Walden University Awards Record Number of Degrees, Commemorates 150th Anniversary of Thoreau Book
During ceremonies broadcast live via the Internet, Walden University recognized The Thoreau Society on the occasion of the book's sesquicentennial anniversary, along with 2,064 graduating Walden University students who received Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees during the past year from Walden's schools of education, psychology, health and human services, and management. This marked an all-time record for the number of degrees awarded in a single year by the accredited, online university (see accompanying press release for further details).
"Just as our founders were moved by the words of Henry David Thoreau to name our institution Walden University, our students and graduates take their lead from the author's belief that to be a thoughtful, focused and dedicated citizen of the world is not just a worthy goal, but the only goal," said Paula Peinovich, Ph.D., Walden University president and provost.
Walden University was so named by co-founder Dr. Harold Hodgkinson in a 1969 article, "Walden U: A Working Paper," in which he first presented his vision for an alternative institution of higher education that recognized that learning "does not occur in equal units, nor on certain days of the week, nor at certain times of the day."
To mark the anniversary of Walden the book, and to honor the group that promotes the Walden spirit, Dr. Peinovich presented a Walden University award and proclamation to Tom Potter, a board member of The Thoreau Society. Thoreau Society President Ronald A. Bosco, the distinguished service professor of English and American literature at the University of Albany, State University of New York, and an authority on authors Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, then delivered a special commemorative address, "Culture is Self- and Social-Reform: Henry David Thoreau at Walden."
Walden University students, alumni and faculty were also recognized and honored during the 32nd annual commencement ceremonies for their outstanding research, professional accomplishments and for upholding the ideals of the university:
* Janet Pershing, with a Ph.D. in Administration/Management, received the Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for meeting the highest university standards of excellence in her dissertation, "Beliefs about the Appropriate Degree of Directiveness in the Management Relationship, as Related to Demographic Characteristics, Educational Background, and Organizational Position," and Michael Hand, with a Ph.D. in Psychology, received the Frank Dilley Award for meeting the highest university standards of excellence in his dissertation, "Psychological Resilience: The Influence of Positive and Negative Life Events Upon Optimism, Hope, and Perceived Locus of Control."
* Ruth Maurer, Ph.D., and Augustine Baron, Psy.D., faculty chairs of the dissertation committees of the Hodgkinson and Dilley award winners, received the Bernard L. Turner and Rita Turner awards, respectively.
* Freida Pemberton, Ph.D. in Health Services from the class of 1996, received the Outstanding Alumni Award for exemplifying the Walden scholar-practitioner model and for making exceptional contributions to her profession, discipline and community since graduation.
* Lilburn Hoehn, Ph.D., faculty member in the School of Management, received the Extraordinary Faculty Award for exemplifying Walden University's core values of quality, integrity and student- centeredness.
"Walden University is proud of these fine award recipients, as we are of all of our alumni, graduates, current students and faculty," added Dr. Peinovich. "They are all members of a unique academic family with a shared commitment to their professions and their communities. I'm confident Henry David Thoreau would share our pride in them and in their many accomplishments."
About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered busy professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, online university offers master's and doctoral degrees in education, management, psychology, and health and human services, as well as bachelor's degree completion programs in business. Through its applied- research approach, led by distinguished faculty members, Walden prepares its graduates to achieve professional excellence and serve their fields, organizations and communities more effectively. Walden University is a subsidiary of Laureate Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: LAUR). For more information, visit http://www.waldenu.edu.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, located at 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. The association is online at http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, and can be reached at 312-263-0456.