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WASHINGTON - Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Michelle Howard addressed an audience of more than 3,500 during the 2015 American Public University System (APUS) commencement ceremony at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, June 13.
Howard applauded the graduates' accomplishments and acknowledged the difficulties of completing an online degree.
"You have just completed a college degree completely online," said Howard. "All while holding down a job, or raising a family, or living a life outside your virtual campus. The experience of researching, learning, and collaborating through a fully virtual world provides you with unique skills beyond those of your counterparts at a traditional brick-and-mortar institution."
APUS was established in 1991 and is an online learning institution composed of the American Military University (AMU) and the American Public University (APU). The university system currently enrolls more than 100,000 students. Fifty-eight percent of students are active-duty military, guard, reserve, or veteran; 42 percent are civilian.
Students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries attend the online school.
Initially, the main goal of APUS was to meet the unique educational needs of military personnel needing courses in specialized areas, such as counter terrorism and military intelligence that were not included in typical university course offerings.
Howard likened the graduates' path to that of a pioneer in the 1971 computer game, The Oregon Trail.
"Many of you were among the first to enjoy learning on a computer -- whether you knew it then or not, you were pioneers," said Howard. "To succeed on your journey, you must have the courage to make a decision. At APU and AMU, you had to display discipline, stamina, and downright tenacity at times in order to make it through. As pioneers in a global, interconnected world, your possible destinations are limitless."
She went on to encourage the graduates to use their education to better themselves and to help those around them.
"You have earned your degree and now look to the future," said Howard. "Keep the path open so that others may follow. As a veteran of the trailhead, you now can serve as a guide. Help the next generation of educational trailblazers that are following in your footsteps. Show them the way -- you are still pioneers."
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2015 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 166702 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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