Nearly 250 online students are joining this week the 274,000 living alumni who proudly count themselves graduates of the University of Missouri. Mizzou’s spring 2014 online commencement ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of those students who have completed their education at a distance.
“These graduates all have exhibited tremendous commitment to achieve their degrees, especially as many have had to juggle hours of course work with full-time jobs, family and other commitments," says Kim Siegenthaler, Mizzou Online director. "We created the online ceremony to honor these students who have made their education a priority despite the challenges. And we hope that the graduates will forward the commencement link to their supporters so that many of their friends and families can also celebrate this life accomplishment."
This semester’s online graduates range in age from 22 to 59 and come from 28 states and China. 150 of the graduates are from Missouri.
The online ceremony consists of video remarks from campus officials, much like the on-campus commencement exercises taking place this week. The virtual graduation experience features speeches by several campus leaders, including Mizzou’s new Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, Vice Provost for e-Learning Jim Spain and Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies Leona Rubin.
At the site, well-wishers can leave congratulatory notes for individuals or groups of online graduates in the guest book, visitors can read inspiring messages written by others, and graduating students can even post pictures of themselves in the photo gallery.
Friends, families and supporters of MU: Congratulate the graduates by posting in the guest book.
For more information about the on-campus graduation ceremonies please visit the Registrar's commencement page.