>> PLEASE STAND BY FOR REALTIME CAPTIONS. >> ♪ ♪ >>> EDUCATION CHANGES LIVES AND OPENS DOORS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CREATES NEW WAYS OF THINKING AND HAS AN IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. OVER 20 YEARS OF VISIONARY GROUP OF GOVERNOR SAW A NEW PATHWAY TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND A DIFFERENT LEARNING MODEL. THIS IS THE STORY OF WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY, A UNIVERSITY THAT STARTED WITH AN IDEA AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE NATIONS LARGEST UNIVERSITIES. >> WE HAD TO REINVENT AN ALTERNATIVE PROCESS. NOT TO REPLACE HIGHER EDUCATION BUT TO SUPPLEMENT AND SERVE POPULATIONS THAT WERE NOT SERVED BY THE EXISTING SYSTEM. >> SOMEWHERE IN THE EARLY 1997 I HEARD ABOUT WGU AS A WILD IDEA IN THE WEST. AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY FASCINATING TO ME. >> THIS IS A UNIVERSITY AND GROUP OF PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE ON A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE. >> IT WAS VERY BRIGHT. MIKE LEVITZ VISION OF UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION. THE WORLD WIDE WEB CONSORTIUM CAME IN 1993. HERE WE ARE DISCUSSING TECHNOLOGY IN 1995. >> WE HAD A STRANGE NEW TOOL CALLED THE INTERNET. THIS WAS A WAY TO BE EDUCATED ONLINE. THESE ARE REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPTS. A GREAT BEAUTY TO WATCH THESE GATHER AND FORM THE REVOLUTION AND CHANGE SOCIETY. WE BELIEVE THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH INCLUDES BOTH NEW TECHNOLOGY AND A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN WHAT WE ARE MEASURING. >> IN JANUARY 1997, WGU'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION WERE SIGNED AND WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY WAS BORN. WITH AN ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT FOUNDATIONS AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY WGU WAS ON ITS WAY . >> THERE WERE 12 OF US. WE HAD CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH ALL THE STAFF AND OUR SPOUSES. THAT WAS THE ENTIRE OPERATION. IT WAS THIS THING WE WERE GOING TO BUILD FROM SCRATCH. >> THE MOST RADICAL TWO ELEMENTS OF THIS IDEA IS IT IS COMPETENCY-BASED AND IT IS STUDENT ORIENTED. >> IT WAS TRULY RADICAL, THE NOTION THAT STUDENTS COULD PROGRESS TOWARDS DEGREES BY DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE. IT MEANT THEY REALLY HAD THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE AND COULD DEMONSTRATE IT EFFECTIVELY AND PROCEED TOWARD YOUR DEGREE AS RAPIDLY AS YOU ARE ABLE. THAT WAS TRULY UNUSUAL. >> KEY LEADERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF WGU. THESE INCLUDED CLARA LOVETT THEN-PRESIDENT OF ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AND SAM SMITH, THEN- PRESIDENT OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. TWO YEARS LATER WGU OPENED ITS VIRTUAL DOORS. >> OVERCOMING THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF TRANSITION IS NO SMALL TASK AND HIGHER EDUCATION IS THINKING ABOUT THE LEARNING PROCESS FOR A LONG TIME. >> THERE WERE MANY HURDLES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT WHAT TECHNOLOGY COULD DO TO HELP WITH TEACHER EDUCATION >> THERE WAS A REACTION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO THREATEN EVERYTHING THAT HIGHER EDUCATION STOOD FOR. IT NEEDED CREDIBILITY. AND MOST UNIVERSITIES THOUGHT THE CONCEPT OF NOT HAVING A BRICK-AND-MORTAR BUILDING WITH A UNIVERSITY WITH A 200 YEAR HISTORY. WGU WAS AT A CRITICAL MOMENT . WE WERE FACING AT LEAST TWO OR THREE YEARS BEFORE BECOMING ACCREDITED. WE WERE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY. WE HAD A LOT OF SKEPTICS. >> MY MESSAGES IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION BUT IT WILL REQUIRE NEW MODELS AND NOT JUST TWEAKING THE EXISTING SYSTEM. >> I WAS CONNECTED TO BOB WHO AT THE TIME HAD JUST LEFT IBM AS THE GLOBAL LEADER FOR EDUCATION. IT BECAME EVIDENT TO ME HE WAS THE RIGHT PERSON. >> BOB JOINED WGU IN 1999 AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR OF THE FIRST PROGRAMS IN ITN EDUCATION WERE LAUNCHED. ONE YEAR LATER WGU CELEBRATED ITS FIRST GRADUATE . >> A COUPLE YEARS OF GREAT PLANNING HAD TAKEN PLACE. THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDUCATIONAL MODEL WAS IN PLACE. WE HAD A CHALLENGE TO GAIN ACCREDITATION. >> TO GET ESSENTIALLY FOUR REGIONS TO AGREE THAT WGU MET THE STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION WAS THE 1st IN HIGHER EDUCATION. IT WAS A GREAT HURRAH EXPERIENCE. WE ALL CELEBRATED THE GREAT DAY WE WERE CELEBRATED. >> ENROLLMENT BEGAN TO CLIMB. >> WE KNEW THAT GROWTH WOULD BE HERE IF THE MODEL WAS WORKING RIGHT AND IF THE STUDENTS WERE SATISFIED. >> AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, WGU LAUNCHED ITS TEACHERS COLLEGE WITH A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. ENROLLMENT TOOK OFF. THE ADDITION OF THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS IN 2008 SENT IT SOARING. >> TONIGHT WE SEND YOU TO A UNIVERSITY FOR ADULT STUDENTS. IT IS NOT A BRICK-AND-MORTAR SCHOOL. THIS IS WHAT AMERICANS NEED AS THEY WORK TO REINVENT THEMSELVES. >> THE LEARNING MODELS ATTRACTED A NEW GENERATION OF GOVERNORS AND 2010 WGU LAUNCHED ITS FIRST STATE BASED UNIVERSITY, WGU INDIANA . OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS SEVERAL MORE STATES PARTNERED WITH WGU. >> THEY ALL IMMEDIATELY GOT THE VISION OF WHAT THE GOVERNORS WERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. >> APRIL 2016 USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF LEADERSHIP WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE CURRENT PRESIDENT SCOTT PULSIPHER. >> THE THING THAT STRUCK ME MOST WAS THE DESIGN OF AN INSTITUTION SERVING STUDENTS. >> BEFORE COMING