Commencement
Florida International University Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Florida International University is a vibrant, student-centered public research university committed to learning, research, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. With nearly 59,000 students and 260,000 alumni, FIU finds strength in numbers —but it’s what these numbers have accomplished that truly tells the story of impact. We are a Top 50 national public university, according to Washington Monthly; a Top 50 Positive Impact University, according to Times Higher Education Impact Rankings; and a top performer in social mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our graduates are prepared to succeed in the real global market. Since 1965, when it was chartered as the area’s first public university, FIU has built a reputation for excellence in research and real community engagement. Since taking office in August 2009, President Mark B. Rosenberg has focused on strengthening student-centered academic excellence, enhancing research that supports community priorities and expanding community partnerships. FIU has diverse and nationally celebrated faculty who bring a real global perspective to their research and teaching. Our students hail from all over the United States and more than 130 countries. Our alumni have risen to prominence in every field, producing real results. Real Triumphs. FIU offers nearly 200 baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and specialist degree programs in its colleges and schools, including: College of Arts, Sciences & Education; College of Business; College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts; College of Engineering and Computing; Honors College; Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management; Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs; College of Law; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine; Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. As one of South Florida’s anchor institutions, FIU contributes almost $9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU graduates are consistently among the highest paid college graduates in Florida and are among the leaders of public and private organizations throughout South Florida. One of the institutions that helps make Florida the top state for higher education, FIU has more than $225 million in annual expenditures and multiple state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Wall of Wind Research and Testing Facility, the Medina Aquarius Program and the Advanced Materials Engineering Research Institute. FIU is among the top U.S. patent producers in the world, driving real innovation that makes a real difference. FIU is not just in Miami, we are Miami — with locations all over South Florida, including Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Biscayne Bay Campus, FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75 and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA, and more than 400 student-athletes participate in 18 sports. Thanks to the support of the South Florida community and beyond, FIU is a leader of higher education, producing Real Triumphs. What real does makes a real difference.
President’s Message
Dear Qingdao Class of 2020 and 2021, On behalf of the faculty and administration of Florida International University, congratulations! After visiting with you so many times over the years – and proudly watching this program evolve and grow – it’s an honor and privilege to share in the joy of this milestone moment in your lives! Several years ago, FIU collaborated with Qingdao University to strengthen our commitment to extending our global reach and being a university that prepares students for the unique challenges of the 21st century. We could never have imagined the progress and impact that we’re having today! You have played an important role in helping establish this program at the national level in China. In fact, because of you, we continue to receive significant support in Qingdao at the highest level. City and business leadership are also pushing for our expansion and partnership with other higher educational institutions. Commencement marks the end of your journey in this program and the first day of your lives as FIU alumni. I encourage you to take full advantage of all that our FIU Alumni Association has to offer. We have many energetic and excited alumni here – and I hope that you will help us establish a strong alumni presence in China. FIU will always be here for you. It’s our greatest hope that you’ll one day continue your educational journey – at FIU in Miami! We have many options for master’s degrees in the social sciences and humanities! FIU Online also offers you the opportunity to advance your education from anywhere in the world. You have a bright future ahead of you. As you enter the next phase of your lives and careers, please remember that the Qingdao Class of 2020 and 2021 will forever be an integral part of FIU. Once again, congratulations on all of your achievements. You are truly Worlds Ahead! Sincerely,
