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PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, March 31 more than 330 Philadelphia-area students will graduate from Strayer University at The Liacouras Center. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker Renee Chenault-Fattah of NBC 10 Philadelphia and honor local students, alumni, and faculty for their outstanding achievements. 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.

“It takes great determination to earn a Strayer University diploma and achieve high honors, especially when many students work full time while pursuing their degrees. Working adults go ‘above and beyond’ to earn their degrees – the tenacity they have shown will serve them well in achieving their career goals.”

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“As a career woman who switched from law to journalism, I understand the value of an education and know firsthand of the life-changing experiences it can afford,” Chenault-Fattah said. “Degrees open doors to new and greater opportunities. Strayer University graduates are fighting their way to the top of this competitive economy by taking their futures to the next level with this credential.”

The regional ceremony will also honor this year’s Philadelphia-area commencement award winners, including students, faculty and alumni, recognized for their academic excellence and commitment to students:

• Sandee Wise of Philadelphia, Pa., valedictorian: Strayer’s valedictorian title is based on a 4.0 grade point average and a student’s level of engagement in community and extracurricular activities. Wise received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on business management and was active on the Strayer Advisory Board and business club while at Strayer University. Her valedictorian speech will focus on how critical her family’s support was as she was pursuing her degree while working full time as a service operations specialist for the Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company. Wise is the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree.
• Hawa Diallo of Croydon, Pa., 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. Diallo received her master’s degree in educational administration while working part time at San Logistics LLC, a firm founded by her husband, who also is a Strayer University graduate. Her goal is to pursue a career in educational administration following graduation and plans to one day return to her home country, Mali, to teach, using the skills she gained during her time at Strayer University.
• Esperanza Neu of West Chester, Pa., 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. Neu received her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2010. She applies the strategies and solutions acquired at Strayer University in her current role as the vice president of talent acquisition and diversity for AmerisourceBergen Corporation. Neu is also a certified compensation professional and helps manage the David and Esperanza Neu Charitable Foundation and serves as a member of the board of Congreso de Latinos Unidos.
• Dr. Daniel Terfassa of Philadelphia, Pa., winner of the student-nominated Faculty Award of Excellence: The faculty award recognizes a Strayer University professor who shows unyielding dedication in the classroom. Professor Terfassa, associate campus dean at the Center City Campus, teaches undergraduate and graduate level finance and accounting classes. He was nominated for this award because of his commitment to his students and his real-world teaching style.

“We are very proud of the commitment our graduates have made to their education and chosen career paths,” said Dr. Michael Plater, Strayer University president. “It takes great determination to earn a Strayer University diploma and achieve high honors, especially when many students work full time while pursuing their degrees. Working adults go ‘above and beyond’ to earn their degrees – the tenacity they have shown will serve them well in achieving their career goals.”

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 Philadelphia commencement ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at The Liacouras Center (Temple), located at 1776 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121.

Editor’s Note: To speak with one of the commencement award winners or to cover the ceremony, please contact Cristina Henley at cristina.henley@strayer.edu, (703) 431-3691 or (703) 561-1913.

About Renee Chenault-Fattah

Chenault-Fattah, a household name in Philadelphia, holds a law degree and a master’s degree in journalism. For more than 10 years, Chenault-Fattah has served as an anchor for WCAU NBC 10, starting out at the noon broadcast and moving to her current role as anchor of the 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. news. She once practiced law in New York, but after pursuing a journalism degree, shifted to a career in the media.

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).