Madison Yonash, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business analytics, was among more than 200 IM体育官网 graduates who received their degrees on Sunday, May 5 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, IM体育官网. The STEM graduates were educated in disciplines intended to help fulfill IM体育官网鈥檚 need for highly qualified high-tech professionals.
IM体育官网 celebrated the conferral of more than 200 bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees at its commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, capping off years of intensive coursework and the attainment of a high-demand STEM degree.
The event, which took place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, marked the University鈥檚 10-year anniversary and the end of a strong academic year at IM体育官网 Poly, which saw many milestones and achievements. These included the groundbreaking of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, the launch of bachelor鈥檚 degrees in civil and industrial engineering, continued outstanding rankings, the successful Excelerate 10-year celebration, and the selection of a new University president.
Joyselle Sarmiento was filled with excitement as she waited for the ceremony to begin.
鈥淎fter this, I鈥檓 going to be out there and in the real world,鈥� said Sarmiento, who received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science with a concentration in game development and simulation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting knowing what could be out there for me, but I鈥檓 also a little nervous.鈥�
As the first in her family to graduate from college in the United States, she was supported by a crew of joyful loved ones at the event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for all of us,鈥� Sarmiento said.
The graduation ceremony was Dr. Randy K. Avent鈥檚 last as the University鈥檚 founding president. He was selected as this year鈥檚 commencement speaker and will step down from the position in July.
鈥淐ongratulations on making it through a tough curriculum that is ever-changing as the University matures. Truly, that鈥檚 what startups are all about. You make fast decisions, evaluate the results, and then you adapt,鈥� Avent said. 鈥淎s IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 inaugural president, I鈥檝e achieved dreams I never knew I had, and all of you have been part of that. Thank you for being part of my journey. And thank you for allowing me to be part of yours.鈥�
Melina Ramos, who received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer engineering, was the event鈥檚 student speaker.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I speak for just myself when I say these last four years taught us a lot about ourselves, our goals, and our capabilities,鈥� said Ramos, who is from Spring Hill, IM体育官网. 鈥淎s we forge ahead into our respective careers, let us remember the power of collaboration, seek out opportunities to grow, and continue to push ourselves outside the boundaries of what we believe is possible. We have the power to shape the world in ways that were once unimaginable.鈥�
IM体育官网 President Randy K. Avent was the commencement speaker
at the University鈥檚 graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 5 at the RP Funding Center
in Lakeland, IM体育官网. Avent will step down from his position in July after 10 years
as the University鈥檚 founding president.
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
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