Western Governors University held its 2008 Summer Graduation Commencement on Saturday, July 19, at Abravanel Hall located in Downtown Salt Lake City. More than 100 graduates from 29 states traveled to Utah to attend the ceremony, including one person from the Galapagos and another from Lincolnshire, England. WGU awarded 642 degrees (401 undergraduate and 241 graduate degrees) to graduates from 48 states.

U.S. Representative Jim Matheson (D-Utah) delivered the commencement speech. Graduates, family and guests listened to four student speakers: Anne Wolf, Roger Osborne, Kimberly Lillywhite, and Lisa Santiago. These student speakers shared their experiences as they pursued their WGU degree.

As a first-generation graduate in her family, Anne Wolf from Scottsdale, Arizona spoke about her family’s journey from Scotland to the United States. They came to the U.S. to pursue greater educational and economical opportunities. She also shared the challenges in caring for a daughter with an illness while attending WGU. Anne credits her daughter and family for serving as her inspiration. Anne graduated with an MBA.

Roger Osborne from Fairborn, Ohio, spoke about the challenges that students encounter in balancing countless responsibilities and the sacrifices one must make to reach their dreams. As a father to four girls, husband, full-time professional, and part-time business entrepreneur, Roger accomplished his dream through sacrifices, commitment and dedication.  Roger graduated with a bachelor’s degree in IT with an emphasis in Networks Design and Management.

Kimberly Lillywhite from Layton, Utah, shared her experience in pursing the life goals she set as a young person. Her goals were to become an elementary school teacher, wife and mother. She came to WGU to work on her goal of becoming a teacher. While pursing this goal, Kimberly battled several major illnesses, including spinal cancer. Despite regular chemotherapy treatments, Kimberly maintained a positive attitude and was determined to complete her program. This year, she realized her goal of becoming a teacher and will teach this August 2008. Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Lisa Santiago from Bronx, New York delivered her speech in American Sign Language (ASL).

As a hearing-impaired student, Lisa shared the challenges she overcame to communicate with her mentor and other students because of her significant hearing impairment. Being a visual learner, Lisa knew online learning was going to be a challenge and ignored warnings from her family and friends. For Lisa, the risk would be worth it in order to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher for other deaf students.

Prior to WGU, she had been frustrated with the lack of support at other universities and now credits WGU for teaching her how to be an independent learner.  Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

The student speakers’ speeches and graduation commencement ceremony can be viewed by clicking here.

Prior to graduation, WGU held a mixer for students, alumni and faculty. Students and graduates had the opportunity to meet their fellow students and faculty face-to-face for the first time.



2008 WGU Summer Commencement Quick Facts

Top 5 degrees for the current commencement (in order of prevalence):

1. Bachelor of Arts Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
2. Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
3. Bachelor of Science Business Management
4. Bachelor of Science Information Technology
5. Master of Business Administration

Ave. age: 38 ½ years old
Gender mix: 443 females & 199 males

Counts:
Total Undergrad: 400
Post-baccalaureate teacher certification: 113
Total Master: 128



WGU Scholarship Video Contest

The WGU Scholarship Video Contest is in full swing and now has several entries! Eager contestants are currently singing, rapping and dancing their way to this scholarship.

Check out: www.wgu.edu/contest  to see contest submissions and cast your vote for who you think should win the scholarship. Want to participate? Submit a video telling us how a college degree from WGU could improve your life or the life of someone you know.

The polls will be open to the public for voting from August 25, 2008 to September 1, 2008. The winner will be announced on September 3, 2008 and will receive a $7,500 scholarship and $500. Other prizes include scholarships up to $3,000 and $100 Amazon.com gift certificates. Current students and alumni looking to return to WGU for their master’s degree are eligible to participate. For more information, submissions or to vote, please visit www.wgu.edu/contest.



Mentor Spotlight: Rob Kinder
Mentor, College of Information Technology

Rob Kinder grew up in Rhode Island and came to Utah over 15 years ago to attend college, and resides today in Salt Lake City. He loves the mountains of Utah, but misses the beaches of his home area. Rob likes to read, loves a good comedy and is an avid New England sports fan.

Rob has a master's degree in communications and holds MCSE and A+ technology certifications. His previous work experiences have ranged from being a publisher of a weekly newspaper to working as a network administrator. His most recent job before joining WGU was teaching a variety of Information Technology courses at a local private college.

When asked about working for Western Governors University, Rob tells us the following: I love my job at WGU. My students are amazing and I can honestly say that I enjoy the challenge and opportunity to help each succeed. Every time a student takes a step closer to graduation and realizing their goals, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Even when a student stumbles, I enjoy the challenge of coming up with creative ways to help them succeed. My fellow mentors and members of the management team have been, and continue to be, an outstanding resource for me and make the WGU experience all the more enjoyable and successful. Coming from teaching at a traditional university, I can candidly say that I am proud and honored to be associated with WGU.





