55,000 Degrees recruitment plan asks Louisville college grads to ‘Pass The Cap’

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 22, 2015) – 55,000 Degrees, Louisville’s education movement, is recruiting the 2015 class of college graduates for an important job – to inspire friends and loved ones to earn a college degree.

The “Pass The Cap” campaign is calling on soon-to-be college graduates to pass their graduation caps to someone they believe can earn a college degree. This is the second year that local graduates have been encouraged to take part in the 55,000 Degrees campaign.

Universities and colleges throughout the area are joining in, reaching out to graduating seniors and encouraging them to “Pass The Cap.” The idea is simple – if you will graduate in May, “Pass The Cap” to inspire another graduate.

College graduates are encouraged to give their graduation cap to someone they believe can earn a college degree. It might be a sibling, a parent, a friend or a neighbor. It might be an adult learner preparing to return to the classroom, someone who is on track to earn a diploma or someone who just didn’t finish the college journey.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for graduates who are reaching some of their goals to help motivate others,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, chairman of 55,000 Degrees. “We’re building a stronger and smarter Louisville, with the hope of adding 55,000 additional degrees by 2020. By passing the cap, graduates will inspire the educational journey of others and get us closer to our goal — one degree at a time.”

Here’s how “Pass The Cap” works:

·         Graduates let someone know they will give their graduation cap to them after crossing the stage because they believe that person can earn a diploma, too.

Graduates are encouraged to take a photo or make a short video showing them passing the cap and then use social media to spread the word, #passthecap.

·         Facebook (55,000 Degrees page and/or school page)

·         Twitter (#passthecap, @55kDegrees, @yourschool)

·         Instagram (#passthecap, @55kDegrees)

“College graduates have committed themselves to earning a degree which increases their earning power and opens the door to new opportunities,” said Mary Gwen Wheeler, 55,000 Degrees executive director. “I can’t think of better person to inspire others who may be considering getting their degrees than someone who just completed this important journey.”

55,000 Degrees is the ambitious initiative launched in 2010 with the goal of having 50 percent of Louisville’s working-age adults with college degrees by 2020. In 2014, Louisville had the highest percentage of working-age adults with a college degree in the community’s history at 41.5 percent. Find more information at www.55000degrees.org.