Â鶹ŮÀÉ

More than 2,700 students are becoming alumni this week as Â鶹ŮÀÉ celebrates fall commencement during five ceremonies. They join more than 185,000 Owls who have graduated from Â鶹ŮÀÉ since 1965.

Our fall graduates range in age from 18 to 77, represent 48 countries, and include several Â鶹ŮÀÉ High School alumni who received their bachelor’s degrees just seven months after graduating from high school! First-generation college graduates make up more than one-third of the class.

I had the great pleasure of presenting the President’s Distinguished Service Medallion to Â鶹ŮÀÉ alumnus Abdol Moabery, CEO of GA Telesis and former member of Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s Board of Trustees. During his 10 years on the board, the university celebrated many landmark moments, including the launch of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; the opening of Â鶹ŮÀÉ Stadium; and the University being named the top-performing public institution in the state by the Florida Board of Governors, as well as a top public school by U.S. News and World Report. Abdol’s leadership of, and dedication to, this university will benefit current and future Owls for generations to come.

As a reminder, the university will be closed December 22-January 3 for winter break. I hope everyone has a safe and pleasant holiday season with family and friends.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021, and happy holidays!