from WGU through student mentor at the time Shannon [Inaudible], my course mentors, who literally applauded me every single time I would log in with my webcam with the class for our cohort sessions with my newborn in hand and my one year old peeking in through the webcam. And of course, my amazing and supportive husband, who celebrated all of my little and big successes and encouraged me in my times of frustration.

Sure, I was a walking zombie, but I was determined to finish what I started no matter the obstacles. WGU kept me in line and encouraged me every step of the way. I finally graduated with my bachelor's degree in special education and elementary education and quickly found a job teaching in the same EBD special education classroom. My experience growing up in a rough neighborhood and my mother's words of wisdom that not every child comes to a home filled with love helped me during this time, as I was teaching children who had been labeled as having emotional and behavioral disorders mainly from traumatic experiences and unloving upbringings.

However, I did not stop there. Remember, I really wanted to be that exception to the GED statistic. So I decided to give it my all one more time and get my master's degree. I took the plunge of sleep deprivation, fulltime work, and being a mommy and wife head-on until graduation. Thanks to my amazing student mentor Chrissy Bennet, who every time I passed a course, she would send me an email with balloons or confetti and bold letters saying, "Yes, you did it," or short motivational videos that gave me the boost I needed to keep going when Taskstream was not my friend.

My goal through it all though, after giving birth to my children, was always to be a mommy first. WGU made that possible for me. I did not want to take precious time away from my children by being in an enclosed classroom all because I wanted to make my dreams of becoming a teacher a reality. WGU's open 24-hours a day, and when my babies were asleep for the night, or at least until their next feeding, that's when I was hitting the books.

WGU made it possible for me to achieve my educational dreams while being able to be a mommy and wife first, and I thank WGU for this gift. I thank Jehovah God, my amazing husband, my beautiful children, and my family for showing me what true love is. It is giving all that you have and all that you are without expecting anything in return.

And so I leave you with the words of my mother and father, who made me the person I am today, as you embark in your journey to find your place in this world. As my mother would say, "Everything you do, do with love because with love, we can move mountains," and as my father would say, "If you don't build your dream, someone is going to hire you to help build theirs." [Applause]

So congratulations to the WGU class of 2015 for the completion of your dreams, and may your future dreams be bigger and brighter than you ever thought possible.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2015.08.15

Western Governors University

His whole life, Chris Cox of Atwater, California, had been told, "You can't do that!" His cerebral palsy had set physical limitations, but his mind was strong and he had academic and career goals he was determined to achieve. With the help of his mentor—who was himself overcoming debilitating mouth cancer—and a robust support system at WGU, he earned his bachelor's degree in Information Technology. He and course mentor Mike Peterson shared Chris' story at WGU's August 2015 commencement ceremony, held on August 15 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Chris Cox earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Transcription of video:

Mike Peterson: So I'll just introduce myself real quick. My name is Mike Peterson, I'm a course mentor in the College of IT. And Chris honored me by asking me to give this speech alongside him today. I'm honored to be a part of Team Cox as you'll hear, as well as my wife, Angie, my daughter Brittany, who also has cerebral palsy, and our kids, and a fine team. So Chris wants to say a couple words.

Chris Cox: Hi, Mom! WGU rocks!

Mike Peterson: Hi, Mom. WGU rocks! [Applause] So I'll go on delivering the speech. This is completely Chris'. Please hear Chris as you read this, and he is here to support me as I emotionally get through this.

This speech is dedicated to my family. Throughout my life I always have been challenged with schooling, and at first I didn't want to go to college. I thought it was too complex and I was bad at interacting with students and staff. I had doubts about being able to achieve what I wanted, but I also knew I didn't want to be that guy with a disability who sat around the house all day dreading "poor me" moments. I have cerebral palsy, but it only affected me with physical limitations. My mind is strong, and I wanted to achieve my full potential.

In high school I researched many careers. At first I researched a position at Sea World, but try to imagine me swimming with a 200 ton whale. [Laughter] I don't think that would be possible. Next, I researched medical fields because all the career reports said I was going to work in that field. I watched medical shows without even flinching, but that didn't feel right either.

I found my calling the last two years of my school when I discovered I had a hidden talent for IT after winning competitions at Skills USA. I now knew what I wanted to do: Use technology to help people. But enrolling at Western Governors University to earn my bachelor's degree in IT was a scary decision. I wasn't sure I would fit into this new realm of online education. Also, I knew my degree plan would consist of course work and certification tests that I needed to pass to graduate. I had never taken a certification test before. I had gotten close, but I was too afraid to complete the test.

But then I met my mentor, John Porter, who says he likes to fly under the radar... flying under the radar now but who I believe should be famous. Meeting John was one of the greatest experiences I had ever had. I learned that he and I had some things in common. For example, he too faced down difficult odds and overcame physical difficulties, beating mouth cancer to a pulp shortly before I met him. He was in the process of retraining himself to speak, so we worked together on overcoming our verbal communication barriers, doing our regular calls via video chats so we could speak and type with each other at the same time.

I've worked all my life to overcome the deterrents of doctors constantly telling me, "No, you're not able to do that because, well, you just can't." My mentor John knows the power of saying, "Yes, I can." And we shared the unique experience of having overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. As it says in the Bible, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

For the next two years, five months [Applause] for the next two years, five months, and 23 days to be exact, I progressed with John's help, and the help of the course mentors and so many other supportive faculty and staff at WGU that we became known as "Team Cox". There were times that I didn't think I had the strength to complete my degree even with a mentor's help. That is why I love WGU, they really helped me to overcome my weaknesses.

As graduation came near, I started working on my capstone project, archiving sermons for my church. It was spurred by the need to expand their overall distribution of sermons. I really enjoyed working on it, and I received great compliments from the writing mentors on how it turned out. This is my last term, but it ended up being far from normal.

One night I was called home to my family's ranch, and I discovered that my father had passed away. Although his death was sudden and painless, I miss him, even to this day. I couldn't mourn his death right away due to how busy I was, but my faith pulled me through this difficult time. The next day I spoke with my mentor which was very difficult for me. I wasn't sure I could keep going. But by the end of our chat, I knew I had to complete this because I was so close and I wanted to do it for my father, and for my family.

It took a couple of weeks to get back on track to complete the task, and I was notified that my capstone project passed around Christmastime. All that stood between Christmas and graduation was Linux Plus. Two evil exams with 60 questions each, and a notoriously low completion rate.

And I'll just step out of mode right now Chris wants everybody to know that he got his Linux Plus certification before his course mentor me. [Applause]

And we're back. The odds of my passing that test seemed unrealistic to me, but I had the support of all of WGU. It took everyday meetings with a course mentor, Mike Peterson, to pull this off, and my mentor, John, pushed me to the limit. And I did it! With when I finished that last exam I called everyone in the testing center over to my computer. When the dreadful wait was over, and I received my passing score, the proctor and everyone else erupted. Team Cox yet again.

Meanwhile, waiting at WGU with baited breath, all of my course mentors, program managers and John were panicking, waiting for a call from me. I called Mike to tell him that I graduated with my bachelor degree.

Although my story is unique, I believe many of you may share similar experiences in your life. I thought that I would never be able to do this, but I was able to succeed with a lot of support from my friends and family. Because of my cerebral palsy it may take more time to accomplish certain tasks, but I never give up on my dreams or my desire to be treated just like everyone else.

For myself and others with disabilities we try our best to succeed, and that's what matters the most. I would like to thank the faculty and staff, and Team Cox specifically for this amazing life achievement and the opportunity to speak on behalf of the students of WGU. It took a lot of time and effort to accomplish my goal, and I would like all students everywhere to remember that you can accomplish whatever dream you set your mind and heart on.

Of course there will be some hardships along the way, but all you have to do is believe that you are capable of doing great things and you'll triumph in the end. Congratulations class of 2015.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2015.08.15

Western Governors University

Growing up, Jennifer Evans of North Ogden, Utah, wanted to be a truck driver. Then, a compassionate nurse who cared for her at a low point in her life changed her perspective, changed her plans—and changed her life. Today, Jen has a master's degree in Nursing thanks to her own dedication, the inspiration of that nurse all those years ago, and WGU. She shared her story at WGU's August 2015 commencement ceremony, held on August 15 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Jennifer Evans earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Leadership and Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Today it is an honor to speak in front of students, fellow graduates, distinguished guests, my family, and Dr. Charles Sorensen, the CEO of Intermountain Health Care, a company I am very proud to work for.

Throughout my life, I have at times doubted by ability to achieve my dreams. As a kid I wanted to be a truck driver. It's funny, you can laugh. [Laughter] But it's also true. I thought it would be a great adventure. But that was not my true calling. I was fortunate that the day before my 17th birthday, I met the woman who would inspire me to seek a career in nursing.

I remember her kindness, her gentle approach, and the words that she spoke to me. I had just given birth to a child that I would not keep. For the previous nine months I had been treated with indifference or disdain. Yet this nurse took the time to see me as a person of worth, and I will never forget the words that she spoke to me. "I am so proud of you." Her kindness gave me strength, and I believed that I could do more, that I could be more. To this day I look back at the impact she had on me that day.

In high school I took a nursing assistant class and was fortunate to have a wonderful teacher and mentor who showed me how great nursing was and the many things I could do as a nurse. After high school, I worked towards completing my prerequisites for nursing school. By the time I was accepted into a program, I was married, working, and had a one year old son. I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. Thankfully, my husband, Scott, told me that I could, and more importantly, he told me that I had to. In fact, he refused to marry me unless I promised that I would continue my education. [Applause]

Scott Evans, I just want you to know that not only are you the best thing that ever happened to me, you're my best friend, and I'm looking forward to the next 20 years. [Applause]

By the time I graduated nursing school, we had our daughter, and I believed I had achieved all that I could. Fast forward three years and my friend at work was telling me that she was going to apply for a position in the cardiac ICU, and that I should join her. I wasn't sure if I had what it took, but she kept encouraging me until I applied. To my complete surprise I was hired. I found myself outside of my comfort zone, and learning so many new things. As an ICU nurse I was encouraged to take a national exam for critical care nurses. I wasn't sure if I was quite smart enough to pass this test. But by now I was figuring out that I was maybe capable of more than I had given myself credit for, so I tried and I passed. [Applause]

Then they asked me to be a charge nurse. I accepted the challenge despite my fears, and to my complete relief, they never fired me from that role. They maybe should've. [Laughter] In 2009, my friend convinced me we should go back to school and become nurse practitioners together. The first step was going back to school for my bachelor's degree in nursing, but after graduating in 2011, life had other plans for me. These plans included becoming a nurse educator, and then two years ago, a manager in a very busy ICU.

When I became a nurse manager, I had not given up on becoming a nurse practitioner, but I knew it limited my ability to achieve my goal. As I looked at my options I was so happy to discover Western Governors University. WGU allowed me to work, spend time with my family, and be successful in my studies towards my master's degree in nursing. I was in a new position where I was learning many new things and instead of being an additional burden, the courses at WGU augmented what I was learning at work, and provided me resources in order to be successful.

I wasn't sure how long it would take me before I reached the finish line, but every step of the way there was my student mentor, Pam, and many course mentors to guide and cheer me along. And now, thanks to my MSN degree from WGU, I know I am capable of taking on the many opportunities that lie before me, including still pursuing my nurse practitioner degree.

Throughout my life I have often found myself being challenged to do more, and to stretch myself beyond my own perceived abilities. I am thankful for every person who has inspired, challenged, and supported me along the way. I try to give back my encouraging others to believe in themselves, to see that they are capable of doing more, whether it is being a charge nurse, going back to school, or attaining the national certification for their nursing specialty.

Time is a cruel friend because she does not care what we are doing, what our plans are, or what obstacles we think are in our way. She will continue to march on without regard to whether or not we are ready. It is up to us to take the opportunities before us and move forward one step at a time. Success is a journey that is wrought with challenges and sometimes requires doing something that we don't think we are capable of.

Humans are amazing, and capable of so much more than they give themselves credit for. I challenge you to encourage, and inspire those around you, including yourself. I know you can do it. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2016.02.06

Western Governors University

It may have taken him 27 years, but Brett Ford of Charlotte, North Carolina, finally has his bachelor's degree—and the promotion he deserves that came along with it. And it all started when he saw his wife working on her dream of becoming a teacher. Juggling work, life, family, and school, together, they both became college graduates.

Brett Ford earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Transcription of video:

I have to get this out of the way. Everybody say cheese! [Takes selfie] I'll tag you all. [Laughter]

Hello, my name is Brett Ford, and first I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. I hope your trip here was pleasant, and you're having a wonderful time. I stand here before you as a WGU graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. I could talk to you about how many subnets and hosts you have to have on a slash 20 network. Or maybe some exciting group policy requirements while running Windows Server 2008. But I think I want you to stay awake.

I'd like to talk to you about some numbers that have some special meaning to me. If first number I'd like to talk about is 27. That's how many years it took me to get my college graduation. [Applause] I started community college in 1988 with the best of intentions. I had a long, beautiful head of hair, [Laughter] and three years later, with lots of class withdrawals, and 11 credits, I decided I was wasting my time.

The next number I'd like to talk to you about is 13. That's how many years my company offered education assistance before I actually used it. My wife was a licensed land surveyor for 17 years, but she was unfulfilled in her profession. She had always said she'd like to be a teacher someday, her mother was a 32 year-retired teacher.

In January of 2013, I was watching my wife in her second year in the teacher's college of WGU knock out class after class. I noticed the structure was on her terms and schedule. My wife was going after her dream, and I took a long look in the mirror. I enrolled in WGU in March of 2013. Remember, my life has no remote, you must get up and change it.

Twenty one is the next number that's pretty interesting. That's how many competency units I averaged per term in my two and a half year journey to the stage today. [Applause] I don't recommend that number to too many people, but my goal was to graduate with my wife. That's the beauty of the program that WGU offers. You can work at your pace, or you can work at my crazy pace. I'm also thinking I'm thinking of enrolling in master's program in the coming year for Security in Information Technology. [Applause]

Two is my favorite number to talk about. It's hard to tell me story without telling my wife's as well. Two means resolve, patience, and commitment to me. That's the number of WGU graduates that are in our household. I received a promotion from my company as a result of my path through WGU. And my lovely life, she's right out here somewhere she also received her goal. As of September the 13th, she is the newest math teacher at Olympic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. [Applause] Stand up, Madonna. Where you at, Madonna? [Applause]

All of us have a unique story to tell, and I urge you to share it. I can't tell you how many times my friends asked me about my courses, was it hard to do, could they do it? Were they too old? All of those things. Then they asked how did I balance everything? And you might be like me, and you had a family. And then you might even have a job. And then you decide to go back to school. Well, the beauty of WGU... [juggles three balls] you can juggle it all. [Applause] And I urge you, share your story, share your story. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2016.02.06

Western Governors University

When military spouse and veteran Sarah Aronack took over as Director of Nursing at a small rural hospital in Lower Alabama—a hospital that provided crucial services to a poverty-stricken community she had grown to love—the things she learned at WGU helped her rescue the hospital from losing its federal funding and shutting down.

