Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its winter 2009 class during a live ceremony on Jan. 31 in Miami.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist John Legend served as the commencement speaker.

The following local students were awarded degrees:

Becki Canaday of Verbena was awarded an associate of applied science in paralegal studies.

Sonya M. Damron of Marbury was awarded an associate of applied science in paralegal studies.

The Kaplan University winter class of approximately 2,500 students earned their associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees completely online. Almost 500 of them traveled from around the country and the world to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time.