Emmy and Golden Globe Award-Winning Actress America Ferrera Addresses Kaplan University Summer 2009 Graduates about the Value of Higher Education

America Ferrera, star of the ABC mega-hit comedy series "Ugly Betty,” described education as not a luxury, but a necessity during her keynote speech to Kaplan University’s summer 2009 graduating class. Addressing hundreds of Kaplan University online graduates, she shared her own educational experience, highlighting how flexible, non-traditional options have allowed her to fulfill both her professional and educational goals.

"Education is the key to improving our economic standing and most importantly, our understanding of the world,” Ferrera told graduates during the ceremony held in the Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier. "With your degrees, knowledge, and passion for learning, you are now going back into the world to better the lives of those around you. Your education has made it possible for you to do that.”

Ferrera, like many Kaplan University students, has had to balance her work and education, having studied international relations at the University of Southern California while working full time as an actor. Three-quarters of Kaplan University’s online students are women, many of them juggling work and family responsibilities while they pursue their degrees.

The University began offering online degrees in 2001 with just 34 students, and today serves more than 58,000 online and campus-based students, and more than 19,000 online alumni. During the ceremony, hundreds of graduates strode across the stage to collect their degrees and shake hands with the faculty who guided them through their programs.

Among them was Heidi VanMetre, an Army wife and mother of two who earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and graduated with a 4.0 G.P.A. VanMetre was selected from an impressive group of graduates to deliver the student commencement address.

"Receiving my degree online allowed me to reach my goals while my husband was fighting for our country,” VanMetre told her fellow classmates, many of whom traveled from across the country and overseas to meet their peers and professors face-to-face for the first time. "There are many individuals who make excuses as to why they cannot reach their goals, and why they do not continue on with their education. I did not want to be one of those individuals…I realized that did not want to settle for less than I really wanted out of my career. I could dream bigger.”

Wade Dyke, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Academic Operations at Kaplan Higher Education, praised VanMetre and her peers for their continued dedication to higher education explaining that the country is counting on educated workers just like them.

"As we all know, our country is facing enormous challenges here and abroad. Now more than ever, our citizens need to be more educated to take advantage of opportunities to show their innovation,” Dyke said. "At Kaplan University, we are re-thinking higher education to help individuals tap into their talent and share it with the world.”

In addition to recognizing the students’ accomplishments, the University also acknowledged two faculty members, School of Information Technology Professors Tamara Fudge and Dianna Dee, who earned Outstanding Faculty Awards for their commitment to their students and colleagues.

Kaplan hosts two graduations per year for its fully online students; one in Chicago and the other in South Florida. The University also has 10 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska and Maryland that host graduations throughout the year.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. Based in Davenport, Iowa, the University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University offers more than 100 academic programs, including master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, and currently serves more than 58,000 online and campus-based students.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 114,000 students through 70-plus campus-based schools and online operations across the United States and abroad. Its online institutions include Kaplan University, Concord Law School of Kaplan University and Kaplan Virtual Education. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from high school diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). To learn more, visit www.portal.kaplanuniversity.edu.

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