More than 490 Grads Set to Cross the Stage at Bellevue's 2024 Winter Commencement
On Saturday, Jan. 27, over 490 Bellevue University students are expected to cross the stage at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to receive their diplomas at the University’s winter commencement ceremony.
Among the graduates will be Meghann McCreary Youngblood, student speaker, who has earned an Associate of Multidisciplinary Studies. The topic of McCreary Youngblood’s speech will be “When Life Gets In Your Way.”
McCreary Youngblood is a working adult learner who had a dream in law and is on the path to achieving that dream.
"Education is an investment in oneself and, despite the challenges, hard work, and sacrifice, it opens up future opportunities with a recognizable milestone for students," said University President Mary Hawkins.
The commencement ceremony, which begins at 9:10 a.m. with the procession of graduates and the program starting at 9:30 a.m., will also feature Paul Maass, Chief Executive Officer of Scoular, as the winter commencement speaker. Maass is known as an inspirational leader and has made it his mission to modernize critical organizational practices and evolve Scoular’s culture to enhance employee engagement and performance.
Ten students will also receive their doctoral degrees in a separate hooding ceremony held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at the John B. Mueller Administrative Services Building located on the campus of Bellevue University. Mr. Nelson Dantzler, who has earned his Doctorate in Business Administration, will be the student speaker at the doctoral hooding ceremony.
According to University Registrar Colette Lewis, the University conferred 706 degrees from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023. This includes 450 undergraduate degrees, 255 graduate degrees and 1 doctoral degree. Bellevue University now has more than 60,000 graduates worldwide.
For more information about the winter commencement ceremony, visit The Complete Guide here.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).