HAGERSTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Purdue University Global, a public nonprofit online institution of higher education, conferred degrees for 350 graduates on December 2 in Hagerstown, Md., recognizing them for their academic achievements and celebrating their success.
Purdue University Global became Maryland’s newest public institution of higher education earlier this year when Purdue University acquired Kaplan University. This expanded Purdue’s land-grant mission by providing access to innovative and practical higher education for millions of working adults, personalized to their needs. More than 9,000 Purdue University Global students earned degrees this year with about 2,000 graduates attending nine ceremonies held around the country.
In Hagerstown, Dr. Betty Vandenbosch, chancellor of Purdue University Global, conferred the degrees to graduates who travelled from as far away as Uganda and Lebanon to attend the ceremony, which was broadcast on Facebook Live for family and friends around the world.
“Today, you’re crossing one finish line and setting your sights on starting the next stage of your life’s journey,” she told graduates. “Each of you had a unique path to today that shaped who you were in the classroom, and who you will be in the workforce.”
Vandenbosch noted that a little more than 42 percent of the Purdue University Global student body is the first in their family in higher education, and that more than 67 percent have a child or other dependent.
Randall Bittinger, one of the student speakers at the ceremony, is a 30-year veteran with Fairfax (Va.) County Fire and Rescue Department who received a promotion to battalion chief as a result of earning his Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management.
Speaking about his online educational experience, Bittinger noted the value of networking with fellow students from around the world. “I have studied with professionals in numerous careers and different generations. Each student brought with them their own experiences, challenges and support. My fellow classmates ranged from 20-somethings to retired members of the community seeking a second career. There were individuals employed by public and private organizations as well as the United States military. The students also were a cross section of the world, bringing a cultural melting pot to the class. I was humbled and proud to hear of the unique experiences that everyone shared throughout our discussions.”
Bittinger said he plans to continue his education to earn his Master’s degree and hopes to return one day to join the faculty.
Graduate and undergraduate degrees were awarded from the schools of Business and Information Technology, Education, Health Sciences, Nursing, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
About Purdue Global
Purdue University Global is the extreme personalization online university, providing students the competitive edge to advance in their chosen careers. It offers a hyper-tailored path for students to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations — no matter where they are in their life journey.
Purdue Global serves approximately 29,000 students, most of whom earn their degree online. It also operates 14 locations in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, Maine, Missouri and Wisconsin. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue University's flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates two regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest, Indiana, as well as serving close to 6,000 science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) Indianapolis campus.
For more information about Purdue Global, please visit www.PurdueGlobal.edu.