Mark B. Rosenberg President
Spring 2021 Commencement 3
Table of Contents Order of Commencement Ceremonies .........................................................................................................5 University Governance and Administration..................................................................................................6 Spring 2020 Undergraduate Candidates......................................................................................................10 Spring 2021 Undergraduate Candidates......................................................................................................11 Message from the Alumni Association ........................................................................................................12 Alma Mater.................................................................................................................................................14
4
Florida International University
Commencement Program Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 9 a.m. The audience is requested to remain seated for the Processional and rise for the National Anthems and the Alma Mater. PROCESSIONAL........................................................................Grand Marshal Dr. BIAN Jianhua, Dean of SFL, Qingdao University Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar STEVEN J. GREEN SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS......... Jose Morcillo-Gomez, Banner Marshal Carl Strommen, Music CONVENER.............................................................................................Jose Morcillo-Gomez, Professor, Modern Languages, FIU WELCOME AND RECOGNITIONS.................................................................................... Mark B. Rosenberg, President, FIU WELCOME AND RECOGNITIONS.............................................................................................. Dongwei Xia, President, QU GUEST SPEAKER................................................................................................................................ TBD, Tsingtao Beer Group GUEST SPEAKER.................................................................................................................. Wei Li, Chairman, Aucma Co., Ltd. STUDENT SPEAKER..................................................Ming Gao, Class of 2020 Student and Xutong Deng, Class of 2021 Student PRESENTATION OF UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMAS Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs...........................Jose Morcillo-Gomez, Professor, Modern Languages, FIU CLOSING REMARKS..............................................................................Jose Morcillo-Gomez, Professor, Modern Languages, FIU CHARGE TO THE GRADUATES......................................................................................... Mark B. Rosenberg, President, FIU RECESSIONAL Liberty Fanfare, John Williams
Spring 2021 Commencement 5
State of Florida The Honorable Ron DeSantis, Governor The Honorable Jeanette Nuñez ’94, ’98, Lieutenant Governor The Honorable Ashley Moody, Attorney General The Honorable Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer The Honorable Nikki Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture
State University System of Florida Board of Governors Marshall M. Criser III, Chancellor Sydney Kitson, Chair Brian Lamb, Vice Chair Richard Corcoran, Commissioner of Education Timothy M. Cerio Aubrey Edge Patricia Frost Edward Haddock H. Wayne Huizenga Jr. Ken Jones Darlene Luccio Jordan
6
Florida International University
Alan Levine Charles H. Lydecker Ally Schneider Steven M. Scott William Self Eric Silagy Kent Stermon
Florida International University Board of Trustees 2020-2021 Dean C. Colson ’09, Chair Rogelio Tovar ’92, ’94, Vice Chair Cesar L. Alvarez
