Florida Commissioner Adam H. Putnam today provided the commencement address to approximately 1,300 graduates of Palm Beach State College.
“What this degree represents is more than just the gowns and pageantry. This represents the late nights in classrooms, workshops and hospitals, late nights after a full day’s work, or late nights after tucking your own kids into bed.
“This degree represents the effort, the hard work and the perseverance you invested in earning this degree and there should be no question in your mind that all those late nights, hard work, and sacrifices were worth every minute, because this degree is part of your ticket to the American Dream.
“It is your key to a good paying career, and can provide for you and your family for years to come. You now have the skills and the training to compete in this economy and win.
“As a state, we need to invest more in students, like you. Every Floridian should have the opportunity to find their piece of the American Dream without having to leave Florida to find it.
“The value of our state colleges, it’s close to home, it’s affordable and flexible, it works around you, it serves the population of our state who is hungry to get that degree and willing to sacrifice to make it happen.
“Now you have your ticket to the American Dream, what you do with it is entirely up to you. It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s your core values that are embedded in it.”
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
