Ashford University will celebrate its final Clinton campus graduation with a weekend of events and activities for students, alumni, former employees, and the community on May 6-8.

The community celebration kicks off on Friday, May 6 with campus tours, refreshments, and an alumni reception from 2-7 p.m. in the Cortona Art Gallery. Current and former faculty and staff members from Mount St. Clare College, The Franciscan University, and Ashford University will welcome visitors during a meet-and-greet event from 4-6 p.m. in C3600 of St. Clare Hall. From 4-5:30 p.m., there will be a reception for Ashford Director of Communications Larry Libberton’s photo exhibit “Slice of Time; Slice of Life” in the Cortona Gallery. The campus bookstore will be open until 7 p.m.

On Saturday, May 7, nearly 200 Ashford campus students are expected to participate in the spring commencement ceremony, beginning at 11 a.m. in Kehl Arena. Because of capacity limitations, everyone (including infants and children) must have a ticket to be admitted to Kehl Arena. There will be other viewing areas on campus to watch the live-streamed ceremony. In addition, the live feed will be available through a link at www.ashford.edu. Following the ceremony, graduates will be honored at a reception on campus.

Dr. Jane McAuliffe, who served as President of Ashford University from 2007-2011, will give the commencement address. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of External Affairs/Chief Academic Officer for Bridgepoint Education, overseeing external and academic affairs functions for Bridgepoint. She works closely with Bridgepoint’s two academic institutions: Ashford University and University of the Rockies.

McAuliffe also served as President of Argosy University at the Sarasota campus in Florida. Other positions held with Argosy included Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Sarasota campus and Head of the Education Department at the Atlanta campus. She was Vice President of Academic Affairs at American InterContinental University at the Buckhead Campus, as well as Dean, Associate Dean, and Program Chair for the College of Education at University of Phoenix.

An expert in the field of higher education, McAuliffe has co-authored a book, presented at numerous scholarly conferences, and has participated on more than a dozen professional committees. In maintaining Bridgepoint’s commitment to enriching lives and the communities it serves, McAuliffe generously donates her time and talent to the boards of Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego and the San Diego Symphony.

She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Special Education from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. She also earned both her MA and her BA in Special Education from Arizona State University.

Saturday’s events continue with an Athletics Alumni Reunion with the Clinton LumberKings, beginning at 5 p.m. at Ashford University Field. In addition to reconnecting with teammates and coaches, alumni athletes will be treated to a ballpark meal and the final class will be inducted into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The LumberKings face the Lake County Captains at 6:30 p.m.

The weekend celebration concludes with an Alumni Choir Concert featuring singers from Mount St. Clare College, The Franciscan University, and Ashford University at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 8 in Kehl Arena. The concert, under the direction of Dr. Rob Engelson, will be preceded by a free luncheon for participants, their families, and faculty and staff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the St. Clare Hall Cafeteria. Between 30 and 40 alumni are expected to participate in the choir, according to Engelson.

Parking for Friday’s and Saturday’s events will be at Ashford’s South Campus, 1650 South 14th Street. Visitors will be shuttled to the main campus. Handicapped parking will be available on the main campus.

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 degree programs online, allowing students to balance life by providing the flexibility to do school work anywhere, anytime. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.513.9240 x11636.