TO WGU SCOTT PULSIPHER HAD 20 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCED IN CUSTOMER FOLKS FOCUSED BUSINESSES. HE HAD AN INTENSE FOCUS ON IMPACTING LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. >> WE BELIEVE TALENT IS UNIVERSAL AND OPPORTUNITY IS NOT NECESSARILY UNIVERSAL EDUCATION IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST CATALYST FOR PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES . IT IS THE BRIDGE FROM TALENT TO OPPORTUNITY. >> IN 2019 SCOTT PULSIPHER WAS SELECTED BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO WORK ON THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE POLICY ADVISORY BOARD. >> THIS IS TRANSFORMER EAT FOR SCOTT PULSIPHER . WE GREW THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND WE BECAME A CATALYST TO TRANSFORM THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO THE BETTER. >> WGU IS YOUNG FOR A UNIVERSITY BUT IN ITS BRIEF HISTORY WE HAVE PIONEERED A NEW LEARNING MODEL, WE IMPROVE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND STUDENT OUTCOMES AND OF HELPED CHANGE THE LIVES OF 135,000 INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. >> I GREW UP IN A LOWER INCOME, NOT ABANDON BUT SOMETIMES A FORGOTTEN ABOUT AREA. I DID NOT HAVE A REALLY GOOD EDUCATION UNTIL I GOT OLDER. I HAD LOVING PARENTS WHO SUPPLEMENTED MY EDUCATION BUT I WAS ONE OF A FEW . I RUN A NONPROFIT DANCE ORGANIZATION AND WORK FULL TIME. I AM IN EDUCATION BECAUSE MY MOTHER TAUGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION. MY PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER TAUGHT MATH. IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. I ALSO ASSISTANT COACH. I DO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMPS. MY DEGREE HELPS THE NONPROFIT. IT CHANGED MY COACHING STYLE. I WANT TO SERVE STUDENTS. I WANT TO BRING CULTURE AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT STUDENTS IN MY AREA DO NOT HAVE. I'M ABLE TO AFFECT THEM IN A POSITIVE WAY BECAUSE OF THE CLASSES I HAVE TAKEN. I WOUND UP AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL, SUPER NONTRADITIONAL SCHOOL. ALL OF MY STUDENTS, ALL OF THEM, LEARN DIFFERENTLY. I WANT TO BETTER SERVE THEM AND BETTER SERVE FUTURE STUDENTS AS WELL. I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFE THAT IT TAKES ONE PERSON TO CARE, ONE TEACHER, ONE EDUCATOR, ONE MENTOR TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. I HAVE DEEPER PEACE AND THIS IS PERFECT TIMING. >> I DID NOT GO TO SCHOOL TO WORK FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. I WENT TO SCHOOL TO BE MY OWN BOSS. IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE TO START MY OWN BUSINESS. I WANT TO SET MYSELF UP FOR SUCCESS. I OWN MY OWN GYM. IT CAN BE A BIG CHALLENGE. MOST BUSINESSES FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS. NOW FOUR YEARS LATER I AM OPENING MY SECOND GYM. >> ♪ ♪ >> MY CAREER PATH IS UNCONVENTIONAL. I'M A SINGER-SONGWRITER AND MANY THINK IT'S NOT A STEADY JOB. I FOUND MYSELF IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS SO I WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS. MY MOM WAS A BIG PERSON WHO TURNED ME ONTO IT. THAT'S WHY HAVE SO MUCH FUN EXPLAINING IT TO OTHER PEOPLE. SHE SHATTERED EVERY EXCUSE I HAD. I SAID IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. SHE SAID IT WAS WAY LESS EXPENSIVE AND YOU CAN GET SCHOLARSHIPS. ALL THE BOULDERS IN HALF WERE ONLY GRAVEL AND ALL THAT WAS LEFT TO DO WAS TO WALK THE PATH. I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND I WENT TO WGU. I WAS ALSO ON THE VOICE WHICH WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. I WANTED TO THANK WGU . WE WERE SEQUESTERED IN THIS HOTEL IN CALIFORNIA. I WAS LEARNING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAW. AFTER I WENT TO THE COURSE, I REALIZED I COULD GIVE IT A TRY AND I READ THROUGH A 30 PAGE CONTRACT. I WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE RULES AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO TURN IT INTO MY FAVORITE. THE PLAN I MADE BECAUSE OF THE COURSE LED ME TO A TOP-FIVE ALBUM RELEASE. IT WAS VERY HELPFUL IN MY CAREER. I'M REALLY EXCITED. I'VE DONE A FEW BIG THINGS IN THE PAST YEAR. I WOULD SAY AS A NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT FIND YOUR SMALL VICTORIES AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. YOU WORK FOR YOUR PURPOSE AND YOUR PURPOSE WILL ALWAYS WORK FOR YOU. >> MY MASTERS IN MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP HELPED ME UNDERSTAND WHAT LEADERSHIP MEANS. LEADING WITH AN EXAMPLE RESONATED WITH ME THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. WITH WGU I WAS ABLE TO HELP MY CAREER. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT AN ONLINE SCHOOL, WGU HAS A LITTLE EXTRA. I'M GLAD I DID IT. >> ♪ ♪ [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] TRAN FIVE -- [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> I CREATED AN ORGANIZATION CALLED EVERYDAY HEROES. WE GO AROUND DRESSED LIKE SUPERHEROES AND VISIT KIDS WEATHER IN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS. WE HELP THEM FIND ROLE MODELS. OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE THESE KIDS AN EXPERIENCE WHERE THEY FEEL THEY HAVE REALLY MET A SUPERHERO. MY COSTUME, I DRESS UP AS CAPTAIN AMERICA. I ORDERED THE COSTUME FROM OVERSEAS. WHEN IT ARRIVED I TOOK IT TO A TAILOR AND SHE DID A LOT OF WORK ON IT TO MAKE IT FIT ME. THE FIRST TIME WE ENTER THE ROOM , IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME REACTIONS FROM THE KIDS. THEIR JAWS DROPS AND THEIR EYES GET HUGE. AS A KID I HAD SO MANY PEOPLE HELPING ME OUT, SO MANY DIFFERENT ROLE MODELS AND LEADERS. AS I GOT OLDER I WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING. THE MILITARY TEACHES US TO SERVE OTHERS AND PUT