Fall Commencement took place on December 20, 2005. During the afternoon ceremony, 436 undergraduates from the Landon Undergraduate School programs, with the exception of the School of Accounting, received their degrees. The Chapman Graduate School and the School of Accounting ceremony took place in the evening, with a total of 338 students, including those from Hospitality Management, getting their diplomas.
Shahid Hamid, professor of finance, addressed attendees at the afternoon ceremony.
He emphasized that “transparency, integrity, and ethical practices are essential to the success of our great system of commerce and business.”
Hamid told the students, “Your individual behavior and choices will always matter, because one of the most important lessons we have learned from the Enron, Tyco, World Com, and Barings fiascos is that it takes only a few or even one to bring down a great house of business.”
Alumnus Joseph L. Caruncho Esq. (BBA ’81) received Florida International University’s Medallion. He is the CEO of Preferred Care Partners, a provider-sponsored health plan licensed by the state of Florida as an alternative to the traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage HMO. Preferred Care is the first health plan of its type and the largest privately-owned Medicare Advantage Health Plan in South Florida.
An award-winning entrepreneur, in 2004 Caruncho was named the Florida 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the health care category and was inducted into the College’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a “Heavy Hitter in Health Care.”
A member of the Dean’s Council in the College, he holds a law degree from Nova Southeastern University, is a member of the Florida Bar Association, and is a public arbitrator with the National Association of Securities Dealers.
 Joseph L. Caruncho |
Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam addressed both assemblies. She noted the value of the students’ degrees as the college continues to enhance its reputation with the goal of becoming recognized as one of the finest public business schools in the country. And she explained the importance of the Building for Business Campaign, which will result in a home for the college, and for which ground was broken in November, 2005.
“We were told, more than once along the way toward realizing our dream, that what we were seeking to do was impossible,” she said. “We’ve faced obstacles and experienced disappointments. But today, we are very close to making come true our vision for a business school community with a home we all can enjoy.”
By sharing this story and examples of successful business people like Ray Kroc, Walt Disney, and Dick Clark, she encouraged graduates to realize their dreams.
“It seems to me that it is only those who risk going too far who truly discover how far they can go,” she said. “All of us are free to make a difference in this world—to pursue and fulfill our dreams.”
She also reminded them to stay involved.
“You don’t have to do it alone,” she said. “The college will continue to be a valuable resource to you throughout your career.”
