FSCJ Celebrates Graduating Class at the 52nd Annual Commencement Ceremony

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) celebrated the achievements of thousands of proud graduates during the 52nd annual Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

Surrounded by an audience of their families and friends, students who completed FSCJ’s bachelor’s and associate degree programs accepted their diplomas from FSCJ Interim President Kevin E. Hyde and the College’s District Board of Trustees.

More than 4,000 degrees were awarded to FSCJ graduates and candidates for the 2018-19 academic year, with some students earning more than one degree. Of these, 2,333 were associate in arts degrees, 917 were associate in science degrees and 847 were bachelor’s degrees.

In President Hyde’s graduation address, he spoke on the significance of making memories and emphasized the importance of giving back to the community. He also thanked the College for his allowing him the time to serve as president.

“Thank you for allowing me to be part of your community and giving me, in 13 months, a near lifetime of memories of being your president. I thank the Trustees for giving me the opportunity, the faculty and staff for working with me – a lawyer who had never so much as taught a college class before being made president of FSCJ. And I thank all of you graduates, and all of our students, for allowing me the privilege of watching you realize the dreams of your education,” said President Hyde.

Associate in Arts Graduate and Collegewide Student Government Association President Ta’Nasha Parker gave a powerful speech to her fellow students about living a purposeful life.

Ms. Parker said, “Fellow graduates, we were not complacent with what we had, even if it was a good life. We saw the opportunity to walk a new path – to change – and took the difficult steps needed to reach our destination.”

On behalf of the FSCJ Foundation and FSCJ Alumni Association, City of Jacksonville Director of Community Affairs Dr. Charles Moreland presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to Ms. Susan Amburgey. A 2016 Bachelor of Applied Science in Logistics graduate, Ms. Amburgey is an operations manager with RDL Logistics, active community volunteer and longtime supporter of FSCJ students, faculty and staff.

Graduates may find their formal photos for purchase at gradimages.com. Additional candid photos and videos of the day are available on FSCJ’s Flickr page and social media pages, @FSCJOfficial.