Anna Rose Becomes The First Person With Down Syndrome To Graduate From Rowan University

May 24, 2020

Rowan University is celebrating its first graduate who has Down syndrome.

Anna Rose Rubright
Anna Rose Rubright / Rowan University

Anna Rose Rubright is a member of Rowan University's Class of 2020. She is the college's first graduate who has Down syndrome.

Anna Rose graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in radio, television and film and a minor in journalism with a 3.426 GPA.

Anna Rose's mother, Lin Rubright, said "when she decides to do something, she goes all the way."

"She wanted to go to college like her friends and she wanted to make that dream a reality, so she did."

 

Rowan University says students like Anna Rose are held to the same standard as every other student.

"None of the courses for Anna Rose or other students with disabilities are 'watered down.' The standards are not lower," said John Woodruff, the director for the academic success center and disability resources at Rowan. "They have the same expectations to complete and pass the course."

College students with disabilities are more likely to drop out of school, and only 34 percent complete a four-year program, according to Forbes.

"There were times when I watched her frustration, I watched her struggle, and I said to her 'you have an associates degree, you can be done if you want, you've already done so much," Lin Rubright said. "But she just wouldn't quit."

And now that she has her degree, Anna Rose wants to be an entrepreneur. She's in the process of establishing her own production company.


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoZoo Visitor Captures Incredible Moment An Elephant Saves A Gazelle From Drowning

feel good storiesShe Meant Every Word Of 'In Sickness And In Health'

feel good storiesSoaked, Scared, And Alone - Baby Raccoon Melts Hearts After Rescue

feel good storiesThe Grade That Saved A Life: A Professor's Unforgettable Act Of Kindness

feel good storiesHummingbirds Are Nesting On String Lights - And People Are Sharing The Cutest Photos

feel good storiesParents Secretly Build Disney-Themed Backyard While Kids Sleep

feel good videoGolden Retriever Pushes Owner Into Water Causing Hilarious Chaos

feel good videoMan Claims He Can Speak Chicken - And Then Proves It

feel good videoEmu Has An Absolute Blast Playing Chase With Dogs

feel good videoKid's Freestyle Dance To Live Jazz Is Pure Joy — And Viewers Can't Get Enough

feel good videoWildlife Photographer Shares Deep Connection With Owl In Once-In-A-Lifetime Encounter

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me