Two Florida Supreme Court Justices to speak at Spring Graduation

Florida Supreme Court Justices Kenneth B. Bell and Raoul G. Cantero III will address graduates at FSU’s spring graduation ceremonies.

Bell will speak to graduates of the colleges and schools of Arts and Sciences; Communication; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Social Sciences; Theatre; and Visual Arts and Dance at 7:30 p.m., April 29. Cantero will deliver the commencement address at 9 a.m., April 30, to graduates of the colleges and schools of Business; Education; Engineering; Human Sciences; Information; Motion Picture, Television & Recording Arts; Music; Nursing and Social Work. Both ceremonies will be held at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.

The 2005-06 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor citation will be presented to Music Professor Jayne Standley during Saturday’s ceremony.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Bell to the Supreme Court on Dec. 30, 2002. After earning his bachelor of arts degree in history from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1978, Bell received his juris doctor cum laude from Florida State University College of Law in 1982. He was the first graduate of Florida State University’s College of Law to serve on the court. In January 1991, he became the youngest circuit judge in the history of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, and following his appointment he became the only justice on the court with previous experience as a trial judge.

Cantero was appointed to the Supreme Court on July 10, 2002. He has specialized in civil and criminal appeals at all levels and has extensive experience in commercial litigation as well. Cantero, a Fulbright Scholar, holds a bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude in English and business from Florida State in 1982 and a law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1985. Since he became a member of the Florida Supreme Court, Cantero has been concerned with issues of professionalism in the practice of law. He has also taught at FSU’s College of Law.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell will preside over both the April 29 and April 30 ceremonies. Approximately, 3200 of 4750 graduates, representing 15 of FSU’s 17 schools and colleges, will participate in the ceremony.

FSU’s Panama City Campus graduation will take place at 1:30 p.m. (CDT), May 1, at the Panama City Marina Civic Center.

In other graduation activities:

  • The FSU School of Nursing will hold a 3 p.m. April 29 pinning ceremony at First Baptist Church. Dr. John Agwunobi, head of Florida’s Department of Health, will be the keynote speaker.
  • The FSU School of Social Work will hold its convocation at 4 p.m., April 29, at the Oglesby Union on the FSU campus. Roger Bouchard Jr., president of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, will deliver the keynote address.
  • FSU’s Army ROTC will commission its 13 cadets at 2 p.m. April 30 at Miller Hall in University Center C. Lt. Gen. Ret. Charles S. Mahan Jr. will deliver the keynote address.
  • FSU’s Air Force ROTC will have its commissioning ceremony for 16 cadets at 4 p.m. April 30 at the Student Life Building. Lt. Col. Michael Stapleton, commander of the 43 Fighter Squad, will deliver the keynote address.
  • The FSU College of Law will hold its commencement ceremony for 233 graduates at 10 a.m., May 7, at the Civic Center. FSU alumnus and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez will deliver the keynote address.
  • The FSU College of Medicine will hold its commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., May 21, in the courtyard at the College of Medicine. Former FSU President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, will address the 29 students who represent the 2005 inaugural graduating class of the college.