Walden University’s 2005 Winter Commencement Ceremony to Feature First Master of Public Administration Graduates and a Host of International Graduates

Minneapolis—January 26, 2005—Walden University, an accredited distance-learning leader celebrating 35 years of achievement, will graduate nearly 900 students from around the world in a traditional ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Ga. The commencement ceremony will also be broadcast live via the Web at www.WaldenU.edu.

This inaugural winter commencement will showcase the accomplishments of graduating students from Bermuda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canada, the West Indies, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and South Africa, as well as the United States. Also participating will be the first graduates of Walden’s Master of Public Administration program.

Dr. Terry O’Banion, president emeritus and senior fellow at the League for Innovation in the Community College, will receive an honorary doctorate and deliver the commencement address. O’Banion will discuss a “learning revolution” and propose, in his words, a “radical alternative” for tackling education problems. His honorary degree will be the first presented by Walden to a community college leader.

“Our continuing growth made it essential to hold a commencement ceremony at the end of our fall semester,” said Walden University President and Provost Paula Peinovich, PhD. “With this being our 35th anniversary, we are proud to carry forward our mission of effecting social change.”

An anniversary and graduation reception will take place at the Hill Atrium on the University of Georgia’s campus immediately following the ceremony.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, online university—accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association—offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, and health and human services, as well as bachelor’s completion programs in business. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association are located at 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, and can be found online at www.hlcommission.org or reached by phone at 1-312-263-0456.