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More than 2,700 students are becoming alumni this week as ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ celebrates fall commencement during five ceremonies. They join more than 185,000 Owls who have graduated from ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ since 1965.

Our fall graduates range in age from 18 to 77, represent 48 countries, and include several ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ 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 ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ alumnus Abdol Moabery, CEO of GA Telesis and former member of ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ’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 ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ 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!