WGU Washington surprised Auburn School District employee Richard Robertson with the news he had been chosen to receive a $10,000 scholarship.

On Monday, staff from the online university interrupted a presentation he was giving to other faculty members at Evergreen Heights Elementary School to break the news. Robertson was presented with a cake and balloons, then was told he was a scholarship recipient. School staff helped pull off the surprise.

Robertson works as a behavioral specialist at Evergreen Heights and Alpac elementary schools. He is pursuing a master’s in educational leadership from WGU Washington – the online, nonprofit university based in Kent. Because of the university’s reasonably-priced tuition, the $10,000 award could cover all or most of his tuition cost. His degree will help him move into a leadership position and make a more significant impact on students’ educational success.

Robertson was selected by the university to receive the “WGU Washington 10,000 Students Scholarship.” The university made the scholarship available to celebrate topping the 10,000 current, statewide enrollment milestone last November.

Learn more at wgu.edu.