Nonprofit, online university WGU Missouri is ready to celebrate 288 graduates at its third commencement on Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Gov. Nixon, who was instrumental in helping to establish the university in 2013 as part of an effort to expand access to affordable, higher education for adults across the state, will deliver the commencement address to the 95 graduates set to participate in the ceremony and the roughly 750 family members and friends who will travel from throughout the state to show their support.
Including this year’s graduating class, WGU Missouri has 967 alumni to date. And with a current enrolled student body of 2,087, a 367 percent increase since its launch, WGU Missouri is on track to add more graduates to the Missouri workforce. Increasing demand for a qualified workforce is the reason the state created WGU Missouri in partnership with Western Governors University.
“This commencement will be a proud milestone for these students, their families and for WGU Missouri – which continues to play an important role in making Missouri a national leader in college affordability, quality and innovation,” Gov. Nixon said. “By providing a high-quality, affordable option to thousands students who might not otherwise be able to earn a college degree, WGU Missouri is strengthening our communities and our economy – building a workforce that is ready to compete in today’s global economy.
Governor Nixon will be joined by three graduating students who will share stories of their educational journey. Student speakers include: Justine Eubanks, BA Interdisciplinary Studies, from Owensville; Arnold Hogue, B.S. Business Management, from St. Louis; and Janine Lange, M.S. Nursing Leadership and Management, from Imperial.
“This commencement marks a turning point in the lives of WGU Missouri students,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Our graduates have invested countless hours to earn their degrees, advance their careers and build better lives for their families. These students are more than your typical college students. They are a testament that working adults can indeed accomplish their educational aspirations, and they’re leading the way for more Missourians to reach this milestone.”
WGU Missouri Commencement by the Numbers:
- WGU Missouri graduates represent nearly 100 cities across the state and more than 50 counties.
- 166 undergraduate and 122 graduate degrees are being conferred.
- The average age of the graduates is 38; the youngest grad is 21; the oldest is 66.
- 92 percent of the graduates are over the age of 27.
- 43 percent of the graduates represent the first generation in their family to complete college.
- Degree distribution by college:
- College of Business – 109
- College of Health Professions and Nursing – 101
- College of Information Technology – 25
- Teachers College – 53
WGU Missouri’s online, competency-based model allows students to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their studies, finishing faster and saving money. Tuition is charged at a flat rate of $2,890 per six-month term for most programs, regardless of the number of courses completed. On average, students are able to complete a bachelor’s degree in less than three years, many while holding a full-time job and raising a family. The online model also enables students to enroll and study from anywhere across the state, and complete coursework at a schedule that works best for them. For more information, visit missouri.wgu.edu.
About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is an online, competency-based university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.
Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
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For more information, contact:
Pam Powell
(314) 436-9090