The College of the Florida Keys on Dec. 11 held its 61st commencement exercises for the graduating Class of 2020 in an outdoor ceremony beside the Gulf of Mexico on the Key West campus.
Graduates wore face masks with their caps and gowns as they crossed the outdoor stage to receive their diplomas. Some of the graduates participating in the ceremony had completed their studies earlier this year but were unable to formally celebrate their achievement due to the cancellation of the spring graduation ceremony. The college awarded more than 200 bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and certificates in 2020.
Former Florida Keys State Rep. Holly Raschein delivered the keynote address. Recognizing her substantial contributions to the Keys and the school, college president Jonathan Gueverra presented Raschein with an honorary bachelor of science degree in supervision and management.
Graduate Carrie Groomes was selected by the class to give the student address. In addition to earning a bachelor of science in supervision and management, Groomes retired this year from CFK after a 20-year career.
The full ceremony can be viewed on the college’s Facebook page at facebook.com/TheCollegeoftheFloridaKeys.
Earlier in the day, the college held a virtual nursing ceremony for 11 students who completed their associate of science in nursing this fall semester. Upon passing the national licensure exam, each will become a registered nurse.Â
The spring semester begins Jan. 8. The college will be closed for the holidays Dec. 17 through Jan. 3.
Information about academic programs, steps to become a student, and ways to pay for college is at cfk.edu.
