University graduates

Ryan Stryffeler, Carson City, was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy by Ball State University's during the fall 2010 semester.

Ball State, located in Muncie, Ind., is a state-supported university with an enrollment of about 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students.

Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its winter 2011 class during a live graduation ceremony Feb. 5 in Miami. Bill Richardson, former two-term governor of New Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Energy Secretary and multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominee, served as the commencement speaker.

The following local students were awarded degrees:

Jaime Aust of Carson City was awarded a Bachelor in Information Technology.

Raylene Golden of Carson City was awarded a Bachelor in Psychology.

Shana Stirton of Carson City was awarded a Bachelor in Criminal Justice.

DeAnna Lopes of Gardnerville was awarded a Bachelor in Psychology.

Richardson referenced his path from student to governor and told the approximately 1,000 graduates in attendance that "when you combine diversity and creativity with energy, commitment and a strong work ethic, there is no limit to what you can do."

The Kaplan University winter 2011 class included more than 5,600 graduates. More than 1,000 of them traveled from around the country and the world to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time.