Cheers of joy — and tears of pride — were part of the summer commencement ceremonies as diplomas were awarded at Florida International University (FIU), including 1,017 degrees for students of the College of Business.
President Mark B. Rosenberg welcomed the graduates and proud families and friends to ceremonies held Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at the FIU Arena, located at FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
Acting Dean Jose Aldrich presented the diplomas to the business students. At both ceremonies three faculty members from the College of Business performed The National Anthem and the FIU Alma Mater: S. Christopher Ellis, Donald Roomes and Louis Melbourne.
At the morning commencement, 523 students from the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business were recognized for earning a bachelor’s degree. The commencement speaker was Miguel “Mike” B. Fernandez, chairman, MBF Healthcare Partners, a Coral Gables-based firm that invests in the health care industry. Fernandez has founded or served as the majority shareholder of 25 health care-related enterprises, most of which have been acquired by publicly traded companies
At the afternoon commencement, 483 students from the Alvah H. Chapman Graduate School of Business received a master’s degree. Eleven students were awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration: Arturo Castellanos (PhD ’16, MS ’12), Antonio M. Figueiredo (PhD ’16), Catalina I. Hurwitz (PhD ’16), Kyungchool Joe (PhD ’16), Zhenfeng Liu (PhD ’16), Vinh Huy Nguyen (PhD ’16, MSF ’12), Angel Arturo Pacheco Paredes (PhD ’16), Jodonnis Rodriguez PhD ’16, MSF ’12), Assma Sawani (PHd ’16), Muhammad Bakhtear Talukdar (PhD ’16) and Sheng Yi (PhD ’16).
College employees add degrees to their list of accomplishments.
Dez-Rae Allen (BS ’16) received her Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in biological sciences and minoring in global media communication. She is a student assistant in the Office of International Affairs & Projects.
Emily Gonzalez (BS ’16), a student assistant at the School of Accounting, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration.
Jason Gonzalez-Martinez (BA ’16) is a program assistant for Professional and Executive MBA Programs. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Kyungchool Joe (PhD 16), a researcher and instructor in the Department of Management and International Business, received his PhD in Management and International Business. He will become a visiting assistant professor of Management at Missouri Southern State University.
Eileen Rodriguez (MBA ’16, BBA ’09), program coordinator in the College of Business Marketing Department, received her Master of Business Administration degree.
