Major Dan Rooney selected Grantham University Commencement Speaker
GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY WELCOMES MAJOR DAN ROONEY AS 2015 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Fighter pilot who served three tours of duty in Iraq founded Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to families of fallen and disabled servicemen and women Lenexa, Kan.- May 13, 2015- Grantham University, a 64-year-old institution delivering accredited online degree programs to working adults and active-duty and veteran military students around the world, is pleased to announce that Major Dan Rooney is scheduled to speak at the university’s 2015 Commencement ceremony on August 8, 2015, in Overland Park, Kan. A Major in the Air Force Reserve and a decorated military aviator, Major Rooney is the founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships to the spouses and children of military service members disabled or killed in action. In only five years, Folds of Honor has raised more than $70 million and awarded nearly 8,000 scholarships to family members of fallen or disabled servicemen and women. “Major Dan Rooney has demonstrated what one person can achieve when his or her mission is steeped in integrity, a sense of duty and honor,” said Steve Waldron, Grantham University chief operating officer. “We know his story will inspire our graduating students and their families – military and civilian alike, and will set the tone for our graduates’ next phase of personal and professional accomplishments.” Rooney was presented the White House’s “Presidential Volunteer Service Award” by President George W. Bush, the Air National Guard’s “Distinguished Service Medal,” the Air National Guard’s “Directors Service Award” and the Ellis Island “Medal of Honor.” He has been recognized as one of People magazine’s “Heroes of the Year,” named Money magazine’s “Hero of the Year,” and named one of ABC World News Tonight’s “Persons of the Year.” He is the author of the book, A Patriot’s Calling: Living Life Between Fear and Faith. Grantham University is one of the oldest private, post-secondary, degree-granting distance learning universities in the United States. Recognized for eight consecutive years as one of America’s Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education, Grantham has a deep and proud history of serving students who are active-duty or retired military. The online university’s annual physical commencement ceremony is testimony to Grantham’s unique culture, bringing hundreds of graduates together from around the world in celebration of their success. “So many of our graduates travel great distances to join their classmates for a memorable graduation experience,” said Dr. Cheryl Hayek, Grantham University chief academic officer and provost. “There’s no greater reward than seeing the pride and jubilation on their faces as they make their way across the stage – and we are honored to have Major Rooney with us to help impart the significance of their tremendous accomplishment.” This is an invitation only event. For more information about Grantham University visit www.grantham.edu. About Grantham University: Established in 1951, Grantham University offers more than 40 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. With a mission to provide accessible, affordable, professionally relevant degree programs in a continuously changing global society, Grantham’s courses are 100 percent online, allowing students to study at home, at work, on Temporary Duty or from almost anywhere in the world. Continuously accredited since 1961 by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Grantham University has earned a distinguished record as a respected and accredited distance learning university spanning more than six decades of service. ###