LAKELAND, Fla.鈥揅lose to 300 IM体育官网 students will receive undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Spring 2019 Commencement, as retired Air Force general and three-time space shuttle astronaut Kevin P. Chilton inspires them to launch their high-tech careers and reach new heights.
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 graduation ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, at the RP Funding Center (Jenkins Arena), located at 701 W. Lime St., in Lakeland.
Chilton, the commencement speaker, completed a 34-year military career and served as an astronaut for 11 years. He logged more than 700 hours in space as a pilot of Shuttle Endeavour missions in 1992 and 1994, and as the commander of Atlantis in 1996. Chilton was the deputy program manager for operations for the International Space Station Program from 1996 to 1998. He also served as commander of the U.S. Strategic Command from 2007 to 2011. He retired from the Air Force as a four-star general in 2011 and was inducted into the U.S Astronaut Hall of Fame on 2012.
This is IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 second four-year class graduation and its largest with 278 graduates. Established in 2012 as the only state institution dedicated exclusively to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the University鈥檚 focus is to graduate students who are lifetime employable and equipped to become the high-tech leaders of the future.
鈥淲e are so proud of these students for their commitment, dedication and intent focus on their goals and dreams to earn their college degree,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淭his degree is a significant milestone in the lives of our students as they graduate ready to begin their careers and make an impact throughout the world. Our students have worked exceptionally hard and I鈥檓 sure their accomplishments will be remarkable.鈥�
The ceremony will also feature an address by student speaker Travis Hills, who is graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity. Hills, from Tampa, IM体育官网, was also president of the Student Government Association (SGA).
鈥淚 am honored to have the opportunity to say a few words to IM体育官网 Polys Graduating Class of 2019. It鈥檚 been a long four years, but it has been some of the best years of my life,鈥� said Hills.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see where the rest of my classmates鈥� pursuits leads them to in the years to come, and to see what IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 future has in store.鈥�
To learn more about this year鈥檚 graduates visit IM体育官网 Poly News.
About IM体育官网: IM体育官网 is an accredited member of the State University System of IM体育官网, dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is a powerful economic engine within the state of IM体育官网, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. The campus is located in Lakeland, IM体育官网 along the I-4 High Tech Corridor. Connect with IM体育官网 Poly.
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