Lilly Ledbetter, equal-pay advocate, delivers commencement address

MINNEAPOLIS, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Walden University celebrated the graduation of more than 4,300 students at its 42nd commencement ceremony, held today at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Walden graduates represented all 50 states and 22 countries.

Lilly Ledbetter, whose legal battle against pay discrimination led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the first bill signed into law by President Barack Obama, gave the commencement address. The commencement ceremony and address can be viewed via webcast at www.WaldenU.edu.

"We are proud to welcome our newest Walden graduates as they join our community of more than 31,000 alumni dedicated to lifelong learning, professional excellence and positive social change," said Jonathan Kaplan, president of Walden. "The inspiring words of Lilly Ledbetter, who personifies the mission of Walden, will help guide them as they use their Walden degrees to make a difference in their communities and professions."

Among those honored at the ceremony were:

• Christopher Plum, a Ph.D. in Education graduate of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden, from Michigan, who received the Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for outstanding dissertation, which is awarded to a Walden graduate whose dissertation is judged as meeting the highest university standards of academic excellence;
• Eileen Berg, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden, from Canada, who received the Contribution to the Profession Award, presented annually to a graduating student whose program of study or research has made an important contribution to his or her profession; and,
• Prince Ordu, a Ph.D. in Health Services Administration graduate in 2000, from Georgia, who received the Outstanding Alumni Award recognizing a graduate who exemplifies Walden's mission to effect social change, either professionally or through volunteer service or philanthropic endeavors.
  

About Walden University

Since 1970, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 33,000 students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network--a global network of more than 42 online and campus-based universities in 20 countries.

Walden offers more than 36 degree programs with more than 140 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

SOURCE Walden University

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