OUR LIVES ON THE LINE. IT HAS BECOME INGRAINED IN ME. LEADERS NEED TO BE SELFLESS. IT INSPIRES OTHERS TO FOLLOW THEM. BEING IN THE MILITARY HAS BEEN A POSITIVE MOVE FOR ME TO CONSTANTLY GO THROUGH AND DEVELOP MYSELF AS A LEADER AND FURTHER MY EDUCATION. I EARNED MY MASTERS DEGREE WHILE BEING DEPLOYED. I WENT THROUGH THE MATERIAL AND I WAS ABLE TO DIRECTLY APPLY TO BEING A SOLDIER. IT AFFECTED HOW I INTERACTED WITH MY TEAM. I LEAD SOLDIERS AND I CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT THEM, NOT ONLY IN THEIR CAREER BUT ALSO IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. I LOVE SERVING OTHERS AND HELPING OUT WHEREVER I CAN. JUST DOING THINGS EVERY DAY, PURPOSELY SERVING OTHERS. I'M ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT TO DO GOOD. THAT'S MY INTENT. AND I ALWAYS HOPE TO INSPIRE OTHERS. >> GETTING MY MASTERS DEGREE HAS REALLY OPENED UP A LOT OF DOORS FOR ME PROFESSIONALLY AND IT HAS INCREASED MY INCOME QUITE A BIT. THROUGH WGU I WAS ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL ONLINE, TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY, AND WORK AND GAIN EXPERIENCE AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND ALSO TAKE MY TIME. WGU HAS BEEN A HUGE BLESSING FOR MY FAMILY . >> I DON'T NEED A SCHOOL TO JUST PROMISE ME THE TOOLS TO CHANGE. I NEED A SCHOOL TO PUT THOSE TOOLS WITHIN REACH. IF YOU GIVE ME A SLEDGEHAMMER I CAN AFFORD, I WILL GET INTO EVERY BUILDING. GIVE ME THE SHOES THAT FIT MY LIFE AND I WILL OUTRUN EVERY EXCUSE. SCHOOL WILL BE HARD BUT I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR CHANGE. I JUST NEED THE KIND OF SCHOOL THAT GIVES ME THE FIGHTING CHANCE. >> ♪ ♪ >> ♪ ♪ >>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WELCOME TO WGU'S FALL VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT. GRADUATES, FAMILIES FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES YOU HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING YOUR GRADUATE REACH THIS INCREDIBLE MILESTONE. WE THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU JOIN OUR CELEBRATION TODAY. I HAVE THE HONOR OF INTRODUCING KIMBERLY MAGUIRE FROM GEORGIA WHO WILL BE SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. KIMBERLY EARNED HER MASTERS OF SCIENCE DEGREE. SHE'S THE FIRST PERSON TO EARN A BACHELORS DEGREE AND MASTERS DEGREE. CONGRATULATIONS KIMBERLY AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. AND NOW IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE RISE FOR OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. >> ♪ ♪OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED, AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING? WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS, THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT, O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING. AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR, GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT, THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE. OH SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE, O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE, AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE. ♪ ♪ >> THANK YOU, KIMBERLY. THAT WAS WONDERFUL. IT IS MY HONOR TO CONVENE WGU'S FALL VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT. I WANT TO WELCOME EACH OF OUR GRADUATES AND THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE BEEN BY YOUR SIDES AND THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU THROUGH THIS JOURNEY. MANY OF YOU ARE WATCHING FROM WGU FACEBOOK OR THE WGU YOUTUBE PLATFORM . PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO LET US KNOW WHERE YOU ARE ONLINE IN THE CHAT. HAWAII. TENNESSEE. DELAWARE. ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. SO EXCITING. WGU GRADUATES, TODAY MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN YOUR LIVES. IT REPRESENTS A DREAM ACHIEVED BUT ALSO COUNTLESS CHALLENGES FACED AND OBSTACLES OVERCOME. SINCE OUR FOUNDING WGU HAS ALWAYS SERVED NIGHT OWLS. THOSE WHO WORK THROUGH THE NIGHTS EARNING THEIR DEGREES WHILE KEEPING THEIR COMMITMENTS TO FAMILIES AND JOBS. BUT FOR YOU, GRADUATING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, A TIME THAT HAS CAUSED EACH OF US TO GROW, THIS MILESTONE REPRESENTS AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF DEDICATION PERSISTENT, CREATIVITY AND RESILIENCE. WE CELEBRATE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE AND ALL YOU HAVE ACHIEVED AS AN INDIVIDUAL. WE ALSO CELEBRATE WHAT IT MEANS FOR ALL OF US. AT THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY, SOCIETY NEEDS NOTHING LESS THAN INDIVIDUALS WILLING TO OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES, WHO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO ADAPT TO THE UNFORESEEABLE, AND THOSE WHO HAVE THE ENDURANCE TO PERSIST NO MATTER WHAT. ACHIEVING THIS MILESTONE WILL MOVE YOUR LIVES FORWARD. IT WILL MOVE YOUR FAMILIES FORWARD. BUT IT WILL ALSO MOVE YOUR COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN YOU SERVE AND WORK, AND OUR NATION FORWARD IN WAYS BOTH MEASURABLE AND IMMEASURABLE. TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATES YOU, OUR GRADUATES, FOR SETTING AND ACCOMPLISHING A SIGNIFICANT GOAL AND MOVING TO A NEW STAGE OF YOUR LIFE. YOU JOINED ONLY 33% OF ADULTS IN THE U.S. WHO HOLD BACHELORS DEGREES. AND ONLY 8% OF ADULTS IN THE U.S. WHO HOLD MASTERS DEGREES. MANY OF YOU ARE GRADUATING WITH A FAMILY MEMBER. WE OFFER A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SHARING THIS MOMENT WITH A LOVED ONE. WE STILL STILL LOVE SENIOR CELEBRATIONS OF THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT. WGU IS HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZED YEAR AFTER YEAR AS A MILITARY FRIENDLY UNIVERSITY. WE ARE SO PROUD TO RECOGNIZE MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY WHO ARE GRADUATING. