Red Bluff Resident Graduates from Simpson University with Honors

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2007

REDDING, Calif. - Crystal Kirkpatric, a 2000 graduate of Red Bluff High School, recently earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Simpson University.

Kirkpatrick knew at a young age that she wanted to become a teacher. Her positive experience in foster care for nine years played a significant role in choosing that career path.

Kirkpatrick was among over 100 student graduates at Simpson University's winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 20. She was one of 64 students who graduated from the ASPIRE program, Simpson's degree-completion program that allows working adults to finish their degree in 16 months.

Kirkpatrick held a full-time job as a child care assistant at Salisbury High School in Red Bluff while she earned her degree.

"Working full-time while earning my degree demanded a lot of my time, but it was well worth it," Kirkpatrick said.

In addition to earning her bachelor's degree, Kirkpatrick's last 16 months were full of exciting changes. In October Kirkpatrick became engaged to Fred Null Jr., a Simpson alumnus, and she enrolled in Simpson University's teaching credential program, which she began this January.

"I feel like a success story," Kirkpatrick said. "The last year has been challenging and a lot of fun. I'm so excited to be able to say 'I did it!'"

Kirkpatrick graduated with a GPA of 3.85, making her eligible for Alpha Sigma Lambda, an honor society for ASPIRE students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

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Contact: Wendy Rose
wrose@simpsonuniversity.edu
(530) 226-4126