Columbia Southern University Welcomes Record-Breaking 1,200 Graduates to Orange Beach

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – On Friday, Oct. 17, Columbia Southern University welcomed a record-breaking 1,200 graduates from across the globe to attend to its annual commencement ceremonies at the Foley Event Center at OWA. This year’s total surpasses the 2024 graduate count of 993. 

The university held two ceremonies to accommodate graduates, their families and friends. This year’s graduates included 16 CSU faculty and staff. Several members of the CSU Board of Trustees, the CSU president, faculty and staff were also in attendance. 

The university’s president Dr. Ken Styron reminded graduates of the importance of having strong support throughout their academic journeys.

“You didn’t have to do it alone. Your family, friends and loved ones cheered you from afar. To the family and friends of the graduates today, this is your day, too. Because when a CSU student earns their diploma, the whole family earns it.”

This year’s graduates included a father and son who traveled from Minneapolis to walk across the stage together. Thomas Dippel, who earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology – mental health, graduated alongside his father Ronald Dippel, who earned his Doctor of Business Administration. Thomas commented that his grandmother was his inspiration for earning his degree. 

“In 2020, before she passed away…I told her my one promise to her is I would finish school because to her, education was such as huge thing, and she just wanted to see me achieve. So, I told her you know what, I’m applying to a college and I’m going to finish school for you.”

Internationally acclaimed author Rick Rigsby received a standing ovation for his inspirational keynote speech to the graduates encouraging them to make an impact in this world: “The goal in life is to put yourself in a position where you can help other people.”

Rigsby, who was a former chaplain and life skills coach for the Aggies football team, also had some wise words for graduates about focusing on the basics.

“Rarely does the best team win. The team that wins most executes the basics. Champions are champions not because they do extraordinary things, but because they do ordinary things better than anyone else,” he added.

Photos included. Media may email CSU-Communications@ColumbiaSouthern.edu for more information.