Sarah Aronack earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Leadership and Management.

Transcription of video:

Imagine a community in a remote location whose primary access to hospital care is provided by a facility conveniently located within their own community, with the next closest option being over 20 miles away. For many of us, 20 miles might not seem like a very big deal, but then taking these other factors into consideration, it becomes one. The population of this community has 43 percent of their elderly living in poverty, 54 percent of their children living in poverty, which is further complicated by an illiteracy rate of over 32 percent. Any one of these factors can easily make 20 miles feel like 2,000 miles in an instant.

While these circumstances may seem foreign to you, something that might be happening in another country, I'm here to tell you, that this is taking place right now, in this country, and in my own backyard. Now contemplate the possibility that this same facility, serving this rural population for over 60 years, is on the verge of shutting down with very little notice 30 days' notice to be exact. Wouldn't it be amazing if you were an agent of change, empowered with the potential to assist in preventing this closure from happening?

I had that opportunity just a few short months ago, thanks to my education at Western Governors University. Essentially, WGU helped me to help a rural community save access to local, quality health care.

Being a veteran of the United States military, who served nearly a decade, I received a plethora of training that has been of use to me in my civilian life as well. After completing my service, I married a soldier who is now in his 18th year with the Army. We have made plenty of moves over the years, with the most recent being to the LA area. For most of you, LA is equated with living in California. In the Army, however, LA has a completely different meaning. For those of us living the Army aviation life it means Fort Rucker located in lower Alabama. [Laughter]

Having grown up in South Dakota, you would think I was accustom to rural living, but it did not prepare for life in LA. Now the people here are some of the kindest, most generous, hard working individuals I have ever met. Unfortunately, because of their rural location, there are few options, especially when it comes to their health care. Facilities are significant distances from one another, and specialty services are even farther from a community.

For example, if your child needs specialty pediatric care, you'll be required to transport them three hours to the nearest facility. Dealing with multiple socioeconomic challenges including living well below the poverty line, and having no access to quality local health care can be crippling for a family.

During the final semester of my masters in nursing leadership and management program at WGU, I closed the chapter of being a charge nurse in the emergency department. I pursued something more in line with what I had been studying. Initially, due to our rural location, and lack of facilities, I thought that finding a master's level position would be near impossible. What I quickly learned however, was that a significant number of jobs existed, but again, few options existed in health care for employers seeking a master prepared nurse.

I accepted a director of nursing position, with the previously mentioned facility, with the stipulation my MSN would be finished shortly after my employment started. I accepted the position because the CEO was passionate for the hospital, and for the community. I felt that even though I had more lucrative offers at other facilities, I could better be fulfilled in more important ways at this small community hospital, and an integral part of their stride toward positive changes.

Little did I know how much change would be needed. I immediately began working to improve processes and procedures within the facility because the hospital was at risk of losing federal funding. There was only a 30 day window to formulate, initiate, and implement corrective measures. For a small hospital whose patient base is largely covered by federal funds, this meant that our operations would completely cease, and the hospital would be shut down, leaving the community with no local hospital access.

The severity of the situation was not lost on me because I was a new employee. I actually found it more worrisome as it was my second day on the job when I found out this information, and I had already felt a connection and obligation to the community to succeed in my new role.

Ultimately the seeming impossible task was successfully completed by a small team I was part of, and proud to be a part of. The importance of this facility in the community was our universal driving force behind the hard work and determination that we put forth. On a personal level, I know without a doubt that my capstone project was based on and followed this rapid improvement process, helped to save this hospital.

The education I received in my master's program at WGU provided the knowledge base I needed to develop and implement a quality improvement process that continues to be used, and allows the hospital to remain compliant with federal regulations, fully accredited, and open for service.

WGU allowed this military veteran, military spouse, full time nurse, and mother of two boys under the age of five, not only to complete my master's degree, but to do so a year ahead of schedule. Without this school, not only would my education have been nearly impossible, but so would my ability to have successfully helped to save this rural hospital in a community that I have grown to love. For these reasons I will forever be thankful for all that WGU gave me and continues to give me, which is far more than just a simple diploma.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2016.07.16

Western Governors University

Right out of high school, Donna began a career with SkyWest Airlines and worked her way up to become the marketing director. When she was newly married, both her and her husband were laid off from their jobs in the same week. They settled in Cedar City, Utah, where she volunteered with the Shakespeare Festival for a year before being hired as their marketing director. Donna enjoyed career success but could only advance so far without a degree and with the encouragement of her employer, she enrolled in WGU’s business management degree program. In the middle of her studies she was diagnosed with cancer, but Donna wasn’t going to let that stand in her way of earning a degree. She continued on and entering her 3rd term at WGU was deemed cancer-free. Thanks to her degree she is now the Executive Director of the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service at Southern Utah University.

Donna Law earned her Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

It's an incredible honor to be here today and those of us who are up here selected to speak Amanda reminded me as you were coming in, she said we're representing all of you, and we're so honored to have that privilege, thank you. I'm grateful for the many people who have helped me get here. I've got friends and family over here, my mom and dad are watching online, hopefully, if Mom could make the link work. Got it, Mom? I'm grateful for my bosses, for their inspiration and encouragement; husband, friends, family who provided support all along the way.

I've been in the workplace for 38 years in sales, marketing, communications, management for both the for profit, and the non for profit sector. For a time, I led the marketing team for what is now the largest regional airline in the United States. I've held marketing, fundraising and executive positions with three different professional theater companies in three different states. I sit on a couple of boards and I'm certified to provide leadership training for arts organizations in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. And yet despite these successes, I still had a confidence void, and I found that I would avoid at all costs the question: What's your degree in? Or where did you go to college?

I attended my first semester of college right out of high school, began working for a small airline company. And working for that airline was much more thrilling than that first semester of college. The GE stuff, remember health? I'm old enough, we had health. Yeah, that one did it for me. I put my schooling on hold, and instead I pursued this career, traveled to some exotic locations, and as the company grew, so did my professional opportunities.

And for 13 years I enjoyed positions in customer service, I was a dispatcher that's the job where you get to tell pilots where to go. And ultimately in sales and marketing where I was the director of marketing again for this most successful regional airline. As the industry transitioned, the need for marketing personnel changed and my position was eliminated.

Now, at the time I had recently married, and coincidently enough, my husband's position was eliminated the very same week. We just built a home, landscaping was underway. I had deeply loved my airline career and honestly had never given thought to what else I might do. And a big question was: Now what?

Fortunately we'd built our home in Cedar City Utah, just 250 miles to the south, for those of you who come from other parts of the place, it's where the national parks are. Come visit any time. And it's home to the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. And thinking that would be a great place to work, I approached the managing director regarding employment and I was immediately offered a position... as volunteer. I, however, enthusiastically fulfilled my volunteer opportunities until the theater company had paid positions that matched my skill set.

I was hired full time in 1995 and grew through all of the marketing positions, building the marketing department for about ten years before further exploring fundraising and leadership opportunities with Shakespeare Festivals in Boise, Idaho, and Orlando, Florida. And after two years in Florida, and a few too many hurricane warnings, we returned to southern Utah where I was hired to help raise funds for a dynamic new $39 million arts center that just opened last week in Cedar City.

Throughout these various opportunities, though my lack of a college degree would come up in conversation, my work experience had always been recognized, valued, and been enough to get the job. It was bound to happen though, when I found myself in need of a college degree to be considered for new positions. My work with the Shakespeare Festival was a professional staff position with a really great, well respected, and accredited university. I'd had the opportunity to pursue a degree for years, at minimal, or even no cost. But time had always been the issue. Because of my work, I traveled a lot; I couldn't commit to class schedule. And inasmuch as I'd be starting from scratch, I couldn't see myself taking a course or two every semester and taking ten years to get a degree.

The path to my WGU business management degree was totally clear. I knew what courses I needed to complete, and with guidance from my fantastic student mentor, Michelle I saw you up there thank you! I was able to complete, 116 credits in 17 months. I was able to apply what I've learned throughout my career, and find that learning what I didn't know satisfying, rewarding, and even fun except for college algebra.

Great friends became patient tutors speaking of college algebra. I invested the recommended 20 hours a week study. I'd watched webinars in bathtubs, I've read e texts on airlines and in hotel rooms and taken exams whenever I felt ready, including lots of very early mornings in my pajamas with a Diet Coke.

Pursuing this degree at my pace and in my way became very important when I was diagnosed with breast cancer midway through my coursework. As you might imagine, I was stunned, I wasn't sure what this diagnosis would mean to my goal, and I wondered if I'd be able to continue. Not only could I continue, but I had extra determination to do so. The goal of a degree that was truly in sight kept me motivated and perhaps distracted from the cancer. I could study when I felt like doing so, and I knew that even though my body was fighting a foe, my mind was gaining strength that would get me through the challenge.

Surgery and radiation treatments were successful, and while the doctors call it remission, I considered myself cancer free just in time for the beginning of my third and final term, which I completed in just under five months. [Applause]

Remove barriers. That's what WGU has allowed me to do. What I appreciate the most is that the barrier of no degree will no longer prohibit me from accomplishing all that I'm capable of doing. I will no longer have that barrier impeding my self confidence, and I no longer have a barrier to advancement at work. In fact, because I progressed towards this degree at such a rapid pace, when an advancement came at my university, the job became mine along with a salary increase. And it's particularly pleasing to me to have Jackie Leavitt here today because in addition to serving as the Government Relations Director for Southern Utah University, I now also direct the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service at Southern Utah University. Give the governor my regards. [Applause]

Thanks WGU for being the right answer for me. Barriers continue to be eliminated and my learning needs and goals have been achieved for now. There's nothing I shouldn't look at you that way, should I? You'll think I'm going to sign up for a master's program. [Laughter] Thanks to WGU there's nothing to get in the way of being all I wish to be, and congratulations graduate, there's nothing getting in the way of our success.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2016.07.16

Western Governors University

"We are the hard workers. The problem solvers. We are the time managers and overachievers. We are the overcomers, up at dawners, never-give uppers. We are caretakers, moms, dads, daughters, sons. We’re brothers and sisters. We’re employers and workers. We are WGU."

Sarah married her high school sweetheart at the age of 18 and moved to New York City with plans of pursuing a career on Broadway while her husband went off to serve in the Navy. Soon after her arrival in the Big Apple, Sarah received news that she was expecting the couple’s first child. She faced struggles as a young mother and recalls the day they were completely out of formula and diapers, feeling hopeless with only 36 cents in their bank account. Determined to improve her situation, Sarah decided right then and there that it was time to pursue a college degree. After earning her bachelor’s degree in 2013, Sarah began working as a nurse in an addiction center with long-term plans of becoming a nurse educator. She enrolled in WGU’s M.S. Nursing – Education program the same year and now utilizes the skills she has obtained at WGU to help educate those she works with. This degree will help her achieve her dream of working as a nurse educator in the future.

Sarah Biermann earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Education degree.

Transcription of video:

To the honored guests, family, friends, and graduates of 2016, you have no idea how thrilled I am that this speech doesn't have to be written in APA format. [Laughter] Well, I guess you probably do.

I'm so honored to be speaking here today, and I hope to inspire all of you as you have inspired all of me. You see, even though I do not know you, I still feel like we're a family. What do you think of when you think of a typical college student? Do you think of a teenager or a young adult, single, childless? Do you think of someone who lives in a dorm or at home with their parents? These questions were really directed to the guests, family, and friends of the graduates. Because what makes all of us family, and not strangers is that we've had to overcome adversity to get here today.

Not the average college adversity, but more. We all have a bond, a shared understanding of how special and wonderful this moment at our graduation is today. What adversity did you have to overcome to get here today? I want you to imagine those things, to picture them in your mind, and despite all of those things, here you are today graduating.

My main adversity, what I picture is the number 36. When I was a child, I decided I would be a Broadway star. My life revolved around acting and singing and dancing. I was fairly talented, but what I lacked in talent I made up for in determination. No one and nothing was stopping me from achieving my dream. Not my family, not my boyfriend. My plans after high school were to move to New York and to see my name in lights.

So you're probably wondering why I'm here to accept my masters in nursing. As an idealistic 18 year old, I made a few interesting decisions the summer before I left for New York. One of them was to elope with my high school sweetheart, now husband, John. Why? Because I thought marriage would be fun. Marriage. Fun. [Laughter] Love you, honey.

After my wedding I did go to New York and I left my husband behind so that he could join the Navy. Shortly after I got to New York, I started to get very sick. I was throwing up constantly day and night, unable to keep any food down. I thought it was stress, I thought maybe it was the heat from the stage lights. But after a week or so of not being able to hold anything down, and being so weak I could barely walk, I went to the emergency room. The doctor informed me that I was pregnant with my now ten year old daughter, Anna, who is here today to see her mother graduate. Stand up, sweetie. This is for you. [Applause]

Being a teen mother was a grueling struggle. A stressful, confusing, emotional, climb uphill battle. There were family members who wouldn't even talk to me, some people blamed me for ruining my husband's life and mine. I was called named I can't even mention. I was a child, and was somehow expected to care for a child of my own. At one point when my daughter was a very small infant, we had run out of both diapers and formula. It was a Monday, and both my husband and I were to receive our measly paychecks on Friday, and we had $.36 in our bank account.

Thirty six is my adversity. I never, ever wanted to feel that hopelessness ever again. I heard on a TV show that only one percent of teen mothers graduate from college. I couldn't even find statistics on teen mothers graduating with their masters degrees. Overcoming my adversities has made me appreciate my degree so much more. I am so proud of myself, and that's such an amazing feeling. And I'm humbled to be surrounded by all of you because you're all so amazing to have gotten here. I know you had all to overcome multiple adversities to get here. Think about the people you've inspired and the examples you've set. Think about the lives you touch by living the example of determination.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross said, "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

We are the non traditional students who chose a non traditional education path. I've actually had people say to me, "Aren't you worried employers won't take your degree seriously because it was from some online school?" To those people I reply that not taking it seriously would only be the employer's loss. In a lot of ways, our degree speaks so much more about us than a traditional degree.

We are the hard workers, the problem solvers, we are the time managers and over achievers. We are the overcomers, up at dawners, never give uppers. We are caretakers, moms, dads, daughters and sons. We are brothers and sisters. We are employers and workers. We are WGU.

Never give up. Never give in. Keep that fire and determination and the future is unlimited. Congratulations class of 2016, let's do this!

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2017.02.11

Western Governors University

Eric Gardner earned his Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Transcription of video:

Hello. Now I'm thinking maybe I should've been third. [Laughter] All right. So today you have heard a lot of inspiring stories, some from our most amazing master's program graduates. However, I want to talk about something different. I want to talk about settling. Now that may not seem very inspirational, but we'll get there.

