FAU Celebrates Fall 2018 Commencement
FAU President John Kelly and The Honorable Frank T. Brogan
Florida Atlantic University will confer more than 2,700 degrees today and tomorrow during five commencement ceremonies in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The new graduates will join more than 166,600 alumni who have graduated from FAU since the University opened its doors in 1964.
“I would like to wish all of the graduates my sincere congratulations,” said FAU President John Kelly. “It is an honor to be here today to celebrate the hard work and successes of Florida Atlantic University’s students.”
Frank T. Brogan, ’81, the U.S. assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education, will receive an honorary doctoral degree on Thursday, Dec. 13 during the 1 p.m. commencement ceremony. Brogan led FAU as its fifth president from 2003-09. Under his leadership the institution underwent a major transformation, which included the launch of FAU High School; the establishment of the then-Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science (now an independent LCME-accredited medical school); the acquisition of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute; and the initiation of key partnerships with Scripps Florida and the Max Planck Florida Institute.
Brogan then went on to serve as chancellor of Florida’s State University System from 2009-13, as well as chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education until 2017. He also has served as commissioner of education and lieutenant governor of the state of Florida. Brogan began his career in the Martin County School District as a fifth grade teacher, later serving as an assistant principal, principal and superintendent of schools. He currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland with his wife, Courtney, and their son, Colby John.
“This tremendous honor reminds me of the great contributions FAU has contributed to my life not only having been president, but also a student of this wonderful institution,” Brogan said.
Some interesting statistics regarding the fall graduating class include the fact that 75 of the degree recipients are over the age of 50 and 15 are over the age of 60. The oldest graduate is 78, and the youngest is 18. The graduates represent 43 countries.
For the convenience of family members and friends who cannot attend the commencement ceremonies, the proceedings will be cybercast at www.fau.edu/webcast.
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