Kaplan College

View more Kaplan graduation photos HAGERSTOWN -- Kaplan College evolved to its next level Sunday when the school's first bachelor's degrees were awarded during spring commencement at North Hagerstown High School. Kaplan College, which started as Hagerstown Business College in 1938, wanted to offer bachelor's degrees to increase the number of Washington County residents with bachelor's degrees and higher, said college President W. Christopher Motz. Statistics from the 2000 census showed Washington County had a low number of residents holding such degrees but Kaplan is hoping to change that in part with its bachelor's programs in business and information technology, Motz said.

The Hager Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has awarded its 2008-09 scholarship to Catherine "Katie" Heiston of Hagerstown. Heiston is a 2008 Clear Spring High School graduate. She was selected as the Most Outstanding Senior and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She will attend Kaplan College, where she will major in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Hager IAAP Chapter is an affiliate of the IAAP.

Gary Keith Spielman, 57, of Hagerstown, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at his home. Born Sept. 26, 1954, in Hagerstown, he was the son of Janet Carmeleta (Wiegand) Spielman of Maugansville and the late Donald Richard Spielman. Gary was a 1972 graduate of South Hagerstown High School and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Baltimore in 1983 and his Master of Business Administration Degree from Frostburg State University in 1990.

HAGERSTOWN - With no operator's manual to guide her, Lori Pierce's life over the past 18 years has taken her down some bumpy roads. She saw 22 years of marriage end in divorce, became homeless and lost a stepdaughter to leukemia. But through all the unspeakable hardships, the Hagerstown woman clung to a dream. She wanted to graduate from college. Saturday morning, her dream came true. Pierce was among 128 students who received diplomas and certificates from Kaplan College during commencement ceremonies at North Hagerstown High School.

HAGERSTOWN -- Several teachers in higher education received high praise on Friday. Six colleges and universities with classes in Hagerstown honored outstanding faculty members at the first Academic Excellence in Higher Education Awards. At Duffy's on Potomac in Hagerstown, teachers more accustomed to recognizing their best students instead were the recipients of kind words and gifts. They included Ed Gift, an adjunct faculty member in history and sociology at Hagerstown Community College for 35 years.

Disability Services Jan. 14-15; Jan. 22 - The Department of Rehabilitation Services at Washington County One-Stop Job Center, 14 N. Potomac St., Suite 100, Hagerstown, 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Call 301-791-4760. Jobs workshop Jan. 14-15; Jan. 23-24 - Early Intervention Job Search Workshop, tips to re-energize your job search, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Washington County One-Stop Job Center, 14 N. Potomac St., Suite 100, Hagerstown. Free. Call 301-393-8224. Management book club Jan. 16 - Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce, management book club, "A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder - How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-The-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place," 8 to 9 a.m., Washington County Free Library, South Potomac Street, Hagerstown.

HAGERSTOWN -- A delegation from China's National Population and Family Planning Commission was in Hagerstown Thursday to study how the United States manages family planning and social services for children. The visit was part of a two-day seminar coordinated by Kaplan College in Hagerstown and included tours of Washington County Hospital and Safe Place, a child advocacy center in the Walnut Street Community Health Center. Friday, the group is scheduled to visit Mont Alto Family Practice in Pennsylvania and Manito, an organization that provides alternative education for youths with behavioral problems and learning disabilities.

HAGERSTOWN -- Several teachers in higher education received high praise on Friday. Six colleges and universities with classes in Hagerstown honored outstanding faculty members at the first Academic Excellence in Higher Education Awards. At Duffy's on Potomac in Hagerstown, teachers more accustomed to recognizing their best students instead were the recipients of kind words and gifts. They included Ed Gift, an adjunct faculty member in history and sociology at Hagerstown Community College for 35 years.

Wetzel-Boggs Roy and Linda Wetzel of Clear Spring announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie Lynne, to Christopher Michael Boggs, son of Dean and Cindy Boggs of Williamsport. Ms. Wetzel is a 2002 graduate of Clear Spring High School. She attends Kaplan College, pursuing a degree in health information and management. She is a certified medical assistant and is employed as an ophthalmic technician at Greater Potomac Retina Center in Frederick, Md. Mr. Boggs is a 2001 graduate of Williamsport High School and a 2005 graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in community planning.

Strite-Mills Nicole Lynn Mills and Christopher Dean Strite were married on Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Church of God Universal in Hagerstown. The bride is the daughter of Edgar T. Mills Jr. and Robin A. Mills of Hancock. The bridegroom is the son of Lester and Wilma Strite of Greencastle, Pa. The bride is a 2003 graduate of Clear Spring High School and is attending Kaplan College of Hagerstown pursuing associate degree in business administration. She is employed as a cashier and receptionist at Truck Enterprises Hagerstown Inc. The bridegroom is a graduate of Hillside Mennonite School and is employed as a truck driver at Stateline Ag in Hagerstown.