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. [ APPLAUSE ] ALSO JOINING US VIRTUALLY ARE MANY OF OUR WGU FACULTY AND STAFF. IF YOU'VE BEEN A BENEFICIARY OF TIME AND DEDICATION AND LOVE THAT THEY PUT INTO THEIR WORK, PLEASE PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER AND GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> SINCE OUR FIRST GRADUATE IN 2000, WGU HAS NOW AWARDED MORE THAN 200,000 DEGREES INCLUDING NEARLY 40,000 IN 2020 ALONE. LET ME SHARE A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE GRADUATING CLASS TODAY. 41% OF YOU ARE THE 1st IN YOUR FAMILIES TO EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE. WE EXTEND A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. YOUR AVERAGE AGE IS 40 YEARS OLD . THE YOUNGEST IS 17 AND THE OLDEST IS 68. 71% OF YOU ARE WOMEN. THE AVERAGE TIME OF GRADUATION FOR THOSE OF YOU EARNING A BACHELORS DEGREE WAS TWO YEARS, 11 MONTHS AND THE AVERAGE TIME FOR THOSE OF YOU EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREE WAS ONE YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS. YOU WORKED HARD TO REACH THIS MILESTONE WHICH WILL CHANGE THE COURSE OF YOUR HISTORY AND INFLUENCE FUTURE GENERATIONS. YOU HAVE ASPIRED TO GREATER THINGS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ALL OF US AT WGU PLAY A PART IN THE FULFILLMENT OF YOUR DREAM. AND NOW, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING FROM TWO OF YOUR FELLOW GRADUATES. CATHERINE, BACHELOR OF ARTS FROM SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA. AND MARIO, MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN VIRGINIA. FIRST WE WILL BE HEARING FROM KATHRYN. >> 2020 WGU GRADUATES, WE DID IT. SAY IT WITH ME. WE DID IT THROUGH COUNTLESS LATE NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS. WE DID IT THROUGH LIFE EVENTS AND BY MAKING OURSELVES A PRIORITY. AND WE DID IT THROUGH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. IF YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED ME FIVE YEARS AGO IF I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GIVING THE COMMENCEMENT SPEECH OF 2020 I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED. GROWING UP TEACHERS ALWAYS ASKED WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP AND I WOULD TELL THEM I WANT TO BE A MOM, WIFE AND TEACHER. BE CAREFUL THE ORDER YOU SAY WHAT YOU WANT IN THE FUTURE. I BECAME A TEEN MOM. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HAVE MY BOY BUT THE HOPE OF BECOMING A TEACHER WAS PUSHED ASIDE TO RAISE MY SON. I BECAME A WIFE AND MOTHER TWO MORE TIMES. DOING WHAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE FAMILY WAS MOST IMPORTANT AND BECOMING A TEACHER WENT FURTHER AWAY. I ALWAYS SAID IF I ONLY HAD THE TIME AND MONEY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, BUT MY DESIRE TO TEACH NEVER WENT AWAY. THE LACK OF TIME AND MONEY MADE IT SEEM LIKE IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. I CONTINUED TO PERSEVERE AND TAKE JOBS TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY BUT I NEVER FELT LIKE I WAS FOLLOWING MY PASSION. A FRIEND INTRODUCED ME TO WGU AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT SEEMED LIKE MY DREAM COULD BE A REALITY. I COULD DO IT. I COULD DO IT AND KEEP MY FAMILY A PRIORITY. EVERY ONE OF US REALIZED IF WE TOOK THE CHANCE TO ENROLL AT WGU OUR FUTURES WOULD CHANGE. AND BOY DID THEY. THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY. AS OF LATE, THANK YOU COVID, I WOULD DESCRIBE SOME DAYS AS A STRUGGLE. RECEIVING THE DREADED EMAIL FROM MY MENTOR SAYING I MISS YOUR CONVERSATIONS OR KATHRYN YOU HAVE NOT WORKED ON YOUR COURSES FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS. I KNEW SHE WAS DOING HER JOB AND TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT DOING WHAT I NEEDED TO DO. SOMETIMES IT SEEMED LIKE I WOULD NOT FINISH A COURSE LET ALONE A DEGREE BUT GUESS WHAT, WE DID IT. I BEGAN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WAY TO GO AND CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE PASSED ANOTHER CLASS EMAILS. SO OUR LEADERS BECAME FRIENDS TO US. OUR FRIENDS AND COWORKERS AND COFFEE SHOP EMPLOYEES ARE USING WI-FI. OUR FAMILIES WATCHED AS WE WORKED AND SUCCEEDED. THE VISION OF OUR FUTURES ARE BECOMING A REALITY. FOR ME THAT WAS WALKING INTO MY OWN CLASSROOM AND BEING THE TEACHER. I HAD A VISION OF THAT SINCE GRADE SCHOOL AND NOW IT IS COMING TRUE. WE SHOWED UP EVEN IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS AND WE DID IT. WE DID IT. BUT WE DID NOT DO IT ALONE. WE HAD HELP FROM THOSE WHO SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY. OUR MENTORS HOLDING US ACCOUNTABLE AND BEING AN AMAZING SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. OUR COURSE INSTRUCTORS ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTIONS. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS HUNDREDS OF TIMES BUT YOU STILL LISTENED AND GAVE WONDERFUL ADVICE. ALL OF OUR EVALUATORS SPENDING MANY HOURS GRADING AND SOMETIMES REGRADING OUR PERFORMANCE LESSONS. