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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, June 23, more than 1,600 students will graduate from Strayer University during a regional commencement ceremony to be held at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Graduating students, alumni and faculty will receive awards and recognition for their outstanding achievements. Harry E. Johnson Sr., J.D., president and CEO of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Inc. (MLK Memorial Foundation), will deliver the commencement address.

“I’m honored to address Strayer University graduates as they reach this remarkable milestone”

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Johnson has led the MLK Memorial Foundation as president and CEO since 2002. Under his leadership, the foundation raised $120 million and garnered support from leaders across the country to build the recently opened Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. Johnson is a career lawyer, entrepreneur and public servant.

“I’m honored to address Strayer University graduates as they reach this remarkable milestone,” said Johnson. “I have witnessed firsthand how education and enlightenment has an incredible effect on our communities, and I’m sure the Strayer University graduates will continue that tradition as they begin their very bright futures.”

With a 120-year legacy of educating adult learners, Strayer University offers relevant and rigorous academic programs to working adults, first-generation college students and others who often do not have access to higher education, preparing them for success in today’s competitive job market. Students graduating at the D.C. ceremony are Strayer University students from across the region, representing more than 69 Strayer University campuses.

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

• Craig Brown of Fredericksburg, Va., 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. A former Marine, Brown realized that his personal and work experience would advance his corporate career only so far. Brown enrolled in online and campus-based classes at Strayer University to further develop his management skills and pave the way for promotional opportunities. Ultimately, Brown’s business administration degree from Strayer University contributed to his promotion as design manager within the Technical Services Group at ManTech International Corporation.
• Brian Markowski of Washington, D.C., winner of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award: This award is given to a Strayer University master’s degree student with a 4.0 grade point average who has made a significant contribution in both the workplace and community. Markowski received his Master of Science in Information Systems degree, focused on network management. Prior to earning his master’s, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in computer networking from Strayer University after serving in the U.S. Air Force for more than seven years. The flexibility of Strayer University’s classes allowed Markowski to continue his full-time position at CACI International while gaining valuable knowledge in his classes. A recent promotion, earned in part because of his degree, has allowed him to apply many of the skills learned while at Strayer University.
• Kathryn Medina of Alexandria, Va., 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. Medina received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Strayer University in 2004 while working full time. Upon receiving her degree, she was hired to manage 230 employees in the human resources department of Paul Hastings, an international law firm. Currently, Medina serves as executive director of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which coordinates human resources activities across 26 federal agencies. She recently received Federal News Radio’s Causey Award in recognition of her outstanding human resources leadership within the federal government. Medina serves on several advisory panels, including the Next Generation of Government, and the American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council. Medina also chairs the volunteer organization Feds Feed Families, a program that donates more than 6 million pounds of food to children during the summer months when school food subsidies are not available.

• Dr. Darryl Claybon of Atlanta, Ga., winner of the peer-nominated Faculty Leadership Award: The Dr. Joel Nwagbaraocha Faculty Leadership Award recognizes a Strayer University professor who shows unyielding dedication in the classroom. Claybon serves as an associate campus dean at Strayer University’s Douglasville, Ga. campus, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in humanities, world religion, philosophy and business. In his courses, Claybon emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and encourages active student participation. He also serves as an adviser to new and current students, providing insight and advice on career planning and goal setting to ensure their success. Claybon received the award in recognition of his focus on effective adult learning and rigorous academic standards, creation of a supportive learning environment that allows students to achieve their goals, and desire to ensure that all qualified adults have access to higher education.

“Commencement is the most exciting time of the year, where we reward and celebrate our students’ focus, tenacity and accomplishments,” said Dr. Michael Plater, president of Strayer University. “We are delighted to watch this very deserving group of current and future leaders leverage their hard-earned education, and excel in their personal and professional lives.”

Strayer University graduates earn degrees in programs ranging from business administration and accounting to education and information systems. The Strayer University D.C. regional commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 23 at the Verizon Center, located at 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC.

***MEDIA NOTE: To speak with Harry E. Johnson or one of the commencement award winners, please contact Cristina Henley at cristina.henley@strayer.edu, work: (703) 561-1913, or cell: (703) 431-3691.

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).