This past weekend I attended the graduation ceremony in order to receive recognition of finishing my degree online from Ashford University.  Even though I received my actual diploma in the mail weeks ago attending the ceremony was more about the accomplishment than the piece of paper signifying that I complete my BA in Organizational Management.

The drive from Arkansas to Iowa was hard but all the weariness left me when I stepped foot onto the campus and received my first honor which was the maroon and gold cord that showed my membership in Alpha Sigma Lambda the academic national honor society.  Most of the rest of the first day was spent taping an interview for the schools recruiting drive and shopping in the campus bookstore.  While I was telling my story I got pretty choked up talking about how my Ashford advisor Rhonda and my wife helped me out.  Those that are taking classes online know that without a large support group then it makes it hard to focus on your classwork.

Talking to the other students who were part of the largest graduating class in school history was great.  Our class represented 40 states and 6 countries. I thought me driving over 600 miles was tough but to know that people flew from as far away as Brazil I was floored.   If that doesn’t let you know that no matter where you are from or what you are doing you can get your degree I don’t know what will.

Graduation day I was full of nerves.  Getting to the school to check in was a breeze.  I gave them my name and was given a card that showed that I graduated Summa Cum Laude and was given a second purple and gold cord to wear to show that honor.  When I crossed that stage and turned the tassel from right to left letting everyone know that I was an official graduate I almost jumped for joy.  The ceremony went by very fast for which I am eternally grateful and ended with all the graduates being given a alumni license plate frame and an Ashford lapel pin.

If it sounds like I am a walking advertisement for the school, you are correct.  I worked hard and sacrificed alot to reach my goal of finishing my bachelors degree and will be starting my MBA journey in the Fall.  To anyone that doubts that taking classes online is legit the proof is in the pudding.  If I can do it anyone and everyone should do it too!