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May 08, 2023
Commencement Speakers Encourage Graduates to Help Others
The more than 1,800 graduates honored at 绿奴天花板鈥檚 156th commencement ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday were left with at least one clear directive: help others.
Honoring more than 1,800 graduates, commencement was broken up into two ceremonies. Photo by Nick George '20
The more than 1,800 graduates honored at 绿奴天花板鈥檚 156th commencement ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday were left with at least one clear directive: help others.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Drushal 鈥89 spoke during the morning ceremony, which was for graduates of the Sykes College of Business and the College of Arts and Letters.
Student challenge speaker Emil Jacob Poovathoor echoed this sentiment, encouraging his fellow graduates to extend their arms to others.
鈥淪trive to be the first person someone thinks of when they are grateful for what they have accomplished in life,鈥 he said.
鈥淚 challenge you, Class of 鈥23, to have your legacy be more than what you accomplished, but what you helped others accomplish, too.鈥
Mayor Jane Castor 鈥81 spoke in the afternoon to graduates in the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education, and the College of Natural and Health Sciences. She had similar advice.
鈥淣o one arrived here without the help of others. Be grateful and say thank you to someone this afternoon and every day hereafter,鈥 Castor said.
鈥淕ratitude is a wonderful characteristic and looks good on everyone.鈥
The two ceremonies honored 1,841 graduates representing 11 countries; 45% of graduates were from Florida.
There were 1,622 bachelor鈥檚 degree candidates and 219 master鈥檚 candidates; 46 MBAs were awarded.
Afternoon student challenge speaker Savannah Williams left the class of 2023 with another empowering challenge: to leave with the belief they can change the world.
"I challenge you to let your achievements inspire you to create more, and to allow that to be your motivation to never give up, to look at life as an unending list of opportunities, and most importantly, to always believe in yourself."
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