Three honored at St. Thomas U. graduation

MIAMI GARDENS | At St. Thomas University�s commencement ceremonies May 11,  university President Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale presented honorary doctorate degrees to three individuals who have reflected the school�s mission of �Developing Leaders for Life� and who have significantly contributed to South Florida through their leadership in the business, healthcare, religious and public service sectors.

Gregory T. Swienton, who just retired as executive chairman of Ryder System, Inc., delivered the commencement address. Honored by the pope as a Knight of St. Gregory, he has chaired St. Thomas University�s board of trustees for a number of years, and under his watch the university has experienced tremendous expansion: A master plan and new strategic plan were approved in 2006; the school�s first-ever capital campaign raised $50 million; the Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology building was constructed; doctorate degrees in Science of Laws, Practical Theology and Education were added along with a number of new Bachelor�s and Master�s degrees; and enrollment grew from 3,962 to 5,250. The university also underwent two successful reaccreditations by the Commission of Colleges and the American Bar Association.

Also receiving honorary degrees:

• Sister Elizabeth Worley, a Sister of St. Joseph of St. Augustine who serves as chancellor for administration and chief operating officer for the Archdiocese of Miami. Prior to taking on her current post, Sister Elizabeth chaired the board of directors of Mercy Hospital from 1986 to 2004); served as chief executive officer of Catholic Hospice from 2005 to 2007); and served as chancellor for administration and chief operating officer for the Diocese of Orlando from 2007 to 2010. She is currently celebrating her 50th year as a religious and is the first woman to hold the title of chancellor in the arcdiocese. 
• Shirley Gibson, former mayor of the City of Miami Gardens and a St. Thomas University alumna. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas and successfully led a dedicated group of neighbors in creating the City of Miami Gardens, the first predominantly African-American municipality in the state of Florida and the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. 

During the ceremony, University Provost Gregory Chan also introduced the two student speakers: 

• Maria Mercedes Lardizabal, born and raised in the Philippines, represented the graduate students. She obtained a master in Communication Arts and wrote her thesis on �Building Social Capital Through Arts and Culture: A Plan for the Filipino American Community of South Florida.� 
• Jean Bernard Latortue, born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and raised in Gonaives, Haiti, represented the undergraduate students. He graduated from St. Thomas�s Honors Program with a degree in political science and history cum laude. He plans to pursue a master�s degree followed by a career in Foreign Service.