Kent mayor to receive third WGU degree

Ralph to be given master’s of business administration Sept. 7 at T-Mobile Park

  • Wednesday, September 4, 2019 6:10pm
  • News
Mayor Dana Ralph/Courtesy Photo

Mayor Dana Ralph/Courtesy Photo

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph will receive a master’s degree in business administration during Western Governors University’s (WGU) commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 7, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Ralph, in her second year as mayor, earned a WGU bachelor’s degree in 2015 and a master’s in management and leadership in 2016.

More than 13,000 people are anticipated to attend the university’s ceremony and there will be 1,450 graduates, including 1,000 from the state of Washington, according to a WGU press release. It will be the largest commencement in the university’s 22-years, including graduates from 43 states.

The master’s ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the bachelor’s ceremony will follow at 1:45 p.m. Sekou Andrews will deliver the commencement address. Andrews, a school teacher-turned-national poetry slam champion, is known as a leading poetic voice.

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education online, the nonprofit WGU serves more than 115,000 students nationwide and has more than 154,000 graduates in all 50 states.

All of WGU’s programs are competency-based, a learning model that focuses on measuring learning rather than time spent in class. This model, along with online access to courses, study materials and proctored assessments, means students are able to complete coursework on schedules that fit their lives rather than driven by a syllabus or class schedules.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property