Fall commencement speakers empower students to embrace their potential

“Those blank pages need not intimidate you,” she said. “Instead, they are an invitation to write the rest of the story. Your story is your unique gift to the world. Embrace that story by being your full, unapologetic self, and don’t hold anything back.”

President Richard McCullough presided over both ceremonies. FSU conferred 3,243 degrees Friday, including: 2,053 bachelor’s degrees, 976 master’s/specialist degrees and 117 doctorates. The College of Law conferred 97 degrees.

Dionne Caines earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the College of Education Frida, Dec. 9.
Dionne Caines earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the College of Education Frida, Dec. 9.

Graduating for the second time from FSU, Dionne Caines earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the College of Education Friday afternoon. Caines, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State before teaching elementary school for 24 years, desired to impact the lives of more than just the students in her class, so she returned to FSU.

“I believe that we are life-long learners,” Caines said. “Therefore, I am always looking for ways in which I can grow. Florida State’s Educational Leadership and Administration master’s program has prepared me to step into a leadership role, but even after obtaining a leadership position, I will continue to seek out opportunities for continual professional development.”

Equipped with a new degree, Caines plans to continue teaching in the classroom while pursuing an assistant principal position in the Leon County School District.

“FSU is such a special place,” she said. “What I will miss most about FSU is the caring faculty and staff members who go above and beyond to make you feel like family.”

Jenna Nighswonger, a midfielder on the women’s soccer team from Huntington Beach, California, graduated Friday, Dec. 9 with a near-perfect GPA and a finance degree from the College of Business.
Jenna Nighswonger, a midfielder on the women’s soccer team from Huntington Beach, California, graduated Friday, Dec. 9 with a near-perfect GPA and a finance degree from the College of Business.

Jenna Nighswonger, a midfielder on the women’s soccer team from Huntington Beach, California, graduated Friday with a near-perfect GPA and a finance degree from the College of Business.

“I wanted to go to a school where I knew I could be pushed academically and athletically, and FSU offered both of those to me,” she said.

Nighswonger, a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American, led the Seminoles to an appearance in the 2022 Women’s College Cup last weekend and was a key contributor on FSU’s 2021 National Championship team.

“College was a time where I learned a lot about myself, and through the ups and downs, I believe I came out stronger,” she said.

Nighswonger plans to play professional soccer and credits Florida State for making her the person and player she is today.

“There is so much to love and miss about Florida State, but in general, I will miss the community of this college,” she said. “Going to football games, studying on Landis Green, and going to the Figg to eat lunch are memories that I will always cherish and look back on fondly.”

Kellie Fallon, a native of Bradenton, Florida, graduated Friday Dec. 9 with a master’s degree in art education.
Kellie Fallon, a native of Bradenton, Florida, graduated Friday Dec. 9 with a master’s degree in art education.

Kellie Fallon, a native of Bradenton, Florida, graduated Friday with a master’s degree in art education. She cherishes the connections formed with professors, colleagues and friends, which will extend beyond her time at Florida State.

“My experiences with professors and students alike have been overwhelmingly positive,” Fallon said. “I will miss the towering, echoing walls of WJB shared between myself and my colleagues and the thrill of the chase in Humans vs. Zombies, the club where I met my friends.”

After graduation, Fallon will pursue a teaching position in Georgia and continue her graduate research on post-anthropocentric art education to expand the field.

“Ultimately, it is my hope I may create a paradigm shift in art education, honor and reimagine the human-nature relationship, and create a more-than-human magic in the classroom and beyond,” she said.

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