MEDIA CONTACT: Aileen Izquierdo
561-297-3020; izquierd@fau.edu or
Andrew LaPlant
561-297-3022, alaplant@fau.edu

FAU Celebrates Fall Commencement

BOCA RATON, FL (December 10, 2004) - Florida Atlantic University conferred more than 2,000 degrees today during two fall commencement ceremonies. These students join more than 89,000 alumni who have graduated from FAU since it opened its doors 40 years ago.

"With the tools acquired through their success at FAU, these students may now live an even greater slice of the great American dream," said FAU President Frank T. Brogan '81. "Commencement is certainly a wonderful opportunity for FAU's students, faculty, staff and the extended FAU family to celebrate the accomplishments of these graduates."

Highlighting the accomplishments of an FAU alumnus, the afternoon commencement honored Kerri Ann Walukiewicz '95, a teacher in St. Lucie County who was recently recognized by Florida's Department of Education as the 2005 Florida Teacher of the Year. Walukiewicz received the FAU National Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes distinguished alumni who demonstrate exceptional service and commitment to their profession or to the community.

In addition, FAU's fall commencement highlighted the accomplishments of several outstanding graduates, including:

Mary Mosley, a 53-year old graduate, who is celebrating the achievement of the promise she made to her mother at the historic FAU dedication 40 years ago. While watching President Lyndon Johnson's speech, Mosley's mother told her and her sisters that they would graduate from FAU. Mosley is part of the first generation in her family to graduate from a university. While an FAU student, she was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and earned Magna Cum Laude honors. Today, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications from FAU's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.

Calvin King, a Port. St. Lucie police officer, was forced to deal with the aftermath of the two hurricanes that hit Florida's southeast coast. While pursuing his goal of finishing his degree in December, King was forced to work many 12-hour shifts throughout the hurricanes as a patrol officer, often going above and beyond the call of duty. King, a student on FAU's Treasure Coast campus, graduated today with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from FAU's College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs.

Commencement for all of FAU's colleges was held in FAU's Gymnasium, 777 Glades Road. In addition, the ceremony was cybercasted at www.fau.edu.

- FAU -