Three St. Louis Residents Walk in WGU Missouri Commencement

ST. LOUIS (July 2, 2015) – Three St. Louis residents were formally recognized for earning their degrees during WGU Missouri’s commencement ceremony, held Saturday, June 27, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Amy Schmeding, who resides in St. Louis Hills, was recognized for earning her Master of Business Administration in Information Technology Management. Jessica Maybearry, who resides in the Dutchtown neighborhood, was recognized for earning her Bachelor of Arts in Science Education. Jennifer Isenberg, who resides in downtown St. Louis, was recognized for earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

WGU Missouri is the state’s online, nonprofit university, aiming to provide an affordable and accessible path to college completion for Missouri’s working adults. The university, created in 2013 by Governor Jay Nixon in partnership with Western Governors University, has grown by 357 percent since its establishment, and now serves 1,590 Missourians.

Lynn Britton, President and CEO of Mercy, served as the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Schmeding, Maybearry, Isenberg and other members of the 2015 graduating class were represented by three other graduating students who shared stories of their educational journeys with WGU Missouri during the ceremony. Student speakers included: Frank Noto, M.S. IT Management, from O’Fallon; Kimberly Baker, M.S. Nursing Leadership and Management, from Independence; and Lesli Roy, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, from Webb City.

“We are delighted to honor these graduates who are celebrating an important milestone to advance their careers and build better lives for their families,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “There are approximately 750,000 adults in Missouri with some college but no degree, and these graduates illustrate the achievement that is possible with WGU Missouri’s flexible, competency-based model.”

WGU Missouri Commencement by the Numbers:

· WGU Missouri graduates represent nearly 100 cities across the state.

· 110 undergraduate and 92 graduate degrees were conferred.

· The average age of the graduates is 39; the youngest grad is 20; the oldest is 66.

· 88 percent of the graduates are older than 27.

· 42 percent of the graduates represent the first generation in their family to complete college.

· Degree distribution by college:

o College of Business – 54

o College of Health Professions and Nursing – 68

o College of Information Technology – 25

o Teachers College – 55

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 their degree faster and saving money. 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.

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.