Columbia Southern University's Graduation a Success

Oct. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- There were excited cheers, loud praises and proud tears as more than 450 students from across the nation and from countries as far away as Vietnam walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at Columbia Southern University’s (CSU) commencement ceremonies Friday, Oct. 21 at The Wharf Conference Center.

Students and their families attended two ceremonies – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon featuring graduate and undergrads, respectively. Speakers at the ceremonies were CSU president Robert Mayes, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and Marilyn Hickey, founder and president of Marilyn Hickey Ministries, a non-profit humanitarian organization based in Denver.

Many graduates said they were ecstatic, a little nervous, but mostly excited to attend the online university’s graduation.

Ami Smith of Columbus, Ga., who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health care administration, said, “This was a memorable event to share with my three girls of my hard work and perseverance to never let go of my dreams.”

“Without the tremendous support of faculty and staff of CSU, it would never have been possible for me to be here. They gave me energy and positive motivation to compete my degree; otherwise, I might have given up. And for that, I am ever grateful,” she added.

She and other graduates and guests also attended an open house Thursday, Oct. 20 and met with faculty and staff and took tours of the CSU’s main building.

CSU, one of the nation’s first online universities, makes educational opportunities more accessible for working adults. With a record enrollment of more than 28,000, the growing university offers numerous online degree and certificate programs in a variety of popular fields such as fire science, criminal justice, business administration, information technology, human resource management and occupational safety and health.

To learn more about CSU’s commencement, visit us at http://www.ColumbiaSouthern.edu/graduation.