Wallace E. Boston, Jr., President and CEO of the Online University System,
Receives Honorary Doctorate
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2000
graduates are a part of the American Public University System's (APUS) Class
of 2008. On Saturday, May 17th, nearly 200 of those graduates, from Japan to
Puerto Rico, from Alaska to Nigeria, from Canada to California, were in
attendance at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va., to participate in the
largest commencement ceremony in the online university system's 17-year
history. Graduates received associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees that
were earned exclusively online.
APUS's curriculum focuses on improved critical thinking and in his address
to graduates, APUS President and CEO, Wallace E. Boston, Jr., said,
"Understanding the cultural needs of your prospective partners, customers, or
adversaries will be more important than ever. The continuing advances in Web.
2.0 technology will allow individuals and their governments to be more
selective with the information received by them through technology over the
internet." APUS is an online university system that serves more than 30,000
part-time students living in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign
countries.
During the ceremony, Boston received a Doctorate of Business
Administration, Honoris Causa, from the APUS Board of Trustees. The trustees
cited his inspirational and exemplary leadership and achievement as Chief
Executive Officer of American Public Education, Inc., and as President of
American Public University System since 2004. The trustees felt he has brought
to the institution inspirational leadership, efficient administrative
management, and superb financial management, leading the University's
noteworthy development and growth. "I am looking forward to continuing my
leadership of this vibrant and vital institution," said Boston after
commencement.
President of the University College of the University of Northern Virginia
and student honors speaker, Dr. Benjamin Davis said, "APUS gave me the
opportunity to pursue a dream; to study space science." On behalf of all the
graduates, he thanked family, friends and faculty for their support in pursuit
of their degrees.
The commencement address was given by Lt. General Julius W. Becton, Jr.,
USA Retired. Becton is a member of the APUS Board of Trustees and served for
nearly 40 years in the U.S. Army. He was also president of Prairie View A&M
University and CEO of the District of Columbia Public Schools.
"Each of you is truly a star by making it this far," said Becton. He
commented that it took him 14 years to complete his bachelor's degree and six
years to complete his master's degree. He attributes his success to the
support and patience of his wife and family. He also said that teamwork - at
work, at school and at home - is key to success. "Success really comes when
working as a team," said Becton. "Never give up, work as a team, no matter
where you are."
About American Public University System
American Public University System (http://www.apus.edu) is comprised of
American Military University (http://www.amuonline.com) and American Public
University (http://www.apu.apus.edu) and provides distance learning to more
than 30,000 civilian and military adult students worldwide. APUS offers 57
degrees in its online undergraduate and graduate programs. Courses are taught
by professors who are experienced in the real-world subjects they teach.
APUS's curriculum, affordability and flexibility helps working adults pursue
degrees in homeland security, national security and emergency and disaster
management. APUS also offers programs in professional studies, management, and
liberal arts. A university book grant supplies textbooks at no cost for
eligible undergraduate students. Eligible students may apply for Federal
Student Aid. American Public University System is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information,
please visit http://www.americanpubliceducation.com.
SOURCE American Public University System
CONTACT:
Renee Williams Hockaday
of American Public University System
+1-703-334-3868
rhockaday@apus.edu