I'm the youngest of six, born to a woman who suffered from heart and lung disease. Sadly her deteriorating health left her unable to provide for us, so we relied solely on state assistance to cover utilities, food, and necessities. I quickly learned as a young child, not to expect the finer things in life. But my mother was smart and taught me an important lesson. She said, "Be content with what you have, if you don't, you'll always want more, and you'll never be satisfied." Or to put it another way, attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed that is.

I took this lesson to heart, and throughout my life I have been content and grateful to God for everything I've received. However, over time my perception shifted and I lost the ability to decipher between contentment and complacency. So life moved on. I enrolled in a local community college but my attendance was very inconsistent. I dropped out to work full time thinking that was better. I worked many jobs, but never had a career, most likely, due to my lack of college education.

So there I was, on the verge of turning 40, working at a dead end job, living in a dead end place with dead end prospects. However, all was not lost. During this time, I met the woman who would become my wife. As our relationship progressed, she questioned my current situation. [Laughter] God bless her. She asked why I didn't want more or desire more from life. I quietly explained my mother's philosophy of contentment. "I think you're confused," she said, "this isn't being content. This is settling." And I was really confused because I didn't think I was settling at all. I had a job, I had a roof over my head. But then she asked if I wanted any more out of life.

And while I was thinking about that, she looked at me, and said something I will never forget. She said, "Being content is settling for what you have because you cannot do any better. But settling is being content with what you have even when you can do better. I realized she was right, as she usually is. I could do better. I deserve better. But more importantly, she deserved better.

I was nervous and afraid of starting over. But then I remember something from my years in martial arts. Losing to an opponent is always acceptable, but losing to fear is not. So I made a decision. I would no longer simply be content with my life. But more importantly, I would never settle again.

I re-enrolled at my local community college and after the third semester on the dean's list I was surprised I still had not received an invitation to the honor's society, Phi Theta Kappa. I learned the college utilized a cumulative GPA, and was including grades from 30 years before, barring me from admissions. Many students who've given up at this point, accepted their fate, and moved on. But not me. I was done settling.

I got together with the deans of admission and pleaded my case. He was so impressed with my academic progress that he agreed to review their policy on acceptance conditions, effectively impacting change for potentially thousands of future students. And the following semester I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, and in 2012 I graduated with honors, receiving my Associates of Applied Sciences in Information Technology. [Applause]

Thank you for that. However, I was still not satisfied. I wanted more, I refused to settle. You see, it's like the glass, we all know the glass, right? The pessimist says the glass is empty. The optimist says, no, the glass is half-full. But a leader looks and says, "I'm gonna fill that glass." And I was gonna fill that glass.

In 2013, I discovered WGU and for the next two years I worked a full time job during the day, and labored over schoolwork by night. Very long nights. Ya'll know it. But it was very rewarding, thanks to great mentors like Robert [Inaudible]. He made it fantastic. I not only had to work hard, but I had to believe in myself. This is very important because you will find that confidence has the ability to feed each other. Or in other words, don't think you are, know you are.

Now, here I am today, graduating with a bachelor's degree and speaking to all of you. I couldn't be more excited if you couldn't tell. And my wife and mother couldn't be more proud. WGU has enabled me to progress from a dead end job to a job nearly doubling my salary as an IT specialist where I support four libraries in the Onslow County Public Library System in my home state of North Carolina. [Applause]

Clap for my wife, this is all her. [Applause] Where is my wife by the way? Wherever you are, Nancy, I love you. So, I will never forget the lessons I learned here at WGU. More important than that, the lesson that you don't have to be merely content with what you have, you don't have to settle with what you get. So, refusing to settle has allowed me to arrive at something I've been chasing my whole life, and something maybe you have too, and it's something I lovingly refer to as "the movie moment."

Now, in film, this is the moment, the last scene, next to the last scene, where the main character finally gets her defining moment, her moment of glory or his moment of glory, either one. Ferris Bueller, when he sings at the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Danny LaRusso when he wins the championship in The Karate Kid. And now me, someone who had a dead end job in a dead end place with dead end prospects, and yet is ending his movie with a great job, a great wife, a great life. Not only receiving my bachelor's degree in IT at the age of 45, but also the honor of addressing my fellow graduates as a speaker here at WGU's 2017 where are we commencement. [Laughter] Sorry about that. We're almost there.

I want to thank WGU because right here, right now, I am having my "movie moment," and it is amazing. Thank you. [Applause] And now you will soon have your moment and I encourage you to enjoy every second of it because that's what life is, it's a series of moments. But, while this may be the end of your movie, it is not the end of your story. Because while we all know that we love a great movie, what people really remember is great saga.

So, as you prepare to enter the last scene of your movie here, make that decision to make this more than a one shot success. Refuse to settle. Fill that glass. Grab your moment and create your own saga. So what are we waiting for, WGU graduates? Your movie is ending and the credits are rolling. Now let's get started on the sequel. Thank you.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2017.02.11

Western Governors University

WGU 2017 Winter Commencement Speaker William Porro.

William Porro earned his Master of Business Administration degree.

Transcription of video:

WGU President, Scott Pulsipher: Please join me now in welcoming to the lectern, William. [Applause]

William Porro: I want to first say it’s an honor to be here but before that I want to know who that 17-year old graduate is. [Laughter]. I’m going to find you today. So, congratulations.

To say that I’m surprised to even be here sharing the story would be an understatement. At 58, additional schooling almost deemed like an impossible feat, not to mention most impractical.

Consider for a moment, a working professional with 30 years of experience, a grandfather, married, and together with the same woman for 41 years, reaching for an MBA. [Applause]

Yeah, you can applaud that. You can applaud that. [Applause]

It seemed almost far-fetched. The reaction I most often got when I told somebody that I was studying to get my MBA was “Willie, Why?”

A new program that our city manager had created that would launch my WGU journey. This new program enabled an existing city employee to apply through a competitive process to become a management intern and be basically brought about through entire city departments to assist in different departments as a management intern. I immediately jumped at the chance but realized on of the selection criteria that you must have is an advanced degree.

“Wow” I thought to myself, “All of this experience and yet I’m not able to apply because of a degree.”

You see in many fields and sectors, especially government, local, state, federal, certain positions require an advanced degree just to even apply.

So, that’s my reason. What is yours?

I want to say hello to the Cubans in the house. Are there any Cubans here, by the way today? Oh, I see a couple of hands. Thank God. Thank God. Here’s another one.

So, if you’ve never seen or known what a Cuban looks like this is your chance. Okay. [Laughter]

On a cultural side, we are a unique people. Which coming from probably one of the poorest, largest nations in the Caribbean, whose national flag is a cross between Texas, where I graduated from in the United States.

So, we’re very proud people. Cubans can be under communist rule for over 60 years and still crack a joke at the most desperate of times. We drink probably one of the strongest forms of coffee known to man. In little baby tea set cups that if you were to spill it, it would strip the paint off of any painted surface. [Laughter]

To provide a backdrop to my family, allow me to tell you a little bit about my parents. My mother was a small-town girl from very little schooling. My father was orphaned at 15 and went on to become a very successful doctor. Years later when my family emigrated from Cuba, back in 1960, prior to Castro taking control of the country in 1959, we had to become, he had to become re-certified as a doctor again, learn a new language, all the while trying to keep our family afloat. He sold furniture, shoes, even worked as a mechanic while my older brother worked and my mom and my older sister did piece work for pennies during the evening.

So, it came at no surprise at the age of 13 I wanted to become a rock star. And I told my dad, “Dad I want to by a guitar” and he very cheerfully responded “son, that is awesome. Now go get a job and get, and get it for yourself.” [Laughter]

I’ve never stopped working since the age of 13. This lesson along with many others that have learned from my parents have been the foundation that action mixed with persistency breaks down the walls of doubt in your life.

I’ve spent the majority of my life working in financial services, more by destiny than by design. I have worked with for some of the most prestigious companies, private sector companies, such as American Express, Cigna, and Citibank.

For 13 years now I call the city of Miami my home. As assistant director, assisting low moderate income working families and small businesses prepare and get ahead. So, when I stop and think that I was being actually prepared for what I’m doing now. From working on the dark side, enticing customers to obtain credit cards, insurance products, and banking. I now teach city residents and small businesses how to be wise financial shoppers and get their financial house in order.

Which brings me to today. What prompted me to turn my MBA at WGU. After doing my homework I found that the coursework at WGU is second to none. Everything about each course has tested my competency to ensure that I understand the material. There are no shortcuts. Can I get an amen to that? Thought so.

The Assessment test one has to take to pass the course makes sure of that. We should be proud of the hard work each of us has put to earn his degree and now we must go out and not just do good work, but let’s do good.

Now with the MBA WGU offers me the opportunity to take advantage of my years of experience and having the advanced degree that is so desired in today’s marketplace. I’m glad to have achieved this milestone. I’m grateful to God for the opportunity and to my amazing wife, my two sons and their families. I also want to thank all the course mentors for their dedication to subject and my fabulous student mentor, Katie Walsh. If you are here somewhere, god bless you and I really do appreciate you allowing me to share this story.

Thank you very much.

[Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2017.07.15

Western Governors University

WGU 2017 Summer Commencement Speaker Kristen Gibson. Kristen Gibson earned her Master of Business Administration degree.

Transcription of video:

WGU President Scott Pulsipher: Now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Kristen Gibson, a master of business administration and Erin Bishop, a master of education in instructional design. Please join me in welcoming first Kristen to the lectern.

[applause]

Kristen Gibson: I'm definitely shorter than the doctor. Good morning everyone. Thank you all for having me today. So I have a question. Who here has ever been lost, raise your hand? Okay. Nearly everyone. Wives, if your husband refuses to raise his hand, raise both hands. Okay. Yeah, that's better. If you're anything like me, then you've already been lost two times today just getting to your seat. Hello, my name is Kristen Gibson and I get lost all of the time. I can get lost just about anywhere doing just about anything using Google maps, street signs, you name it. So it's no surprise to say at one point or am I felt a little lost in life. I've been working since I was 16 years old and like any teenager at first was a means to an end. I worked because I wanted to go to the movies and if my mother said with whose money, I wanted to say mine. In my early 20s I needed money for taco Tuesday and parking tickets. In my mid-20s my cousin Susan told me about WGU. She was a graduate and told me to check it out. I half-heartedly wrote it down on a piece of paper and true to lie life I lost it. I'd been working small jobs for years, but it just didn't feel right. It didn't fit the idea and the dream that I had for myself. At that point I knew that I was lost. I didn't know what to do or where to go. That's around the time I tapped into my personal compass. Some people call it the true north. Others can call it their true center. I didn't know a lot of variables at the time. I only knew how I wanted to feel, valued, happy, useful. And I used my personal compass to orient myself. Two years after my chat with Susan I miraculously found the paper and took a step in the right direction. So many of us had to explain what WGU was to our families, friends, and peers. It's an online school. Yes, it's accredited. Yes, the degree is real. No, I can't cheat. My life hasn't been traditional by any means. Working three jobs to put myself through undergrad, so why did my education have to be. It seemed pretty straightforward until the first time I had to take a proctored exam. What do you mean they'll be watching me the whole time? Wait. I have to put on pants. But for each of us in this room we made it work. Whether it was waking up at 5:00 am to get some studying in, staying up late while everyone else was asleep or printing out cohorts schedules and guides from work we made things happen. Whenever I did feel lost in a course I again used my personal compass who by now had a name and a face. My men Jeremy little.

[applause]

Life doesn't stop just because you're going to school and you're bound to get lost along the way, but I knew my mentor Jeremy would get on the phone and say hey, this is were you should be going. I found myself reassured as I progressed to a degree. By day I'm a travel coordinator. By night and sure he'd say I was Carmen San Diego, I'm always on the move. Between scuba diving a 100 feet under water through a Sunday Ken airplane or being hopelessly lost in France. With my mentor I was able to stay connected and keep up with my goals. When I started my job it was only a temporary position. I had no idea what the expectations were or where it could go. Because of WGU I was able to take what I learned in my degree program and turn a simple job into a stable career. Both the president and the CFO of my company quickly became impressed with my analytical skills and noticed that I was applying to my work what I was learning in school. I've since been promoted, given a supervisory role, a raise and asked to create an entire department around my individual position. It's the competence and the confidence I now have that has made me become invaluable to my company. I'm not lost the anymore because of this sense because of WGU. The compass can look different for everyone. It can be in the face of your child, the smile of a spouse, the knowing look of a parent or the support of a friend. Whatever your compass is, it all guided us to Western Governors University along our path to our true north and congratulations graduates, we did it.

[applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2017.10.21

Western Governors University

WGU Indiana graduate Heyde Mitchell spoke at the WGU 2017 regional commencement in Indianapolis.

Heye Mitchell earned her Master of Business Administration.

Transcription of video:

Heyde Mitchell: One in three women and one in four men are either in, or have been in an abusive relationship. Take a look around you and really take in what that means, and let me say it again: One in three women, and one in four men are either in, or have been in an abusive relationship.

During my 14 months with WGU, I have been beaten, yelled at, sleep deprived and shot at by my now ex husband, all while raising my two girls. I was being abused by my husband by every means necessary: Financially, verbally, emotionally, and physically. I wanted to be freed from this life. I explained to him, I was working on myself, and if he didn't start working on himself, he was gonna get left behind.

That's when I decided to go back to school, and chose WGU because of it being online. I could do my schooling first thing in the morning before my girls would even get up, so they didn't feel like I was taking time from them. I chose to get my MBA through WGU in hopes of a promotion at work. With that, I wanted to get done with the MBA as soon as I could.

Halfway through the degree I was on track to finish within 12 months. That's when my husband went further than he had ever gone and tried to kill me. He tried to shoot me. Not once, twice. The second time my husband tried to shoot me, he had been drinking all day. I asked him to go to bed because I knew if he hadn't, he was going to get angry.

He didn't listen. I had to take my two daughters away from him. I asked him to please go to bed and sleep it off while we drove around in the car for a while. The second attempt of coming back home, I told the kids to stay in the car while I checked in on their dad. There was a fight. I was able to push him onto our bed, and told him to go to sleep. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I don't love you, I don't care about you. I'm going to kill you."

He threw me over the bed, and I hit our dresser. He went running into our closet, grabbed the rifle, and pointed it at me. I pushed the rifle away, pushed him back into the closet. I ran out to the car with him following behind me. I got into the car, locked the doors. He put his foot under the car to stop me and said, "Now what, you gonna run over my foot?" I said, "Watch me." I ran over his foot and never looked back. [Applause]

This is when I knew I needed to end this relationship sooner rather than later. We had been married for 17 years and I knew this was not going to be an easy task. See, I'd been married to him since I was 18 years old. I needed to be independent for the first time in my life.

I finished up my MBA within 14 months, my mentor Amy, was with me every step of the way. I was going through an ugly divorce, and trying to go to school. Amy kept me going and kept me on pace by holding me accountable for the progress that I was making and did some hand holding when I was struggling.

