The College of the Florida Keys held its 66th commencement exercises for the spring class of 2023 on May 5 in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West campus. Wearing blue and orange graduation attire, 110 graduates received their diplomas. The college expects to award a combined total of about 120 credentials, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and college credit certificates, to spring graduates.
Isabella Filber, who earned an associate’s degree in marine environmental technology, opened the ceremony with the student address. She also presented the Instructor of the Year award, which was a tie between nursing instructor Laura Cox and marine resource management instructor Matt Semcheski. The college bestowed the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award to Kevin Mallinson, who earned his nursing degree at CFK in 1987 before becoming one of the world’s top experts in HIV/AIDS nursing care. Wall Street executive and philanthropist Ed Hajim delivered the keynote address, sharing his life story of triumph over adversity.
Jonathan Gueverra, the college’s president, honored the recently retired Key West city manager Patti McLauchlin with the 2023 President’s Award. The award recognized her efforts to collaborate with the college on projects ranging from COVID-19 vaccinations to offshore water quality testing around the island.
The full ceremony can be viewed on the college’s Facebook page.
Following commencement, the college held a ceremony for students who completed their associate’s degree in nursing this semester. Upon passing the national NCLEX-RN licensure exam, each will become a registered nurse.
CFK’s summer semester begins May 15 and fall semester begins Aug. 15. Information about academic programs, steps to become a student and ways to pay for college is at cfk.edu/futurestudents.
