LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Several Lake County residents recently received degrees from Western Governors University.

The university held its 31st semi-annual commencement ceremony in Salt Lake City on July 16 and celebrated the graduation of more than 8,000 graduates.

Among the graduates were:

• Ryan Clair of Lakeport, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in information technology with an emphasis in security;

• Kim Cooper of Upper Lake received her Master of Science degree in nursing-leadership and management.

• Paul Lane of Upper Lake has received his Master of Business Administration degree in management and strategy.

At its commencement, the university awarded 4,944 undergraduate and 3,103 graduate degrees in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education, and health care professions, including nursing.

Graduates reside in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, as well as Armed Forces personnel stationed overseas. Dell Loy Hansen, founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Wasatch Group, delivered the commencement address.

Established in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU is the pioneer and leader in competency-based education.

The nonprofit, online university has been recognized by the White House as what works in post-secondary education.