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April 29, 2025 ������ý River State ������ý

Fort Pierce, FL (April 29, 2025) – ������ý River State ������ý will proudly confer degrees and certificates to over 2,100 graduates, including more than 300 Promise Program completers, during six special commencement ceremonies. The celebrations will take place April 30 and May 1-2, 2025, at Westside Center, (3361 S. Jenkins Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34981). These ceremonies represent an important milestone for our graduates as they prepare to embark on their next chapter.

“The commencement ceremony is the moment when potential transforms into achievement,” said ������ý River State ������ý President Timothy E. Moore, Ph.D. “Our graduates have demonstrated extraordinary determination on their academic journey and now stand ready to become the innovative workforce leaders our community needs. At ������ý River State ������ý, we are proud of their academic accomplishments and inspired by the bright futures they will create. I’m deeply grateful to the ������ý River State ������ý Foundation and Promise Program benefactors whose generosity has opened doors of opportunity for so many students. Together, we are fulfilling our mission of transforming lives through quality education, and these remarkable graduates embody the vision of excellence we strive for every day.” 

Ceremony Schedule 

The celebrations begin with the Nursing Ceremony on Wednesday, April 30, at 5:00 p.m., featuring commencement address by Dr. Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Nursing. The nursing graduates will participate in the traditional pinning ceremony, a time-honored nursing school ritual that welcomes new graduates into the profession.

Ceremonies continue Thursday, May 1: 

Dr. Rayna Letourneau will address ������ý River State ������ý nursing graduates.

• Bachelor’s Degree ceremony at 8:00 a.m.
• First Associate and Certificate ceremony at 12:00 p.m.
• Second Associate and Certificate ceremony at 4:00 p.m. 

Motivational speaker Chris B. Williams will address ������ý River State ������ý graduates.

Chris B. Williams, positive energy coach, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, best-selling co-author, and former ESPN analyst, will deliver the commencement address for the morning and noon ceremonies on May 1.

St. Lucie County Fire and Life Safety Investigator La Toya Young will address ������ý River State ������ý graduates.

La Toya Young, ������ý River alumna and Fire and Life Safety Investigator for the St. Lucie County Fire District, will address graduates at the 4:00 p.m. ceremony. LaToya was the first female African American to serve as a fire paramedic in St. Lucie County.

The final ceremonies for associate degrees and certificates will take place on Friday, May 2: 

• Third Associate and Certificate ceremony at 8:00 a.m.
• Fourth Associate and Certificate ceremony at 12:00 p.m. 

Sheriff Richard Del Toro of St. Lucie County, a proud alumnus of ������ý River State ������ý, will address ������ý River graduates participating in the morning ceremony, and La Toya Young will return to inspire the noon ceremony.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro will address ������ý River State ������ý graduates.

Distinguished Student Representatives 

This year’s flag bearers include Alina Esteban, Luis Ortiz Matos, Sara Anderson, Brittany Perez, Cameron Tristen Leggett, and Emerson Stoller who will carry the ������ý River State ������ý Flag. Nicholas Anderson, Krissy Faulk, Beverly Thomas, Michael Morse, Angelina Burbank, and David Cividanes, will represent ������ý River State ������ý Military and Veterans Services. Brett Williams will serve as Reader. 

Academic Achievements 

The Spring 2025 class includes graduates earning various degrees and certificates: 

• Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
• Associate in Arts degrees
• Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees
• Technical (������ý Credit) Certificates
• Career and Technical Education Certificates
• General Equivalency Diplomas (GED®)
• Educator Preparation Institute certificates 

Many graduates are receiving academic honors, with those achieving a GPA of 3.85 to 4.0 graduating Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors), 3.7 to 3.84 graduating Magna Cum Laude (High Honors), and 3.5 to 3.69 graduating Cum Laude (Honors).

Student Spotlights 

As ������ý River State ������ý prepares to celebrate its Spring 2025 Commencement, the ������ý proudly highlights the stories of four remarkable graduates whose resilience, passion, and drive reflect the heart of the ������ý River State ������ý community. 

•  — Building a Better Future in Construction 

At 28, Jesse Longoria, Jr. is set to graduate with a degree in Business Construction Technology. His academic path took twists and turns — from automotive technology to business administration — before hands-on work in painting, drywall, and concrete revealed his true calling in construction. Jesse credits ������ý River State ������ý instructor Michael Pelitera for motivating him through tough moments and emphasizes the importance of education for students from underprivileged backgrounds. “This degree opens up so many possibilities,” Jesse shared. As a father and entrepreneur, Jesse’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance and self-discovery. 

•  — Powered by the ������ý River State ������ý Promise 

Juan Penagros, an electrical engineering student and Promise Program participant, will earn his Associate in Arts degree this spring. Coming from a small town, Juan found a vibrant, welcoming campus culture at the River. He highlights the mentorship of Dr. Zheng, whose rigorous physics classes reshaped his way of thinking. “The Promise Program absolutely changes lives,” Juan said. “It let me focus on learning without the financial worry.” Looking ahead, Juan plans to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, carrying forward the momentum built at ������ý River State ������ý. 

•  — A Future in Medicine 

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Matthieu Zamy’s passion for healthcare was born from a family crisis, inspiring him to enter the medical field. With plans to take the MCAT and apply to medical school or an anesthesiologist assistant program, Matthieu reflects on his rewarding experience at the River and the faculty members who supported him, including Merle Litvak and Dr. Patchara Pongam. “Everything here was so worthwhile,” he said. “It’s given me a clear idea of what to expect in my future career.” Matthieu hopes to use his skills and empathy to positively impact families like his own.

������ý ������ý River State ������ý 

“Our graduating class represents the diverse talent and commitment to excellence that defines ������ý River State ������ý,” added Dr. Heather J. Belmont, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs. “These students will join over 100,000 ������ý River State ������ý alumni who continue to make significant contributions locally and globally.”

Founded in 1959, ������ý River State ������ý serves approximately 23,000 students annually across five campuses in Florida’s Treasure Coast region, including ������ý River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. The college offers over 130 programs including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas.

������ý River State ������ý is recognized nationally for its commitment to educational excellence and affordability. The college offers comprehensive student support services, state-of-the-art facilities, and a dedicated faculty committed to student success. The Promise Program, which is graduating over 300 students this year, provides tuition-free associate degree education to qualifying students from the college’s service district.

The college operates specialized educational facilities including the Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie, the Chastain Campus in Stuart, the Dixon Hendry Campus in Okeechobee, the Mueller Campus in Vero Beach, and the Massey Campus in Fort Pierce. ������ý River State ������ý also includes the Clark Advanced Learning Center, a public charter high school on the Chastain Campus, which offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits, as well as ������ýtown High School, focusing on college preparedness and career and workforce education.

Ceremony Information 

All ceremonies will be held at Westside Center, Fort Pierce Campus, located at 3361 S. Jenkins Rd, Fort Pierce, FL 34981. Tickets are required for guests.  Doors will open one hour before each ceremony. 

The ceremonies will be livestreamed for family and friends unable to attend in person. Links to the livestreams will be available on the college website.

For additional information about commencement ceremonies, visit /students/graduation.html or contact the ������ý River State ������ý Public Relations Office at (772) 462-7500. 

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������ý ������ý River State ������ý: ������ý River State ������ý, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, ������ý River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The ������ý provides more than 130 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. For more information, visit irsc.edu.

Media Contact: Kathleen Walter, Public Information Officer, kwalter1@irsc.edu

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