The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering recognition ceremonies take place May 5-6 in the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center. In addition to the university-wide graduation event in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the college recognition ceremony serves as a special platform to celebrate the accomplishments of each graduate as they cross the stage.
- Bachelor’s Ceremony: Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center.
- Doctoral/ Master’s/ Specialist’s Ceremony: Monday, May 6, 2019 at 9 a.m. in the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center.
All engineering graduates will also be inducted into the Order of the Engineer, where they will accept the Obligation of the Engineer and a stainless steel ring. This tradition of the Order was initiated in the United States to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession and to bridge the gap between training and experience. Initiation into the Order shows UF’s newest engineers’ promise to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and to serve humanity with purpose.
In addition to remarks by college leadership and faculty, the following speakers will share advice to graduates.
Bachelor’s Ceremony: Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7 p.m.
Luis R. Gonzalez, Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering ‘19
Luis R. Gonzalez will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering during the Spring 2019 graduation ceremony.
After immigrating from Cuba in 2013, Luis was inspired by the construction and infrastructure that existed in Florida to pursue a career in civil engineering. He began his studies at Miami Dade College, where he earned an associate degree with high honors. As a student at UF, he conducted research in recycling methods for construction and demolition materials. Luis will join PCL Construction as a field engineer after graduation. Read full feature >>
Mary Sullivan, Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering ‘19
Mary Sullivan will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering during the Spring 2019 graduation ceremony.
At UF, Mary was an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) for five years and represented the university in numerous national-winning Concrete Canoe competitions. She served as captain of ASCE in 2018 and continues to mentor younger civil engineering students. As an undergraduate student, Mary held internships in construction management with RS&H and CORE Construction. After graduation, she will pursue a career in water resources, specializing in subdivision design and urban planning. Read full feature >>
Doctoral/ Master’s/ Specialist’s Ceremony: Monday, May 6, 2019 at 9 a.m.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Khalid “Kal” Mentak, Ph.D., University of Florida alumnus: M.S. ’92, Ph.D., ’93, Materials Science & Engineering
Kal is a Silicon Valley-based serial entrepreneur and institutional investor. He is a partner at Zuehlke Ventures the co-founder of the Catalyst Technology Innovation Group (CTIG), a medical project generator focused on selecting and financing companies addressing unmet clinical needs.
Prior to CTIG, Kal co-founded and led several companies including Surgidev Corporation (Ciba Vision and Bausch & Lomb), Advanced Vision Science, Inc. (Santen Ltd), Tenon Medical, Inc., and Key Medical Technologies, inc. He is a member of the board of directors of Droplette, Inc., Advance International, Inc., Koya Medical, and Tenon Technologies, AG. Kal acted as an advisor for mergers and acquisitions with Warburg Pincus and has created significant value for shareholders. Kal invented and brought to market key products and technologies in the healthcare/biotechnology fields. He holds over 50 issued patents and applications. Read full feature >>
Sanethia Thomas, Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing ’19
Sanethia Thomas, Ph.D. will be graduating with her Ph.D. in human-centered computing from the University of Florida during the Spring 2019 graduation ceremony. Sanethia was advised by Dr. Juan E. Gilbert, the Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering.
Sanethia is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and a fellow of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc. (GEM). Her interdisciplinary research, focused on Human-Centered Interaction (HCI), athlete development, natural language processing and education technologies, has been recognized by the National Center for Women and Information Technology and the National Academy of Inventors. Read full feature >>