On a Monday in February, I received notice that my divorce was final. Tuesday, I received notification from WGU that I had finished my MBA program. Wednesday, I received a promotion. [Applause]

WGU allowed me the flexibility and accountability needed for me to become a success story. The confidence that WGU has given me has allowed me to share my story and start a domestic violence awareness program at my place of employment with over 10,000 employees. [Applause]

We are all we are all success stories. Share yours and be a motivation as others are going through the same thing. Thank you. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2017.10.21

Western Governors University

WGU Indiana graduate Sean Copeland spoke at the WGU 2017 regional commencement in Indianapolis.

Sean Copeland earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Sean Copeland: Well, I told myself today that I wouldn't cry, and I also put a lot of extra deodorant on, and both have failed me. So, if opening by talking about bodily fluids isn't a winner, I don't know what is. My comments will be short, and bright. So you can thank me in advance for that.

I, like many of you, have had kind of an on again, off again relationship with education. In high school, I was valedictorian. In college I took the kind of "C's get degrees" approach. And eventually I was like, "No thanks, Tom Hanks," and I dropped out.

Well, unlike most, I was fortunate enough to find my way into a successful career, which I'm still employed. But I felt like I'd kind of shorted myself in some way by not completing a degree. And I feared that one day, not having that education would hinder me. And in fact, that day came. And shortly therefore, I started researching options. And the two barriers that I kept running into were time and expense. Reasons to not do something find you so easily. Particularly when it's something that requires work, something that can be hard.

So many online programs that were supposedly built for working adults, I mean, they still had extremely rigid schedules. And the cost led me to question the ROI. See, now that I'm a business graduate, I can just throw around terms like "ROI," right?

Then I started hearing about WGU and honestly, my first thought was, "Is that real?" Because it sounded too good to be true to me. And sometimes when something feels or seems too good to be true it can be hard to trust, hard to kind of lean into. But WGU brought two solutions to the two problems that I had, time and expense. So instead of "No thanks, Tom Hanks," I said, "Yes, please, Socrates," the solutions were there, and I just had to embrace them.

And the solution focus permeates this institution. A joke among my friends when I started every new term was, "Was this going to be the term that I tried out for the football team?" So we may not have the athletics to be proud of, but we have things like this to be proud of. I heard a story of a fellow student, she was really great. Great student. Wrote these awesome papers. And suddenly, I mean really pretty drastically her work began to slip. Just the papers were weird, like weirdly formatted and crazy grammatical errors.

And her mentor reached out and said, "What's going on? How can we help you?" Well turns out, this lady had just, in the snap of a finger, became a struggling single mom. Her husband walked out on her, and took the family laptop. And she had resorted to typing her papers on her iPhone. That kind of determination was in her. And the solution oriented institution from which we're graduating today, said, "How can we help her?" And as I understand it, Chancellor Barber said, "Let's send her a loaner laptop today so that she can complete her degree on time." And she did. [Applause]

Not only does having this degree empower me, but this solution oriented culture inspires me. I host a morning radio show on B105.7 here in Indianapolis. A shameless plug. You can turn that on in your car on the way home. And I have an agreement with my boss that was largely inspired by my time at WGU. I will not bring a problem to him unless I also bring a solution. And I try to embrace this concept in my personal relationships too. I mean, imagine if you brought this with your work, your marriage, any relationship. If you were just tossing out solutions all the time, people might like to spend more time with you as opposed to somebody who is just pointing out problems, right?

So consider that as you leave here today. Anybody can point out problems, but only top performers, and in the world of online education, only night owls can present adequate solutions.

So thanks to Chancellor Barber, her team. Thanks to my mentor, Rusty for being a great cheerleader. Thanks to my dog, Brady the golden doodle who was a wonderful classmate. I feel like that he should get a degree as well because he sat there with me during every class. And thank you I'm sure that we all have this person too, that we can think of today who, I heard someone put it this way, that we really should write their name in invisible ink on our diploma as well. So thank you to that person who has been and who continues to be, who I hope continues to be, my biggest fan.

Thank you so much for all of the times that you kept seeing me until I was big enough to see myself. And I love you a whole lot le bit. It's like a little bit, except a whole lot. Congratulations to my fellow graduates. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.02.10

Western Governors University

WGU graduate Natasha Pittman spoke at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Natasha Pittman earned her Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree.

Written version of speech from Natasha Pittman:

We did it.

This is the moment we’ve been working for.

Look around and relish in it.

We did it.

My name is Natasha Pittman, and I am a graduate of WGU’s College of Information Technology.

My true love for technology began in high school when I enrolled into an Office Specialist program.

As I learned to make everything from fancy publisher brochures to animated PowerPoints, I realized how much I loved making computers “do” things. I completed the program and went on to community college, where nearly every elective for my associate’s degree involved mastering a new software program.

Over the years, my software knowledge made me a valuable asset to employers, but I never associated what I did with IT. I thought IT was limited to the nuts and bolts of the computer and whatever magic happens when you press the power button. I don’t build computers with things, I build things with computers.

About 6 years ago, I came across a job opening for someone that was good at making computers do things and teaching others how to do the same.

Little did I know that my years of learning everything I could about computer applications was in preparation for my current career.

As the Software Specialist for Suwannee County Schools, I manage many of the programs used by the district, help faculty and staff with using those programs, and occasionally help with the nuts and bolts of IT, like installing projectors and terminating network cables.

I LOVE MY JOB.

A few years into my position, a certain question was asked one too many times that led to my pursuit at WGU. What is your degree in? My generic AA didn’t feel sufficient anymore. I found myself wishing I had earned a higher-level degree that better fit my career. I knew I brought valuable skills to the table, but I wanted a degree that validated those skills.

Why didn’t I have this piece of validation?

I couldn’t think of a good enough answer. No excuse was good enough. Yes, I already had my dream job, worked full time, had a family, and could think of a million reasons why I didn’t have the time.

However, none of those reasons were good enough.

After spending a few weeks comparing online colleges and their IT programs, I decided that WGU was a perfect fit and began the application process.

The challenges of going back to school commenced, with the first being an initial rejection from the program. I was told I needed more “IT” experience to qualify for admission.

I was devastated, but I wasn’t defeated.

I immediately started reformatting my resume to better show how my former duties were IT-related. I highlighted the number of years I had spent working with databases, building websites, and every responsibility that could be connected to the program.

I submitted my appeal, urging admissions to see my accomplishments and responsibilities that were “IT Experiences” in disguise.

WGU agreed, and my new adventure began.

Aside from the normal struggles of school while living a naturally chaotic life, I also taught a few night classes and started a makeup business on the side to offset the cost of student loans. And, to top it all off, I also suffered from thyroid autoimmune disease. Although I never took a term break, I struggled so much at times that I wondered if I’d ever finish. However, with treatment, encouragement from my support system, and a tenacious belief in myself, not only did I complete my program, but I was also honored to receive the Capstone Excellence Award for my work on Implementing a Learning Management System.

My studies at WGU not only allowed me to earn the validation I was looking for, but they also renewed my belief in the power of perseverance.

From program reject,

to award recipient,

graduate,

and honored with the opportunity to speak to all of you…

Amazing things happen when you don’t allow the struggle to be the end of your story.

After all of this, I want to tell you that my story is no more remarkable than yours.

Please raise your hand if you’ve experienced at least one struggle in this great accomplishment that made you wonder if you were ever going to make it?

I see a lot of hands.

You see. Every single one of you has a story. Each of you overcame some sort of hurdle or multiple struggles to get to this moment. The one constant among all of us is that we decided to believe in ourselves. It may have involved countless hours, mild nervous breakdowns, and encouragement from our support system, but achieving this very moment was ultimately up to us.

We decided that no excuse was good enough. We decided that we have it takes, and we did it.

You have all earned the right to share your story, and I want to challenge you to do exactly that.

By sharing our successes AND our struggles with whoever will listen, we may inspire others to strive for success without fearing the struggle. We may help them decide that they have what it takes.

I challenge you to use your own story to inspire others to believe in themselves.

No excuse is good enough. Don’t stop believin’.

Thank you.

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.02.10

Western Governors University

WGU graduate Rashaan Green spoke at the WGU Master's Commencement Ceremony in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Rashaan Green earned his Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree.

Written version of speech from Rashaan Green:

Good morning fellow graduates,

I am honored to be here with you all this morning as a proud second-time graduate of Western Governors University, you see my experience the first time around was so good that I decided to do it all over again and obtain a Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.

My higher education journey started off a little different than most people. I dropped out of high school in 9th grade and worked in restaurants as a dishwasher until I was 17. During this time, I had a life-changing experience. A senior dishwasher told me I was doing a good job and that if I kept it up I could one day be a senior dishwasher, just like him. Now with all due respect to those that work in the food and service industry, that just wasn’t what I had planned for my life.

Eventually, I started looking into a program called Job Corps, a vocational program administered by the United States Department of Labor for at-risk youth. I’ve always been good with computers, so I started looking at a Job Corps campus with a computer program. I found one in Laurel, Maryland that had a Computer Repair program and it just so happened that I had an aunt and an uncle who lived nearby. I reached out to them, shared my plans, and asked for their help.

I started at Job Corps in November of 2004 and finished with a trade in Computer Repair and a GED in May of 2005. I got my first job working at a Call Center doing data entry and then eventually got promoted to the IT department, which helped jumpstart my career. I would go on to work for companies like Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Apple, which are all great accomplishments considering where I came from, but something was still missing because I always seemed to do well at these companies but I was unable to advance due to not having a degree.

Throughout the years I made attempts to go to college but I just couldn’t find a format that worked for me. Finally, in November of 2011, after doing some research on a university that I heard about through a co-worker, I enrolled with Western Governors University.

In my first semester I passed eight courses. This allowed me to see that it was possible to obtain a college degree. Throughout my undergrad journey at WGU I faced several life events. Hardships such as being unemployed four different times, an eviction, and the death of my father 5 months before I graduated. I can’t stand here today and tell you that when these events happened that I didn’t want to take a break or just give up altogether because there were surely times that I did. What I can tell you is that I relied heavily on three main things to bring my focus back to my goals. I thought about my mother who has Lupus and who was also enrolled in college and working full time. I thought to myself that if she isn’t giving up, how can I? Secondly, I stayed actively engaged in the WGU Facebook group. I was able to read posts from other students who were going through difficulties or joys in their courses or life, whether it was them passing a class, graduating, or even failing a class and getting encouragement from other students. And last but not least, I wrote down every single goal I had in my notepad every day, sometimes multiple times a day, which allowed me to have tunnel vision and to see myself at the end of the tunnel achieving my goals.

Today I have two college degrees and almost every IT certification necessary to compete in my field. None of this would have been possible without WGU. I’m living proof that if you follow the platform and truly want it, you can achieve your goal of higher education at WGU.

Early last year I interviewed for a position with the NSA. My first interview was at a hiring event and I thought to myself, here I was a graduate of WGU sitting in a waiting area with other graduates from NYU, Columbia, Georgetown, and many other ivy league colleges from across the country. I was eventually offered two different jobs that I declined because when I told my current employer I was planning on leaving due to an offer from the NSA, they doubled the salary amount that I was being offered. It was at that moment that I realized there are no limitations on my degrees from WGU, just like there are no limitations on my life. I can stand next to a graduate from the best colleges in the world and have the same level of knowledge, if not better. I’ve learned through my experiences both in life and at WGU that if I put my mind to doing something, and I work hard for it, I can accomplish all things.

Thank you.

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.04.28

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Clint Cole spoke at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony in Seattle, Washington.

Clint Cole earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Clint Cole: We've arrived. [Cheers] Through obstacles, and challenges, and difficulties, we arrived. Let's take a second though and think about where the journey started. If you're like me, it didn't start when you sent in your application for admission. It started before that.

For me, I remember the exact moment that it started. I was standing on the side of the street next to a Greyhound bus saying goodbye to my wife and my kids. I wouldn't see them again for another two months. More than two months. When I got on the bus, it took me to my new job as a long-haul truck driver. And on the trip, I did something that I never let them see me do, I cried.

When my wife went into labor, I was 1,242 miles away. She lay in the hospital, and I couldn't be there for her. And I didn't just miss the big things that you know you'd miss. I missed the little things, too. I missed every trip to the beach. I missed the baseball games. I missed the music recitals. I missed those things that're not going to happen again.

And every day away from my family was pain. It couldn't go on. It couldn't go on like that. Sure, trucking did let me earn the kind of life that would support my family with what they deserved, but they deserved a dad, too. So I started to get my degree. And I got it the only way I could do it and continue to do my job was to do it online. And so I drove the truck 70 hours a week. And once I had enough experience, I started to train student drivers and after I finished driving my part, and I was training them how to drive their part, I'd sit in the passenger seat, and I'd read.

I read, and I studied, and I memorized. I remember I learned about the humanities while I was riding through West Texas. I learned statistics when I was stuck in traffic in Los Angeles. [Laughter] Right up there on I-5, I learned economics.

Through winding forests and up and down the sides of mountains, I got my education. It wasn't easy. There were times I wanted to give up or at least take some kind of a break. What else was I going to do? Look out the window? Every day that it took me to get my education was one less day that I could spend with my family. One less day that I could watch my kids grow. That's some powerful motivation.

So in two years, I earned my four-year degree. Inside a moving vehicle while working more than full-time. Every mile brought me that much closer to my goals. And I had a number of jobs I would have loved, but the number one job that I wanted was to be a commissioned officer in the Air Force. And the same month that I graduated and got my degree, the Air Force selected me for my commission. [Applause]

Thank you. Soon I'll begin that career of service to my country and to you. The last mille of that journey, that's done. I stand with you together now as we cross a momentous threshold. Before me sits teachers, and nurses, and masters of business, and information technology.

You've shown that you can complete the goals that you've set for yourself. None of us were handed this. It didn't come easy. We've all had our unique challenges. We've all had our unique obstacles. We've all had to work for it. So I understand you. I understand that you ask yourself constantly, "Why can't I be more? Why can't I do more? Why can't I give more back to my community and my country?"

We know that although that journey is done, we still have a long story to continue. And so now today, I have a new challenge for you. Find your next journey. Set your next goals and continue. Faculty, loved ones, and graduates, thank you. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.04.28

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Madhuri Vegaraju spoke at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement in Seattle, Washinton.

Madhuri Vegaraju earned her Bachelor of Science, Health Informatics degree.

Transcription of video:

Madhuri Vegaraju: Hello, everyone. How are you doing? [Cheers] Good afternoon, honorable guests, faculty members, family, friends, and fellow graduates. Congratulations, we did it. [Applause]

Looking back a few years, I believed I had the knowledge and skills to perform my job. I don't need a degree. I already have an exciting career and life. What would a certificate add? I was wrong. Let me tell you why.

After my associate's degree in electronics, I taught myself programming because I loved coding and got a job as a developer. I progressed well in my career and the current solutions that I'm currently building have a direct impact on healthcare delivery. And I'm very proud of that.

Although I noticed that in spite of my knowledge and skill, I was having difficulty communicating confidently and contributing during discussions. I realized working with my peers with higher degrees was stressing me out. I also felt my self-esteem and confidence gradually dwindling.