WGU's Career Services:
Job Resource Magazines

WGU Career Services in partnership with National Association of Colleges and Employers are providing free career resource magazines to WGU students and alumni. There are three magazine editions to select from: Diversity, Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students and Job Choice for Science, Engineering & Technology Students. For more information click here.





The Alumni Speak:
Student Advice from Brian Taylor
By Brian Taylor

On the evening of Friday, July 18th, 2008, I had the honor of attending the WGU Summer Mixer at the Radisson Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. There was an excitement in the air as students and mentors came together to congratulate each other on achieving their respective degrees. It also reminded me of the journey I had taken to receive my degree from WGU.  With your kind indulgence, I wish to share some reflections of my journey with you. 

When I graduated from high school in 1985, many of my friends were headed off to this college or that university. For me, that was not to be. Monetary and familial concerns were such that I was compelled to enter the workforce full time the very week after graduation. Thus began my journey through numerous positions, eventually leading me into radio, Information Technology (IT), teaching, and consulting. 

As I moved through these different roles, the need for a degree became more apparent, not only because it was a requirement for advanced positions, but because there were core business skills I needed to refine. You can go a very long way on street smarts, inherent talent and being in the right place at the right time.  However, I was starting to hit roadblocks because I did not have the additional knowledge and skills that a degree provided. 

In the summer of 2002, I decided it was time to go after my degree. As I began to look at my options, I realized right away that attending classes at a set time and date each week was going to be nearly impossible because of my work and family commitments. I began to look at the online courses being offered by various institutions of higher learning (these courses would allow me to work toward my degree and still keep bread on the table). I must confess that I was less than impressed with the selection of classes I found. Many of them were either completely filled or had nothing to do with the degree I wanted to receive.

My search for an online degree brought me to Western Governors University. It was exactly what I was looking for – an accredited university that offered meaningful classes and allowed me to work full time while taking courses at night and on the weekends.

For the next three and a half years, I worked on my degree. There were times when I could accomplish much of the coursework quickly as it related directly to my IT experience. There were also times when I struggled mightily to understand and retain the information I was learning. The most challenging course for me was “Probabilities and Statistics”. I found the course utterly overwhelming at first. As I began to piece a few things together, I came to see how useful this kind of skill would be to me. I did pass the course and I gained a new respect for those who have the talent to grasp and use statistics. 

As it came time for me to submit my capstone and portfolio project, it became clear to me that I had learned a great deal of useful information and that I was using what I was learning more and more. I also recognized that I had increased my business skill set substantially. This did not go unnoticed by my superiors – they told me that they had seen my growth and that my work was becoming more polished and robust. 

At no time during my journey did I travel the path alone. My mentors were there every step of the way. They made sure that I was doing things right and doing the right things. Also, I relied on the collective wisdom of my fellow students. We would openly and frequently communicate with each other via discussion boards, e-mail, and phone calls. We supported and helped each other– it was as if I’d become a member of a virtual family. 

Finally, the big day came. The graduation ceremony was held at Kingsbury Hall in Utah. I met some of the people whose posts I had read on the discussion boards. We reveled in the magic of the moment. Each of us had reasons for attending WGU, and all of us shared in the realization that our hard work, sacrifice, and commitment were to be rewarded. 

We began our precession into the great hall. There was a quartet of musicians playing “Pomp and Circumstance”, just as I hoped. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement! Family members were waving and whispering words of love and respect to their graduate as he or she walked by. Cameras were everywhere, filling tape and disk space with precious moments in time. 

At last, the moment came. All of the graduates stood as a group and moved the tassel from the right to the left. My name was read and I proceeded across the stage. I heard the raucous cheers of my family. I saw the throng of humanity that was gathered in the great hall. I received my degree from President Mendenhall and shook his hand. I also shook the hand of Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. I have a picture of the three of us hanging on a wall near all of my computer and work paraphernalia. It is a moment I will not forget. 

As you continue your journey toward your degree, I want you to know how much respect and admiration I have for you. You have chosen to devote a significant portion of your time and energy to this noble endeavor. You may come to a point where you “hit the wall” and wonder if it’s all worth it. When this happens, reach out to your fellow students, your mentor, and your family. They are there to help you succeed and want to help. 

I look forward to the day when I have the honor of meeting and congratulating you on completing your journey. 

Brian Taylor is a Business College graduate and member of the WGU Alumni Advisory Board.


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