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO SAT QUIETLY IN THE OTHER ROOMS WHILE WE TOOK OUR OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENTS. SOMETIMES THOSE TOOK MUCH LONGER THAN THEY NEEDED TO. AND WHEN WE WALKED OUT WE WOULD SCREAM FOR JOY WHEN WE GOT THE GREEN CIRCLE. OR THEY WOULD HUG US WHILE WE CRIED ON THEIR SHOULDERS KNOWING THE WORK IT WOULD TAKE TO RETAKE THE ASSESSMENT. EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY WE HAVE LEARNED AND GROWN. WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO. FOR THOSE OF YOU THINKING ABOUT STARTING, TIME WILL PASS BY REGARDLESS IF YOU START YOUR GOAL OR NOT. SO WHY NOT START WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND BE WHERE I AM BEFORE YOU KNOW IT? IF YOU HAVE STARTED AND FEEL OVERWHELMED, IF YOU FEEL GRADUATING WON'T HAPPEN, I UNDERSTAND. I WAS RIGHT THERE. DO NOT GIVE UP. YOU'VE GOT THIS. FELLOW GRADUATES, NOTHING WE FACE COULD STOP US, NOT EVEN COVID. WE DID IT. BUT THE REAL QUESTION NOW IS WHAT IS NEXT? >> ♪ ♪ >> FACULTY, FELLOW GRADUATES AND LOVED ONES, IT IS A PLEASURE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY. WE HAVE LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS DAY AND TO HEAR OUR NAME SAYS GRADUATES . IT IS AN EXTRA PLEASURE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY STORY WITH THE HOPES TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DIG DEEPER, PUSH HARDER AND LEARN HOW TO DANCE IN THE STORM. FOR ME I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH STORMS TO LOOK AT MY OPPOSITION AND SPEAK TO IT. THIS CONCEPT MAY SOUND CRAZY TO SOME BUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT ALWAYS HAD CONSISTENT PEOPLE IN THEIR CORNERS OR A SUPPORT SYSTEM, THIS GOES TO YOU. I BELIEVE LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE. I'VE LEARNED TO SPEAK LIFE OVER MYSELF BUT IT TOOK ME YEARS, STORM AFTER STORM AND TRIAL AFTER TRIAL. I TELL MYSELF TO STAY FOCUSED AND TO NOT QUIT. I LEARNED SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS IN MY ARSENAL ARE NOT JUST MONEY SKILLS AND INFLUENCE BUT MORE SO PRAYER, TIMING AND UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON I AM OPERATING IN. I'VE ALSO LEARNED LIFE IS A SERIES OF EQUIPMENT TO PREPARE US. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH STORMS BEGAN AS A CHILD IN A SMALL PROJECT TOWN OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH. I LIVED IN ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTIES IN THE NATION AND CRIME CAME ALONG WITH IT. MY FIRST IDENTIFICATION WITH HOW TO HANDLE DISPUTES WAS DISPLAYED THROUGH DOMESTIC ABUSE , INTERACTIONS WITH THE POLICE, UNFRIENDLY FIRE AND FEAR. LEAVING THE PROJECTS WAS CLEVERLY ORCHESTRATED BY MY UNCLE AND BECAME ONE OF MY GREATEST VICTORIES. THESE DAYS, MY WIFE SAYS I ALWAYS HAVE A PROJECT STORY FOR EVERYTHING. I DID NOT HAVE THINGS IN THE PROJECTS. SHE HAD A WALMART AND I HAD A SHOP AND SAVE. SHE HAD WALLS OF CANDY. RIGHT NEXT TO -- AFTER A WHILE SHE CAUGHT ONTO MY STORIES. ONE TIME SHE BROUGHT HER COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL DAYS AS A YOUTH. I LOOKED AT HER AND SAID WE DID NOT HAVE A POOL IN THE PROJECTS. SHE QUICKLY SAID I BET YOU DIDN'T HAVE WATER EITHER. I DID A SLOW TURN AND SAID ONLY WHEN IT RAINED. WE LAUGHED ABOUT IT. I REALIZE THOSE EXTREMES TAUGHT ME HUMILITY AND MATURITY. ALL TO FACE GREATER STORMS. STORMS SEEM TO COME WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT THEM. AT 17 I REMEMBER WAKING UP IN A HOSPITAL ROOM UNABLE TO BLINK, SMELL OR EVEN WALK. I'D SUFFERED A MAJOR HAD SURGERY. SURGERY WAS TO BE THE BEST SOLUTION. MY MOTHER PRAYED. SHE DECLINED SURGERY AND BELIEVED I WOULD BE HEALED. THE ROAD TO RECOVERY WAS NOT EASY. REAL IRVING -- I HAD TO RELEARN MOTOR SKILLS LIKE IF I WAS A BABY. TODAY I HAVE SEVEN SCARS ON MY HEAD WHERE THEY STAPLED THE SKULL SHOT. I REMEMBER HOW DEADLY STORMS CAN BE. I HAVE BECOME A YOUNG EXECUTIVE IN MY FIELD. I AM DEBT-FREE. I MET MY FATHER AT 25 YEARS OLD. MARRYING AND HAVING CHILDREN AND OVERCOMING POSSIBLE DIVORCE , ALL WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. THE 1st IN MY FAMILY TO GET A GRADUATE DEGREE. I'M COMMITTED TO HIGHER EDUCATION. MY WIFE IS A STUDENT IN THE NURSING PROGRAM AT WGU. SHE IS CHASING HER OWN STORMS WITH A ASPIRATION OF BECOMING A FAMILY PRACTITIONER. LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH THESE CLOSINGS.. YOUR JOURNEY IS DECIDING TO ENTER THE STORM. YOU STAND HERE A BETTER DANCER AS YOU LEARN HOW TO DANCE IN THE MIDST OF IT. THROUGH THIS JOURNEY YOU MAY HAVE FOUND FAITH, RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH. THOSE ARE THE TOOLS TO MAKE IT THROUGH YOUR NECK STORM. I BELIEVE GONE ARE THE DAYS THAT THE STORMS FIND YOU ON PREPARE. BETTER YET YOU CHASE THE STORM. JUST LIKE TODAY YOUR NEXT DANCE IS FOUND IN YOUR NECK STORM. LIFE IS ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU. MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE ASK OR THINK. >> ♪ ♪ >>> THANK YOU KATHRYN AND MARIO FOR SHARING YOUR TRULY AMAZING STORIES AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER. STACY BAST. STACY IS AN INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR WHO SPEAKS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE, MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP. AND ALSO OVERCOMING ADVERSITY. STACY, LIKE MANY OF US, HAS DEALT WITH PERSONAL STRUGGLES INCLUDING BATTLING CANCER. AND ALSO LIKE MANY OF US SHE HAS PERSEVERED AND HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY REMARKABLE , INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENTS IN HER OWN LIFE AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF OTHERS. HER STORY IS FASCINATING AND INSPIRATIONAL. STACY TAUGHT HOMELESS CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL WITH NO NAME. SHE TAUGHT KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE FOR 11 YEARS AT THE SCHOOL AND EXPERIENCED THE PROFOUND CHANGE IN HER AS WELL AS HER STUDENTS. DURING THAT TIME, SHE DISCOVERED THAT BY TEACHING AND MODELING LOVE, SELF-WORTH, PERSONAL POWER AND COURAGE, SHE COULD REACH CHILDREN WITH NO HOMES AND LITTLE HOPE. CHILDREN WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LABELED UNTEACHABLE. THESE CHILDREN GREW INTO LIVING PROOF THAT STACY'S METHODS WORK TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE THE OTHERS WITH PASSION FOR SERVICE AND STACY PENNED THE MEMOIR NOBODY DON'T LOVE NOBODY WHICH WAS ADAPTED INTO THE HALLMARK HALL OF FAME MOVIE BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD. STACY WAS LATER HONORED WITH THE ESTEEMED NATIONAL JEFFERSON AWARD FOR THE GREATEST PUBLIC SERVICE ALONG WITH FIRST LADY BARBARA BUSH, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HARRY BLACKMUN. SHE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE TODAY AS SHE SHARES HER TEACHING METHODS AND MOTIVATION. