More than 70 students were recently recognized at the Dean’s List Award Luncheon by Preston Jones, dean of the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, for achieving a 3.5 or higher GPA for the fall 2015 semester. The event, held in the Dr. William S. Spears Courtyard Atrium of the DeSantis Building, also gave students the opportunity to be acknowledged by professors and peers.
At the luncheon, Jones encouraged those at the luncheon to wake up every day and “be amazing.” He suggested that they should be the “yardstick” for quality that others would hope to “measure up to” in the classroom. In total, 196 undergraduate students were named to the Dean’s List but many were unable to attend the event because of schedule conflicts.
Rita Shea-Van Fossen, associate professor, also addressed the group. She discussed the importance of embracing challenges in every aspect of their lives. “You are all here today because you’ve successfully embraced challenges in the classroom,” she explained. “Now you need to take it beyond that by embracing the challenge of reaching out to new people outside your usual network.”
She pointed out that expanding our circle of contacts helps us grow, gives our lives new meaning and probably even helps us learn better. “Appreciate the differences between you and the others and learn to think positively,” she emphasized.
In closing, Shea-Van Fossen suggested the students record three positive things that happen to them every day. She added, “I encourage you to count your blessings instead of your challenges!”