NFL LEGEND RONDÉ BARBER RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE AS FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE CELEBRATES LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS IN THE INSTITUTION'S HISTORY
LAKELAND, Fla., May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Southern College celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday, May 3, as it conferred degrees to the largest graduating class in the college's history. The ceremony honored 580 graduates and featured NFL legend Rondé Barber as the commencement speaker. In recognition of his distinguished career and lasting contributions to society, Barber was awarded the degree Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Barber delivered an inspiring address on integrity, leadership, and defining one's legacy. A 16-year veteran of the NFL, Barber spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl XXXVII and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Additionally, Barber was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl five times, was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, and is the Buccaneers' all-time interceptions leader. Barber continues to make an impact in the community, most notably serving as the General Chairman of Copperhead Charities, the nonprofit Host Organization of the PGA's Valspar Championship. Through this role, Barber supports local charitable initiatives and community programs, including Habitat for Humanity and The First Tee of Tampa Bay.
In addition to Barber's address, the event featured remarks from senior speaker Molly Kennedy, a marine biology major, who spoke about the importance of resilience.
Biology major Haley Thomassy received the President's Scholar Medal in recognition of her achievements as a scholar, student-athlete and campus leader. The 2025 Honor Walk recipient, Erick Tran, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master of Science in accountancy and served as executive vice president of Beta Alpha Psi.
The Miller Faculty Award was presented to Alex Ortiz of the communication department for exceptional contributions to the academic community. Professor Katherine Upshaw was honored with the FSC Omicron Delta Kappa Circle Award.
The ceremony also marked the first spring commencement for President Jeremy P. Martin, who began his tenure as FSC's 18th president in August 2024.
In Dr. Martin's welcome he shared, 'Members of this class join recent graduates accepted to law, medical, fine arts, education, nursing, business and other distinguished graduate programs throughout the nation and world. They have attained positions as healthcare professionals, educators, commissioned military officers, actors, musicians, clergy, and business men and women in Fortune 500 companies around the nation.'
Of the 580 graduates, 124 graduated summa cum laude, 81 graduated magna cum laude, and 86 graduated cum laude.
About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning, and boasts 30 NCAA Division II National Championships. In the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 'Best Colleges' guide, Florida Southern ranks #11 among 'Best Regional Universities in the South,' #9 in 'Most Innovative Schools,' and #20 in 'Best Value Schools.' The College is also highlighted in The Princeton Review's 2024 Best 389 Colleges guide and the 'Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025.' The 2024-2025 Colleges of Distinction guidebook praises Florida Southern's AACSB-accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise alongside the College's School of Education and its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC has appeared on The Princeton Review's top 20 'Most Beautiful Campus' national listing for 13 consecutive years, now ranking #5. Connect with Florida Southern College.
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