CLINTON, Iowa, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 700 students from 48 states, who've never met face-to-face but earned their degrees together, will converge on-campus at Ashford University for graduation ceremonies at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on Oct. 16. Ceremonies will be in the Kehl Arena at Durgin Educational Center.

Ashford University, 400 N. Bluff Boulevard, offers accredited associates, bachelor's and master's degree programs. The October graduation marks a milestone in the university's 91-year history. It's the first one held in the fall and the first exclusively for online graduates.

Ashford University's online graduates represent the face of non-traditional online learners – working moms, dads, military war veterans, career enhancers, career launchers and scholarship winners who need flexibility in earning their degree.

In today's economy where there's higher demand for a college-educated workforce, online higher learning has grown exponentially. Online education enrollments now surpass traditional college enrollments by a 5-to-1 ratio, according to the Sloan Consortium. More than 99 percent of Ashford students earn their degrees online.

Fall graduates will be traveling from as far as the Virgin Islands and Guam – and nearly every state in the United States will be represented by an Ashford student successfully completing a degree program.

"Many of our students meet face-to-face for the first time at graduation," Dr. Jane McAuliffe, president of Ashford University, said. "While almost all of our students earn their degrees online, there's a connection to the university community at our traditional campus, one of Clinton's historic landmarks set amidst rolling hills. Graduation ceremonies are a wonderful opportunity for graduates to come together to celebrate their higher education experience at Ashford University."

Author and CNN Contributor Dr. Steve Perry is the keynote speaker.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org).  The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus.  The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs.  For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

Note: Media is invited to cover any of the graduation ceremonies. Students and faculty from all over the country will be available for interviews.

SOURCE Ashford University