Many of you joined us at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena as we celebrated the dedication and hard work of our graduates at the 2016 Commencement on May 5.

More than 8,000 degrees were awarded to graduates who now join the 125,460 alumni that have graduated from the College since 1968.

“As I watched the students receive their diploma and cross the stage, I was met with overwhelming pride for the accomplishments they have achieved,” said President Bioteau of the nearly 2,000 students who earned their bachelor’s or associate degrees.

Brianna Smith, president chair of the student government association, delivered the Commencement student address to her fellow graduates. “We all possess the capability to be leaders in our families, communities and in our careers,” she addressed the crowd. “We just have to challenge ourselves to allow it to flourish.”

Board certified emergency medicine physician and author Dr. Sampson Davis delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking address motivating these graduates to embrace their futures with enthusiasm and passion.

“Education is the coolest thing out there,” Dr. Davis said. “It is the passport to your future. It is the bridge from one side to the next. It is the Golden Gate Bridge to your life, to your destiny, to your future.”

Long-time contributors to the College were also honored with special awards. Harry Frisch received the first-ever honorary Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration awarded by FSCJ, while Jim Marlier was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award for his contributions.

As the ceremony concluded, the arena floor turned into a sea of blue and white as thousands of graduates raised their “FSCJ Grad” banners triumphantly in the air. We’re extremely proud of our new alumni and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.

We've posted hundreds of photos from the ceremony on our FSCJ Flickr photostream. Be sure to check them out!