Welcome to the new AJU Blog!
Posted by Andrew Jackson University at 4/25/2008 and is filed under uncategorized 
Welcome to the newest addition to our website: the AJU Blog! Here you will find the latest updates and news directly from staff members, faculty and even some of AJU’s students. In these blogs, you will find not only pertinent information regarding Andrew Jackson University, but you will also see a personal and light-hearted side of the university. To start off our blog, I want to share some thoughts I recently had concerning education and how AJU can improve our students’ experience. This blog will be continuously updated, so keep checking with us to stay informed about AJU and subjects that matter to you!
I just returned to Birmingham from the Distance Education and Training Council's (DETC) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, where I had the distinct pleasure of awarding the 2007 DETC Outstanding Graduate to Richard (Rick) Francis. Rick completed his Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Andrew Jackson University in late 2007.
Rick is employed with a sheriff's department in Florida. He has received numerous awards including the State of Florida's Officer of the Year and the Florida Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. While he has a impressive history of high achievement, he is even more impressive as a person. When we reviewed the applications for the DETC Outstanding Graduate Award, we had many stellar candidates to choose from. Overall, Rick's total body of work, including his commitment to his community, made the difference. I didn't have the opportunity to meet Rick until the night before I presented him the award and I can tell you, as impressive as he is on paper, he is much more impressive in person! We at Andrew Jackson University are extremely proud and honored to count Rick as one of our distinguished alumni.
Switching gears a bit: while on the flight home from Boston, it occurred to me that Andrew Jackson University should do more to celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments. Therefore, I am pleased to announce I have put together a graduation committee and have tasked them with planning and implementing an annual graduation ceremony. I personally invite you to send your ideas to the committee by sending an email to gradcommittee@aju.edu. Look for more details in the coming months.
Happy Studying!
Don Kassner
President
I just returned to Birmingham from the Distance Education and Training Council's (DETC) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, where I had the distinct pleasure of awarding the 2007 DETC Outstanding Graduate to Richard (Rick) Francis. Rick completed his Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Andrew Jackson University in late 2007.
Rick is employed with a sheriff's department in Florida. He has received numerous awards including the State of Florida's Officer of the Year and the Florida Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. While he has a impressive history of high achievement, he is even more impressive as a person. When we reviewed the applications for the DETC Outstanding Graduate Award, we had many stellar candidates to choose from. Overall, Rick's total body of work, including his commitment to his community, made the difference. I didn't have the opportunity to meet Rick until the night before I presented him the award and I can tell you, as impressive as he is on paper, he is much more impressive in person! We at Andrew Jackson University are extremely proud and honored to count Rick as one of our distinguished alumni.
Switching gears a bit: while on the flight home from Boston, it occurred to me that Andrew Jackson University should do more to celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments. Therefore, I am pleased to announce I have put together a graduation committee and have tasked them with planning and implementing an annual graduation ceremony. I personally invite you to send your ideas to the committee by sending an email to gradcommittee@aju.edu. Look for more details in the coming months.
Happy Studying!
Don Kassner
President
Yes, it's a good idea to honor the students who have achieved the rigorous requirements necessary to earn a degree. I sugest that the ceremony be held at the hilltop club in Birmingham.
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First, I would like to send a heart felt “Thank You” to Andrew Jackson University, its professors/faculty and Mr. Don and Mrs. Tammy Kassner. Being honored as AJU’s Medallion Winner was a wonderful award and accomplishment.
Attending the Distance Education and Training Council's (DETC) annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts was a pleasant experience. Not only was it great being honored as Andrew Jackson University’s Outstanding Graduate but more importantly, meeting some of the people behind AJU was enlightening.
After spending several years working on my graduate degree it was an honor to meet Mr. And Ms. Kassner of AJU. They are dynamic people dedicated to making sure AJU students get the most out of their experience and get a quality and fully accredited education during their studies.
Thank you AJU for providing a quality education that was challenging, yet manageable and flexible. It has given me the confidence to excel in my career and prepare for future leadership in law enforcement.
Respectfully,
Rick Francis
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