Walden University Celebrates 46th Commencement in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Walden University will hold its 46th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which will celebrate more than 4,700 students, representing 46 U.S. states and 39 countries, who have earned their degrees.

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President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd president of the United States, will deliver the keynote address at Walden's commencement. Walden plans to confer an honorary doctorate upon President Clinton in recognition of his commitment to civic engagement, youth leadership and education. He also serves as honorary chancellor of Laureate International Universities, the global network of leading private universities that includes Walden.

At commencement, several programs will award degrees for the first time. These programs include the B.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning, Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership, Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.), M.S. in Health Informatics, M.S. in Forensic Psychology and Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A).

In addition to President Clinton's honorary doctorate, other individuals who will be honored include:

• Valerie Lyle, an Ed.D. graduate from The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, who received the Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study for her doctoral study, Teacher and Administrator Perceptions of Administrative Responsibilities for Implementing the Jacobs Model of Curriculum Mapping. This award is bestowed upon a graduate whose doctoral study is judged as meeting the highest standards of academic excellence.
• Roger Cook, a Ph.D. in Psychology graduate of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, who received the Contribution to the Profession Award for his research and dissertation, Predicting Recidivism of the Convicted Sexual Offender Using the Polygraph and the Static-99. This award recognizes a graduating student whose program of study or research has made an important contribution to his or her profession.
• Gary Bickford, a 1997 Ph.D. in Health Services graduate from Tennessee, who received the Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes a graduate who exemplifies Walden's mission to effect positive social change. He was honored for his work serving the medically underserved in his community.
• Philip Lewis, who is a friend of M.S. in Psychology graduate Kadian Gobay and received the Above and Beyond Award, presented annually to a friend or family member of a graduating student whose support went above and beyond the call of duty and made it possible for the graduate to achieve her or his goal.

The Walden University community gathers to honor its graduating students twice a year at summer and winter commencement ceremonies. For graduates, family and friends who are unable to attend in person, Walden will host a live webcast of the ceremony starting at 1:30 p.m. Central time at www.WaldenU.edu. An archived version will be available following the ceremony.

About Walden University

For more than 40 years, 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 46,500 students from all 50 states and more than 120 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online 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 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.

Walden offers more than 60 degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. 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