Worldwide San Diego Celebrates Graduates With Address from University President, Career Expo, Eagles Alumni Event
More than 1,500 graduates and their families celebrated opportunity, success and pride as part of Embry-Riddle Worldwide San Diego (California) Campus’ Spring commencement held Friday, June 9, aboard the historic USS Midway Museum.
“You had the wisdom to join an incredible institution. The passion and energy of this community and our global presence is uniquely inspiring. Please carry our story with you,” Embry-Riddle President Dr. P. Barry Butler said as part of his commencement speech. “As you move forward in your careers, remember to value the input of others. Work in teams. When failures happen, try again, and then again, and again. Remember the three B’s – Be grateful. Be of service. Be not afraid.”
The commencement ceremony included more than 160 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, representing more than 20 states and with international students from Dubai and India. The graduating class also consisted of 40 active/reserve service members and 77 veterans of the United States armed forces.
Wendy Byrd, Associate Executive Director, Campus Operations, served as Reader, and Board of Trustees member Jon Slangerup officially opened the ceremony. Presentation of Colors was by the USS Boxer Color Guard Team, and Associate Campus Director at Embry-Riddle Worldwide’s Los Angeles Campus Christopher Hetherington performed the National Anthem and Alma Mater.
“It has been an honor to welcome our university president to the San Diego commencement to meet and further inspire our outstanding graduates,” said Embry-Riddle Worldwide Chancellor Dr. John R. Watret.
Prior to the commencement, employers such as Amazon, the U.S. Department of State (DEA), the United Parcel Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and more connected with current students and graduates as part of the Embry-Riddle Worldwide San Diego Alumni/Career Expo on Thursday, June 8, at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley.
On Saturday, June 10, more than 125 Embry-Riddle graduates and current students from the university’s three campuses (Worldwide, Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla.,) attended the first-ever Eagles Gather alumni event at Crownair Aviation hangar at Montgomery Field in San Diego. In addition to celebrating and networking, attendees were able to meet the university’s president, sit in the DA42 static display flown in by the Prescott Campus and learn more about the upcoming women’s Air Race Classic from Prescott Campus flight instructor and participant representing the campus, Hannah Rooney (’16 PC).