Miami Gardens — Florida Memorial University (FMU), South Florida’s only historically black university, is culminating another semester of transforming learners into leaders during its annual Summer/Fall combined commencement ceremony. His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, will journey from Nassau to Miami Gardens to salute FMU’s Summer and Fall 2011 graduating classes. The island nation’s Commander-in-Chief will serve as keynote speaker during the Saturday, December 10, ceremony. The event, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., will be held in the A. Chester Robinson Athletic Center.
“There is no university in South Florida, and, indeed, the world, that better prepares students to become world leaders than Florida Memorial University,” said Dr. Henry Lewis III, president of FMU. “Florida Memorial has high standards for our students and graduates. We aim to prepare our students to succeed in this increasingly competitive and global marketplace. We are honored to expose future world leaders and the entire community to such a distinguished and world-class champion of freedom.”
His Excellency Sir Foulkes was born in Mathew Town, Inagua. He spent his professional career as a journalist, supporter of Bahamian Independence, politician and civil-rights advocate. His distinguished contributions in service of the Bahamian people include elections to Parliament; ambassadorships to China and several European countries; founding the Free National Party and being knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Sir Foulkes to the position of Governor-General and her Representative in The Bahamas. His Excellency spent his adult life fighting for freedom and equality and will encourage more than 150 FMU graduates to do likewise.
For more information contact the Office of Public Affairs at 305-626-3624 or at FMUInformation@FMUniv.edu for media inquiries.