http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12663&Itemid=9Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 16, 2007 -- Walden University, an accredited online institution, celebrated the graduation of more than 2,000 students in its hometown of Minneapolis on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium. Matt and Jessica Flannery, co-founders of the first person-to-person micro-lending Web site, Kiva.org, gave the commencement address at the traditional ceremony, which can be viewed via Web cast at
www.WaldenU.edu.
"We are excited about hosting commencement in Walden University's hometown of Minneapolis for the first time," said Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., Walden's interim president, before the commencement.
"Our newest graduates represent 19 countries around the world as well as 40 states, and are coming together to celebrate their achievements as they embark on another chapter of their professional lives. These graduates, along with fellow Walden alumni and students, have the education and knowledge needed to become leaders in their profession and make a positive impact on their communities," he said.
The Flannerys addressed Walden graduates, faculty and guests on the impact individuals can have in effecting positive social change. They also discussed the impact of micro-lending in reducing poverty in developing countries by helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses through flexible loans.
Kiva.org uses the power of the Internet to facilitate millions of dollars in low-cost loans between entrepreneurs in developing countries and socially minded individuals around the globe who want to make funds available. While working for a micro-lending organization in Africa, the Flannerys were inspired by the impact of small loans to entrepreneurs. They sought help from people on their wedding invitation list to fund $3,100 in loans to seven businesses in Uganda. Since then, Kiva.org, the microfinance organization that they founded, has attracted more than 40,000 members of the public to fund more than $3 million dollars in low-cost loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
