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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 / 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.