Keiser University faculty and staff of the Sarasota campus, celebrated with the family and friends of the more than 320 graduates who attended their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 15. The keynote speaker for this graduating class was Sharon Hillstrom, President and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. Crossing the stage in Sarasota as the valedictorian was Stacy Forehand who graduated with an Associate and a Bachelor’s degree. She earned her AA in Paralegal Studies and her BA in Legal Studies. The salutatorian for this class is Lisa Perry who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
This graduation served as the backdrop for a touching story of two sisters achieving their culinary dreams. Both young ladies had a love of making friends and family happy with their culinary delights but neither immediately pursued their passion. However, their life circumstances altered their plans and made them realize it was essential they follow their hearts and enroll in culinary programs. They discovered Keiser University had a Center of Culinary Arts at the Sarasota campus so they ventured to there from their home in Ruskin. Kathleen Nichter enrolled in the Culinary Arts program and her sister Joanna Nichter enrolled in the Baking and Pastry program. They will graduate with Associate degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry during Friday’s ceremony. Kathleen is working at Cena Restaurant in St. Petersburg and her sister Joanna is working at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa.
On May 8, 2015, Keiser University’s Pembroke Pines campus celebrated its 2015 graduation ceremony at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. The day was filled with lots of fun and laughter as the students reminisced on their time spent at Keiser University while taking photos with 2015 graduate props in the holding room before walking on stage. In honor of National Military appreciation month, Keiser University partnered with Commander Williams Welp from Charles W. Flanagan High School who led the color guard for the very special event. About 150 graduates and 1200 guests were addressed by the City of Pembroke Pines Vice Mayor, Iris Siple. The Pembroke Pines campus was excited that their first cohort of students in the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigations program received their diplomas. In honor of Mother’s Day, one of the stand-out graduates is a single mom, Christina Mitchell who graduated with a 3.87 GPA. The Class of 2015 recognized their Valedictorian Cheryl Anderson. Ms. Anderson, a Veteran and Phi Theta Kappa member, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. Also being featured during this commencement ceremony was the Salutatorian, Andrew Rojas who earned his Bachelor of Science in Network Systems and Data Communications.
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
