(The National Labor College issued the following news release on July 1.)
SILVER SPRING, Md. — John J. Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO and Chair of the National Labor College’s Board of Trustees, and Dr. Susan J. Schurman, President of the College, presented bachelor’s degrees to 135 students during the College’s sixth graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 26, 2004. Held at the College’s 47-acre campus in Silver Spring, Maryland, the commencement exercises also included 11 students who earned master’s degrees from the University of Baltimore.
The Class of 2004 represented over 35 national and international unions and organizations, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA); United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); and United Steelworkers of America (USWA).
Commencement was preceded on Friday by a senior project symposium at which students discussed their senior research papers, and an awards ceremony highlighting distinguished papers. Research papers examined a diversity of topics, including apprentice safety and health training, privatization, international solidarity among workers, labor history in elementary schools, and illness on the job, among others.
Other highlights at this year’s commencement included a special ceremony to launch construction of the Lane Kirkland Center, a new 72,000 square-foot learning facility named in honor the former AFL-CIO president; and the Howard D. Samuel Memorial Scholarship fund, established by the AFL-CIO in recognition of the longtime labor leader. Members of the Kirkland and Samuel families were among the more than 1,000 guests attending the ceremony. President John Sweeney delivered the commencement address.
The George Meany Center-National Labor College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in 7 major areas, and over 70 intensive, week-long continuing education programs in organizing, union building, and leadership development. A new Bachelor of Technical/Professional Studies degree will be offered beginning in the fall of 2004. The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an independent, regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.