United States Congressman Daniel Webster and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs to Speak at Keiser University's Winter Commencement

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Keiser University will hold its first statewide commencement ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of its on-campus graduates throughout Florida and those that attend classes online across the nation.  The ceremony takes place Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre located at 401 West Livingston Street in Orlando.

Keiser is pleased to announce that United States Congressman Daniel Webster (Florida) will serve as the commencement speaker.  Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs will provide welcoming remarks for over 400 graduates and the 2,500 expected guests.   

Keiser will also award two Top Employer awards which were selected among many outstanding nominations.  Health First, Central Florida's only fully-integrated health system that's based in Melbourne, has hired over 490 Keiser University graduates to date. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital is also receiving a Top Employer award having hired 102 graduates in nursing, radiologic technology, medical assisting, nuclear medicine and information technology from the Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa campuses.    

Selection criteria included the employers' tangible impact on the local economy and businesses, commitment to community service and being an overall great place to work.

Jessica Montanez of Frostproof is the Valedictorian.  Upon graduating from high school, Jessica chose Keiser for her first degree in Radiologic Technology.  Tomorrow she receives her bachelor's degree in Health Sciences.

"My degrees from KU have helped to me get closer to my professional goals and have strengthened the foundation of my future in the medical field," said Montanez. "I am currently employed in my field and look forward to continuing my education so I can keep achieving my dreams," she added. 

During her associate degree education, Jessica was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and she works full-time at Tower Radiology in Brandon.  She is pursuing her license in CAT scans and plans to return to KU for the Physician Assistant program.

Typically Keiser University graduation ceremonies are held campus by campus each year during the summer.  A recent online survey indicated that students from across the state and nation desired a second opportunity to participate in a statewide winter ceremony.  Over 35 years ago, Keiser University was founded on a 'serving students first' philosophy, and this special event is another example of the university's evolution and commitment to meeting students' needs.

As a private, not-for-profit university serving nearly 18,000 students pursuing doctoral through associate degrees on 15 campuses, internationally and online, Keiser University employs over 3,500 staff and faculty.

Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Keiser University.

SOURCE Keiser University