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-fourth commencement of Walden University.
This year marks an important milestone for Walden University—it is Walden’s 40th anniversary. It is, therefore, very appropriate that I recognize one of Walden’s founding members who has joined us here today, Dr. Harold Hodgkinson. Bud, we are so pleased to have you here today. I would like to thank Bud, along with Walden’s co-founders Bernie and Rita Turner, for their vision, dedication, and passion that led to the development of our fine university.
Throughout this year, we are 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 also pleased to recognize three degree programs celebrating their first graduating classes from Walden University: the Bachelor of Science in Child Development, the Master of Information Systems Management, and the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Please join me in a round of applause for this first-time graduation.
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 with us today include:
Dr. Stan Paz, Founding President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.
Dr. Barbara Solomon, Professor Emerita, Hamovitch Research Center, School of Social Work, University of Southern California.
Donna M. Dorsey, Principal in Dorsey & Associates Consulting.
Dr. Charles O. Heller, President, Annapolis Capital Group.
Dr. Anita McDonald, Chancellor, Penn State DuBois.
Lee McGee, CFO/Treasurer, Restructure Holdings, Inc.
Dr. David P. Lopez, President, National Hispanic University.
John E. Kobara, Chief Operating Officer, External and Donor Relations, California Community Foundation.
Please join me in a round of applause for these distinguished board members who do so much to support and guide our university.
In addition to our Board of Directors, I would like to recognize a distinguished guest joining our platform party on the stage today: Eilif Serck-Hanssen, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Laureate Education, Inc.
I am also pleased to acknowledge the leadership of Walden University with us today. They include:
Mr. Jonathan Kaplan, President.
Dr. David Clinefelter, Chief Academic Officer, here for his very first of many Walden commencements.
And our vice presidents, executive directors, dean, and associate deans who work tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence for our university.
And it is my honor and great pleasure to recognize the faculty whose work, dedication, and tremendous passion make our programs come alive for our students. They are the heart and soul of the university.
Will all of our faculty please stand, and receive from your board, administration, graduates, their families and friends a special round of applause.
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 Walden 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:
United States of America, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Holland, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.