Colorado State University’s academic programs serve people well beyond the borders of campus. A good reminder of this comes from the fact that 135 of those graduating this week earned their degrees online or at a distance. For some, Friday will be the first time they have ever set foot on campus.

This isn’t a new trend, but it is certainly one that is becoming more common. About a quarter of those earning their master’s and doctoral degrees this semester studied in one of CSU’s online or distance programs.  Approximately one percent of undergraduates completed their bachelor’s degrees online. These numbers should continue to grow as CSU continues to expand its online offerings.

Of all the online and distance graduates, about half live in Colorado. The rest hail from locations all over the United States—spanning from California to Connecticut, as well as from Canada, and a military base in Europe.

To honor graduates of online programs, CSU OnlinePlus is hosting a graduation brunch before the official University commencement ceremonies. Since graduation will be the first opportunity for many students to set foot on campus and meet their professors face to face, the event will include a meet and greet session and campus tour.

Graduates are also afforded the opportunity to nominate the recipient of the OnlinePlus Innovative Educator (OPIE) Award—which is presented every semester to a faculty member who exemplifies outstanding instruction and relationship building in an online program. Previous recipients include Gena Sandberg and Julie Taylor of CSU’s human development and family studies bachelor’s program, and Jeffrey Foley of the online adult education and training master’s program.

Written by Julia Selby Smith.