The lack of confidence started to impact the quality of work. That was a warning. I had two options. One, to just give up on me. Or two, take action to improve. I chose to improve. And so did you all.

I thought a degree may help getting back my confidence. So I started my search for online degrees and nothing was appealing. Either the schedule was very difficult to meet or very expensive that it would leave a huge hole in my bank account. I wasn't ready for that. That's when I learned about WGU through a Facebook ad. See, Facebook addiction is not so bad after all. [Laughter]

WGU's competency-based curriculum excited me. The option to set my own pace, my own schedule, and pay per term excited me. That's exactly what I wanted. I pursued health informatics degree program because it had the direct potential to help me perform better in my current job. Everything I learned through this program had real-world relevance to the job. And I think that's awesome. Seeing the value of the program, MCG Health, has decided to pay for my education in full. [Applause]

This newfound knowledge almost immediately helped me better cater to my business needs. And definitely brought back my confidence. This journey also helped me embrace writing. I never liked writing. Even writing an email was a very strenuous task for me. Thankfully this encouragement came with a lot of support from my mentors, who proofed my papers number of times and very patiently helped me improve. Thank you very much for that.

My oldest son used to review my papers occasionally. And now he says, "Your writing has improved quite a lot, Mom," and that is a proud moment. He's right there. And we both graduated in the same year. [Applause]

This degree not directly, but also gave me my most awaited promotion as a software architect, and I'm proud to say that I'm the first female architect at my company [Applause]

It wasn't easy, as you all know. We had all spent late nights. There were several obstacles, challenges, and frustrations along the way. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the faculty, and my colleagues who helped me through this journey. I want a special shout out to my two great mentors, student mentors, [Rainey Toulbert?] and [Rainey Smith?]. [Applause] And all my coach mentors who worked very hard for my success and supported me through this journey. It almost felt like I'm their only student. They were always available for me.

My family, my husband and my two wonderful boys, and my parents from India, are my greatest strength. They push me forward and supported me in all my craziness. Love you guys. [Applause] I'm sure my mom and dad are watching me live now from India. It's 3:00 a.m. in the morning. My colleagues and friends cheered me for my every little success and helped me keep move forward. Thank you very much for that.

What a journey this has been. I learned to work smart, not hard. I now know how to organize my priorities and get them all done effectively. This experience also taught me to focus on excellence and success is inevitable. I learned to face the challenges and by accepting them as opportunities, they help us grow. So accept the challenges more. I learned failure happens only when you do not learn from your mistakes. We all pushed a little harder to meet our goals. I, like many of you, learned the value of patience and persistence. Of course, watching Task Stream has taught us the patience and persistence of course.

What a feat it was to earn my bachelor's degree in two years all while performing my full-time demanding job, handling two demanding teenagers, helping an ambitious husband make movies as a hobby, and I'm still not done. I'm going to go for my master's very soon with WGU. [Applause]

In closing, good things come to those who believe. Better things come to those who are patient. Best things come to those who never give up. This is the best thing that happened to me and to us because we did not give up. Congratulations again. Keep rocking. Thank you. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.06.02

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Blanca Martinez spoke at WGU's Master's Commencement in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Blanca Martinez earned her Master of Arts Teaching, Elementary Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Blanca Martinez: Wow, there’s a lot of you up there. [Chuckles] Okay. Good morning, everyone. While I don't know any of your personally, I know that you all have your own stories to tell about how you got to graduation day. And I just want to take a second to thank you for listening to mine.

I don't know if you can tell, but I am naturally a really shy person. I knew that speaking in front of many of you was going to be a challenge for me. Yet I decided to go through with the application process anyway. I wanted to overcome this challenge, and I think that pretty much sums of the essence of me. I overcome challenges.

The birth – the first big challenge I explicitly remember occurred when I was six years old. My parents moved my sister and I from Mexico to Las Vegas for better job and educational opportunities. This was a huge culture shock for us. I remember crying every day in my first grade classroom because I didn’t understand what everyone was saying. I tried to speak to the other kids, but nobody understood me. It was like they were speaking another language, but my young mind couldn’t comprehend that they actually were.

My teachers made an effort to label everything around the room with a picture of the English and Spanish word for each item. They were so patient with me, and they took the time to really help me learn the language. As you can see, their efforts were successful, and within a few months, I remember receiving an award for learning to speak, read, and write English. They completely changed the path of my life, and I truly believe that without them, I wouldn’t be here today.

Now let’s fast forward a few years to challenge number two. I had acclimated well to American culture. I finished elementary school, moved onto junior high, and somehow survived the chaos of high school. This is when all of my friends began applying for colleges and talking about moving away. For me, this was not a possibility. Now my second challenge was not about money, although that was certainly a struggle.

My challenge was one that I had dealt with every single day behind closed doors because I knew that if people were to find out my secret, I would never be looked at the same way again. To this day, many of my mo-, friends do not know what I’m about to share with you today.

I have finally mustered up the courage to admit to everyone here that for many years, I was an undocumented immigrant. Why don't you have your license? Why can't you go to Europe for our senior trip? Why are you suddenly changing your educa-, your… major from Education to English when you're so close to graduating?

These were just some of the questions that can now be answered now that you know my secret. Because of this and for too long, I believed that my dream of becoming a teacher would have to be forgotten. As an update to that story, I stand in front of you today a proud U.S. citizen and a teacher. [Cheering and applause]

Thank you. In 2009, I received my bachelor’s degree from Nevada State College. I remember my mom sitting in the audience, her eyes filled with tears of joy as I walked across the stage. It was such an incredible feat for us as a family, and I remember thinking that at one day, I hope to my make my mom this proud of me again. If I would have known that only three years later, I wouldn’t have her anymore, I would have enrolled in this program much sooner.

Challenge number three was finding the motivation to enroll in a non-traditional teacher program after the grief that came with losing my mom. As you can see, I was able to do it, and even though she may not be physically here, I know right now, I am making her that proud again. [Cheering and applause]

Now my story ha-, does have a happy ending. A year after her death, I stumbled across a program that reignited my hope of becoming a teacher. The alternative route to licensure program with the Clark County School District gave the me opportunity to be in the classroom sooner rather than later. I currently teach second grade, and because of the structure of our grade level, I am the teacher of 55 rambunctious students.

We are considered a low-income school, where 100 percent of our students receive free breakfast, lunch, and supper. Many of our children come from broken homes and do not have good role models in their lives. Even as young as seven and eight years old, I have heard them make comments about not being sure they could graduate high school, because they want to go to work to help their parents make more money.

Now I know that this speech is being tape recorded, so I’d like to take this opportunity to send a message directly to our students at Pittman Elementary. I am up here today, facing my fear of public speaking in front of thousands of people, and I became extremely vulnerable by sharing my secrets, not just for myself, but to be an example for you. I want to show you that you absolutely can and should graduate. Nobody in my family had gone to college before me, and we did not have a lot of money. But when I… when I was your age. But what I did have was a very supportive family and teachers who cared about me and taught me the value of education. And we care about you. We believe in you. We know you can do it, and we will be there every step of the way to cheer you on.

Now to everyone here that is graduating today, I may not know you personally, but I know that you have surpassed your own set of challenges to achieve this goal, and I want to congratulate you. To all of the new and current teachers here, I want to close to – with a special message just for you.

When you find yourself struggling to get to a child because of their challenging behaviors, or because they aren’t understanding a concept, or because they don't understand the language, I want to leave you with the following quote from the ever-wise Magic Johnson. "All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them. Be that somebody for them, just like somebody’s were for you." Congratulations, Class of 2018. [Cheering and applause] And go Knights!

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.06.02

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Jerlenny Perez spoke at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jerlenny Perez earned her Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree.

Transcription of video:

Jerlenny Perez: I just wanna start off by saying that I love the camaraderie here. This is exactly why I love this school. Never felt like an online school. I feel like I've known you guys since I started day one. So, congratulations to us. [Applause]

Good afternoon graduates, WGU faculty, family, friends. Today, we celebrate a huge milestone in our lives that wouldn't be as sweet or in some cases even possible without your love and support.

Years ago my parents immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life. Today I stand in front of you as the first in my immediate family to hold a bachelor's degree. [Applause]

To Mami and Papi, without your unwavering support, this would not have been possible. I look so ugly when I cry. Wait. [Laughs] To my love, thank you for being the gasoline and jump-start to my battery for when I lose my drive. I have walked, talked, lived, and breathed nursing as my career choice, but anybody that can tell you some of the things that're most, most worthwhile do not come without some challenges to overcome.

At one point I almost threw in the towel when I was told by the director of another college, "Ms. Perez, maybe you should change your major. I don't think nursing is gonna happen for you in your lifetime." And after I initially walked away from school in tears, collected myself, I wiped my face, and I said, "Who does she think she is to diminish my dreams?" [Laughter] You know what? Challenge accepted. [Applause]

I graduated with my practical nursing certification in 2012 and in 2015, I graduated with my associate's degree. When it was time for me to return to school for my bachelor's, I needed a school that could work around my schedule, not the other way around. And Western Governors University educational approach was a perfect fit. It fit like a glove.

Shortly after I was paired with my program mentor, Tom, and we started on my journey to my bachelor's in October of 2016. I had a great start until May 12, 2017, when I received the call that my father was in the hospital. Once I arrived I was informed that my dad's life was practically hanging by a thread. For his last 12 hours, I stood by my father's bed in the intensive care unit. I watched as nurses, doctors, and surgeons worked relentlessly and did every human effort to save my father's life. But the injuries he sustained from a three-story fall in the accident were too great. And my dad flatlined, I kissed him goodbye.

A month later, a disgruntled ex-physician came to the hospital where I work and opened fire, killing a fellow physician while injuring numerous others. My emergency room worked tirelessly to save those injured and I am so proud to say that I work among some of the most talented nurses and doctors who prevented further loss of that -- further loss of life that day. Looking back at these two events, I came to a point where I felt lost.

For a while, I lost my purpose, I lost my fire, and the desire to complete the educational journey that I started with WGU. At times, I felt like I was drowning, but my weekly check-ins with Tom kept me afloat. The course instructors, and this is a special thanks to Dr. Sharon Brown and Amy Forbes - served as my life jacket at a time in my life where I felt like I could barely keep my head above water, much less breathe.

As time marched on, I immersed myself in my work in the emergency room. Patients and colleagues reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place, why I sacrificed sleep, missed holidays, parties, and get togethers with family and friends so that I could progress and help others.

At some point I also remembered the challenge that I accepted. How I can almost hear my father's voice in my ear telling me, "Jerlenny, no way did this family raise you to be someone who gives up." Toward the end of 2017, I was diagnosed with pneumonia and saw myself on the other end of the patient care experience. As someone who suffers from asthma, I had to rely on oxygen, IV antibiotics, and round-the-clock asthma treatments just to breathe.

While going through this, I realized what kind of nurse I wanna be. I wanna get all the education that I can from a university whose faculty believe in me, even when I didn't believe in myself and pushed me when I needed pushing. What also helped with this is the WGU Facebook community that made me feel like I was sitting next to each and every one of you who were cheering each other on.

Every graduate sitting here today has a vision for themselves. You enrolled in WGU because you wanted to be a better version of yourself, because the career opportunity a degree affords you will help you provide for your family, contribute to the workforce that makes our country great, and hopefully somehow in the process play your part in making the world a better place.

I'm not going to stand here and tell you that the sky is the limit if there's footprints on the moon, but do not ever let anybody's doubts limit your potential or stand in your path to making dreams a reality. You are the author to how your life is written. Do not relinquish that power to anybody else. Do not ever give that power up. [Applause]

Today is just one of many successful days to come. Armed with our education and experiences, we can push through any challenge thrown our way. Let your knowledge be the light that leads the way. Congratulations WGU graduates of 2018. Guess what, guys? We did it. [Applause] Thank you. [Cheering]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.08.18

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Latrivia Guinn spoke at the WGU Master's Commencement in Austin, Texas. Latrivia Guinn earned her Master of Science, Nursing - Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Dr. Steven E. Johnson: And now we have the real distinct privilege of hearing from two of you, two graduates. Joshua O'Nishea, Master of Science in Educational Leadership, and Latrivia Guinn, Master of Science in Nursing Education. Following their speeches, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Marni Baker Stein will confer your degrees. Please join me in welcoming the first to the lectern, Joshua.

Latrivia Guinn: Good morning class of 2018. I am honored and humbled to stand before you with this opportunity to speak to our graduating class. I have always dreamed of speaking, encouraging others, and motivating others and now I get to do just that. I'm very outgoing and I love to talk, so when they said I only had three to four minutes to speak, I struggled trying to decide what I could say that would be impactful.

I thought about discussing how I left home at the age of 14, dropped out of school at 16, got pregnant at the age of 17. Yes, I was on my way to becoming another statistic. But I decided I didn't want to continue down that path and started making some changes.

I'm sure we can all relate in one way or another, some failure or mistake or just the mere fact someone spoke negativity into your life and how that actually made you feel. You can also look back and remember, regardless of what was said or done, something deep down inside of you wanted more and you decided to keep going, to get up, and try it again.

Now, here I am, almost 40, married, a wife of 19 years with four children and a grandson. And I know what you're probably thinking, she doesn't look that old. [Chuckles] Yes, I am. I'm not that 18 year old, but I am thankful that I don't look like what I've been through.

What I can tell you is despite my past, I decided to go back to school at the age of 30 and graduate in 2012 with my LPN, in 2013 with my RN, in 2015 with my bachelors, now here in 2018, just completed my masters. [Applause]

And I am very excited. We all have made mistakes or had failures in our lives. But as I look around in this room with hundreds of people, I realize that one thing in common: We didn't quit. No matter the obstacles or the challenges we face.

I just recently moved to Texas a year ago last month. I got here right in time for Hurricane Harvey. How many of you were affected by Harvey or know someone affected by it? It has impacted so many lives physically, financially, and even mentally.

And while some of you may not have been affected by Harvey, I'm sure you have had to deal with some form of a hurricane in your life while completing your degree. It may have been the hurricane of divorce. The hurricane of death. It may have been some misfortune that affected you, that left you feeling hopeless, feeling like you want to quit and wondering if you can actually do this.

One thing that I've learned about Texans is that they really do stick together. [Cheers] [Applause] I was so hopeful because everybody helped each other, and they helped rebuild. They didn't give up. And look at you, you didn't give up either. You did not stop. Despite the difficulties you faced, you made a choice to get up and keep moving.