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING STACY BEST. >> A GREAT BIG WARM WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU. I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING I WOKE UP WITH A GREAT BIG SMILE. MY HUSBAND LEANED OVER AND SAID , YOU LOVE THIS WORK DON'T YOU? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I LOVE THIS WORK BECAUSE I GET TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PRACTICING SUCCESS. AND GET TO WORK WITH UNIVERSITIES WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT SUCCESSES. I WANT TO WELCOME THE STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION. I WANT TO WELCOME THE COMMUNITY. AND I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE GRADUATES OF 2020. THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE AND GRADUATING TODAY, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE A TINY SECOND AND ASK YOU TO CLOSE YOUR EYES. SAY TO YOURSELF QUIETLY, I DID IT! BEFORE THIS MOMENT PASSES AND IT BECOMES A MEMORY I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO IT AGAIN TONIGHT WHEN NO ONE IS AROUND. REMEMBER THE SUCCESSES YOU HAVE FOUND. I WANT YOU TO QUIETLY THINK YOUR UNIVERSITY FOR HAVING THE PHILOSOPHIES THAT ALLOWED YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL. MARK TWAIN ONCE SAID THAT HE NEVER ALLOWED HIS SCHOOLING TO GET IN THE WAY OF HIS EDUCATION. I BELIEVE THAT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY DOES THAT FOR YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THEIR PHILOSOPHY IS STRONG. IT IS THE SAME THAT I TEACH MY OWN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARING TO TEACH TEACHERS. I SAY TO THEM IN THE VERY FIRST CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT CLASS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MEET YOUR STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE. GIVE THEM YOUR PERSONAL SELF. AND BE FLEXIBLE EVERY CHANCE YOU GET. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU ARE A WHOLE LOT SMARTER THAN I AM. YOU CHOSE A UNIVERSITY WHO CARES . THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I READ ABOUT YOU THAT REALLY MADE MY HEART HAPPY IS AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR JOURNEY, YOU RECEIVE YOUR VERY OWN MENTOR. WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO ME? BECAUSE I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE ADULTHOOD TEACHING SUPERINTENDENTS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS THE POWER OF INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M GOING TO BASE MY REMARKS TODAY ON THE POWER THAT YOU HAVE TO MENTOR IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES. WHEN I WAS REALLY YOUNG I WAS FLOUNDERING IN COLLEGE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP. I HAD A REALLY POWERFUL MOTHER WHO HAS AN OPINION ABOUT EVERYTHING. ONE DAY SHE PULLED ME ASIDE WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS NOT LOOKING AND SAID TWO THINGS. DARLING I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU. STACY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY IF YOU CHOOSE A DEGREE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO LIFT A CHILD, INSPIRE A FAMILY, AND HELP A COMMUNITY. AND THEN SHE SAID SOMETHING THAT HAS CAUSED ME TO LAUGH FOR 40 YEARS, DARLING WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU DO BECAUSE YOU MARRIED VERY YOUNG IS GET A DEGREE IN A PROFESSION THAT YOU CAN USE IN CASE YOU EVER WANT TO LEAVE YOUR HUSBAND, GREG. IT'S OKAY FOR YOU TO LAUGH. I HAVE LEFT FOR 40 YEARS. AND WHEN GREG IS NOT HAPPY WITH THAT IT MAKES ME LAUGH EVEN HARDER. THE TRUTH IS THE MOTHER WANTED HER DAUGHTER TO LEARN THE VALUE OF HER OWN SUCCESS AND HER OWN HAPPINESS. TODAY YOUR DEGREE HAS GIVEN YOU THAT INCREDIBLE SUCCESS. AND YOUR CHALLENGE WILL BE TO DEEPEN YOUR HAPPINESS THROUGH REACHING OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE. I GOT THE DEGREE IN ELEMENTARY ED MOSTLY TO HUMOR MY MOTHER. I WENT TO THE SALT LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT THE DAY I GRADUATED AND HANDED MY PAPERWORK TO LC. SHE SAID THEY ARE NOT HIRING RIGHT NOW BUT IN THE SPRING WE WILL TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOU. I CAN SEE YOU ARE VERY YOUNG. DID YOU JUST FINISH? I SAID I DID. INSIDE MY HEART I WAS THINKING I'M GLAD YOU DID NOT OFFER ME A JOB TODAY BECAUSE I KIND OF WANT TO GO HOME AND BE A MOM FOR A WHILE. JUST AS I WAS GOING TO ESCAPE FROM THE GLASS DOORS A MALE VOICE YELLED OUT MY NAME. MS. STACY TURNAROUND. I TURNED AROUND TO LOOK AT DR. MANNING WHO WAS IN HIS DOORWAY. HE SAID HE HAD A MAHMET, LET'S TALK. HE PROMISED ME IN THE SPRING HE WOULD TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE HIS OFFICE. AS I WENT TO GO OUT THE DOOR THIS GENTLEMAN CHANGE MY LIFE FOREVER. HE SAID, SIT DOWN. I'M ABOUT TO OFFER YOU A JOB. IT ISN'T AVAILABLE BUT I KNOW IT WILL BE AFTER FIRST BREAK. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO OPERATE A SCHOOL UNDERNEATH THE SIXTH SOUTH BRIDGE . IT IS A SCHOOL FOR THE HOMELESS AND IT IS THE ONLY OF ITS KIND IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED. AT 2:43 AM I SET UP IN MY BED AND SAID OUT LOUD, HOPE DON'T MAKE ME TAKE THIS JOB. AFTER THREE NIGHTS OF SLEEPLESSNESS I WALKED INTO MY LIVING ROOM WHERE WAS REALLY DARK. I SAT ON THE COUCH. I LEANED AGAINST THE COFFEE TABLE AND HELD MY HEAD IN MY HANDS AND I SAID OUT LOUD, WHY ME? