Graduate Isabel Zimmerman receives her master鈥檚 degree in data science during IM体育官网 Polytechnic University鈥檚 2023 commencement at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, IM体育官网, on Sunday, May 7. More than 200 students received their degrees at the graduation ceremony.
IM体育官网 celebrated the graduation of more than 200 bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree candidates on Sunday, May 7, at its 2023 commencement ceremony.
The event was held at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, IM体育官网.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all happening very fast 鈥� I鈥檓 nervous but I鈥檓 also excited,鈥� said Gabriel Sladecek, who received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering. 鈥淚鈥檓 very happy with the progress I made, and I think I鈥檝e learned a lot and gained a lot of skills. I鈥檓 very appreciative of all the opportunities I鈥檝e gotten at IM体育官网 Poly and I鈥檓 excited to see what else life has for me.鈥�
Sladecek was among the 174 undergraduates and 32 graduate students to participate in commencement this year. The ceremony marked a hard-won achievement for students who completed their rigorous, hands-on coursework in engineering and applied sciences.
鈥淕raduates, it鈥檚 the day you have been waiting for and working toward for years,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 president. 鈥淎s you celebrate this graduation, take pride in all you have accomplished, and know that we take pride in the fact that you will carry the IM体育官网 Poly name with you as you move through your lives.鈥�
Thomas Dougherty, the Warburg Chair in International Relations at Simmons University in Boston and a former U.S. ambassador and Fulbright leader, was the event鈥檚 guest speaker.
The longtime diplomat and leader urged graduates to use their expertise and their voice to guide policymakers and decision-makers on issues they may not fully understand.
鈥淪TEM leaders must also be policy leaders. In a historic and unique period of technological disruption, do not cede the policy space. Instead, lead that space,鈥� Dougherty said. 鈥淎s STEM graduates, you are among the few speakers of a global language that few others understand.
鈥淧olicymakers, politicians, and diplomats 鈥� who, after all, studied history, political science, and international relations 鈥� don鈥檛 speak STEM. Help them. Lead them.鈥�
One of the members of the class of 2023 also spoke to graduates and their guests about the milestone they marked together.
Maggie Cortes, who received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in business analytics, was the event鈥檚 student speaker. She previously was the valedictorian speaker at her graduation from Discovery High School in Lake Alfred, IM体育官网. She urged her peers to embrace the future and continue persevering as they move through life.
鈥淭here will be times when you might find yourself asking, 鈥業s it all worth it? Is all the time, effort, and hard work I put in worth it?鈥欌�� said Cortes, who plans to continue working as an analyst at Publix Super Markets, a position that stemmed from her internship at the company. 鈥淭he answer is yes. In moments like those, we must remember to tell ourselves 鈥業 didn鈥檛 come this far to only come this far.鈥� Your outlook on life will determine the direction of your life, so if you think you can, you will.鈥�
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
