2015 Commencement
Six Hamilton County residents will receive degrees at WGU Tennessee’s third commencement ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
· Annie Munoz, bachelor of science, nursing
· Rachel Tolliver, master of science, nursing education
· Teri Rankin, bachelor of arts, interdisciplinary studies
· Pamela Frady, bachelor of science, nursing
· Christy Hixson, bachelor of arts, interdisciplinary studies
· Lisa Jackson, master of business administration, management and strategy
“We want to congratulate every one of the 144 graduates participating in our third commencement and can’t wait to celebrate with them” said Dr.
Kim Estep, chancellor of WGU Tennessee. “Honoring our graduates’ hard work and dedication is my favorite moment year after year.”
Commencement speakers will include four members of the graduating class and guest speaker Mark Cate, co-founder and president of the Stones River Group and former chief of staff for Governor Bill Haslam.
Earlier this year the state-endorsed, nonprofit online university celebrated its three-year anniversary. WGU Tennessee launched as part of Govenor Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 college completion initiative in 2012. Enrollment is expected to eclipse 3,000 students within months and this year’s graduating class is the largest yet. In keeping with the competency-based university’s commitment to affordability, WGU’s leadership recently announced that tuition rates will not increase in 2016.
“We’ve made great progress in just three years: we now have nearly 3,000 current students and more than 1,500 total graduates, which speaks to our program’s quality, affordability, and flexibility,” Dr. Estep said. “It’s been our mission to help Tennesseans further their education and be better prepared for the changing workforce. We’ve seen people are responding to that mission in ever increasing numbers.”
WGU Tennessee enrolls students into its programs each month. Tuition is about $3,000 for a six-month term, during which students can complete an unlimited amount of coursework. Those interested in learning more can visit
tennessee.wgu.edu.
Chancellor Estep