I mean, look at us, we kept going despite those task notifications saying "revision needed." [Chuckles] We have completed our share of Writing Center appointments. Oh, and let's not forget about our weekly calls with the student mentor. But I would like to say that I appreciate all the student and course mentors here at WGU. You have been a valuable support system in place to help us achieve our goals. [Applause]

So as we thing about our future, we have accomplished something great: Our master degree. This is just the beginning. We have come far, but we have far to go. We are going out to face the big old world and we're going to leave our mark. Become that author, entrepreneur, COO, director, owner; we are writing our own stories. This degree certifies that we are competent, confident, and competitive. We will persevere. We are resilient. We do not give up. So, on the count of three, if we can all just give ourselves a round of applause because we, the class of 2018 just did that. One, two, three! [Applause] [cheers]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.08.18

Western Governors University

WGU Graduate Taylor Crow spoke at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement in Austin, Texas. Taylor Crow earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Transcription of video:

Dr. Steven E. Johnson: And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates, two amongst you. They are Matthew Brimer, Bachelor of Science in IT Security. And Taylor Crow, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. [Cheers]

Taylor Crow: Good afternoon ya'll! Welcome faculty, distinguished guests, family, friends, and the most important welcome of all, welcome WGU graduates, class of 2018. [Applause]

We did it! It's okay, you can give a sigh of relief now. As I reflected on my time at WGU, one word stuck out to me the most: Motivation. By definition, motivation is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. However, to me, motivation represents so much more. To me, motivation was having parents who instilled a drive for good grades in me at an early age. My motivation was having grandparents who reminded me that to push through what seems impossible, and that this too shall pass.

Motivation was having friends who never give up on you, even when you feel like giving up on yourself. Motivation is having teachers who realized your worth long before you did, and didn't consider their job done until you realized it too.

To me, it was to be more than a statistic of single mothers who did not finish school. Motivation was ignoring all the people who told me I couldn't or wouldn't succeed. Motivation is putting all doubts and odds that were placed against me to rest. Motivation is working hard and dreaming bigger because from the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

And lastly, for those of you parents out there, my greatest motivation is and always will be the angel that was sent to be my daughter, [Asummry?]. [Applause] Sorry ya'll.

When I thought about all of the things in my life that motivated me to get to where I am today, it required me to think a lot about the challenges and obstacles I had to overcome to get here. And man, is that a long list. From a short period of homelessness to working two full time jobs and school, to sleepless nights filled with a baby crying and what seemed like an endless amount of homework assignments, I made it. And because just like you all, I'm not defined by my challenges, mistakes, poor choices, or misfortunes. I am defined by my ability to seek motivation on my darkest of days. I am defined by my ability to persevere through every obstacle placed in my path.

The way I see it, we have two choices. One, we give up or two, we muster up all our motivation and we decide to go always forward, never back.

I remember receiving my associate's degree from Lone Star College and having mixed emotions. Proud because I had finally done it, and yet concerned because what was next. I had a taste of what broadening my education could do for my future, and I wanted more.

It was then that I stumbled upon WGU and what their program had to offer. I stay "stumbled" but I know now that it was not by accident, but grand design. I was skeptical and self doubt consumed me. How would I pay for school? How would I find time to get my homework done with a hectic schedule? Could I really handle adding another thing to my plate? What if I fail? Is it worth it? The answer to all of those questions is to take one day at a time. One task at a time. One challenge at a time. And before you know it, there's enough challenges in your rearview mirror to give you hope for the road ahead.

This degree is a testimony to our ability to beat our failures, conquer our fears, and defeat our doubts. WGU is the epitome of not allowing your failures to halt your journey. Every single mentor I encountered, especially Amy Mayfield during my time at WGU motivated me to follow my dreams and execute each task before me with perseverance that I hope to one day pass along to my daughter.

I want to leave you with a question: What is your motivation and how are you going to stay motivated beyond your degree? What is going to motivate us to not be bound in bitterness from our past failures and mistakes, but instead tackle every day given to us as we enter this new stage of life?

Maybe your motivation is your children, a loved one, a good friend, or maybe it's the desire to utilize all those long hours of lesson planning, essays, APA format, and reference lists that we all love and are going to miss so much. [Chuckles] Whatever it is, I know one thing is for sure: We have come this far and there's nothing we cannot accomplish with our sheer motivation and downright stubborn will to succeed.

Therefore, I challenge you to channel your motivation and be confident that you can and you will achieve your wildest dreams with a little faith and a lot of coffee. [Chuckles] Thanks ya'll! Let's graduate! [Applause] [cheers]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.09.15

Western Governors University

September 15, 2018 WGU Regional Commencement at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitutional Hall in Washington, D.C. Jacqueline Becerra earned her Master of Science - Nursing, Management and Leadership degree.

Transcription of video:

Scott D. Pulsipher: Thank you, Ted. And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Jacqueline Becerra, from San Antonio, Texas, who is receiving her Master's in Nursing Leadership and Management. And Karla Ortiz Flores from Chicago, Illinois, who is receiving her Master's in Management and Leadership. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Jacqueline. [Applause]

Jacqueline Becerra: Wow. I just want you to turn around and tell your neighbor, you look amazing today. [Chuckles]

Wow, you know, it is an honor today, and I can confirm that we all share something in common we did it, and quitting was not an option, right? [Applause] So today, when our names are recognized and day becomes night, we have just created history. What an awesome place to create history today, right?

And like an open book, we are ready to move on to the next chapter of our professions. And so first and foremost, I want to thank God for making this happen. I want to thank my husband for being the backbone of my success, and I want to thank my family and friends that are here with me today to support and celebrate the accomplishment of today. Thank you. And I also want to thank you WGU for making it happen, right? I mean they are such an organized professional organization, and I really appreciate that from them. Amen.

I am honored here to share with you my personal life and my experience. I come from a single parent home, and in my tradition, women were to stay home. My mom struggled by being physically abused by my father. And mom's family persecuted her for that and said, "You need to stay with him. That's the way it is. You just got to be obedient to him." And so I also remember as a young girl sleeping in my grandmother's house, and feeling the cold, wooden I would sleep on the wooden floors and I would feel the cold air just coming up from the floor of outside of the house. And we had no options, so that was the choice that we had to live there and live through it because it was better than living out on the streets.

I watched my mom struggle two jobs just to keep my brother and I clothed, fed, and sheltered. And so that was really hard for me. Not enough food, not enough money for school clothes, and moving home to home, I can tell you really what poverty looks like, feels like, and tastes like. And so, my brother and I would even walk around the streets during the summer days and we would look for change on the floors and in the vending machines just to look for something to eat. You know, because my mom had to work. And so, in the summers, we had nothing to eat. So we would look for money, spare change, just to see what we can find enough to eat.

And so, I made a decision though that you know, I really never understand why these things happen to me as a child, but I know that it made me a stronger person, the person that I am today. And so, I made a decision a long time ago, not to let the negative experiences of life hold me back from who I am called to be. [Applause] Thank you.

I believe that life's circumstances should not limit one's thinking or making a difference in others' lives. I truly believe everyone has a story here today, whether it's negative or whether it's positive, whether it's weak, or whether it's strong. But it's all up to the person to decide how they're going to let it affect their life. And I, myself had moments of wanting to quit, but I knew it was not an option. It was hard, but quitting was not an option. It was frustrating. I had frustrating nights, but quitting was not an option.

But, because I did not choose to quit, I became passionate about the health care and non profit organizations to make a difference in people that are in need. And in my professional life as a nurse, I care for my patients, my co workers, my employees, my colleagues with fervent and equal compassionate care and love. And so I have been a nurse for 17 years. For four years I have been in a leadership role with Tenet Healthcare Corporation. And I'm grateful that Tenet Healthcare Corporation saw leadership capacity in me that they were willing to say that out of a 130,000 employees, I was the 20th employee that they selected to invest into my bachelor's and master's degree. [Applause]

Earning my degree at WGU has given me a steppingstone to continue into the administrative world of health care today. The courses at WGU have expanded my knowledge and understanding in terms of administration portion of my career. In addition to my career, I needed to be involved in my community and so for the last 12 years, my husband and I have worked with our organization called Hope and Life Centers. We have 155 centers worldwide. And these centers are where we coordinate food distribution and clothing distribution as well as teaching them sustainability in other foreign countries.

In these centers, the shelters that we provide are for victims of sex trafficking, starting from the ages of six all the way up. We rescue countless children. You hear so many stories about how they were rescued and how they were brought to the center. The center is an oasis of love, shelter, education, nutrition, and medical care. We also serve the organization by coaching and mentoring and empowering and providing emotional support for these children and young adults. [Applause]

We know the value of a college degree and our main focus is to create scholarship opportunities to ensure that the children have access for higher education. I am blessed, I am so blessed that I am now in a position where I can positively impact someone else's life, someone that is in need, someone that needs the coaching, someone that needs the mentoring. I will also continue to push forward in my career and my humanitarian efforts. I will help lead the way for those in need and above all, I will continue to become a better person for myself, for my family, and my community. Thank you again. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.09.15

Western Governors University

September 15, 2018 WGU Regional Commencement at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitutional Hall in Washington, D.C. Nicole Ibarra-Vogel earned her Bachelor of Arts, Special Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Scott D. Pulsipher: And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Danielle Smith from Yonkers, New York, who is receiving her Bachelor of Science and Information Technology Management, as well as Nicole Ibarra Vogel from Ashburn, Virginia, who is receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education.

Nicole Ibarra Vogel: Good afternoon, graduates and guests. We've all had the debate with ourselves at one point or another throughout our lives. Some of us have struggled trying to answer it, others are still trying to figure it out, while some have never had a doubt about it. The questions are simple, easy to understand, yet can take a lifetime to answer. What's my dream job? What do I want to do with my life? How do I want to leave my imprint on this world?

I struggled with these questions as I grew up, as many of you probably did too. A lawyer, a veterinarian, and a baker were only a few of the career choices I fiddled with as I went through grade school. But the one that just wouldn't go away was that I wanted to be a teacher.

Many people have had similar responses to this realization. "Why would you want to be a teacher? They don't get paid very well. Those kids are bigger than you." [Chuckles] These, along with a variety of other questions and comments are things a lot of educators have heard before. But this career isn't about the money, it isn't about knowing we have a solid 9 to 5 job. It's not even that we get a "whole summer off" which we all know isn't true.

I work in special education because I know I'm making a difference in a child's life. This career path is about knowing that the work I'm doing be it difficult or easy, is going to make a child's tomorrow better for them.

When I relocated to Virginia from Florida over six years ago, I applied for my first employee position in a school system. I was a paraprofessional that worked with students to develop important life skills. Skills such as paper shredding, book sorting, dishwashing and mail sorting; everyday skills that would help my students live a life of their own.

When I began the job, I knew I would never leave the field. I remember thinking to myself, "Yup, this is my passion, this is where I need to be." I'd been working in a variety of special education positions for over four years when I realized I wanted to do more for these students. I wanted to teach them. I wanted to help figure out which learning styles worked best for each specific student. Students who were my very own. But I couldn't do that with just an associate's degree. I needed to get a bachelor's degree.

This is when I found out about WGU from a very good friend of mine. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, not by any definition of that word. After being out of school for several years, I struggled to get back into that mentality. But once I got the hang of it, I was gone. Hit the ground running became my mantra for the next two and a half years. With a full time job, a part time job, a two hour minimum daily commute, seven to eight courses per term for a year and a half, and up to seven practices and state tests in the span of two months, it was definitely a lot of work.

I was tired. There were days I wanted to cry, or I just wanted to stop. Days when my anxiety had won. But I'm standing here in front of you with my fellow graduates to show you that hard work does pay off. [Applause]

Sometimes you see the results of hard work immediately, like the immediate gratification you experience when you see the result of an assessment. Other times, you're surprised by those results because you forgotten you ever put work into it.

As educators often do, I think about my former students. One student in particular sticks in my mind. When I think of her, I remember working tirelessly to help her study for an important social studies test. We worked together on this for several weeks. When her teacher returned the graded exam, she was ecstatic that she had passed with flying colors. She eventually graduated, left the school, and my life, but not my thoughts.

Since then, I have often wondered how she was doing. I am happy to announce that she is thriving in the real world. She is working and enjoying her job, attending classes at a local college, and is an independent and thriving member of society. It warms my heart to know that years later, she remembers all the hard work and effort we put into her grades to ensure she was keeping up with the rest of her classmates.

Because of the hard work that I put into my degree at WGU, I now have my own classroom where I know that I can help so many more students like her. I can be there to support them, help them learn, and allow them to thrive in ways I could never have imagined. I'm able to help my kindergarten class transition from being with their parents full time, to starting their educational journeys in school.

As a teacher, we have long hours, take our work home early, and stay late. We often find ourselves asking: Is it worth it? The answer is absolutely. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2018.11.03

Western Governors University

Saturday, November 3, 2018 WGU Commencement in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michelle Shaffer earned her Master of Science - Nursing, Education degree.

Transcription of video:

Dr. Allison Barber: Now we're going to hear from two of our student speakers, Michelle Shaffer and then Dion Brown. Please come share your journey with us.

Michelle Shaffer: Good morning. My name's Michelle Shaffer. It's amazing how moments in our lives define us. You think you know where you were going, then you have an experience and your whole outlook changes. These moments are composed of people who make all the difference in our lives, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share mine with you.

Like many of you, I have had many ups and downs to get where I am today. In May of 2010, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the age of 35, I faced my own mortality. This made me think about all of the things I had not yet done in my life. I had always wanted to take my father to see the sequoias in California, something he had talked about as long as I could remember.

So, I packed up my father, then 81 years old, and my children, and we drove 8,000 miles across the country. When we got back home I got back to reality. I thought about all of the things I had kept putting off. I thought about what I wanted people to say about me when I was gone. I didn't want to be known as the high school dropout who only attained a GED. With seven children in our blended family, one of the things that stood out was that I had never had the opportunity to go back to college and get my education. But after my diagnosis, I finally made the decision to pursue a degree.

I enrolled in classes and started just one week later. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted to wear scrubs to work. But oddly, I had no interest in being a nurse. To my surprise, while being treated for breast cancer during my first semester of school, the nurses inspired me with their amazing care. Filled with new hope, I left the hospital, and changed my major to nursing. In this moment, these nurses changed the course of my life.

While in my prerequisites for nursing, a fellow student asked if I could help her study. By the end of the course, word had spread that I had a way of explaining things and my study group had grown to several students. This is when I realized my true calling: Education.

In my first semester of nursing school, I was recommended to become a nursing peer tutor. It was this moment where I made the decision to combine my love for teaching and nursing and become a nursing educator.

I was first introduced to WGU when I saw their table and their adorable owl on the Ivy Tech campus. As I learned more about WGU, I knew I wanted to attend because of their flexibility, affordability, and above all, they came highly recommended. In addition, WGU allowed me to get my BSN along the way to getting my MSN.

At first, it was an adjustment to work independently on my studies and not have to leave my house to attend classes. But as time went on, I found my own routine. During my time at WGU I was still able to live my life. I saw two of my children graduate from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and become United States Marines. [Applause]

I finished three of my courses while in North Carolina awaiting the arrival of granddaughter number six. My schoolwork with WGU was flexible enough that I never had to put my life on hold to finish my degree.

To my husband, you are my rock, and I would not be in this moment without you. Thank you to my amazing children for never complaining about all of the cereal you ate for dinner. [Chuckles] And my seven granddaughters, I hope that you follow in my footsteps and follow your dreams. To my dad, and Mer, thank you for always believing in me. And to my program mentor, Shirley Wells, I know you're watching you are awesome. Thank you so much for believing in me, and believing that I would finish, even when I regularly procrastinated.

