Florida State College at Jacksonville Honors 2015 Graduates at the 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) hosted the 48th annual Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

“It was such an honor and a privilege to award our 2015 graduates with the diplomas and certificates they worked so passionately to achieve,” said FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. “The excitement and pride was beaming off of each of those students, and being able to be a part of that is an invaluable feeling.”

The Commencement Ceremony student address was given by Sarah Lynch, president of the student government association at FSCJ Open Campus/Deerwood Center and member of the Florida College System student government association. Sarah earned her associate in arts degree and aspires to graduate with a degree in International Relations. During her time at FSCJ she has shown a passion for growing student involvement on campus and representing students on legislative issues including textbook affordability and financial aid.

“If FSCJ simply grew our minds, the vision would only be partly achieved,” said Lynch. “FSCJ also prepared us to lead in our own spheres of influence. When we’re in positions to lead, we have the ability to influence events positively, to engage others in a common purpose and a common vision that betters our organizations and our communities. But we don’t just grow to be leaders in a day; we grow daily.”

The 2015 Commencement address was given by keynote speaker Dr. Calvin Mackie, an award-winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor and internationally renowned speaker.

“We are here to celebrate that you all have made it to the end,” said Dr. Mackie. “You need to be passionate about this journey you are on and there are two parts of passion; hope and challenge. The world is going to challenge you, but hope is the reason you are here. Don’t ever lose hope.”

A total of 7,768 students met FSCJ’s requirements for graduation to join the 117,018 alumni who have graduated from FSCJ since 1968. Of these 7,768, 755 bachelor’s degrees, 5,158 associate degrees, 1,854 technical certificates and 1 applied technology diploma were conferred by FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. FSCJ began offering bachelor’s degrees in 2009 and currently offers a total of 13 bachelor of science and bachelor of applied science degrees.

Florida State College at Jacksonville was established in 1965 as Florida Junior College at Jacksonville (FJC) and began offering classes in August 1966. Two years later FJC held its first Commencement Ceremony in May 1968 at the Civic Auditorium where it awarded 189 students with degrees.