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WANT YOU TO NEVER FORGET WHAT THOUGHT CAME INTO MY HEART. WHY NOT YOU? YOU HAVE HAD A LIFETIME OF TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS, USE THEM , YOU WILL BE GREAT. I TAUGHT SCHOOL AT THE SCHOOL OF NO NAME UNDER THE SIXTH SOUTH BRIDGE VIADUCT FOR 11 YEARS. ONE DAY I HAD TWO BEAUTIFUL STUDENTS WALK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS TO MY CLASSROOM KNOWING FULL WELL THEY WOULDN'T MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH ME OR REACH TO TAKE MY HAND, I MOTIONED AND SAID COME ON BOYS I AM YOUR NEW TEACHER. 9-YEAR- OLD ALEX AND 13-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY LOOKED AT ME BRIEFLY AND APPEARED TO NOT BE INTERESTED IN A WORD I SAID UNTIL I FELT LITTLE ALEX PUT HIS HAND IN MINE AND HE LOOKED ME IN THE EYES AND SAID, WOW YOU ARE THE CUTEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER HAD. BROTHER ANTHONY WAS HUMILIATED. WE GOT TO THE DOOR AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD SO ANTHONY WOULD NOT HIT ALEX. MS. STACY ALEX SAID, I LIKE YOU. MS. STACY I NEED TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT SOMETHING, I HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF EVERY SCHOOL I HAVE EVER BEEN IN AND I WILL TELL YOU IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RULES. RULES ABOUT HOW NOT TO BE A KID. HE SAID EVERYBODY TELLS ME TO BE QUIET. AND THEN, HE SAID, MS. STACY DO YOU LIKE TO TALK? I DO LIKE TO TALK ALEX OF COURSE I DO. I'M A TEACHER. THEN I GAIN THE BEST WORD OF WISDOM FROM A CHILD, MS. STACY IF YOU GROWN-UPS WOULD LISTEN MORE, YOU WOULD LEARN MORE. AND HE WAS RIGHT. I WATCHED HIM INTERACT WITH HIS PARENTS AND MY HEART WAS HAPPY HE WAS HOME. ONE DAY I NOTICED HE WAS AT THE FOOD CUPBOARD AND PLACING FOOD UP HIS SLEEVES AND AROUND HIS WAIST. HE ASKED ME IF HE COULD GET A TYLENOL FROM HIS BEDROOM AND HE DID THAT FOR OR FIVE DAYS IN A ROW. I ASKED WHAT HE WAS DOING. HIS FATHER APPROACHED AND SAID MS. STACY HELP ME, ALEX IS COMPILING FOOD IN A WALL AROUND HIS BED AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE HIS OLDER BROTHER IS PUNCHING HIM IN THE MORNING TO GET HIM UP IN THE MORNING. THAT MORNING I PULLED ALEX OVER AND SAID, ALEX, I AM HERE AND I WILL HELP YOU. EVERY MORNING IF YOU WILL STAND NEXT TO ME I WILL RUN YOUR FINGERS UP AND DOWN YOUR BACK UNTIL YOU SLOW DOWN AND YES I WILL CHAT WITH YOUR BROTHER. I PROMISED HIM AT THE END OF TWO WEEKS I WOULD GIVE HIM A GRAND PRIZE IF HE COULD HOLD IT TOGETHER. AT THE END OF THE TWO WEEKS HE POUNDED ON MY DESK AND SAID I DID IT AND I AM READY FOR THE GRAND PRIZE. MS. STACY IF ANYBODY CAN PULL THIS OFF YOU CAN. MS. STACY DO YOU KNOW WHO KARL MALONE IS? I SAID YES I DO BUT I DON'T KNOW HIM. I KNOW HE IS A VERY FAMOUS BASKETBALL PLAYER FOR THE UTAH JAZZ. GOOD. I WANT TO MEET HIM HE SAID. I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND I CALLED MY FRIEND JUDY AND SHE SAID YOU ARE A FOOL PICK YOU WILL NEVER GET HIM THERE BUT I WILL HAVE A FRIEND WRITE A LETTER AND WITHIN THREE DAYS WE WERE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER FROM THE FAR SIDE OF THE LOBBY. ALEX WAS HOLDING HANDS WITH ME AND LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, TEACHER STOP SHAKING RIGHT NOW AND WALK OVER TO HIM. HE IS A REGULAR MAN. I WALKED OVER TO MR. MALONE AND PUT MY HAND UP WHICH WAS EQUAL TO HIS BELLYBUTTON AND MY NOSE. AND I THOUGHT YOU ARE NOT A REGULAR MAN. YOU HAVE NO IMPACT NOT -- SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE IMPACT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE TODAY. MR. MALONE AND I HAD BEEN IN DIFFERENT EVENTS TOGETHER KEYNOTING AND I KNEW HE GAVE AN IMPORTANT SPEECH ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT SCHOOL IS. I ASKED HIM TO SPEND SEVEN MINUTES ON THAT SPEECH. WHEN HE PUT HIS HANDS ON MY SHOULDER HE SAID MS. STACY I HAVE FOLLOWED YOUR CAREER FOR A LONG TIME. PLEASE DO NOT HOLD ME TO A STAY IN SCHOOL SPEECH. I DID NOT COME HERE TODAY TO HIDE BEHIND MY UNIFORM. I CAME HERE TODAY TO BE UNCLE CARL AND NOT THE ALL-STAR BASKETBALL PLAYER. I FOLLOWED MR. MALONE TO THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. I WATCHED 6'9" CALL MALONE PLOPPED DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND LEANED AGAINST THE BOOKCASE. ALL 25 STUDENTS CLIMBED ALL OVER HIS BODY. THEY MEASURED HIS TOES, FEET, LAUGHED AND CRIED AS HE LAUGHED. HE DID STOP FOR A MOMENT TO SAY MS. STACY DO YOU ALWAYS CRY LIKE THIS? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I ONLY CRY LIKE THIS WHEN I AM LEARNING LIVES MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS, DO NOT HIDE BEHIND YOUR CREDENTIALS. YOU AND I HAVE FOUND SUCCESS IN THE DEGREES WE HAVE RECEIVED. BUT WE ARE NOT REMEMBERED BY THOSE DEGREES. THEY ALLOW US TO GET OUR FOOT IN THE DOOR. WE ARE REMEMBERED BY THE USE OF OUR HANDS AND LIFTING UP THE CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITIES AND THE FAMILIES. AND WE ARE REMEMBERED BY USING OUR HEARTS. GRADUATES TODAY, I CHALLENGE YOU TO STEP INTO YOUR COMMUNITIES WITH SUCCESS AND DEEPER HAPPINESS IN INVESTING IN A FAMILY IN YOUR COMMUNITY. