Post University Celebrates First Graduating
Class of Online MBA Students

WATERBURY, Conn. – On Saturday, May 9, Post University will award degrees to more than 250 traditional and online graduates on the grounds of its Waterbury campus. 

Students who earned their degree on the university's 58-acre campus and those who earned degrees through Post University Online's Accelerated Degree Program will participate in commencement exercises. 

"We're proud that our on-campus and our online students will have the opportunity to join together in sharing this momentous occasion with family, friends, faculty and staff," said Dr. Kenneth Zirkle, president of Post University.  "For our traditional students, it's a wonderful chance to celebrate their success as they leave campus to embark on the next phase of their lives.  For many of our online students, this is the first time they will be able to meet their professors and classmates face-to-face.   It will be a joyous occasion for all."
 
Post University offers travel assistance to its online graduates who would like to participate in commencement exercises.  The university expects dozens of its online students to "walk" in graduation.

Dr. Zirkle will preside over the ceremony, and Waterbury Alderman Joyce Hall-Petteway will deliver the commencement address.  Petteway was elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2007, and served eight years as the commissioner and vice president of the Waterbury Board of Education.

Post University also will bestow an honorary degree on Augusta Smith, from Darien, who is a long-time supporter of education.  Smith earned her Bachelor's degree from Teacher's College in 1938, and completed her Master's degree in 1940.  Smith, 92, is currently a lecturer on "How to Live to be 100".  As a first-generation college graduate, she is particularly committed to supporting quality higher education for other first-generation college students. 

Megan Oates, from Wareham, Mass., who earned a Bachelor of Science in Equine Management, will address graduates as Post University's day-campus student Valedictorian.  Natalie Luciano, from Waterbury, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and will represent the day campus as its Salutatorian.

Susan Bono, from Naugatuck, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, will address the graduates as Post University Online's Valedictorian.  Post University Online also will recognize its first class of Accelerated Masters in Business Administration (MBA) students as they graduate.

Founded in 1890, Post University is a career-oriented university committed to providing students with the knowledge, personal skills and experience required to be leaders in their chosen fields.  Located in Waterbury, Conn., Post University provides a wide array of degree programs for on-campus and online students of all ages. It is known for its quality, career-driven academic programs, small classes, national award-winning student activities, and competitive NCAA Division II athletics. In 2009, it extended its commitment to serving the military by adding an ROTC program.  Its 2,000 full- and part-time students come from the United States and abroad, and are supported by faculty whose mission is to prepare students to compete and succeed in today's global workplace.  To learn more about Post University, visit www.post.edu or call 800-345-2562.

Post University competes in the NCAA Division II

"I think this online format of studying is great, it really brings out the best in people. By adding a new dimension to learning by learning from each other. This level of discussion and knowledge sharing just is not achievable in traditional classroom courses. Glad to be here."
- Nayan Kapadia