Kaplan University

The following students were named to the president's list at Kaplan University - Hagerstown Campus: Clear Spring - Gregory Garwood, Robin Knable Emmitsburg, Md. - Robert Firor Frederick, Md. - Kendra Hall, Tina Keo, Chrissa Kisner Hagerstown - Kwami Ayenu, Sarah Baker, Erin Barndollar, Tina Beaver, Dustin Bowers, Amy Boyd, Stacie Bradley, Tamica Branch, Peggy Crawford, Marcus Douglas, Stephanie Doyle, John Franciscus, Dorothy...

CHICAGO - Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its summer class during a Aug. 7 ceremony in Chicago. The following area students received online degrees: Michael Albertson of Frederick, Md., bachelor of science in information technology. Starla Boda of Chambersburg, Pa., certificate in information technology. Tracy L. Buffington of Waynesboro, Pa., bachelor in criminal justice. Joseph Collard of Hedgesville, W.Va., bachelor in criminal justice. Maggie Costello of Kearneysville, W.Va.

Maintaining one's skills was a common theme Sunday during the spring commencement ceremony for students graduating from Kaplan University's Maryland campuses. “In order to truly succeed in our personal lives and careers, we need to have a passion that fuels our purpose, drive and ambition. However this will only take us part of the way. We need to obtain and maintain the proper tools and equipment in order to succeed, or otherwise we get left behind,” graduate Sharon Sheffield told the audience.

Financial know-how doesn't come naturally to everyone. So, on Wednesday, Kaplan University in Hagerstown invited some specialists to campus to share their wisdom. Lisa Copenhaver, the school's dean of student affairs, said students can benefit by learning about identity theft, budgeting, building a good credit score and balancing a checkbook. Fourteen institutions in the financial realm sent representatives to the campus. Students were invited to stop at their tables, talk and listen.

Kaplan University's local campus plans to market itself to Hagerstown Community College graduates, but HCC wants no part of it. Kaplan is offering tuition discounts to HCC graduates, according to an email that W. Christopher Motz, the president of Kaplan University in Hagerstown, sent HCC President Guy Altieri. Altieri wrote back that HCC isn't interested in a partnership - HCC students have “much better transfer options” than Kaplan, a for-profit school owned by The Washington Post Co. In his Aug. 12 email to Altieri, Motz wrote that Kaplan will have a new initiative aimed at community college graduates, who would get a tuition break if they pursue a bachelor's degree at Kaplan.

Kaplan College in Maryland and Kaplan University have announced the merger of the Maryland campuses into the university. The merger is intended to provide students with a wider selection of program offerings and new online learning opportunities at a regionally accredited university, the school said in a release. The Hagerstown and Frederick, Md., campuses are among 10 Kaplan University campuses across the nation. The merger gives campus students greater flexibility to pursue blended learning options by offering both online and campus-based courses, the release says.

The following students have received scholarships from Kaplan University in Hagerstown: o Shane Adam Burkett of Hagerstown has been awarded the Lucille Lewis Memorial Legal Scholarship for $8,000 to attend Kaplan University-Hagerstown. Shane is a 2009 graduate of Grace Academy and is enrolled in the criminal justice program at Kaplan University. He is the son of James and Helen Burkett. o Kelsy Elizabeth White of Hancock has been awarded the C. Glenn Fry Memorial Business Scholarship worth $5,000 to attend Kaplan University-Hagerstown.

Tammy Jean (Jones) Wildeson graduated summa cum laude with honors March 17 from Kaplan University.  She received a Master's in Business Administration and project management with a 3.95 grade-point average.   She is the daughter of Bob and Saundra Jones of Waynesboro, Pa., and has been married to Patrick Wildeson for 19 years. She has two children, Pierce Wildeson, who is in middle school at Grace Academy and Anna Wildeson, who will be starting kindergarten at Grace Academy next year.  Wildeson is a member of Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship and of the following honor societies: Alpha Beta Kappa, Sigma Beta Delta, Golden Key, Gamma Chi Theta and the National Society for Collegiate Scholars.

