NEWS

Northcentral University To Hold Graduation Ceremony in Prescott May 31, 2008

Prescott Valley, Arizona—Feb. 21, 2008 — Northcentral University (www.ncu.edu) an innovator in 100% online higher education, today announced that Commencement 2008 will be held Saturday, May 31 at the Elks Theater in Prescott, Arizona. Dr. Joe DiRenzo III will deliver the commencement address.

Dr. Joseph DiRenzo

The commencement ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to last two hours with a reception to follow at the Hassayampa Inn. Click here for the schedule.

This will be the first time Northcentral University has held commencement ceremonies in the historic Elks Theater. The theater, built by the B.P.O.E. (Elks Lodge) and completed in 1905, is one of Prescott’s architectural jewels and has been recently renovated with careful attention to preserving the original appointments. The hall seats 575 — including 175 in the balcony — and features modern lights and sound.

The reception will be held immediately after the commencement ceremonies, across the street at Hassayampa Inn, itself an historic structure opened in 1921 and faithfully renovated and maintained in excellent period condition with the addition of modern conveniences and comforts.

Dr. Joe DiRenzo III will deliver the commencement address. A retired Coast Guard officer who has worked in maritime/port security and criminal justice for over 15 years, DiRenzo is alumnus of NCU who earned his doctor of philosophy in business administration with a specialization in Homeland Security in 2007. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, a visiting lecturer at the Canadian Forces College and a former adjunct instructor at Marine Corp University.

DiRenzo has authored or coauthored over 300 articles in various professional magazines and journals—among them the Naval War College Review, the Naval Institutes Proceedings, Marine News, Maritime Reporter and National Defense. He also has contributed to three textbooks: Naval Leadership: Voices of Experience, Naval Shiphandlers Guide, and the Center for Counterterrorism’s Homeland Security: Protecting America’s Targets.

In addition to his NCU doctorate, DiRenzo earned a BS at the United States Naval Academy and an MBA at California Coast University. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval War College Naval College of continuing Education Graduate Program, and graduate of the United States Marine Corps University Command and Staff Graduate Program.

Application for Graduation is made through the NCU Learner Website. Questions regarding graduation arrangements and schedules should be directed to Stephnie Hopple, 1-888-327-2877 extension 8164.