Valeria Sabate
Staff Writer
John Fahey, chairman and CEO of National Geographic Society, will be the speaker in the commencement of the senior group 2012-2013.
He will direct his speech to 353 graduate students.
Fahey is chairman of the executive committee of the Society’s board of trustees and chairman of National Geographic’s Education Foundation, according to the Provost’s Office.
Fahey led the National Geographic Society’s entry into cable television with the National Geographic Channel.
The station has since been transmitted to more than 435 million homes in 173 countries, and in 37 languages.
John Fahey, chairman and CEO of the National Geographic Society.
Fahey played a role in the international growth of National Geographic magazine, which is published in 33 different languages.
He has taken National Geographic content and incorporated it into the digital media.
According to the Provost’s Office, Fahey created the National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, Fellows and Emerging Explorers program.
Fahey also played a role in the international growth of National Geographic magazine, which is published in 33 different languages.
The Society’s move was directed by Fahey to create regional grant-making programs starting from Northern Europe and Asia.
Fahey will receive an honorary degree of doctor of human letters at the commencement.
Also, John Rodda, owner and president of Rodda Constructions Inc, will receive an award of honorary degree doctor of business.
Rodda has dealt with over $1 billion of construction projects such as the Christoverson Humanities Building, Barnett Residential Life Center, Jenkins Field House, the Water Dome, as well as several substantial upgrades to all residence halls.
Rodda has additionally worked on several projects with the Usonian house.
Senior students from all over the world will share common memories upon closing this stage of their lives, which Fahey will speak at.
Shem Opolot, senior biology student, shared his experiences about Florida Southern College and what it had to offer him.
“Fair-well festivals were fun, getting initiated into my fraternity, basketball games, greek programing, that is to say: philanthropy weeks,” Opolot said. “The competition was intense, enjoyed meeting so many new people from all over the world, and learning from them.”
According to Opolot, the people will be one of the things he will miss the most after graduation.
Tejas Krishnan, a senior student, mentioned the upcoming Water Dome Splash, a tradition among graduating FSC students.
“I think it’s a great idea of the school to make an event for all the seniors for this special occasion,” Krishnan said. “I think this allows and gives the seniors the freedom to participate in a fun environment, which is not done for any other reason. It makes them feel special and to remind them that they have succeeded.”
The Water Dome Splash will be on April 25 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Friends and family members of graduating students are welcome to watch.
“I will miss the daily, typical college routine which includes having fun, dealing with positive and negative emotions, wonderful and interesting people, tennis practices, sweating due to the weather conditions, learning and getting challenged constantly from classes and professors. Everyday, I deal and get involved with friends’ and people’s lives which lets me learn new life lessons and experiences,” Krishnan said.
FSC seniors will graduate on April 27 at the Lakeland Center.
(FSC seal courtesy of Interlachen.)
