Two bags chock full of medical supplies: $400. Round-trip ticket to Haiti: $600. Graduating with a master's degree after the most intense learning experience in a lifetime: priceless.

Phylis Aseltine and Maureen Smith were among the biggest class of graduates the University of Phoenix Utah campus has ever had. They received their master's of science and nursing degrees Saturday.

The school serves working adults by providing access to education, accessible scheduling and degree programs centered on professional goals. Aseltine and Smith were both longtime RNs before pursuing there master's degrees.

As a preceptorship, Aseltine and Smith, along with about 20 other people from across the country, traveled to Haiti to work some much-needed medical magic for nearly two weeks. Last fall the group worked with the Healing Hands for Haiti Foundation to treat widespread diabetes, parasites, infections and amputations in the fifth poorest country in the world.

They were able to build confidence in their diagnosing and prescribing and assessment skills, and the experience proved to be a capstone in their education.

The two women were among 508 students receiving their master's degrees, while 456 students received bachelor's degrees, and one received a doctorate.

It was the highest number of graduates yet — 965 — and the second year of awarding more master's degrees than bachelor's. It also was a big year for education degrees. The total of 75 master's degrees in either elementary or secondary education nearly rivals the 84 MBAs awarded.

Since the average age of the graduates is 34 years old, many University of Phoenix students are older than those at traditional universities, work full-time and are going back to school for a degree upgrade or often to change jobs.

"I've been to a lot of graduations but I have never heard so many say 'Hey Mom, way to go,' or 'Hey Dad, I'm up here' . . . and I am pretty sure somewhere way in the back was, 'Way to go Grandma,'" said Richard Kendell, Utah commissioner of higher education, who delivered the commencement address.

There was a time that gold, copper and cattle were regarded as Utah's greatest resource, Kendell told graduates. But the greatest resource is students' enormous capacity of education, he said. Few investments are more important.

Which is a point not overlooked by Smith. After seeing so many poor, uneducated, suffering people in Haiti, she said she feels honored to be where she is — to have the opportunity to continue her education. She is making plans to do another medical mission in the near future.

"I feel lucky for what I have and I feel a responsibility and obligation to give back where there is a big need like in Haiti."

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com