Thank you to my best friend, Misty for never giving up hope that I would become a nurse too. To my study groups and my student peers, thank you for believing in me, even when I didn't. And to all of my instructors and my co workers, some of which who were my instructors, and are now my co workers, thank you for supporting me through this journey, and could not have done it without your support.

Today, I stand before you cancer free. [Applause] Thank you. I'm graduating with a Master of Science in Nursing Education. I have been teaching since January. Because of a few nurses that changed my life, I have achieved the goal that I set for myself eight years ago. I no longer consider what I do to be work because I'm doing what I love. I am touching the lives of aspiring students, teaching them to become great nurses. My students will go on to touch the lives of their many patients, creating a ripple effect.

To those of you graduating today, I want you to take a moment, I want you to look around, soak all of this in. This is your moment. WGU has made this moment possible. This is the day that you graduate, and this is the moment that you are been working for. The only question is: How will this moment define you? Thank you. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.02.09

Western Governors University

Saturday, February 9, 2019 WGU Commencement in Orlando, Florida. Gussie Hopkins was a graduate speaker at the WGU Bachelor's Commencement. Gussie Hopkins earned a B.S. Business - IT Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Scott Pulsipher: Let's hear it one more time for Simon. Thank you so much. [Cheers and applause] Thank you for also living up to the power of your high expectations for yourself, and only being limited by that which you can imagine. It is so great to be among you.

We now will have the opportunity to actually hear from two of our graduates. First we'll hear from Gussie Hopkins, who is receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business IT Management from Buford, Georgia. After her, we will hear from D'Lynn Linger, who is receiving her Bachelor of Arts Educational Studies from Flagler, Colorado. Gussie, welcome. [Cheers and applause]

Gussie Hopkins: Good afternoon, graduates, friends, and family. My name is Gussie Hopkins, and I would like to speak to you today about your story, my story, and the why that drives them.

Every graduate present here today has a story that illustrates what it took to become successful and finally graduate. Well, my story took 16 years. [Laughter] And I wouldn't change any aspect of it because every hurdle that I overcame, showed me just how strong these little short legs of mine are. Thanks, Mom. [Laughter]

Through a glimpse of my story, hopefully you can see that we have some commonalities together in your story. Now, my degree journey started in 2002 when I graduated high school with academic and athletic scholarships. During my first semester, I found out that I would be blessed with our first son, Chris. So what this meant is that I would need to stop going to school because you gotta take care of your kid. That's kind of how it works. The law says so. [Laughter]

So, soon after his birth, I decided, and I was determined that I was going to finish school. So I enrolled at a community college. So, several times a week, I would load my newborn in a carry on the front of me, a book bag on my back, and a diaper bag on my shoulder for a 90 minute ride in Chicago winter. Now, let that sink in, okay? Anyone who has ever lived in or been to the windy city of Chicago during winter knows that Old Man Winter can care less about your hopes, your dreams, or your aspirations.

[Holler from audience member]

Obviously they know Chicago. [Laughter] So, after some time I realized, well, I gotta pay the bills. Kid gotta eat. So I had to stop going to school because I had to work to provide for Chris. This saddened me of course because I had this goal and I had to put it on the back burner, but for a good reason. So, what I realized is that I had to keep going though. But what I researched was the Women's Institute of Policy Research found that only 28 percent of single mothers graduate in six years. I decided that wasn't gonna be me. I didn't care what it took, or how long it took 16 years [Ahem] to graduate, I was going to do that because I had to set an example for our son.

Fast forward two years. The Lord decided to bless us with our second son, Caleb.

[Holler from audience member]

That was Caleb by the way. [Laughter] Though his birth was a blessing, we had some hard times that came during that time period. First thing first was we had not one, but two layoffs. How many know that no money coming in is a challenge? [Laughter] Number two, we had multiple health scares. We had surgeries, my dad got really sick, and just a lot of health things going on.

Number three, we relocated to Georgia. That was expensive. Our home in Chicago was foreclosed on because we could no longer afford it. Lastly, I could not afford to go to the school. I didn't have money to go to college. But, worst of all, we experienced two losses: The loss of my father, and the loss of my cousin who was more like a sister, who was only 33 years old. Well, it seemed like we just could not get a break, right?

Well, from outside looking in, one would look at our story and say, "Whoo, that's a lot of darkness, that's a lot of darkness." But guess what? Fortunately for our family, there was always an abundance of love and joy that outshined every ounce of darkness that was put in our path.

Well, I'll give you a couple of examples. First and foremost, in 2014 I met and married my best friend, Bernardo. I love you.

[Holler from audience member]

That's Bernardo. [Laughter] My mother and I ended up developing an amazing relationship because we had to learn how to bond together a lot more than what we were doing before because my dad was the mediator. So, these situations were presented, but they forced us to come together and be a tighter family. Also, our sons are excellent students, and they are Boy Scouts working toward their Eagle ranks. [Applause] Go Scouts! We are a Scouting family. Once a week at least, twice on Sundays. [Laughter]

I earned my certification in project management and I became gainfully employed, so eventually our finances were restored. Lastly, we bought a home in Georgia. So we set down, and we have now settled in Georgia and we absolutely

[Holler from audience member]

UGA fans, there it is, all right. [Laughter] But one thing I would say is that these experiences have taught me regardless of what's going on, you have to find the good in your situation. I challenge you to do the same. You'll smile more.

Now, even though things were looking up, I was still determined to get my bachelor's degree by any means necessary. So in June of 2015, I started my search and I was looking for colleges. And because time is short, we have to work. And because you have other things going on in a schedule, I had to go to an online university. So in that search, I ended up narrowing it down to three colleges. Now, of those three colleges there were two factors that became important. I had already had a lot of life experiences and I had been in my field for a while. So I wanted something that would allow me to take my competencies that I had already, and apply them. WGU, checkmark, right?

Also, I needed the flexibility where I could work at my own self pace, and not be penalized for it. WGU, checkmark. So with that being said, I chose WGU because everything I researched and reviewed, they had a very supportive staff which is absolutely important for you to be able to make it through that process. Thank you so much. [Cheers and applause] WGU's faculty and self paced environment allowed for me to have the structure that I needed. And it was instrumental in my ability to complete this chapter of my life. And for that, my family and I are forever thankful.

Now, my program mentor, Miranda... sorry, but I love you. She must have been tired of me because there were so many different things going on, but yet she was kind, and she was patient. And she pulled together whatever resources that WGU had to offer in order to assist me. For example, she linked me with a course mentor, Bruce in finance. Bruce helped me a lot, okay?

[Holler from audience member]

Yeah, see? Somebody else struggled in finance, okay? He had as many one on one sessions that I needed until I finally passed finance.

Now, this degree has absolutely unlocked some new potentials for me, and for that I'm absolutely thankful. So I'm currently a senior project manager back home in Georgia, and that came from the accomplishment of being able to tie in my certification with my degree and show not only am I competent, but I can handle your business and more.

If I can leave you with anything today, it would be these three things: Number one, do not measure yourself against society's standards or their timelines. Obviously 16 years, I just said forget the timeline, just kind of threw it out. But because of that, it allowed me to stay focus on what was important to me, and that was my family.

Number two, give yourself a break sometime or you'll run yourself into the ground literally. Number three, always, always, always remember your why. Why do you sacrifice? Why did you enroll into WGU in the first place? Why do you take the time and dedicate yourself to your goal, whatever that goal may be? That's the reason why you're here today. Congratulations and I wish you the best of luck.

[Cheers and applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.02.09

Western Governors University

Saturday, February 9, 2019 WGU Commencement in Orlando, Florida. Junne Lim was a graduate speaker at the WGU Master's Commencement. Junne Lim earned a Master of Business Administration degree.

I would now like to introduce our graduate speakers. They are: Jennifer Knaack, Master of Science, Nursing Leadership and Management from Becker, Minnesota. And Junne Lim, Master of Business Administration from Kissimmee, Florida. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Jennifer. [Applause]

Junne Lim: Surprise Mom and Dad! [Laughter] My parents didn't know they were actually attending my commencement ceremony today. They also didn't know I was pursuing my MBA. They live about 30 minutes away, so I told them, "Meet me at Disney. Dress nice. You're coming for a photo shoot." [Laughter] Hi, Mom and Dad! Say hi to the cameras. [Cheers and applause]

Very few people knew that I was working on a master's degree. My fiancé, Yasmina, was one of those who knew. I can't wait to marry you next month. [Cheers and applause] We spent countless hours in the library together, both of us taking classes. And I remember while I was working on financial accounting, she would ask me which of the shade of blue would match with coral/salmon/blush/pink bride's maid dress. [Laughter] I couldn't give her an answer, but luckily there have been no bridezilla moments. [Knocks on podium]

The second person who knew was my WGU program mentor, Stephanie Robinson. Stephanie, I know you're in Arizona right now, and I hope you're watching. But thank you so much for your guidance. Without your help, I don't think I would've been able to be here at this time. I know towards the end there, it kind of got difficult, but you kept me going, and kept me to persevere. I really felt supported during my time at WGU.

So why did I keep this a secret from so many people, even my parents? More than anything, I wanted to surprise them and make them proud. They're both very successful in their professions, and my challenges pale in comparison to theirs. Actually my family came from a little town called Bohol, Philippines. We didn't have much growing up. In fact, my mom had to work overseas for most of my childhood. We missed each other for eight years while she was in Saudi Arabia and the United States. She wanted to do this so me and my siblings can go to nicer schools and have a brighter future.

In a developing country, back then, our means of affordable communication were these small recorded cassette tapes. What I would've given to have Skype or Facetime back in the day. I remember we would receive these tapes in the mail, usually about a month after it was recorded. At the time, my dad, my sister, and I would huddle up in our rooms, hit "play" and listen to that radio to hear my mom's voice. We'd flip the cassette tape and listen to her some more. And at the end, we would also reply with our own recording. We'd hit "record," pretend she was in front of us, and talk to the radio. I actually don't know how she would understand those tapes because mostly it was just my sister and I arguing about what to say. [Chuckles] It was hard not to see her for those eight years. However, the plight of many immigrants was that they usually have to leave their families behind in search for a brighter future.

In the year 2000, my dad joined my mom and immigrated to the United States to also look for better job opportunities. At that time, my sister and I were entering high school and middle school. They wanted to keep sending us to these nicer schools so they wanted to work abroad so they could afford it. At that time, we were living with my grandparents and my uncles and aunts. Some of them are here today. Thank you for taking very good care of us. [Applause]

It wasn't long after that when my family was fortunate to migrate to the United States. We settled in a little town called Lakehurst, New Jersey. Because they prioritized education when I was a child, I was actually fortunate enough to graduate high school at the age of 16. I remember they had to drop me off to college every day because then I only had a learner's permit. [Laughter]

At the time, college was tiring. It was very expensive, and I hated being dropped off to school. I mean, we're in America now, I've made it, right? So I quit. I mean I've got mostly jobs that I've applied to, so I just stopped going to school. After a few years, I realized I really didn't make the most of my opportunities here in the land of opportunities. I felt like I've wasted away all my parents' sacrifice. I wanted a second chance at education, my key to unlocking real opportunities.

When we moved to Florida in 2007, I wanted to get into the health care field. I applied and got a job as a housekeeper. I've held many positions in health care since, and along the way, I was able to obtain my bachelor's in health service administration. I now currently manage a financial services team at a children's hospital called Nemours here in central Florida. [Applause]

I'm sharing my story because I wanted to share why I went back to school. In fact, I went to Google for advice about how best to share it. Google told me to say an inspirational quote, but then I got distracted by inspirational memes. [Laughter] So let me just leave you with this: To my fellow graduates, today, let's remember why we are here. Some of you may have earned your degree for your parents. Some of you may have done it for your spouse. Some of you may have done it for your children. Some of you may be doing it for yourselves. So here's to us, and here's to them, we've made it. Congratulations. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.04.27

Western Governors University

Saturday, April 27, 2019 WGU Commencement in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rayna Moore was a graduate speaker. Rayna Moore earned a Master of Arts, Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) degree.

WGU President Scott D. Pulsipher: That's really pretty good. Like who catches the early bird? The night owls. [Chuckles] Hey, Jay, you know it's never too late to finish that degree. I might know a university that could help you out. [Laughter] [applause]

Thank you again. And now we have the privilege from hearing from two of our graduates. They are: Rayna Moore, Master of Arts Teaching Science Education from Payne, Ohio. And, as you already heard, Angie Keilhauer, Bachelor of Science, Marketing Management from Nashville, Tennessee, who also sang our national anthem today. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Rayna. [Applause]

Rayna Moore: Life is full of choices. Like ice cream. You have to try many different flavors to see what you like. Some may like chocolate, peanut butter, and some may like lemon and blueberry parfait. Just like ice cream, I've tried many different career paths before finding what I was meant to be: A high school science teacher.

In 2008, I graduated from Wittenberg University with bachelor's degrees in theater and interdepartmental science. After graduating I worked in higher education, promotional marketing, and toured the world as a theatrical technician. When my husband and I married, I left life on the road and took a position in banking. But I always wanted to continue my education.

After my daughter was born, I quit that position to spend time at home with my baby, and finally get my master's in teaching. I was excited to finally utilize my science degree, work in a position where I could make a difference, and to make my mother proud by following her in her educator footsteps.

With baby at home, WGU's program was the perfect combination of affordability and flexibility. And less than 18 months later, I am so excited to receive my master's and become a certified science teacher. After this long, rocky road, I am finally confident that I am qualified for the best position for me.

In my final term at WGU, I was listening to the radio on my drive home after completing my second week of student teaching. The show's host was talking about some survey he had found that listed the top ten most useless things taught in school. He began to list: Photosynthesis, the Periodic Table, mitosis, the rock cycle, osmosis, parts of the atom. You can see how this was a little disheartening to someone who had almost completed an entire master's curriculum, and was almost a certified high school science teacher.

Well, this wasn't the first time that I'd heard something like this. It happened nearly every day in my freshman biology classes. "I will never, ever use this again in my whole life!" And, "Why are you making me learn this? I'm wasting my time!"

The following week, the class was completing a DNA mutations and codon fun sheet. "Fun," it was right there in the title, it must be true. My students started to understand the concepts and complete the fun sheet, and decipher the secret message at the end. And I was so proud of them and said, "Now don't you feel accomplished that you were able to go through all those steps to find the right answer?" Of course one student piped up, "What a waste of time!" And it hit me. I looked at her and I said, "How do you know you like chocolate ice cream?" She stared at me. I said, "Until you tried it, you had no idea that you would like it. And that's our job as teachers, to expose you to as many experiences as we can, so by the time you graduate, you have a sense of what you like, and don't like. So you're able to make informed decisions."

