EFSC Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremonies Truly a Family Affair

The King Center for the Performing Arts became the epicenter of family celebrations Thursday, May 15, 2025, as more than 850 Eastern Florida State College students walked the Commencement stage at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., including multiple pairs of relatives.

About 2,000 students are eligible to receive diplomas this spring. Among them are Frances Alvarez and her daughter Jhanae Shipman, who shared the joyous milestone of completing their Associate in Arts degrees together.

“I started in 2013, taking a class here and there,” said Alvarez, who went back to college while working at Health First. "One day, Jhanae came home and was like 'Mom, you need to do this. You need to finish. How cool would it be if we finished together?'”

They both plan to stay at EFSC and earn Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees, mom in the Organizational Management track in hopes of one day directing a senior living facility and her daughter in the BAS Cybersecurity specialization with dreams of remote work and travel.

“I'm ready to see the world and make some good money,” said Shipman. “I'm excited for the west coast. I want to see some big trees and just need to see waterfalls.”

College President Dr. Jim Richey congratulated all the graduates, telling the crowds, “Today is a truly special day. It marks the achievement of an important milestone in your life, and the beginning of a future full of opportunity.“

“The world needs you. We need your talents, imagination, creativity, and hard work. You are the Titan Nation.”

Joining the ranks of Titan Nation are husband and wife Eryc and Juliette Botts, both graduating with Organizational Management bachelor degrees.

“I'm accomplishing something I never thought I could do. It makes me feel like a firework... a burst of joy and achievement,” said Juliette, who earned an associate degree at EFSC with her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant no in-person commencement the first time around. ”This time, we get to walk together.”

The Botts are very proud alumni, having also worked on the food concessions team for EFSC's athletic programs for almost 10 years until last year. Juliette plans to open a restaurant in memory of a best friend lost to COVID and put some of the proceeds toward an EFSC Foundation scholarship in his memory. Eryc, a Navy veteran, plans to work in hospitality management.

Also adding to the family affair theme, were Amber Meade and her oldest son, Tyler Meade, who moved to the Space Coast in 2022 because of dad's Air Force career, making it possible for Amber to finally fulfill her education dream because they had not been stationed in one place long enough before.

“I’m going to cry the whole graduation day,” said Amber, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA from the Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. program. “We always knew that we'd both be walking across the stage in May 2025. I’m just so proud of everything we’ve accomplished.”

“I'm going to try to get my civil engineering degree and work on roller coasters or amusement rides,” said Tyler, who is moving on to UCF after earning his A.A. through EFSC dual enrollment as a Satellite High student.

Both ceremonies were broadcast live on WEFS-TV and livestreamed via YouTube.

Commencement replays can be viewed on the College’s YouTube channel at bit.ly/efscwatch.

Graduates, family, and friends can post their photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #EFSCGrad so they can be part of the virtual social wall.

EFSC's newest alumni join more than 130,000 others who have earned their diplomas from the college since it opened in 1960 with one campus.

Today four campuses span the Space Coast from Titusville to Palm Bay with almost four dozen programs also available completely online.

To learn more about EFSC and the nearly 150 programs offered, visit easternflorida.edu.

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