WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Throughout his distinguished profession within the U.S. Navy, Kelvin Gumbs admits to “by no means really feeling a connection to the diploma I used to be making an attempt to earn.”
Analysis led Gumbs to Purdue Global in 2018, and he went on to earn an Affiliate of Utilized Science diploma in small-group administration in 2020, adopted by a Bachelor of Science diploma in skilled research a 12 months later.
On Saturday (Oct. 22), Gumbs offered the keynote handle to 1,177 Purdue International graduates who took half in in-person and digital graduation ceremonies at Elliott Corridor of Music on the Purdue West Lafayette campus.
Kelvin Gumbs, a Navy veteran and Purdue International alum, offered the keynote handle for Purdue International graduation ceremonies on Saturday (Oct. 22). (Purdue College photograph/John Underwood)
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“This schooling, for many people, has afforded us alternatives to be promoted, pivot to new careers or be taught new expertise,” mentioned Gumbs, a local of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who was raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and now lives in Pensacola, Florida. “For me, it gave me the braveness to a pursue a brand new chapter – after 22 years retiring from the Navy – for extra household time and a brand new profession teaching numerous industries to eradicate incidents, develop management and rework cultures.
“The journey for us all has been uniquely difficult. We have now individually confronted various levels of problem alongside the way in which, however the finish state is identical – via problem, sacrifices and prioritization, we’re right here collectively immediately as Purdue International graduates and Purdue household, having earned this really world-class schooling.
“Take a second and cease to mirror on, and discover enjoyment of, the enriching and fulfilling journey that you’ve got been on so far. The identical grit and dedication you used to attain this diploma will set you aside transferring ahead.”
Degrees had been awarded from the faculties of Enterprise and Data Expertise, Training, Basic Training, Well being Sciences, Nursing, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Concord Law School. There have been 535 bachelor’s levels, 417 grasp’s levels, 149 affiliate levels, 63 certificates and 13 doctoral levels (eight Physician of Nursing Apply, one Juris Physician and 4 Government Juris Physician).
The graduates reside in 47 states – together with 241 Indiana residents – plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, in addition to the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico and Pakistan. Some 187 graduates are affiliated with the navy. Thirty-three systemwide college workers are amongst those that earned a Purdue International diploma or certificates through the Purdue Global education benefit.
Chancellor Frank Dooley congratulated Purdue International graduates from 47 states and throughout the globe on Saturday (Oct. 22) in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Purdue College photograph/John Underwood)
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MORE: Find out how Purdue University’s tradition of opportunity expands with Purdue Global.
Chancellor Frank Dooley addressed the graduates – 719 who registered to attend in-person and 458 just about – their households and pals.
Dooley famous that over 9,300 Purdue International college students are affiliated with the navy, together with practically 5,000 lively obligation, Nationwide Guard and reserve members serving worldwide; over 1,500 navy households; and over 2,900 veterans. Nearly half of Purdue International college students are the primary of their household to attend faculty, whereas greater than half care for a kid or different dependent.
“I am thrilled that we had been capable of have fun right here on campus, the place the historical past of Purdue started over 150 years in the past,” Dooley mentioned. “Are you able to imagine that courses started with solely six instructors and 39 college students? Have a look at how far we now have come. West Lafayette is a campus with 50,000 college students and Purdue International has one other 35,000 college students. We’re grateful to offer a ceremony that brings us all collectively, regardless of the place we’re across the globe, both just about or right here in Elliott Corridor.
“What you will have all completed is so outstanding. You accomplished your schooling whereas coping with all the pieces that life throws your approach, together with a pandemic. It takes a variety of onerous work and dedication to get the place you’re immediately, and you need to be proud.”
Lisa Holman, from Hopkins, Minnesota, who obtained a Purdue International diploma for her Grasp of Science diploma in info expertise, carried out the nationwide anthem.
Saturday marked Purdue International’s fifteenth graduation since its formation in 2018 and the second in West Lafayette.
Within the days main as much as graduation, Purdue International hosted numerous digital celebratory occasions, together with a photograph sales space, toast, commencement “shout out” board and social media actions, in addition to each an in-person Black and Gold Celebration and Army Appreciation Dinner on Friday (Oct. 21) in West Lafayette.
Some 11,000 Purdue International college students have graduated within the final 12 months.
The subsequent Purdue International graduation is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2023, in Anaheim, California.
About Purdue International
Purdue International delivers personalised on-line schooling tailor-made to the distinctive wants of adults who’ve work or life expertise past the classroom, enabling them to develop important tutorial {and professional} expertise with the help and suppleness they should obtain their profession objectives. It presents personalised paths for college kids to earn an affiliate, bachelor’s, grasp’s or doctoral diploma, primarily based on their work expertise, desired tempo, navy service, earlier faculty credit and different concerns – regardless of the place they’re of their life journey. Purdue International is a nonprofit, public college accredited by the Greater Studying Fee. It’s affiliated with Purdue College’s flagship establishment, a extremely ranked public analysis college positioned in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue College additionally operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, in addition to serving science, engineering and expertise college students on the Indiana College-Purdue College Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For extra info, go to https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.
Author: Tom Schott, tschott@purdue.edu
Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu
Sources: Frank Dooley
Beth Smith
Kelvin Gumbs
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