SAN JOSE, Calif., May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National
University's Dr. Glenn Sewell,
assistant professor in the Sanford College of Education, and
National University Scholar Cassie
Chavez will deliver keynote addresses at the May 19 Northern California Commencement Ceremony
for National University, which is among
the largest private, nonprofit universities in California.
Dr. Sewell is considered by many to be a pillar in the education
community. He has been a faculty member at National University for 12 years, and came to
National University after having served
as a public-school educator for 34 years. In 2004, Dr. Sewell won
the Superintendent of the Year award while at Wheatland Union High
School District. Several years prior, in 1997, he was recognized as
Principal of the Year by the Association of California School
Administrators (ACSA), where he is currently an Emeritus member. He
is also currently a board member of the California Association of
Professors of Educational Administration (CAPEA).
Cassie Chavez is part of the
National University Scholars Program, a
highly-selective leadership, scholarship and community engagement
program aimed at recognizing the many contributions of students
from diverse backgrounds including adult learners. She is
graduating with her bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from the
School of Health and Human Services.
"Commitment to hard work and perseverance are common themes
among National University's students,
faculty, and staff," said Dr. David
Andrews, president at National
University. "Dr. Sewell and Cassie are prime examples of how
harnessing those traits can result in the highest level of
leadership and success. We are delighted to have both address our
graduates at this year's Northern
California commencement ceremony and thank them for their
contributions to the University."
Dr. Sewell has always been committed to being in and of the
communities he serves. He served as a high school teacher, varsity
tennis coach, activities director, and assistant principal at
Schurr High School in the Montebello Unified School District. He
then moved to Northern California
and served as assistant principal at Paradise High School,
principal at Durham High School, superintendent and principal at
Wheatland Union High School District, and superintendent of the
Vallecito Union Elementary School District.
In November 2018, the Camp Fire in
Paradise, California claimed Dr.
Sewell's home—a home he and his wife built together in 1990.
Through this devastation, Dr. Sewell has formed a newfound respect
for individuals, including National
University students, who embody perseverance by maintaining
a positive outlook on life despite tremendous adversity.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to share my story and
message with our Class of 2019 graduates," said Sewell. "What makes
our students unique is their demonstrated ability to conquer
adversity by meeting it with a positive attitude and unwavering
dedication to accomplishing their educational and professional
goals. I am confident each and every one of them will achieve great
things and look forward to learning what they have accomplished in
the years to come."
Through the NU Scholars Program, Cassie served as a volunteer at
several nonprofit organizations. She hosted a donation drive for
Dress for Success Fresno, was involved in two Multiple Sclerosis
fundraisers—MS Walk Fresno and the MS Gala—and donated her time to
the Guelaguetza Fresno Blood Pressure Clinic. In 2019, she received
the Katja Caterina Hippensteel
Memorial Award—a peer-nominated award for demonstration of
charismatic leadership, warmth and concern for others, enthusiasm
for life, and commitment to pursue lifelong learning—and was also
invited to be a part of the Pinnacle Honor Society and the
National University Nursing Honor
Society upon graduation.
The 2019 National University
Northern California Commencement Ceremony is scheduled to begin at
1 PM on Sunday, May 19 at the
San Jose Convention Center. It
will be presided over by Dr. David W.
Andrews, president of National
University, and Dr. Michael R.
Cunningham, chancellor of the National
University System. More than 600 graduates will attend the
ceremony, which recognizes a diverse student population and
includes students completing their degree programs online and at
the University's campuses throughout the state.
National University's Southern
California Commencement Ceremony is set for Sunday, June 30 at the San Diego Convention Center.
ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1971, National University is
among the largest, private, nonprofit universities in California. With more than 165,000 alumni,
National University is the flagship
institution of the National University
System. National University is
dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible,
challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Four
schools and two colleges—the College of Letters and Sciences; the
Sanford College of Education; the School of Business and
Management; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of
Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional
Studies—offer more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees and
23 teacher credentials. Programs are offered at locations
throughout California and across
the nation and are also available online. National University is headquartered in
La Jolla, California. For more
information, please visit nu.edu.
SOURCE National University