FAU Day at the Capitol 2024 Celebratio

Three Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing students, Matthew Brown, Antonio Rull and Emma Morris, joined Dean Safiya George along with Florida Atlantic University President Stacy Volnick, students, faculty, staff and alumni for "FAU Day" at the State Capitol on Feb. 13. Every year, Florida Atlantic sends a delegation to Tallahassee to share the University's successes, engage lawmakers, connect with state officials and increase awareness about FAU's legislative priorities.

Brown, who is currently working on his second degree from Florida Atlantic in the Accelerated BSN nursing program, said that it was a privilege to be part of the delegation.

"I have immense pride in being an Owl, and I knew I would put my best foot forward in representing the University," said Brown. "Also, being one of five males in the Accelerated Nursing program, I felt a sense of duty to represent. I am also from Jamaica and believed I would bring a different perspective to the overall delegation."

Rull, a senior Freshman Direct Admit nursing student, said it was vital for him to attend because the group connected with senators and representatives who can change the future of our communities. He was also pleasantly surprised when he mentioned that he performs research with Associate Professor Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski who is investigating the impacts of algal blooms within the state.

"When I said I work on the algal blooms study, I was shocked by how many senators and representatives were already familiar with the study, how many understood their harmful impacts and how many were passionate about stopping the impacts," expressed Rull. "It was amazing to learn that the work of our great team is being heard, understood and highly regarded in some of the most important rooms in the state."

Morris, a sophomore in the Freshman Direct Admit program, shared how interesting it was to sit in on meetings and help raise awareness about the programs FAU is looking to build.

"I was honored to be selected to represent FAU in Tallahassee as both a student-athlete on the cheer team and as part of the College of Nursing," shared Morris. "I am grateful that I had the opportunity to speak to representatives about the college and show that there are students interested in growing the program."