IRSC to Hold Fall Commencement Ceremony at Havert L. Fenn Center on December 14 and 15

November 29, 2022 Suzanne Seldes

FORT PIERCE, FL—Indian River State College (IRSC) will hold its Fall 2022 Commencement ceremonies on Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 15, at the Havert L. Fenn Center located at 2000 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce.

IRSC Celebrates Fall 2022 Commencement

In Their Own Words: IRSC Graduates Describe Their Academic Journeys

The events are open to the more than 2,500 students who earned credentials during the 2022 Summer and Fall semesters. IRSC expects to confer 1,219 Associate degrees and 390 Bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, the College will award students 930 technical certificates, vocational certificates, advanced technology diplomas, general education diplomas and Educator Preparation Institute qualifications.

“Today, we celebrate the dedication and determination of our graduates,” declares Dr. Timothy Moore, IRSC President. “It is their hard work in the classroom, resiliency in overcoming personal challenges, and ambition to reach this important goal that distinguishes them this Commencement Day. We are immensely proud of them and eager to rejoice in their accomplishments.”

The College anticipates some 700 students and their guests will attend the fall ceremonies.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Ceremonies:

9:00 a.m.: Associate in Arts Degree Ceremony
2:00 p.m.: Associate in Science/Associate in Applied Science/Technical Certificate/Vocational Certificate/Advanced Technology Diploma/Educator Preparation Institute/General Education Diploma Ceremony

Thursday, December 15, 2022 Ceremony:

9:00 a.m.: Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony

Ken Pruitt, former President of the Florida Senate and Strategic Advisor to IRSC, will serve as a speaker for the December 14 Commencement ceremonies. The December 15 commencement address will be delivered by Josefina Tamayo, J.D., Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Florida.

A 25-year veteran of state and local politics, Ken Pruitt served as President of the Florida Senate from 2006 to 2008. Before serving as Senate President, he held several leadership positions within the Florida Legislature, including committee chairmanships of the Senate Rules Committee (2004–2006), Senate Appropriations Committee (2002–2004) and House Appropriations Committee (1998–2000). Pruitt’s legislative accomplishments include passage of the Bright Futures Act, Administrative Procedures Reform Act and co-prime sponsorship of the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Protection Act.

Mr. Pruitt and his wife, Aileen, have four children and three grandchildren. The IRSC Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie is named in his honor.

Josefina “Josie” Tamayo was born in Cuba and raised in Milledgeville, Georgia. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Emory University and her law degree from Georgia State University. She was appointed CEO of Volunteer Florida in 2022 to lead an organization with a mission to strengthen Florida’s communities through national service, fostering volunteerism, and leveraging resources.

Josefina "Josie" Tamayo Ms. Tamayo has more than 35 years of experience as a public servant leader, having served as an Assistant States Attorney for the 12th and 13th Judicial Circuits and as General Counsel for six state agencies: Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Lottery, Florida Department of Management Services, Florida Department of Health, and most recently the Agency for Health Care Administration. She served as Chief of Staff and Acting Secretary for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and as a Circuit Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida. Ms. Tomayo was the First Hispanic Woman appointed Circuit Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida. She served as counsel for several municipalities in the Big Bend Area and as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Speaker at numerous Citizenship and Ethics forums.

About Indian River State College
A leader in education and innovation, Indian River State College transforms lives by offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education to the residents of Florida’s Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. The College serves more than 22,000 students annually and offers more than 100 programs leading to Bachelor’s degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas. Learn more at https://www.irsc.edu/.