Maintaining one's skills was a common theme Sunday during the spring commencement ceremony for students graduating from Kaplan University's Maryland campuses. “In order to truly succeed in our personal lives and careers, we need to have a passion that fuels our purpose, drive and ambition. However this will only take us part of the way. We need to obtain and maintain the proper tools and equipment in order to succeed, or otherwise we get left behind,” graduate Sharon Sheffield told the audience.

A delegation from Guangzhou City, China, toured Fahrney-Keedy Home & Village on Jan. 14, and discussed how senior-care services are delivered in the United States. Through an interpreter, six high-level Chinese government officials discussed a variety of topics, including quality of care, funding programs and allocation of resources. During the tour, the delegation met with staff and residents. John Brantley, associate dean of Workforce Development at Kaplan University, Hagerstown; Susan MacDonald, director of the Washington County Commission on Aging; and Dave Engle, director of social services for Washington County, coordinated the visit and accompanied the group.

Kaplan University has announced the launch of eight academic scholarships that will reduce the overall tuition of select programs by thousands of dollars for eligible new students who enroll at Kaplan University-Hagerstown and Kaplan University Learning Center-Rockville, Md.  Ranging from $2,000 to $12,750 in total award amounts, the following scholarships can be applied to undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as postgraduate certificate...

Greencastle, Pa., resident James W. Klein has been hired to direct Shepherd University's new Martinsburg Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. Klein was selected from a field of 20 applicants, said Diane Melby, director of advancement at Shepherd. The new school will open in August for the fall semester at 261 Aikens Center, a three-story vacant building off Edwin Miller Boulevard. Shepherd is leasing half of the building. “We'll be using two-and-a-half floors on the right side,” Melby said.

Historic and bucolic scenes from the Tri-State area taken by Kaplan University students will be on display at the Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Inc. at 4 West Franklin St. through the end of January. While the works are for sale, one of the photographers said what he learned will be useful in his career. “I can't put a price on what I learned in digital photography,” Bill Shatzer of Sharpsburg, a graphic design student, said Friday at a reception opening the exhibit.

John Coty Miller, 22, of Hagerstown, Md., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at the University of Maryland Hospital. Born Monday, Dec. 31, 1990, in Hagerstown, he was the son of John Thomas Miller of Harrisonburg, Va., and Kimberly Sue (Baker) Haines of Hagerstown. He graduated from South Hagerstown High School in 2008 and later attended Kaplan University. He had numerous jobs throughout the area. Coty loved the Dallas Cowboys and enjoyed snowboarding, playing chess, basketball and baseball.

Kaplan University-Hagerstown held its fall 2012 commencement ceremony Oct. 7 at North Hagerstown High School. There were 206 students in the graduating class. Seven faculty members and administrative staff members from the Hagerstown campus received degrees. W. Christopher Motz, president of the Maryland campuses, called the commencement a celebration of the “culmination of a significant achievement in the life of an individual, the earning of an academic credential.”  Student speaker Aaron Richards emphasized valuing family while balancing a career.  Richards, who received his bachelor's degree in information technology, joined his daughter, Kayla Richards, who received her bachelor's degree in business administration.  Student speaker Debra Stottlemyer, a 1982 graduate of Hagerstown Business College, chose Kaplan University because she knew she would get “the individual assistance” she desired “in a professional environment.” Stottlemyer received her degree in medical office management.

Kaplan University-Hagerstown and Washington County Public Schools recently signed an alliance agreement offering a 30 percent tuition reduction on graduate certificates and master's degree programs in education, including Master of Science in Education and Master of Science in Education in Instructional Technology. Eligible teachers pursuing degrees unrelated to education will receive a 10 percent tuition reduction, according to a news release from Kaplan. “We are excited to partner with Washington County Public Schools to provide a flexible option for classroom teachers looking to further their education and advance their careers, while providing face-to-face, locally based support services,” Chris Motz, president of Kaplan University-Hagerstown, said in the release.