Keiser University celebrated graduates from its 21 Florida campuses at its annual Statewide Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the RP Funding Center located in Lakeland, Florida.
Presided over by Keiser University Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., over 3,000 learners, family members, and university officials celebrated the occasion and enjoyed the keynote address from State Representative Mike Bost. “As we recognize the dedication it took to complete their educational goals, we are thankful for the strong foundation they have built for themselves and their families,” said Keiser. “We wish them the very best as they embrace their professions, and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” he said.
While recalling his childhood and his work as part of his family’s trucking business, driving his first tractor across the lot when he was just nine years old, Bost advised graduates to work hard while also making time to travel and shared details of how he was motivated to become a United States Marine and later an Illinois State Representative and Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. “In that role, I became familiar with Keiser and the wonderful work it has dedicated to educating Veterans as they launch their careers and go on with their lives after their service,” he said. “While I live over 800 miles away – where it’s a lot colder by the way, I’m very familiar with the great work being done here,” he smiled.
Keiser University continues to address the talent needs of Florida, the United States, and beyond by offering academic degrees in industries identified as emerging or those that maintain a high demand for workforce professionals. Many of its graduates fill critical gaps in the allied health and nursing workforce. The university was pleased to present Employer Choice Awards to valued partners and advisory board members Sonia Wellman, Chief Executive Officer at HCA Health South Tampa, and Dr. Patrick Hwu, President and CEO of Moffit Cancer Center. “Our relationship with Keiser University is vital to helping us meet the growing healthcare needs of this community,” said Wellman. “To meet this growing demand we recognize the importance of the need to train professionals in the communities we serve. For this reason, we are grateful to partner with Keiser University and their students,” she said.
Keiser University also celebrates its 2024 valedictorians who include:
- Caylie Insua, B.S., Dietetics and Nutrition
- Hayley Fudge, B.A., Accounting
- Jefferson Pena Cordero, B.S., Information Technology Management
- Richard Berry, B.S., Management Information Systems
- Tazeen Fatima, B.S., Medical Laboratory Science
The annual Statewide Commencement Ceremony is one of several graduations Keiser University will host in 2024 as independent commencement ceremonies will be held at Keiser University’s statewide campuses beginning in the spring to celebrate over 5000 graduates.
Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D, and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 21 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report in 2023-24.
