The proudest moment of my life was when I walked off the stage in my cap and gown and my five year-old son said to me “you did good mommy, I am proud of you.” My husband and I stress the importance of education to both our kids; one day my daughter asked me why we (my husband and I) never attended college. I knew then that I would have to put aside my inhabitations and be that example to them. (more…)
Having attended both graduation ceremonies on Saturday I came away with several reflections:
But most of all I was struck by the fact that I am blessed to work in a field and with a university that is in the business of helping people help themselves.
Milton Miller
Vice President of Education
Ashworth University
My name is Vahide Spahiu and I am from Kosovo. I’ve been employed by a US company since 1999 and have been serving in Baghdad supporting DoS, DoD, and US troops since 2003. I want to take a moment to tell you that I am honored to be one of Ashworth University’s graduates and whole-heartedly thank you for this educational experience.
Firstly, for giving me the opportunity to expand my education through the Ashworth University program. The learning method you provided me has been very convenient, especially for students like me working 12-13 hours a day and 7 days a week. I’ve spent these days analyzing my company’s budgets as a cost analyst and overcoming the stress created by multiple incomings (mortars, rockets, etc.)—while living in a place that allows limited movement, surrounded by T-Walls. Despite these obstacles, the method you provided me to study at my own pace, sometimes in my trailer and other times in my bunker, proved itself to be convenient and motivational. (more…)
I was happy to meet so many of the graduates and their friends and families. One of those family members had been a distance learning student of mine more than a dozen years ago, but we met face-to-face for the first time on the morning of the graduation ceremony.
The graduates clearly appreciated the opportunity to meet their fellow graduates and share a sense of community in their accomplishment. I received many thanks that morning, but I tried to let everyone know that it was those of us from Ashworth University who were appreciative of our students.
Karl Freedman
Director of Curriculum
Ashworth University
I was so excited when I received the email that we were having a graduation. For me, it represented the culmination of all my long, hard hours of studying and praying that my dream would come true! I was proud to walk down that aisle and to have completed a life long dream, which was to earn an AA in Early Childhood Education. I also met so many great people from everywhere. I really enjoyed meeting my fellow graduates and continue to keep in touch with many of them.
Gwendolyn Davis
Ashworth University Class of 2007
I felt honored when approached to be the photographer for our first graduation ceremony. I had experience working in events like this before; however, none were as unprecedented as the Ashworth University on August 4. On that day, and much like any other special event that I have been a part of, things were shaky at first. I was surprised at the level of turnout that attended the event. Mostly everyone that purchased tickets were in attendance for the ceremony. (more…)
My Graduation Day in Atlanta, Georgia was one of the happiest days of my life. After all that hard work, I had a chance to actually wear the cap and gown, walk on stage, and be presented with something so valuable and dear, my diploma. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to graduate this year or even go to college. But with my faith in God, family’s support, and the help of Ashworth University’s representatives, I was able to pull it off and head on down to Atlanta. I was so very proud of myself because I felt like I had made the right choice by saving a year for myself. I was only 17 when I graduated and it felt great! I felt special and grown-up. I got the chance to represent myself and be proud of what I accomplished. Thank you God, thank you family, and thank you Ashworth University for letting me grow up and come out of my cocoon. I am now a beautiful butterfly…
Linda Humaidan
Ashworth University Class of 2007
From where I stood AshworthUniversity’s first graduation ceremony seemed somehow “bigger.” The 45 high school graduates had traveled to Norcross, Georgia from homes around the country–California, Maryland and Louisiana–and they and their families were expectant and a little nervous. As I stepped to the podium to give the commencement speech, my concern about whether I would get any laughs changed to awe as I looked over faces of all ages and color set behind black mortarboard caps and bobbing maroon and white tassles. This was important to them–it was lifechanging, and it was not being taken lightly.
Edith Williams was among those graduates–I had sought her out as we lined up for the procession. She had written a letter to the Vice President of Education expressing her appreciation, her plans and her dreams upon graduation. It came to represent for me everything our school and this ceremony stood for–you see Edith was there with her husband, son, and grandson. And when I asked her to stand after reading aloud part of her letter, she was not the only one with tears in her eyes.
[Edith Williams & Cor Vink]
Somehow, bigger–that’s my impression of Ashworth University’s first high school graduation ceremony. It was much bigger from where I stood.
Bill Tinkler
AUHS Principal
Ashworth University
I am a post-secondary tutor with Education Services and have been employed here for 8 years. I have assisted thousands of students with various aspects of customer service. Witnessing Ashworth University’s first graduation ceremony gave me a new perspective on my job. It was so refreshing to see the students and see how excited they were to participate in the graduation ceremony. I never realized the impact of what we do for people here.
I met a single mother at the graduation that had to ask a guest to keep an eye on her son while she graduated. After the graduation, she told me that she would not have been able to get her education had we not been here. She is going to pursue higher education with us. Even though I was there as an employee of Ashworth University, I did not “work” on that day. It was an honor and a privilege to attend the first graduation ceremony and I would be honored to be involved in the future.
Kim Toombs
Education Services Tutor
Ashworth University
I thank God for the opportunity that this place offered me when I was in a critical situation. I graduated and am now in college and well prepared thanks to the caring staff that helped me at every turn. The graduation ceremony itself was the icing on the cake that just reassured me that I had made it and that now there was nothing to stop me from achieving all my goals. Thanks to them all and to you all may God Bless you and keep you and may you acheive all that you set your hearts and minds to do.
Veronica F. James
Ashworth University Class of 2007
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