Eastern Florida Graduates 1,260 At King Center

By  //  December 18, 2014

praised for their dedication and achievements

About 2,000 students were eligible to take part in fall commencement at Eastern Florida State College in the first graduation ceremony for the newly-named institution. (EFSC image)
About 2,000 students were eligible to take part in fall commencement at Eastern Florida State College in the first graduation ceremony for the newly-named institution. (EFSC image)

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida State College students were awarded their diplomas today during the first of two graduation ceremonies where they were praised for their dedication and achievements.

About 1,260 students are eligible to walk across the stage at the King Center for the Performing Arts on the Melbourne campus during Thursday’s Fall Commencement.

A noon ceremony featured graduates from the Titusville and Palm Bay campuses who heard college President Dr. Jim Richey urge them to never give up and live life to its fullest.

Dr. Jim Richey
Dr. Jim Richey

“You have earned this distinction through your hard work and determination, through long hours and late nights, and by achieving goals that seemed impossible,” said Richey.

“Many of you have succeeded while still caring for your children and families and by working jobs that could have caused you to consider giving up. Let’s face it, you could have quit.

“But you did not give up, and the fact that you are here today speaks to the strength of your character and the true power of your dreams.

“My admiration for you is immense and I congratulate you on your important achievement,” he said.

A second 3:30 p.m. ceremony will feature graduates from the Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses, including 12 students who earned their Bachelor Degrees.

That’s a first in the college’s 54-year history and milestone for Eastern Florida, which became a state college last year to provide four-year degrees to students.

CLICK HERE To View Governor Rick Scott Graduation Congratulations Letter

Graduation ceremonies are webcast live and will be rebroadcast on WEFS-TV on Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 18 at 2 p.m. WEFS can be viewed over-the-air on channel 68.1 and on Bright House cable channels 9, 455 and 1068.

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Today’s graduates join more than 90,000 others who have graduated from the college since it began in 1960.

In all, Eastern Florida offers more than 100 degrees and certificate programs, including nine Bachelor Degree tracks and a wide range of Associate Degrees.