Donna J. Hrinak
Chanel T. Rowe ’14
Jose J. Armas
Natasha Lowell
Marc D. Sarnoff
Leonard Boord
T. Gene Prescott
Carlos Trujillo
Claudia Puig Faculty Member Joerg Reinhold Chair, FIU Faculty Senate
Student Member Alexandra Valdes Student Government, MMC
Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors 2020-2021 Executive Committee Humberto “Burt” Cabañas ’76, Chairperson
Juan R. Figuereo ’81
Adalio T. Sanchez ’87, Vice Chairperson
Gerald C. Grant, Jr. ’78, MBA ’89
Andre L. Teixeira ’92, MAcc ’93, Treasurer
Michael A. Kappitt ’92
Jill M. Granat, Esq. ’87, Secretary
Juan J. Martinez ’90, MAcc ’93
Richard Brilliant ’93, Immediate Past Chairperson
Chad Moss ’94
Mark B. Rosenberg, President
Elliot N. Stone
Howard R. Lipman, Chief Executive Officer
Albert R. Taño, MD
Steven M. Berwick, CPA ’74
Spring 2021 Commencement 7
Florida International University Administration Mark B. Rosenberg, President Kenneth G. Furton, Provost & Executive Vice President Kenneth A. Jessell, Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration Elizabeth Bejar ’98, Senior Vice President, Academic & Student Affairs Sandra B. Gonzalez-Levy, Senior Vice President, External Relations, Strategic Communications and Marketing Howard R. Lipman, Senior Vice President, University Advancement & Chief Executive Officer, FIU Foundation Inc. Robert Sackstein, Senior Vice President, Health Affairs & Dean, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Kevin B. Coughlin Jr., Vice President, Enrollment Management and Services Andrés G. Gil ’86, Vice President, Research and Economic Development & Dean, University Graduate School Robert Grillo ’91, Vice President, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer El pagnier K. Hudson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Vice Provost, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Saif Y. Ishoof, Vice President, Engagement Javier I. Marqués ’92, ’96, Vice President, Operations and Safety & Chief of Staff, Office of the President Pablo G. Ortiz, Vice President & Vice Provost, Regional Academic Locations and Institutional Development Michelle L. Palacio ’03, Vice President, Governmental Relations Carlos B. Castillo ’88, General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel Pete Garcia, Executive Director, Sports and Entertainment
Florida International University Commencement Committee 2020-2021 Dania Pearson-Adams, Co-Chair Pascale Bécel, Co-Chair Peng Lu
8
Florida International University
Xunye Alfonso Luan
José Morcillo-Gomez
FIU Faculty and Staff Pascale Bécel Chair, Department of Modern Languages José Morcillo-Gomez Instructor of Spanish at Qingdao University, Department of Modern Languages Anna Martha Cepeda Instructor of Spanish at Qingdao University, Department of Modern Languages Jorge Correa Instructor of Spanish at Qingdao University, Department of Modern Languages
QU Faculty and Staff School of Foreign Languages, QU Chuanyong Wang Secretary of the CPC Committee of School of Foreign Languages
Yingrui Gong Vice-dean of School of Foreign Languages, in charge of education cooperative programs in SFL
Haiqing Wang Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of School of Foreign Languages Yongqiang Lou Vice-dean of School of Foreign Languages, in charge of undergraduate education in SFL
Zhanting Bu Vice-dean of School of Foreign Languages, in charge of research in SFL Wenjing Gao University counselor of the second cohort in QU Teaching Stage
Department of Spanish Language, School of Foreign Languages, QU Hao Chen Dean of Department of Spanish Language
Xunye Luan Vice-dean of Department of Spanish Language, coordinator of FIU-QU Spanish Program, Spanish Teacher in QU Teaching Stage
Spanish Teachers in QU Teaching Stage Jorge de Dios Yixuan Liu Vanessa Rodríguez Fei Wang
Fengjie Wang Xuemeng Wang Jinbai Zhang International Office, QU
Qi Liu Dean of International Office
Yunxu Zhou Vice-dean of International Office
Spring 2021 Commencement 9
2020 Spring Semester Undergraduate Candidates Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Dual Degree Program Bie Qinlin Cao Yanfei Cao Yixuan Chen Hao Chen Si Chen Yijia Cui Xiaojing Dong Yuxuan Du Qian Fu Yinuo Gao Mingyi Gao Yu Guo Xiaoyi Han Wanlu Hou Guonan Hu Fangyuan Ji Shuyi Jiang Shufan Jiang Xue Li Jiaping Li Tianyun Li Xinran Li Zhaoying Li Zhengyan Li Zhuoshan
10
Florida International University
