Commencement Day Arrives for More Than 760 Students
May 01, 2010
Proud graduates and their families
flocked to the main campus Saturday to receive their degrees and
congratulations from the Saint Leo University faculty and
administration.
In the morning, 468 degree candidates became degree recipients.
The new graduates included working adults who studies for
bachelor’s degrees through the Center for Online Learning or
through the Weekend and Evening Program, as well graduate students
taking home master’s degrees earned online through classroom
instruction, or a combination of both. The crowd included
recipients of Saint Leo University’s popular Master of Business
Administration degree.
The morning graduates were addressed by university President Dr.
Arthur F. Kirk Jr. Dr Kirk substituted for the planned speaker,
Pamela Tate, president of the Council for Adult and Experiential
Learning. Her flight to Florida from Chicago was cancelled at the
last minute, forcing her to miss the event. Still, the audience
enjoyed the program and savored the recognition of their
accomplishments.
In the afternoon, 295 students who studied at the main campus
received bachelor’s degrees. They were addressed by state
Representative Will Weatherford, a prominent Republican from the
district local to the main campus. The representative lives with
his wife and young daughter in the nearby community of Wesley
Chapel.
The excitement of commencement season was heightened with the
announcement earlier in the week that online alumnus Don Tapia ‘05,
‘07, has donated $4 million to the university to help construct a
new building for the School of Business. The state-of-the art
facility will be ready for use by the fall semester of 2011, and
will help the main campus communicate with Saint Leo’s other
teaching locations in seven states on military bases, at community
college campuses, and in office locations.
Fourteen more Saint Leo University commencement ceremonies are
scheduled through May and June at the university’s networking of
teaching sites.
