WGU Nevada to Recognize 400 Nevadans During Second Commencement
LAS VEGAS – WGU Nevada will celebrate its second commencement by honoring nearly 400 graduates from around the state on Saturday, May 20 at The Smith Center. With a diverse student population, the online, nonprofit university is turning out graduates to meet the higher demand of skilled workforce jobs in the Silver State. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m.
Representative Ruben Kihuen of Nevada’s 4th congressional district, will give the commencement address. Joining him on stage will be four of the graduates who will share their stories at the ceremony: Carrie Brown, M.S. in Management and Leadership from Sparks; Logan McDaniel, B.S. Business Management from Henderson; Samantha Brady, M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Las Vegas; and Cae Swanger, MBA in Healthcare Management from Henderson.
McDaniel has tackled many obstacles prior to earning his college degree from WGU Nevada. Among the challenges were the death of his young son, a divorce, career changes, and moves to several states. However, with the support of his wife and young children, even this adversity did not stop him from achieving his dream of earning a bachelor’s degree in business management.
“An online education through WGU takes a lot of work and a lot of dedication. It takes the ability to focus yourself, to manage your time, and to kick yourself in the rear when you are losing sight of the light at the end of the tunnel,” McDaniel said. “But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and in my opinion it is one of the most rewarding accomplishments we can challenge ourselves with. Meeting this higher educational goal has also helped me achieve greater things in the IT industry.”
Of the nearly 400 graduates that will be honored during Saturday’s ceremony, 132 are from the College of Business, 113 are from the College of Health Professions, 112 are from the Teacher’s College, and 38 are from the College of Information Technology.
“As the state-endorsed online university, WGU Nevada is helping working adults earn the respected degrees they need to advance their careers and succeed in the workplace,” said Chancellor Spencer Stewart of WGU Nevada. “We know that education has the power to change the lives of individuals, families, and communities.”
Kihuen added: “WGU Nevada is helping build the next generation of future leaders in our state. I am so proud of the graduates, staff, and faculty for working towards making Nevada a better place. Nevada needs leaders capable of moving our state forward and working to solve the emerging challenges of today’s world. The hard work of these students – some with full time jobs and families – will not go unnoticed. Because of WGU Nevada, these students are prepared for long-term success and will help diversify our workforce.”
Recently, Gallup released the results of a new study that compares the satisfaction and overall well-being of Western Governors University (WGU) graduates with graduates from other institutions in the United States. For the third year, the results demonstrate that WGU graduates are more likely to have the jobs they want, feel engaged at work, and have an emotional attachment to the university.
