Indian River State College (IRSC) will hold two Commencement ceremonies for its Fall 2019 graduates on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Havert L. Fenn Center at 2000 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce.
The ceremonies will recognize nearly 2,000 students who have earned their Bachelor’s Degree or Associate Degree during the 2019 Summer I, Summer II and Fall semesters. IRSC will hold its traditional Spring Commencement Ceremony in May.
The Fall Commencement Ceremony for Associate in Art Degree recipients takes place at 10 a.m. The Ceremony for Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. and B.A.S.) and Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.S. and A.A.S.) students begins at 2 p.m. To date for the 2019–20 academic year, 1,463 students have earned an Associate Degree and 517 have earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
“Today is a celebration of dedication, perseverance and student success,” shares Dr. Edwin R. Massey, IRSC President. “Our graduates come from all walks of life, varying in age, background, and life circumstance, but they now share a common bond over the accomplishment of a college degree. Whatever roads they journey down next, Indian River State College is proud to have laid the foundation for future achievements in their careers and lives.”
Kathy Hebda, Chancellor for the Florida College System, will present the Fall Commencement address. Hebda has committed more than 30 years to improving education for students in Florida across all educational sectors. As Chancellor of the Florida College System’s 28 institutions, she continues to advocate for open access for all Floridians to a high-quality, affordable post-secondary education.
Chancellor Hebda began her educational career in Florida and Georgia’s public school system as a middle school chorus teacher. She came to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in 1992 first serving as a program specialist, policy coordinator, and administrator of the District Certification Partnership Training Program in the Bureau of Educator Certification. Hebda also held positions as FDOE’s Deputy Public School Chancellor for Educator Quality, as well as Chief of the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention.
Before becoming Chancellor of the Florida College System, Hebda served as Chief of Staff to Florida’s former Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart.
Chancellor Hebda earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Newberry College in South Carolina.