Li Zihan Li Ziruo Liu Shulin Liu Wenyi Liu Xinning Liu Xinyu Luo Xiaoxi Mou Jing Mu Yifan Peng Tanqiu Ren Yuxin Shen Yijun Song Wanru Sun Ying Tian Mingyan Wang Feifan Wang Maijie Wang Siqi Wang Xiaodong Wang Xiaomeng Wang Xiaoxue Wang Yaxuan Wang Yi Wang Zichen Wu Lingyu
Xu Xiaoxiao Yang Jiayuan Yang Xinmeng Yang Zishuo Yu Ruihan Yu Yilin Zhang Jiayi Zhang Lin Zhang Qing Zhang Siqi Zhao Hang Zheng Xiaoyu Zhong Yingkun Zhou Ziyang Zhu Bailin Zhu Haiyang Zhu Wenqi Zhu Xiaopei Zhu Yingxin Zhuo Yue Zong Kun
2021 Spring Semester Undergraduate Candidates Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Dual Degree Program Che Yuxuan Chen Xilang Chen Yiqun Deng Xutong Du Lanxin Du Zhongwen Fan Aobin Fan Jiayi Guan Zixin Han Yujian Huang Yantong Jia Waner Lan Wenfang Li Jinming Li Qingyang Li Ruiwen Li Sitan Li Yuhan Li Zhengyang Liu Chang Liu Kexiu Liu Siru Liu Wenqian Liu Wenxian Liu Xiaojing
Liu Xinyi Liu Yangqingyuan Liu Yujie Liu Yuxin Luo Zhishuo Ma Wenke Qi Jiaan Sheng Siyao Song Jiayi Sun Jiakai Tian Jiaming Wang Sichun Wang Xinyu Wang Yifan Wang Ziyi Wei Xinxin Xia Mengtong Xiang Ming Xiang Suyang Yin Yue Yu Haoran Yu Jiakang Yu Wenting Yuan Xiaofeng Zhang Jingjing
Zhang Qianshan Zhang Xiaochen Zhang Xiaohan Zhang Xinran Zhang Xinyuan Zhang Xueying Zhang Yuyan Zhao Mengqi Zheng Hao Zheng Shixuan Zhou Fengcai Zhu Zhexian Zou Xinyu
Spring 2021 Commencement 11
Dear Panthers:
Spring 2021
Congratulations and welcome to the Panther alumni family—we are nearly a quarter-million strong! While your commencement experience is different than Panthers who have gone before you, what remains the same is that you have worked hard to get here and have a lot to be proud of. Let that pride propel you forward as you start or turbocharge your career using the degree you received today. Your family, your community and Panthers everywhere are rooting for you! As an FIU alumnus you are automatically part of a strong and growing Panther network—the FIU Alumni Association. For starters, you have access to more than 300,000 local and national services, benefits, and discounts. But the real power of our network is what we can do together and how we can give back to our FIU. The Alumni Association also helps fund student scholarships, provides professional development, engages in legislative advocacy, and sponsors many major events throughout the year. Come visit the Alumni Association office anytime you are on campus. You’ll find us in MARC Suite 210 at the main campus. Learn more about your Alumni Association by visiting fiualumni.com, by following us on social media: @fiualumni and #fiualumni, or by calling 305-FIU-ALUM. Remember that we are all ambassadors for FIU and pride in our FIU can show in many different ways: Wear your FIU gear, rock an FIU license plate, come to games, visit our museums, catch a show or a concert, mentor a student. Make a difference. Go Panthers!
Michael A. Hernández ’04, MPA ’11 President, Alumni Association
12
Florida International University
Brian Breittholz
Chief Alumni Officer & Associate Vice President FIU Alumni Relations
Florida International University Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors 2020-21 Michael A. Hernández ’04, MPA ’11 President
Gina Duarte-Romero ’91, M.Ed. ’08 President-Elect
Miguel Larrea ’96 Secretary
Benjamin Sardiñas ’01 Parliamentarian
Juan Carlos Alexander, Esq. ’04 Treasurer
Maria D. Garcia, Esq., ’05, J.D. ’08 Immediate Past President
Spring 2021 Commencement 13
FIU Alma Mater
14
Florida International University
Florida International University is a vibrant, student-centered public research university committed to learning, research, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. With nearly 59,000 students and 260,000 alumni, FIU finds strength in numbers — but it’s what these numbers have accomplished that truly tells the story of impact. We are a Top 50 national public university, according to Washington Monthly; a Top 50 Positive Impact University, according to Times Higher Education Impact Rankings; and top performer in social mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our alumni have risen to prominence in every field, producing real results. Real Triumphs.
Share your commencement thoughts and photos with us through Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. We’ll be collecting your photos and posts using the hashtag #fiugrad. Visit grad.fiu.edu to follow the conversation.
20967_05/2021
Designed by FIU’s Division of External Relations, Strategic Communications and Marketing.
