Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, has announced Ashford University is underwriting a special night at the San Diego Symphony’s Holiday Pops. Home for the Holidays is a one-night concert for members of the military, their families and Lincoln Military Housing. It takes place on December 16, 2010, downtown at Copley Symphony Hall. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and is offered at no charge.

Ashford University’s sponsorship of Home for the Holidays is a direct reflection of the university’s mission to support the U.S. military, both with advanced education during and after service, as well as through philanthropic giving. This duty to support America’s military is a core element of corporate social responsibility for Ashford’s parent company, Bridgepoint Education.

“We have many San Diego military men and women who risk their lives every day for our freedom,” stated Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of public relations. “It is the least we could do to support this event that honors those individuals and their families, and to offer them this evening of uplifting holiday music.”

Conducted by the San Diego Symphony’s Matthew Garbutt, the Home for the Holidays concert will not skimp on patriotic melodies, with John Stafford Smith and Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” leading off. An “Armed Forces Salute” arranged by Robert Lowden and performed by the San Diego Master Chorale will follow.

Also included in this special Holiday Pops event will be traditional favorites like “Deck the Halls,” “(There Is No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” and a sing-along medley of Christmas favorites to be performed by the Master Chorale and San Diego Children’s Choir.

Complimentary tickets are available first come, first served to all active and retired members of the U.S. military and their families. Please email jritkes@sandiegosymphony.org for tickets, and visit sandiegosymphony.org for more information. 

About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education’s postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education’s regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.668.2580.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

About Lincoln Military Housing

Lincoln Military Housing began in San Diego in August 2001. Lincoln manages 9135 military homes in the San Diego area and over 31,000 homes throughout the country. The Community Services Department is a unique entity of the company that plans over 500 free events and programs exclusively for military families with over 40,000 attendees each year. Please visit www.lincolnmilitary.com for more information.