Palm Beach State College will hold two commencement ceremonies at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center on Thursday, May 12 to celebrate its more than 2,000 expected spring graduates.
The first ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. for graduates of the associate in science, bachelor of applied science and bachelor of science degree programs and the certificate programs. A second ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. for associate in arts degree graduates. State Sen. Tina Polsky, who represents District 29, and State Sen. Gayle Harrell, who represents District 25, will be the keynote speakers at the morning and afternoon ceremonies, respectively.
This marks the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that PBSC has held traditional commencement ceremonies. The last time was fall 2019. The college celebrated its spring 2020 graduates with a dedicated web site, and then it began holding Grad Walk in fall 2020 to give graduates an opportunity to celebrate in person.
“Commencement is a significant and meaningful moment for our students and their families and friends. We are happy that they will get the full graduation experience with the traditional pomp and circumstance celebration,’’ PBSC President Ava L. Parker said.
“We’re excited to be returning to a traditional ceremony,’’ added Dr. Stephen Joyner, associate vice president of enrollment management and retention, whose office plans the ceremonies. “We look forward to seeing all of our graduates in their regalia and walking across the stage with their classmates, as well as their families and friends in the audience.”
Polsky, whose district encompasses parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, and includes the cities of Boca Raton, Wellington, Highland Beach, Belle Glade, South Bay, Parkland, Coconut Creek and Coral Springs, was elected to the Florida Senate in 2020. Prior to that, she served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020, representing District 81.
Harrell, whose district includes Martin and St. Lucie counties, and part of Palm Beach County, was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2018 after serving in the Florida House of Representatives.
For graduation details, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/graduation.
Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State College has been an integral player in the growth and prosperity of Palm Beach County.
More than 40,000 students enroll annually in face-to-face, online, live online and hybrid classes at five convenient locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves. Learn more at www.palmbeachstate.edu.
