Four Bainbridge Island residents have earned a degree from Western Governors University.

The online, nonprofit university held its 70th (Orlando, Florida); 71st (Cincinnati, Ohio); and 72nd (Anaheim, California) commencement ceremonies this year to celebrate the graduation of more than 22,000 students from across the country.

Graduating from Bainbridge were:

Afshin Soltanzadeh, bachelor of science degree, nursing;

Megan Carson, master of arts degree in teaching, English education (5-12);

Andrew Peters, bachelor of science degree, business management; and

Marisa Mansfield, bachelor of arts degree, interdisciplinary studies (K-8).

WGU has recognized 13,244 undergraduate and 8,930 graduate degree recipients, who have completed their degrees in the last six months. Their areas of study include business, K-12 education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 115,000 students nationwide and has more than 147,000 graduates in all 50 states.