FAU Celebrates Summer 2018 Commencement
(Photo by Alex Dolce)
Florida Atlantic University will confer more than 1,800 degrees today during three commencement ceremonies in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The new graduates will join more than 164,800 alumni who have graduated from FAU since the University opened its doors in 1964.
“I am honored to be here today to celebrate the hard work of these graduates,” said FAU President John Kelly. “I join their families and friends in congratulating them on this major accomplishment.”
Summer commencement also highlights the accomplishments of outstanding graduates, including:
- Fredrick Brunn, 32, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at 1 p.m. After four years serving his country, Brunn retired and went back to school full time. He first attended Palm Beach State College where he received an associate degree, then transferred to FAU in fall 2014. As a hobby, Brunn always has been passionate about the water and joined the Freediving Club through FAU’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering two years ago. While freediving, Brunn tried spearfishing but he could not find a speargun with the power and accuracy that fit his hand the way that he wanted, so he decided to make his own. Soon word got out about the innovative product, and a company was born. Slayer Spearguns specializes in carbon fiber, creating the fastest loading speargun in the world.
- Nicoletta Sorice, 81, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in language and linguistics at 5 p.m. Sorice emigrated to America from Italy at the age of 14. Once she was in the U.S., she had to learn English and was in awe of academia and learning. She eventually got married, raised three children and had a 28-year career, but she was denied promotions which she attributes to not getting her degree. It took her 18 years, but Sorice finally earned an associate degree at Broward College, and that fall started at FAU. After graduation, she plans to take courses with FAU’s continuing education program.
Some interesting statistics regarding the summer graduating class include the fact that 31 of the degree recipients are over the age of 50 and six are over the age of 60. The oldest graduate is 81, and the youngest is 18. The graduates represent 32 countries.
For the convenience of family members and friends who cannot attend the commencement ceremonies, the proceedings will be cybercast at www.fau.edu .
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