Good Afternoon. My name is Paula Singer, and I have the privilege of being the Chair of the Walden University Board of Directors. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the faculty, staff, and administration of the University, I am pleased to welcome you assembled here today - and those who are joining us via live webcast – for the forty-third Commencement of Walden University.
This year marks an important milestone for Walden University – it is Walden’s 40th anniversary. Today, and throughout this year, we look forward to celebrating 40 years of positive social change with the Walden community. Since 1970, Walden University has worked to support the academic goals of working professionals so they can make a greater impact in their communities and in their professions. Today we come together as an academic community to recognize and honor those in our community who have fulfilled their hopes and dreams by completing programs of study for the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and the highest degrees conferred in the Academy, the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Education. These talented and committed individuals – our graduates – are here this afternoon to have their degrees officially conferred upon them and to receive the plaudits of their colleagues.
Today, I am pleased to recognize two degree programs celebrating their first graduating classes from Walden University – the Bachelor of Science in Psychology Program and the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Please join me in a round of applause for our first-time graduating classes.
All members of the Walden community take great pride as we celebrate the success of our graduates, but perhaps none more so than the members of the Board of Directors with us today who are the chief stewards of the University’s programs and resources, and the chief advocates for the University’s mission, well being and future.
Members of the Board of Directors of Walden University who are on the stage today include:
Dr. Charles Heller, President, Annapolis Capital Group
Dr. Stan Paz, Founding President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
Donna Dorsey, Principal in Dorsey and Associates Consulting
Lee McGee, of Restructure Holdings, Incorporated
Please join me in a round of applause for these distinguished board members who do so much to support and guide our university.
I am also pleased to acknowledge the leadership of Walden University with us today. They include:
Mr. Jonathan Kaplan, President;
Dr. Denise DeZolt, Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President;
And our Vice Presidents, Executive Directors, Dean and Associate Deans who work tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence for our University.
And it is with great pleasure that I recognize the faculty in such splendid array with us today. It is these faculty members who make the university and its programs come alive to our students, and it is they who represent the university’s heart and soul. Will all of our faculty please stand, and I would ask that everyone please join me in giving a special round of applause to the faculty for their dedication to the University and our students.
Graduates – the board, faculty, and administration of Walden University take great pride in your achievement today. We know that the conferral of your degrees will not only affect your lives, but the lives of those you serve. In fact, it is our expectation.
Your collective efforts extend far beyond the boundaries of the United States. The display of national flags you see behind me represents the diversity of Walden University’s graduates. From left to right, this graduating class is represented by: The United States of America, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Columbia, Croatia, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.
I will now turn the podium over to the grand marshal for today’s ceremony, Dr. Gary Burkholder, Senior Research Scholar in the Center for Research Support, who will acknowledge those members of our community who have passed away since the last time we came together at a commencement ceremony.