She said, "Well, I know I don't like this. I'm going to be a cosmetologist and do model's make up." So I told her, "It is good to know what you like, and it is just as good to know what you don't. You may want to be a cosmetologist. But don't you hope someone likes chemistry so much that they become the chemist that formulates the products that you'll use? And don't you hope somebody likes math so much that they'll become an architect to design your make up studio? And don't you hope somebody likes physics so much that they become an engineer and build a faster, safer airplane for you to jet off to Milan in? It is absolutely okay to not love everything. I'm just asking you to give other flavors of ice cream a chance."

This fall, I will begin my journey as a full fledged science educator, and I look forward to introducing new flavors into Ohio's bright, young minds. [Applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.06.08

Western Governors University

Saturday, June 8, 2019 WGU Commencement in Anaheim, California. Kathleen Satumbaga was a graduate speaker. Kathleen Satumbaga earned a Master of Science, Nursing - Leadership and Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Spencer Stewart: And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Kathleen Satumbaga, Master of Science Nursing Leadership and Management from San Antonio, Texas. And Salomon Torrescano [cheers] yes, Master of Business Administration Healthcare Management, right here from Palm Springs, California. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Kathleen. [Applause]

Kathleen Satumbaga: Okay. I was not the first person in my family to obtain a master's degree. My father has his master's degree in engineering. Growing up, he always emphasized the power of education to give us opportunities that match our talent.

When I was just five years old, my family and I migrated to America from the Philippines. At the time, I did not understand the magnitude of the change. I just remember I didn't speak a word of English, and everything sounded like gibberish. But the impact was so much bigger than that. We went from having little to no possibility of personal or professional growth, to an endless amount of opportunities.

It was not until I was older that I realized that my father pursuing his education provided me freedom. That the reason he pushed me educationally was because it positioned our family to move to America. To my parents, education completely changed our lives. My father has always said, "Knowledge can never be taken away from us. Jobs and people may come and go, but no one can take away what we've learned and achieved." [Applause]

I initially wanted to finish my degree in one year, but it turned out to be a lot tougher than I thought. For one thing, I bought my first home which flooded immediately after we moved in. So my family and I were displaced, living in a hotel while I was trying to finish my term at WGU. I have vivid memories of sitting in the hotel lobby at 3 a.m., feeling broken down and wondering how I would pull this off.

On top of that, I started a new relationship and anyone who has done that knows how much time and energy that can take. Turns out, he ended up being my biggest supporter and played a huge role in my journey.

Hardest of all, my grandmother passed away, so I had to go back to the Philippines right in the middle of a term. I remember writing a paper on the 14 hour plane ride, just holding back the tears. In the end, it took me longer than a year, but I did it. And with all that life threw at me, I'm not sure I could've done it with any other school.

WGU exceeded all my expectations. Though it's online I never felt that I was alone. My program mentor, Jenny is she here? [Applause] Course instructors, the WGU Writing Center, the library were always there when I needed them. They were always available via phone call, email or text. I never felt that the goal was unattainable, and I never felt that I did not have the tools necessary to finish.

This degree has already opened doors for my career that I did not know existed. When my employer found out that I was pursuing my master's degree, they promoted me to team lead at the age of 27, and encouraged me to continue on to higher management, and now, even with greater opportunities still at reach. My ultimate goal is to be either a COO, or a CNO one day. And with my MSN, the possibilities seem endless. [Applause]

In fact, I now feel like I have so much opportunities, I kind of wish I could take a course on deciding where to go next. [Laughter]

Best of all, this degree has helped me realize my parents' dream for me: An education, opportunities, and the freedom to pursue my dreams. And I know this is what all of our degrees can do for us. They will help us go in the direction of our dreams confidently.

I am honored to be standing in front of you today and to be surrounded by people who did not give up on those dreams. Mom, thank you for standing behind my dad while he pursued his education. Behind every smart man is a smart woman, and I'm blessed to have you lead by example. [Applause]

So congratulations to all the night owls out there, I know your journey was demanding, tough, and full of sacrifices. We did it for our families, our patience, our careers, and most of all, ourselves. Good luck to all and congratulations again. [Cheers and applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.06.08

Western Governors University

Saturday, June 8, 2019 WGU Commencement in Anaheim, California. Salomon Torrescano was a graduate speaker. Salomon Torrescano earned a Master of Business Administration, Healthcare Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Spencer Stewart: And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Kathleen Satumbaga, Master of Science Nursing Leadership and Management from San Antonio, Texas. And Salomon Torrescano [cheers] yes, Master of Business Administration Healthcare Management, right here from Palm Springs, California. [Applause]

Salomon Torrescano: Good morning everyone. There's so many of you. [Chuckles] Let me start off by saying that I never thought I would be standing here today. Like many of you, there were many days that I thought I would never make it to this point. But with hope and perseverance, and the support of so many, I was able to get past many difficult moments.

Hope and perseverance are why I decided to share my story with all of you. The thought of opening up so publicly about my life was really nerve wracking and filled with second thoughts. In those times of doubt, I remembered the words of my friend, Jay, "All of us have a story worth sharing, you never know who you may touch."

My story began in 1986 in a barrio of East Los Angeles, California. I was born to a beautiful, hard working Mexican immigrant woman who at the time hardly spoke a word of English. Despite being a single mom, she always gave me enough love for two. She worked hard to give me her all, and I'm forever grateful.

In my early teenage years I realized that I was different from many of my friends. I couldn't really put my finger on it until I saw an episode of "The Maury Povich Show." [Laughter] And no, I didn't get a paternity test. [Chuckles]

The episode was about a guy who came out to his parents as gay. When he told his parents, they gave him a hug and accepted him. Seeing this made me realize that I wanted that. I want the most important woman in my life to accept me for who I am. So I figured I would tell my mom. My reasoning was that she would react just like that guy's parents did on the show.

Well, it didn't quite work out that way for me. I came out to my mom at the age of 13. Unfortunately, she was not as open as she is today, and I was completely heartbroken. This caused many arguments between us, my life turned completely upside down, and I spiraled into self destructive behavior, eventually landing in the foster care system.

While I was in the system, I bounced around between different homes, group homes, and institutions. Being in foster care was a mixed bag of good and bad experiences. By the age of 15, I had developed a substance abuse problem, and hit my lowest point. Around this time I found the support that I was missing through my two counselors, best friends, and mentors: Bob and Orlando; two of the most wonderful people I know.

With their help, I emancipated from the foster care system, got clean and sober, and was able to start fresh. They encouraged me to pursue a career in health care leadership, which eventually brought me to WGU.

As a working student, WGU's flexible model allowed me to succeed. The support of my mentors Michelle and Christina helped me throughout the whole process. Without them, I don't know if I would've made it this far.

I'm grateful for WGU. This is now my second degree with the university, and I've found that from my mentors, my course instructors, pretty much everyone at WGU has supported me.

Throughout my journey, the importance of support has been instrumental and given me the confidence to change my life. I have even felt the support of love once more no longer with us, such as my friend Jay.

I met Jay in my teens while I was in foster care. He was a kind spirit, always encouraging me to speak up and believe in myself. Unfortunately, he wasn't as lucky as I was and didn't make it past his addiction. I know he kept an eye out for me, and helped put me on the path that led me here today.

Today, things are very different. My mother has grown to accept me for who I am. She still struggles, but I believe the love of her son has allowed her to move past that. [Applause]

She's actually here with us today. Where is she? Hello, Mama. [Applause] There she is. [Chuckles] She knew I was graduating but didn't know I was actually going to speak today, much less what I was going to say, so I may be in trouble after this, I'm not sure. [Laughter] And she definitely understands now, so.

Bob and Orlando, my partner Fabio, and several close friends are also here today. Whether you can relate to the depth of my story or not, we've all had our struggles. But we have also seen the fruit of our hope and perseverance. I enrolled in WGU because I want to make a difference. I want to make a difference in someone's life as others have done for me.

As we celebrate today, let us remember how we got here. Let us reaffirm why we did it. And finally, let's aim to make a difference. You never how your life may impact another's no matter how small you think your action is.

One thing that I want to say to you as we move on to the next stage of our lives is this: You are worth it. Never give up. Always have hope. And pay it forward. You are the difference that can change the world. Congratulations on graduating today, class of 2019, it's an honor. [Cheers and applause]

Today is your day so thank you everyone. [Cheers and applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.08.03

Western Governors University

WGU Commencement in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 3, 2019. Codie Sprinkle earned her Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Transcription of video:

Scott D. Pulsipher: Thank you so much, Ken, for those inspiring words. And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Veronica Etier, Bachelor of Science, Business Management from Mercer Island, Washington. As well as she will be followed by Codie Sprinkle, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies from Mary, North Carolina. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Veronica. [Applause]

Codie Sprinkle: My educational journey started a long time ago, when I saw those two pink lines telling me I was expecting my first child. I was 20, looking at the world with fresh eyes. And although she was planned, my future was not. I was living in an overpriced two bedroom apartment with my then husband, and our roommate, and I knew I had to do better for my daughter. I wanted her to have a strong female role model, and someone that she could be proud of.

So I enrolled in a medical program that was only concerned with money, following in the CNA footsteps of pretty much everyone in my family. There was no weekly phone calls, no check ins, no support, nothing remotely close to the WGU experience. After my daughter was born, I was consumed with her safety. I dropped the medical program and the college, and I told myself that I would follow her throughout her educational journey and keep my hands in the entire process.

So I went on the hunt for a decent school to achieve my goal and that's when I stumbled upon WGU and witnessed first hand their dedication to their students and education wise, WGU was the best decision I ever made. Every week my mentor support constantly reconfirmed that decision. I looked at my degree plan thinking, "I will never get through this. I will never finish this. No one in my family has ever earned a degree. How could I possibly do this?" I've never been a quitter and I've always been headstrong and goal oriented, and some would even say stubborn.

I made a promise to myself that I would finish my bachelor's degree, that I would show my daughter that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything. And little did I know that would be the hardest promise I would ever have to keep. Fast forward a few years later, we were expecting our second child. And even though we had planned him, my then husband and I were not on the same page anymore. I was two months pregnant and homeless with my four year old daughter. We bounced around from couch to couch, but nothing was permanent to call our home.

I had completed my assignments on my cell phone, testing at family's houses, using their Wi Fi, and the entire time my mentor was there pushing me to succeed. Around seven months pregnant I reconnected with an old friend that I had met in grade school. He was my knight in shining armor, and he was a godsend, my biggest cheerleader, supporting me every step of the way. Together, we worked hard to buy our land, and put down a down payment on our own home. All of this while maintaining on time progress.

Three years and three kids later we were expecting our fourth child. She was due in August, and my demonstration teaching was starting in September, the last thing on my to do list. I had finally made it to the end of the degree plan. However, on August 5th, one day before our wedding anniversary, six days before our daughter was born, and a month before my demonstrative teaching was to start, my husband and I stood there in desperation as we watched everything we worked so hard for go up in flames in a matter of 27 minutes.

But even with all of this, I kept my head in the curriculum, pushing forward with my husband and my mentor's support. The following month I prepared for my demonstrative teaching to start, only to hit yet another roadblock. This one causing me to enter term break and reschedule my demonstrative teaching until January. My husband and I got the devastating news that our two year old son had to have brain surgery for Arnold Chiari Malformation.

During term break we nursed our son back to health, and bought our new home and settled back in on Christmas Eve. January, 2018, I started my demonstrative teaching and I knew that I had made the right choice. I was in the homestretch when March rolled around, and everything seemed to be falling into place. That was, until I got the phone call that no one wants to get.

My step mother, one of the most amazing women who raised me, was about to be removed from life support. Her battle with cancer was over. I held her hand and sang to her, and the next day she passed away. The day after she passed away, I returned to school and found my desk covered in handmade cards. They were all wishing me peace through all of this. My students didn't know anything about me other than what they had seen for the last three months, but our bond was very clear. That was the moment that I realized that I wasn't just proving to my kids that you can achieve anything through hard work and dedication, I was proving it to my students as well.

Throughout this journey, it's been very clear that God was there giving me the support and resources I needed to push through my hardships. Because of Him, I'm able to stand there today with my head held high stand here today, not there graduating from the best school ever. And none of it would've been remotely possible about God, my husband, my family that loaned out their Wi Fi, and the support of WGU.

Because of the WGU curriculum, I'm able to walk into any school prepared to do my job to the fullest extent. And I'm also able to take on my master's program this month, confident to see it through and achieve yet another goal. And I just wanted to say that every one of ya'll should be very proud because this is a very hard accomplishment, and we are really frickin' awesome. So, good job 2019! [Cheers and applause]

Western Governors University

Commencement Video

MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)

2019.08.03

Western Governors University

WGU Commencement in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 3, 2019. Veronica Etier earned her Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree.

Transcription of video:

Scott D. Pulsipher: Thank you so much, Ken, for those inspiring words. And now we have the privilege of hearing from two graduates. They are Veronica Etier, Bachelor of Science, Business Management from Mercer Island, Washington. As well as she will be followed by Codie Sprinkle, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies from Mary, North Carolina. Please join me in welcoming first to the lectern, Veronica. [Applause]

Veronica Etier: Thank you. Robert Frost, one of my favorite poets said, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned in life. It goes on." Life does go on regardless of the cards that we're dealt. It's how we play them that matters. The events in my life that have had the most profound emotional effect on me have made me the person that I am today.

I'm happy with who I am, but I'm also always trying to strive to be better. With the support of the Mary Graham Children's Foundation, and WGU's Women in Leadership scholarship, I have earned my Bachelors of Science in Business Management through Western Governors University.

Mary Graham holds a very special place in my heart and has been a big part of my life. I've been part of the organization since before I was three, and until I aged out of the system at 18. Throughout my childhood, I was bounced back and forth from foster homes and Mary Graham home. All of my belongings put into a trash bag. Sleeping in someone else's sheets, eating someone else's food, staying in their house, rarely feeling comfortable enough to call anywhere home.

My mom and dad weren't there to show me how to ride a bike, to make sure that I did my homework, to teach me how to drive, or get ready for prom. I was often very angry and got into a lot of fights. I was even expelled by eighth grade. My social workers thought I was going to be a lawyer because I wanted to sue everyone in the foster care system. [Chuckles]

When you grow up in foster care, you don't receive the guidance and support from parents and family. When 18 hits, you're on your own. There is no back up plan, there is no safety net. At 18, I was not ready to be on my own, but I didn't have a choice. And a week later, I gave birth to my son, and felt love for the first time in my life. At 21, I had my second son, and two weeks later I took in my brother and sister who were six and eight because I didn't want them to grow up in foster care the way that I did.

I made mistakes, but I did what I thought was best at the time with the resources that I had available to me, and we all survived. My little brother even has a baby of his own now. It's crazy to look back on my childhood and then to look at my children now. They mean the world to me and there's nothing that I wouldn't do for them. My youngest, Jaden, will be a sophomore in high school this year and my oldest son, Roosevelt, is a pilot and he's going to college in 19 days to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. [Applause]

Over the years, I tried several times to go back to school for a degree. But being a single parent of four kids with no support system, a degree seemed just out of reach. In 2016, I was talking to my boss,