Commencement Program

Processional

Anna Carlin, Faculty Senate President and FGCU Board of Trustees Member (All ceremonies)

National Anthem

SATURDAY 10 am: Marissa Ruiz, music student / 3 pm: Cadence Dobson, music student

SUNDAY 10 am: Savannah Niarchos, music student / 3 pm: Diane Flores, music student

Welcome and Introductions

Michael Martin, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University (All ceremonies)

Introduction of Speakers

Mark Rieger, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost (All ceremonies)

Student Speaker

Grace Brannigan, former Student Government President (All ceremonies)

Commencement Address

SATURDAY 10 am: Margaret Antonier / 3 pm: Manuel ‘Manny’ Fernandez

SUNDAY 10 am: Douglas VanOort / 3 pm: Timothy Cartwright

Honorary Doctorate

Michael Martin, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University

Conferral of Degrees and Presentation of Diplomas

Michael Martin, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University

Mark Rieger, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost

Shawn Felton, Ed.D., Interim Dean, Marieb College of Health & Human Services

Huzefa Kagdi, Ph.D., Dean, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering

Sandra Kauanui, Ph.D., Director, Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship

Clay Motley, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Thomas Roberts, Ed.D., Interim Dean, College of Education

Greg Tolley, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Water School

Christopher Westley, Ph.D., Dean, Lutgert College of Business

Allison Bacigalupi, ’12, Director, Exploratory Advising, University Reader

Rebecca Jones, Director, Early College Programs, University Reader

FGCU Alumni Association

Michael Nachef, ’10, Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors (All ceremonies)

Closing Remarks and Comments

Michael Martin, Ph.D., President of Florida Gulf Coast University (All ceremonies)

Singing of the Alma Mater

SATURDAY 10 am: Marissa Ruiz, music student / 3 pm: Cadence Dobson, music student

SUNDAY 10 am: Savannah Niarchos, music student / 3 pm: Diane Flores, music student

Recessional

Anna Carlin, Faculty Senate President and FGCU Board of Trustees Member (All ceremonies)

Michael Martin, Ph.D.

Congratulations on this very special day celebrating a very special accomplishment! While I haven’t come to know each of you as students, I do look forward to getting to know you as proud alums of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Having completed your degree in our 26th year in FGCU’s history, one unlike any other, you have persevered through an unprecedented time in our region’s and our nation’s history.

The challenges of completing a university degree are significant and for many of you coping with a global pandemic and an historic hurricane made it more so. Your perseverance is remarkable.

Everyone associated with FGCU is proud of you, not only for your success to date, but for the many successes you will achieve in the future. Commencement marks the end of, or perhaps a pause in, your formal learning. But it also marks the beginning of lifelong learning. You are fully equipped to continue to learn, to adapt and to lead a very rapidly changing world.

Please extend our thanks and yours to all who supported and assisted you in earning a challenging and meaningful degree from FGCU. Use it with pride, humility and commitment.

Best of luck and good fortune in all you pursue. And please know you will always be part of the FGCU Eagle family. Go Eagles.

Mark Rieger, Ph.D. Executive Vice President and Provost

Congratulations to all of our FGCU graduates! You have achieved something that most people in the world have not – the conferral of a college degree – and as we say, all of the rights, privileges and responsibilities appertaining thereto. Much of your academic journey was marked by once in a lifetime events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian, so it is all the more significant that you have completed your degrees. You are, and likely always will be, a resilient group that can endure the hardships of life and not lose focus on your goals. As you celebrate this accomplishment, please don’t forget to thank those who supported you through the last few years – your families, friends, and FGCU faculty and staff. I hope and pray that each of you will go on to lead consequential lives and leave a positive, lasting impact on your communities. Make it count, Eagles!

Blake Gable, ’01

You are graduates in one of the most important times in our history for young people. Your actions are resonating all over the world, catapulting change and delivering a louder message to your generation than ever before. I encourage you to use your voice in business, in politics, in personal relationships and beyond because it will make a difference. Become engaged. Engage others. Build the future you’ve always dreamed of and one your children will be proud to inherit. Your time at FGCU has prepared you, and now it’s time for you to put your plan into action. Congratulations, graduates.

Mitchell L. Cordova, Ph.D. Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Management, Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences

Eagle graduates – today is your day! Your hard work, persistence and commitment to service-learning and community engagement has culminated in your commencement. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement! Commencement marks a new beginning when you will put to great use the education and experiences you have gained during your time at Florida Gulf Coast University.

We are incredibly proud of your success. Please be sure to take time today to thank the important people in your life who have contributed to your success along the way, including family, friends, faculty and staff. Student success is of paramount importance to us – not only during your time on campus, but also following your graduation.

You are now a member of the ever-expanding FGCU alumni network. Tap into this passionate and talented group of professional Eagles to assist you in advancing throughout your career. And, as you continue to succeed, reach out with Green & Blue pride to support your fellow Eagles. You are well prepared for your exciting journey ahead, and we can’t wait to see how you will soar!

Anna Carlin, MLIS Faculty Senate President, Associate University Librarian and FGCU Board of Trustees Member

On behalf of the faculty of Florida Gulf Coast University, I want to wish the entire Class of 2023 congratulations on your graduation. The faculty members share your joy in this accomplishment and wish you great success. In awarding your degree today, FGCU and its faculty have upheld our mission of successfully preparing you to live as responsible, productive and engaged citizens.

As you journey on, may you continue to explore the world around you, seek out new information and use that information effectively for the betterment of society and your own life. Even though graduation may mark the end of your days as a student, you can always be a learner. My best wishes to you in all of your endeavors.

Michael Nachef, ’10 Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors

“The future doesn’t belong to the faint-hearted. It belongs to the brave.”

– President Ronald Reagan

Today you are all brave and ready to take hold of the future. You have committed your time, treasure and talent in order to reach this important milestone in your lives and academic careers. From this day on, you represent yourself and this community as an alum of Florida Gulf Coast University. Endeavor each day to learn, to grow and to challenge yourself for continuous improvement.

As you go forward from this place, and lend your talents to a world that awaits your contributions, remember to give the best version of yourself in everything that you do. On behalf of my fellow alumni, we wish you the best and a lifetime of success! Congratulations and GO EAGLES!

Grace Brannigan

Former Student Government President and Student Speaker

Congratulations, Eagles! Today marks the beginning of the next chapter of your lives. Whether you’re pursuing more education or entering your field, you have so much to be proud of. As you enter this next phase of your lives, I challenge you to seek out your future with passion, purpose and a focus on serving your community.

Best of luck on the next chapter of your lives, and “Go Eagles!”

Emory Cavin

Student Government President and FGCU Board of Trustees Member

Congratulations, Eagles! You finally made it to the finish line. As of today, you are officially graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University. Our time here has not been easy. We have faced many challenges as students and as a community. However, with every challenge we faced, we have grown stronger. I have never seen a more humble, kind and passionate group of people. You should be so proud of everything you have accomplished. No matter where life takes you, I am sure that you will be able to face it head-on with courage, strength and grace. When things are tough, remember that you have a community here that cannot be broken. When you are successful, remember the faculty, staff and close relationships that helped you make it there. I am so excited to see all that you accomplish. And remember: Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.