WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Throughout his distinguished profession within the US Navy, Kelvin Gumbs admits “by no means actually felt a connection to the diploma I used to be attempting to get.”
The analysis led Gumbs to Global Purdue in 2018, and went on to earn an Affiliate of Utilized Science diploma in Small Group Administration in 2020, adopted by a Bachelor of Science in Skilled Research a 12 months later.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, Gumbs delivered the graduation handle to 1,177 Purdue World graduates who participated in in-person and digital graduation ceremonies at Elliott Corridor of Music on the Purdue West Lafayette campus.

Kelvin Gumbs, a Navy veteran and Purdue World alumnus, delivered the keynote handle on the Purdue World Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, October 22. (Photograph Purdue College/John Underwood)
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“This schooling, for many people, has given us alternatives to be promoted, pivot to new careers, or be taught new abilities,” stated Gumbs, a local of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and now lives in Pensacola, Florida. “For me, it gave me the braveness to pursue a brand new chapter – after 22 years of retirement from the Navy – for extra household time and a brand new profession teaching in numerous industries to remove mishaps, develop management and rework cultures.
“The journey for all of us has been notably troublesome. We’ve got individually confronted various levels of problem alongside the way in which, however the finish state is identical – by way of challenges, sacrifices and priorities, we’re right here collectively right now as Purdue World graduates and Purdue household, having earned this actually world-class schooling.
“Take a second and pause to replicate and rejoice within the rewarding and fulfilling journey you’ve got taken to date. The identical braveness and dedication that you just used to earn this diploma will set you aside sooner or later.
Degrees have been awarded by enterprise colleges and data expertiseschooling, basic schooling, well being sciences, nursing, social and behavioral sciences, and Concord School of Law. There was 535 bachelor’s levels, 417 masters levels, 149 affiliate levels, 63 certificates and 13 doctorates (eight Physician of Nursing Follow, one Juris Physician and 4 Government Juris Medical doctors).
Graduates reside in 47 states – together with 241 Indiana residents – plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, in addition to the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico and Pakistan.. Some 187 graduates are affiliated with the army. Thirty-three systemwide college workers are amongst those that have earned a Purdue World diploma or certificates by way of the Purdue Global Education Benefit.

Chancellor Frank Dooley congratulated Purdue World graduates from 47 states and all over the world Saturday, Oct. 22, in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photograph Purdue College/John Underwood)
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AFTER: Be taught Purdue University’s tradition of opportunity expands with Purdue Global.
Chancellor Frank Dooley addressed the graduates – 719 who registered to attend in particular person and 458 just about – to their households and pals.
Dooley famous that greater than 9,300 Purdue World college students are affiliated with the army, together with practically 5,000 energetic responsibility, Nationwide Guard and Reserve members serving all over the world; greater than 1,500 army households; and greater than 2,900 veterans. Practically half of Purdue World college students are the primary of their households to attend school, whereas greater than half are caring for a kid or different dependent.
“I am thrilled we have been in a position to have fun right here on campus, the place Purdue’s story started over 150 years in the past,” Dooley stated. “Are you able to imagine the lessons began with simply six instructors and 39 college students? Look how far we have come. West Lafayette is a campus of fifty,000 college students and Purdue World has one other 35,000 college students. We’re grateful to supply a ceremony that brings us all collectively, wherever we’re on this planet, whether or not just about or right here at Elliott Corridor.
“What you all have completed is so outstanding. You may have accomplished your research whereas coping with no matter life throws at you, together with a pandemic. It takes lots of onerous work and dedication to get the place you’re right now, and you have to be proud.
Lisa Holman, of Hopkins, Minnesota, who acquired a Purdue World diploma for her Grasp of Science in Data Know-how, carried out the nationwide anthem.
Saturday marked Purdue World’s fifteenth launch since its inception in 2018 and the second in West Lafayette.
Within the days main as much as the beginning, Purdue World hosted numerous digital celebration occasions, together with a photograph sales space, toast, commencement board and social media actions, in addition to an in-person Black and Gold celebration. and a army appreciation dinner. on Friday, October 21 in West Lafayette.
Some 11,000 Purdue World college students graduated up to now 12 months.
Purdue World’s subsequent launch is scheduled for February 25, 2023 in Anaheim, California.
About Purdue World
Purdue World provides customized on-line coaching tailor-made to the distinctive wants of adults who’ve work or life expertise exterior of the classroom, permitting them to develop important tutorial and profession abilities with the assist and suppleness they want. want to attain their profession objectives. It provides college students customized paths to an affiliate’s, bachelor’s, grasp’s, or doctoral diploma, primarily based on their work expertise, desired tempo, army service, prior school credit, and different concerns – irrespective of the place they’re of their life journey. Purdue World is a public, nonprofit college accredited by the Increased Studying Fee. It’s affiliated with the flagship establishment of Purdue College, a top-tier public analysis college positioned in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue College additionally operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and northwest Indiana, in addition to science, engineering, and expertise college students on the Indiana College campus on the College Purdue of Indianapolis (IUPUI). For extra data, go to https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.
Author: Tom Schott, tschott@purdue.edu
Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu
Sources: Frank Dooley
beth smith
Kelvin Gumbs