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ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, May 12 more than 1,200 students from metro Atlanta and across the region will graduate from Strayer University at the Georgia Dome. Graduating students, alumni, and faculty will receive awards and recognition for their outstanding achievements and noted human rights activist Martin Luther King III will deliver the commencement address.

“Our society grows stronger with each college graduate, and Strayer University is making this possible for so many deserving learners and leaders. I look forward to witnessing how Strayer University graduates not only achieve their personal goals, but also use their education to positively impact their communities.”

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King is the son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and continues his father’s legacy as a human rights organizer and proponent of nonviolent social change. King is committed to strengthening communities by creating and supporting youth programs, increasing opportunities for the creation of his father’s “Beloved Community” while advocating the promise and potential of higher education to empower individuals and change lives.

“As an Atlanta native, I’m delighted to address Strayer University graduates in my hometown as they reach this remarkable milestone,” said King. “Our society grows stronger with each college graduate, and Strayer University is making this possible for so many deserving learners and leaders. I look forward to witnessing how Strayer University graduates not only achieve their personal goals, but also use their education to positively impact their communities.”

With a 120-year legacy of educating working adults, Strayer University offers a real-world program of study that taps into students’ life experiences to enrich their studies and prepare them for success in today’s competitive job market. Students graduating at the Atlanta ceremony are Strayer University students from across the region, representing more than 65 Strayer University campuses.

The following individuals will be recognized for their academic excellence and commitment to education:

• Carolin Burger of Charlotte, N.C., valedictorian: Strayer University’s valedictorian title reflects a 4.0 grade point average and a student’s level of engagement in community and extracurricular activities. Relocating to the U.S. from Germany, Burger quickly realized that a higher education was essential for professional success in America. Her Bachelor of Business Administration degree has already helped further her career, as she received a promotion to planning project analyst at Daimler Trucks North America because of her education. In addition, she credits Strayer University with improving her language and communication skills which have greatly increased her personal confidence – especially being in a foreign country.
• Shaquita Anderson of Longview, Texas, winner of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award: This award is given to a Strayer University master’s student with a 4.0 grade point average who has made a significant contribution in both the workplace and community. Anderson received her Master of Business Administration degree while balancing a full-time position at Enbridge Pipeline and being a single parent to her son. She is excited to use the analytical and practical business skills she learned to further her professional development and launch her career. She hopes to pursue a position in higher education so that she can provide the same assistance and support she received while enrolled at Strayer University.

• Kenya Smith of Atlanta, Ga., winner of the Outstanding Alumni Award: This award recognizes a highly accomplished Strayer University graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his or her professional, public and personal life. Smith received her Master of Business Administration from Strayer University in 2007 while working full-time. Since receiving her advanced degree, she has been promoted twice at Turner Broadcasting System Inc., where she has worked for the past 12 years and is currently the director of commerce enterprise. Smith also volunteers on the marketing committee for Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and volunteers with 21st Century Leaders to help high school students prepare for college and the workplace.

• Damaris Garrett of Fairburn, Ga., winner of the student-nominated Faculty Award of Excellence: The faculty award recognizes a Strayer University professor who shows unyielding dedication in the classroom. Students nominated Garrett for this award because of her ability to teach theories from textbooks through hands-on activities in the classroom, making course concepts easily understandable and applicable to their current experiences and careers. Garrett is a human resources management adjunct professor at Strayer University’s Lithonia and Morrow campuses in Georgia, and the director of human resources for Clayton County Public Schools.

“We are delighted to honor the hard work, time and tenacity our graduates devoted to their education,” said Dr. Michael Plater, Strayer University president. “As we confer upon them their undergraduate and graduate degrees, we look forward to watching them flourish in their careers while maintaining their commitment to lifelong learning.”

Strayer University graduates earn degrees in programs ranging from business administration and accounting to education and information systems. Every year, Strayer University educates roughly 50,000 students in its undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Strayer University Atlanta regional commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at the Georgia Dome, located at 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313 – Corner of Northwest Drive and Georgia Dome Drive.

***MEDIA NOTE: To speak with Martin Luther King III or one of the commencement award winners, please contact Cristina Henley at cristina.henley@strayer.edu, (703) 431-3691 or (703) 561-1913.

About Strayer University

Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been in operation since 1892. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, human resource management, education, health services administration, public administration and criminal justice to working adult students at 94 campuses in 23 states and Washington, D.C., as well as worldwide via the Internet. Strayer University also offers an executive MBA online through its Jack Welch Management Institute. For more information, visit www.strayer.edu or call 1-888-4-STRAYER (888-478-7293).