MIAMI GARDENS — Florida Memorial University is set to graduate its largest class ever during Spring commencement, Saturday, May 5 on campus in the A. Chester Robinson Athletic Center.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan will serve as keynote speaker and will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree during the 8:30 a.m. ceremony.
“Commissioner Jordan is a longtime public servant and champion for Florida Memorial University,” said FMU President Henry Lewis III. “FMU was founded on the principles of character, leadership and service. Commissioner Jordan’s life and career demonstrates a commitment to those principles. We are pleased to have her salute our graduates.”
Jordan, the twice-elected commissioner for District 1 which includes FMU, successfully secured more than $5 million in county funds for the university, which financed scholarships, student study aboard programs and provided seed money for the institution’s upcoming state-of-the art Athletic and Wellness Teaching Gymnasium.
Prior to her election, she built a distinguished career as a county administrator serving many of area’s most vulnerable residents. She will encourage the graduates to do likewise.
“Florida Memorial University holds a special place in my heart, as it is the only HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) in the South Florida area,” Jordan said. “I have worked with many graduates of FMU as a Miami-Dade County administrator and as a commissioner. In fact, FMU is the primary source for students recruited for my annual internship program. It is an honor to be chosen as the commencement speaker for this great institution.”
FMU’s graduation ceremony is preceded by a baccalaureate service which acts as a spiritual sendoff for the graduating class. The Rev. Zachary Royal, pastor of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church in Coral Gables, will serve as speaker.
Schedule of events for FMU’s Spring Commencement:
Thursday, May 3, 7:00 p.m.
Senior Banquet, Smith Conference Center (tickets required)
Friday, May 4, 6:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate Service, Pastor Zachary Royal, keynote speaker, Susie C. Holley Religious Center
Saturday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.
Commencement Ceremony, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, keynote speaker, A. Chester Robinson Athletic Center (tickets required)
Photo: Zachary Royal
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