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE REMARKABLE! THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH STACY BESS FOR THAT INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE. AND NOW WE WILL HEAR NEXT FROM THE REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND WGU CHANCELLOR OF MISSOURI WHO WILL CONFER DEGREES. >> WE WILL NOW RECOGNIZE EACH OF OUR MASTER'S DEGREES GRADUATES. EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT PHYSICALLY HERE WITH US BUT THE CANDIDATES FOR MASTER'S DEGREES AND EDUCATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS PLEASE RISE WHEREVER YOU ARE. UPON THE FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR FACULTY AND THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE GOVERNORS OF WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY I HEREBY CONFER UPON YOU THE MASTERS DEGREE FOR ENDORSEMENT YOU HAVE EARNED TO INCLUDE THE MASTER OF ARTS, MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING, MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, MASTER OF EDUCATION, MASTER OF SCIENCE, AND EDUCATOR ENDORSEMENT WITH ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THERETO PERTAINING. CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY OF INNOVATIVE, BOLD INCREDIBLE PROFESSIONALS. STANDBY FOR YOUR MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT. >> HELLO I AM SEAN ATKINS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DEAN AT THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US HERE AT WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY INCLUDING THE FACULTY WE CONGRATULATE YOU ON EARNING YOUR DEGREE. WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> ♪ ♪ >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. HELLO. I AM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS. ON BEHALF OF PETE US HERE AT WGU INCLUDING YOUR PROGRAM MENTORS, COURSE INSTRUCTORS, EVALUATORS AND FACULTY WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON EARNING YOUR DEGREE. WE ARE PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST. [ APPLAUSE ] >> ♪ ♪ [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS. >> HELLO. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC OPERATIONS FOR THE COLLEGE OF INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US HERE AT WGU INCLUDING YOUR PROGRAM MENTORS, COURSE INSTRUCTORS AND EVACUATION FACTORY -- EVALUATION FACULTY, WE CONGRATULATE YOU ON EARNING YOUR DEGREE. WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT. WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURES. [ PAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. >> HELLO I AM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DEAN OF THE TEACHERS COLLEGE. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US HEAR FROM WGU INCLUDING YOUR PROGRAM MENTORS AND COURSE INSTRUCTORS AND OTHER FACULTY STAFF WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON EARNING YOUR DEGREE. WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE AND WITH YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. [ APPLAUSE ] >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE TEACHERS COLLEGE. >> WE WILL NOW RECOGNIZE EACH OF OUR BACHELOR DEGREE GRADUATES . THE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN TEACHER ENDORSEMENTS, COULD YOU PLEASE RISE WHEREVER YOU ARE . UPON THE FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF OUR FACULTY AND THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MEMBER OF GOVERNORS OF WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY, I HEREBY CONFER UPON YOU, THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE FOR ENDORSEMENT YOU HAVE EARNED TO THE BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF ARTS AND SCIENCE OR POSTBACCALAUREATE TEACHER ENDORSEMENT WITH ALL OF THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES THERETO APPERTAINING. YOU MAY NOW MOVE YOUR TASSEL FROM THE RIGHT SIDE TO THE LEFT SIDE. CONGRATULATIONS! THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN YOUR LIVES. STANDBY FOR YOUR MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT. >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. >> [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS. [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES FROM THE TEACHER'S COLLEGE. [READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES] SINCE THE FOUNDING OF WGU WE HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF IN THE IN PARENT WORTH OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND WE KNOW THAT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY EVERY PERSON CAN LEARN AND SUCCEED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OUR MOST SACRED COMMITMENT TO YOU IS TO EXPAND ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY. THAT WILL REDUCE DISPARITIES AND OPTIMIZE EACH INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY OR CAREER. WE AFFIRM AND IN FACT WE AMPLIFY OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVING AND UPLIFTING FELLOW HUMANS AND I CHALLENGE YOU AS LEADERS IN YOUR COMMUNITIES TO DO THE SAME. FOR MANY OF YOU, EARNING YOUR DIPLOMA IS THE FULFILLMENT OF A LIFELONG GOAL. YOU HAVE WORKED HARD AND DURING A PANDEMIC NO LESS TO ACHIEVE THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE DEGREE YOU HAVE EARNED AT WGU WILL CREATE NEW PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT COMMENCEMENT IS NOT THE END, REPRESENTS A NEW BEGINNING, A BRAND-NEW CHAPTER WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. GRADUATES, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS. YOU NOW JOIN A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 200,000 WGU ALUMNI WORLDWIDE . WELCOME TO THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY. WE HOPE YOU WILL STAY ENGAGED WITH US BY VISITING WG YOU.EDU /ALUMNI. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT AND REFLECT ON THE PRIDE YOU FELT DURING THE CEREMONY ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT BE PHYSICALLY TOGETHER RIGHT NOW WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AT A FUTURE IN PERSON COMMENCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US BE PART OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. AND DON'T FORGET TO SHARE YOUR CELEBRATIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING THE #WGU GRAD. THIS CONCLUDES OUR VIRTUAL CEREMONY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
