Congratulations, Class of 2022!

This week, 2,736 students became Florida Atlantic alumni during five commencement ceremonies on the Boca Raton campus. They join more than 194,000 Owls who have graduated from the university since 1965, as well as more than 72,675 Owls who I have conferred degrees upon since becoming president in 2014.

The fall graduates ranged in age from 18 to 72, represented 56 countries, and included several FAU High School alumni who received their bachelor’s degrees just seven months after graduating high school. First-generation college graduates also made up more than one-third of the class.

During today’s 1 p.m. ceremony, I had the great pleasure of conferring a doctorate in higher education leadership on FAU’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Stacy Volnick. As a three-time alumna, first-generation student — and the university’s future interim president — I am incredibly proud of her hard work and wish her warm congratulations on this impressive academic achievement.

Throughout fall commencement, I also had the honor of bestowing the President’s Distinguished Service Medallion on three extraordinary members of the FAU family: FAU Trustee Emeritus Anthony Barbar; former vice chair of the FAU Foundation Board of Directors, Jay Weinberg; and Superintendent of FAU Schools and the Assistant Dean of FAU’s PK-12 Schools and Educational Programs, Dr. Joel Herbst. Each of these individuals is exceptionally deserving of this award for their tremendous leadership of, and dedication to, the university and its community. I extend my sincere congratulations for their high accomplishment.

Additionally, I had the privilege of conferring an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters on Avron B. Fogelman, a passionate philanthropist and former co-owner of the 1985 World Series Champion baseball team, the Kansas City Royals. In 2019, he donated his vast collection of sports memorabilia, valued at more than $10 million, to FAU and established the Avron B. Fogelman Sports Museum at the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. With this honorary degree, we thank Mr. Fogelman for his generous contributions and the remarkable impact he has made in support of our students’ success.

To view and download the Fall 2022 commencement ceremonies, visit fau.edu/webcast.

Congratulations, Class of 2022! We are very proud of you!