MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew LaPlant
561-297-0084, alaplant@fau.edu
FAU Celebrates Fall Commencement
BOCA RATON, FL (December 9, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University conferred more than 2,000 degrees today during three commencement ceremonies held in the FAU Arena on the Boca Raton campus. The new graduates join more than 90,000 alumni who have graduated from FAU since the university opened its doors in 1964.
"Commencement is a magnificent opportunity for FAU's students, faculty, staff and the extended FAU family to celebrate the great accomplishments of these graduates," said FAU President Frank T. Brogan. "With the tools acquired through their success at FAU, these students will have the opportunity to achieve their part of the American dream."
The commencement ceremonies included two special recognitions. Best-selling author and Boca Raton philanthropist Barry Kaye, who has written eight books and produced many videos on the subject of life insurance and estate planning, received the honorary doctorate in humane letters at the 2 p.m. ceremony. An innovator in the life insurance industry, Kaye has led 14 life insurance companies and was the catalyst for last-to-die life insurance in 1963. In 2002, he originated the concept of life expectancy insurance policies. Kaye is the author of "How to Save a Fortune on Your Life Insurance," "Save a Fortune on Your Estate Taxes," "Live Rich," "Die Rich and Tax Free!" and "Die Rich 2."
Kaye and his wife, Carole, are major donors to FAU. Their recent $5 million gift established the Barry Kaye School of Finance, Insurance, and Economics in FAU's College of Business and created the Barry Kaye Endowed Fund to support the School. Additionally, the Kayes have donated $500,000 to arts programs in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. This gift established the Carole and Barry Kaye Endowed Fund in Integrative Arts Education and Outreach. In appreciation, FAU has named the University Center Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium.
Also at the 2 p.m. ceremony, Richard Cook received the FAU National Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award, which recognizes distinguished alumni who demonstrate exceptional service and commitment to their profession or the community. Cook began his career at IBM and played a central role in the company's introduction of the personal computer in the mid-1980s, directing the Boca Raton site operations team. He went on to head MAPICS Inc., a worldwide leader in the software industry. Cook earned a bachelor's degree in management science from FAU in 1971.
Fall Commencement highlighted the accomplishments of several outstanding graduates, including:
Sharon Miller, a teacher at Lake Shore Annex in Belle Glade, who learned after Hurricane Wilma that the school was badly damaged. She noticed much of the neighborhood was without water and few residents had transportation to get to a distribution center. Miller decided to go to the distribution center, load up her van with relief supplies and distribute them in the neighborhood. She plans to stay at Lake Shore, where she has been hired full-time. Today, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from FAU's College of Education.
Dodie Belt, a single parent who works with terminally ill patients, received her bachelor's degree in sociology from FAU's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. Belt received bad news after Hurricane Wilma hit. Her condominium was condemned, with repairs estimated at six to eight months. With thoughts of her three-year-old son motivating her, Belt resolved to finish her final semester and graduate. She plans to work with inner city youth.
Some interesting statistics about the fall graduating class include the fact that 71 of the 2,061 degree recipients were over the age of 50. The oldest graduate was 71 and the youngest was 19. The graduates represented 69 countries.
For the convenience of family members and friends who could not attend the ceremonies, the proceedings were cybercast at www.fau.edu.
- FAU -
