MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu
Aileen Izquierdo
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FAU Celebrates Spring Commencement
Dr. Richard A. Lerner, President of The Scripps Research Institute, Receives Honorary Doctoral Degree

BOCA RATON, FL (April 30, 2004) - More than 2,200 students received their diplomas from Florida Atlantic University today during two spring commencement ceremonies. These students join more than 85,000 alumni who have graduated from FAU since the University opened its doors nearly 40 years ago.

"Commencement is a proud moment for the university," said FAU President Frank T. Brogan. "It provides an opportunity for students, families and the FAU community at large to reflect and celebrate the success of these graduates."

During the morning commencement, FAU presented Dr. Richard A. Lerner, president of The Scripps Research Institute, with a Doctor of Humane Letters for his contributions to education in the United States and Israel. Lerner's 30-year scientific career is filled with several achievements in the area of biomedical research. His work spans a wide range of discoveries, from unique insights into protein and peptide structure to the recent identification of a sleep-inducing lipid. He is widely recognized by numerous prestigious societies and organizations in the United States and abroad.

FAU's spring commencement also highlighted a number of key accomplishments of graduates and alumni. During the morning ceremony, Kristina Arnsdorff was awarded the Kenneth R. Williams Scholarship Award. She maintained a 4.0 GPA in the area of psychobiology, a degree within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. In the afternoon, Robert Garcia, '80, received the FAU National Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award. Garcia is the vice president of entertainment finance for Radio City Entertainment, a division of Madison Square Garden. In addition, two other students were honored. Walteria Tucker, a student in the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, received the Kenneth R. Williams Leadership Award and Monica Jara received the Caring Award.

FAU's spring commencement also highlighted the accomplishments of several outstanding students, including:

" Dinesh Nair, originally from India, who came to the United States to work with Dr. Scott Kelso, a renowned scientist in the field of brain science. Nair will be receiving a Ph.D. in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences. Following his career at FAU, he will be working at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Neurology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Nair hopes to one day work as a clinical scientist in a teaching hospital where he can combine clinical skills with basic research.

" Christine Mancuso will earn a bachelor's degree in anthropology from FAU's Honor College. The 35 year old graduate did not pursue a degree until her late 20's due to her "non-traditional teenage experience." Mancuso ran away from home when she was 13 years old, became pregnant at 16 and earned her GED while pregnant. She found odd jobs taking care of herself and after many attempts to get into a community college, she finally graduated from Indian River Community College with an AA degree. In 2001, Mancuso began her career at FAU. Following graduation, she plans on attending graduate school.

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 -