51³Ô¹ÏÍø

More than 2,700 51³Ô¹ÏÍø are becoming alumni this week as 51³Ô¹ÏÍø celebrates fall commencement during five ceremonies. They join more than 185,000 Owls who have graduated from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø since 1965.

Our fall graduates range in age from 18 to 77, represent 48 countries, and include several 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumnus Abdol Moabery, CEO of GA Telesis and former member of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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!