91-year-old BAS graduate- Video 91 year old Daytona State grad says college saved my mind A Mother's Day gift Graduating together
A packed Ocean Center rocked with applause time and time again during two commencement ceremonies celebrating more than 4,200 students on May 13.
The new alumni joined the cumulative ranks of some 86,000 Daytona State graduates, ready to wield their considerable economic impact on the region’s bottom line. Another 552 candidates expected to graduate by summer’s end were also recognized.
President Carol W. Eaton opened the exercises and addressed the candidates, citing their smart choices, hard work, family support and many accomplishments. Noting that each class makes its own mark on the history and tradition of the institution, she said “the Class of 2013 is no exception.” Kudos included 110 new inductees into the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa, and over 1,500 honors and more than 300 high honors graduates.
This year’s commencement took place in two parts, with ceremonies for associate of arts and baccalaureate degree students at 2 p.m. and associate of science, associate of applied science, certificate and adult education students at 6:30 p.m. Each ceremony featured a new tradition of processional banners representing the six colleges.
Speakers included President Eaton, District Board of Trustees Chair Dwight Lewis and student Leonard Owens.
The 2013 commencement honored 410 bachelor’s degree recipients, along with another 71 expected to complete this summer. Among them are 269 graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree, marking a milestone of over 1,100 graduates since it was launched in 2006 as the college’s first baccalaureate degree offering. Since then, Daytona State has added eight additional bachelor’s degrees in Education and Engineering Technology.
And, this year the college won the No. 2 ranking in the nation for the best online bachelor’s degree programs, awarded by U.S. News & World Report.
Nearly 1,500 graduates have earned a bachelor’s degree at Daytona State, including candidates for summer semester graduation, since the institution transitioned from a community college to a four-year-degree-granting state college.
The Class of 2013 also features nearly 2,000 associate of arts graduates, including seven who were named to the state’s All-Florida Academic Team. More than 2,100 students, including candidates for summer 2013 graduation,have earned their associate of science, associate of applied science or certificate credentials.
The college’s District Board of Trustees takes part each year in commencement, joining the president on the stage. Faculty and staff also join in the celebration.
Of the 828 veterans who were enrolled at Daytona State this past year, 198 earned their academic credentials during commencement. Twenty-four Falcons this spring were named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, and 16 students were inducted into the Daytona State College Hall of Fame, the highest honor that faculty can bestow upon a student.
(May 14, 2013)
