MINNEAPOLIS, Aug 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Capella University ( www.capella.edu ), an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults, will host its 21st commencement ceremony on August 13, 2011, for more than 700 Capella students who are expected to participate in the event at the Minneapolis Convention Center. As of June 30, 2011, more than 38,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella, with 31 percent enrolled in Capella’s doctoral degree programs, and 47 percent enrolled in Capella’s master’s degree programs. The learning and career outcomes of Capella’s students and alumni can be found at www.capellaresults.org .

Addressing the graduates will be U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Bill George, former chairman and CEO of Medtronic. In 2006, Klobuchar became the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the U.S. Senate. George is a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School, where he has taught leadership since 2004.

“A Capella graduation ceremony is an incredibly powerful and emotional event. Our graduates and their families should be very proud of their significant accomplishments. Each of them exemplifies drive, determination and dedication to academic excellence,” said Dr. Deborah Bushway, interim president of Capella University.

Capella will provide live and archived webcasts of the ceremony ( www.capella.edu/watchcommencement ) for graduates, family, and friends who are unable to attend in person. Capella holds commencement ceremonies twice each year: in Minneapolis each August, and in another major U.S. city each February or March.

About Capella University Capella University ( www.capella.edu ) is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, homeland security, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor’s degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 135 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 38,000 students were enrolled as of June 30, 2011, from all 50 states and 59 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

Visit the Capella Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CapellaUniversity .

Follow Capella on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CapellaU .

* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org . Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu .

Learn more about earning an online degree: online education ( http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx ) online degree ( http://www.capella.edu ) accredited online university ( http://www.capella.edu/about_capella/accreditation.aspx ) online college ( http://www.capella.edu/online_college_degree_programs.aspx )

SOURCE: Capella University

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