This week, more than 3,280 Owls graduated from FAU during six commencement ceremonies. They – along with the 55 new physicians who graduated from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine last week – join more than 169,000 alumni who have received degrees since 1965. The graduates range in age from 17 to 69 and represent 47 countries.

The Spring Class of 2019 includes more than 1,000 students who are the first in their family to receive a college degree. I am so proud of all of our first-generation graduates and look forward to hearing about their future successes. The class also includes five impressive FAU High students who received their bachelor’s degrees one week before receiving their high school diplomas, and our first cohort of students to receive the Doctor of Social Work degree. FAU is the first and only university in Florida to offer a DSW program.

Guest speakers at our ceremonies included the Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Arthur Brooks, who is president of the American Enterprise Institute and a best-selling author, and Trustees Shaun Davis, Brad Levine, Robert Rubin, and Abdol Moabery.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019, and Go Owls!