Florida Tech grads march toward future in Melbourne campus ceremonies
MELBOURNE — Just over 1,000 Florida Institute of Technology students walked across the stage to receive their degrees during Saturday morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies as parents, friends and faculty joined them.
The university, with its main campus in Melbourne, bestowed 1,067 degrees during the services, with about 740 students from 43 countries attending the ceremonies in person.
“Our professors, our students, and yes, our alumni are continually seeking new discoveries and constantly pursuing new innovations to make our world a better place,” Robert L. King, interim president of Florida Tech, said during the ceremonies.
“They have done this for decades, and you will now extend that proud legacy. So, work hard, keep learning, and perhaps most importantly, keep contributing to your field of study, your career, your communities and the world.”
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The keynote address was delivered by Mike Sole, a vice-president at NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power and Light, and a Florida Tech alumnus. NextEra, based in Juno Beach, generated third-quarter revenue of $6.72 billion, the company reported.
Sole told the graduates to make a commitment to excellence; do the right thing; and treat people with respect. He also told students to not be averse to taking risks.
“Often, we are taught that ‘risk’ is a bad word, but in reality, it is something that we manage in our day-to-day lives. It is inherent in what we do to succeed, and playing it safe with your career doesn’t always pay off. You must be prepared to manage your ‘risk vs reward’ decision-making because sooner or later, you will be facing some tough decisions.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida Tech graduates march in Melbourne campus ceremonies
