Class of 2024 Graduates and Award Winners Will
be Honored at Two-Day Ceremony in National Harbor, Md.
CHARLES
TOWN, W.Va., May 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- American Public University System (APUS), which
offers online degree and certificate programs through American
Military University (AMU) and American Public
University (APU), will celebrate over 16,000 graduates from
all 50 states and several countries at its
28th annual commencement on May 10-11. The ceremonies will be lived streamed
here for those who cannot attend the in-person event at the
Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, Md.
The Class of 2024 is one of APUS's largest-ever graduating
classes. It includes approximately 4,100 students receiving
master's degrees, 8,800 students receiving bachelor's degrees, and
3,600 students receiving associate degrees.
"The world is changing, and you will be the ones driving some of
these changes," states APUS President Nuno
Fernandes in his prepared keynote remarks. "My message to
you is to never stop learning, stay hungry, embrace change,
innovation, and critical thinking. Always try to use your
incredible talent to positively impact your communities. And, while
doing all of this, always try to have fun and choose a career path
that fulfills you. In the famous words of Steve Jobs, 'Stay Hungry, Stay
Foolish'".
"As you reflect on the milestone of completing your degree, I
cannot help but observe that your resilience has been remarkable,"
said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Provost,
APUS. "Take pride in this moment! You are here thanks to your hard
work, perseverance, and dedication to your academic, career and
personal goals. I encourage each and every one of you to continue
forward in that same spirit."
George Linen, the Class of 2024
student speaker for the School of Arts, Humanities, &
Education; Health Sciences; and STEM commencement ceremony, notes
this year's graduates are "survivors and thrivers".
"Everyone has a story, and so many humans were doing their
best," Linen states in his remarks. "Why me? Why not me? Why not
you? Why not us? Everything you deserve is on the other side of
difficulty and challenge!"
Apiluck "Mann" Kongsomboonvech, the Class of 2024 student
speaker for the Dr. Wallace E. Boston
School of Business, challenges classmates, "to unlock the
very best version of yourself. Be courageous, and pursue your
dreams with relentless determination. In moments of uncertainty,
find strength in resilience. Set audacious goals and carve your own
unique path."
John DeStefano, Jr., the Class of
2024 student speaker for the School of Security and Global Studies,
expresses tremendous gratitude, pride, and appreciation for
supporters of his educational journey. "While knowledge is power,
shared knowledge is exponentially more powerful in an
ever-expanding globalized society," he states, while also
challenging his classmates. "If we each impart a small amount of
knowledge onto others, we can change the world!"
Award Winners
As part of the two-day commencement,
APUS will also recognize 45 students, faculty, and alumni who have
excelled and positively impacted the APUS community during their
time as students. Some of the award winners are:
- Victoria Sengelman (AMU) and
Blagoy Anton Pogoncheff (APU), who
will be given The Mary Kim Ward Resilience and Service Award which
recognizes resilience, patience, and determination, and student
impact and influence on public service, social justice, and
inclusion.
- Professor Jarrod Sadulski, who
will be recognized with the 2023 Dr. Wallace E. Boston Leadership
Award, honoring the positive impact he has made in the
community.
- Dr. Brian Freeland, Dean of the
APUS School of Health Sciences, who will receive the 2023 James P.
Etter Creativity and Innovation Award, in recognition of his
innovation and creativity as a member of the APUS community.
- Ryan Andersen (AMU), who will be
recognized at the undergraduate level, and Rick Moore (AMU), who will be honored at the
graduate level, with the 2024 President's Award, which honors
students for their commitment to service, scholastic achievement,
outstanding character, and leadership.
- Julia Amoo (AMU), Tyler Bailey (APU), Jeremiah Blum (APU), John DeStefano, Jr. (AMU), Emily Helton (AMU), Suzannah Loehr (AMU), Emma Myers (AMU), Nmachi Okere (AMU),
Luis Revilla (AMU), and Taylor Sparber (AMU), who will receive The
Academic Scholar Award, which honors students who have engaged in
excellent scholarly conduct and accomplishments as students.
About American Public University System
American Public University System (APUS) delivers affordable,
high-quality, workforce-relevant higher education. With a vibrant,
diverse, and inclusive 33-year history, and over 137,000 alumni
from more than 100 countries, APUS is recognized for its innovative
approach to online learning1. APUS is in the top 11% for
students' return on educational investment, compared to 4,500
colleges and universities nationwide, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the
Workforce (2022)2.
APUS, which includes American Military University (AMU) and
American Public University (APU), is accredited by
the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional
accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education. APUS is a wholly owned subsidiary of American
Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information,
visit www.apus.edu.
1APUS has been honored with the online
Learning Consortium's Gomory Award for Quality Online
Education, and is a five-time recipient of the consortium's
Effective Practice
Award https://www.apus.edu/newsroom/awards/.
2Ranking based on 20-year net present value
(NPV)
https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2022/.
CONTACT
Frank
Tutalo
Associate Vice President, Public Relations, APUS
ftutalo@apus.edu
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SOURCE American Public University System