SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The graduates for Ashford University's fall 2014 commencement hail from 50 states and 10 countries. Thousands of these graduates and their guests will converge on San Diego for Ashford's commencement ceremonies being held at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Drive.

This will mark the first time Ashford commencement ceremonies will be held in San Diego. Previous graduations were held near Ashford's brick-and-mortar campus in Clinton, Iowa. More than 99 percent of Ashford's 61,000-plus students worldwide attend classes online. At graduation, online students who earned their degrees together will meet face-to-face for the first time, don time-honored caps and gowns, and march to "Pomp and Circumstance."

In special honor of Ashford University's military graduates, who comprise nearly 25 percent of the fall 2014 graduating class, decorated military leader Rear. Adm. Bruce L.
Gillingham will deliver the keynote address. He is a San Diego native.

Giavonia Fields, a Shreveport, La. resident earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, will open the ceremonies with her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." She is the winner of a nationwide online competition among Ashford University graduates to earn the honor of singing the national anthem.

In addition, the winner of the Forbes School of Business at Ashford University Senior Project Scholarship will be announced. The finalists are Kyle Baucum from Scottsbluff, Neb., Jason Koelliker from Running Springs, Calif., and Clifford Ray Smith from Lemoore, Calif.

"Ashford's first San Diego graduation is a milestone in the University's evolution," said Dr. Richard Pattenaude, Ashford University president and CEO. "We look forward to meeting our graduates in person and welcoming them to our hometown."

About Ashford University

Where heritage meets innovation – that's Ashford University. At Ashford, students discover relevant degree programs, innovative technology, and cherished tradition. Ashford offers associates, bachelor's, and master's online degree programs, while the Clinton, Iowa campus offers bachelor's programs. Whether on campus or online, Ashford students enjoy the same supportive community. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

Contact: Shari Winet, Vice President of Public Relations
858.513.9240 x2513 · shari.winet@ashford.edu

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SOURCE Ashford University