It was a day to celebrate a life-changing milestone.
Over 1,000 students of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business walked across the stage, received diplomas, and became the newest FIU Business alumni at the Spring 2018 Commencement ceremonies.
Family and friends gathered to cheer and congratulate the graduates at two College of Business ceremonies held on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
At the morning commencement, approximately 270 students from the Alvah H. Chapman Graduate School of Business received a master’s degree, with alumnus Francisco “Frank” Gonzalez (BACC ’90) receiving the FIU Medallion. At the afternoon ceremony, approximately 740 students from the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business were recognized for earning a bachelor’s degree.
At both ceremonies, President Mark B. Rosenberg welcomed those gathered and offered his congratulations to FIU’s newest alumni. Dean Joanne Li presented diplomas to the graduates.
Three faculty members from the College of Business performed The National Anthem and the FIU Alma Mater at the morning ceremony: S. Christopher Ellis, Donald Roomes and Louis Melbourne.
Guest speakers bring wisdom, challenge graduates.
At the Chapman ceremony, held at 10 a.m., Gonzalez, a member of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors and principal of the audit department at Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, received the Outstanding Alumnus FIU Medallion.
“I challenge each and every one of you 2018 graduates to go out there and tell the world what FIU Business is all about,” Gonzalez told students. “Join us in making this university even greater to those coming behind you.”
At the Landon ceremony, held at 3 p.m., Shaun Budnik, KPMG partner and national audit innovation leader, urged graduates to channel their inner resources and reach high.
“Recognize your strength, your resilience and let your imagination change the world,” Budnik, said. “It’s your world. In you, I see the face of our future.”
College employees add degrees to their list of accomplishments.
Several FIU Business employees were among those receiving degrees at Spring 2018 commencement ceremonies.
Daniel Robles (BS ’18), student assistant in the Office of the Dean, received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He will become a mission leader for University Christian Outreach.
Aujanae Watson (BA ’18), student assistant at the Department of Management and International Business, received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration.
Kowoon Kim (PhD ’18), graduate assistant in the Department of Management and International Business received a PhD in Management and International Business.
