1,000th student graduates Eastern Florida State College with bachelor's degree

Florida Today

EFSCâ€™s 1,000 Bachelorâ€™s Degree graduate is Derick Pierre, seen here flanked by Moses L. Harvin, Sr., of the Board of Trustees, and Jim Richey, president of EFSC. Graduates at the noon Eastern Florida State College 2019 Spring Commencement at the Melbourne campus. An additional commencement was held at 3:00 p.m.

Eastern Florida State College hit a milestone this week, awarding its 1,000th bachelor's degree during the college's graduation ceremonies Thursday.

Since Eastern Florida started offering four-year degrees in 2013, 1,112 students have earned bachelor's degrees. At Thursday's noon commencement ceremony, the thousandth, Derick Pierre of Palm Bay, was honored.

"At one point, I did not think I was going to graduate, and to graduate with honors and be No. 1,000, I am really excited," said Pierre, who, with his degree in Computer Information Systems Technology, plans to work in software development.

At the day's ceremonies, held at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, a total of 164 students earned their bachelor's degrees. In all, 1,900 students graduated this spring, receiving bachelor's and associate degrees and certificates, including some high school seniors who are dual-enrolled in college courses.

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Eastern Florida, previously a two-year community college, became a state college in 2013. Community colleges were permitted to offer four-year degrees in 2008, prompting many colleges to start offering bachelor's programs.

Eastern Florida now offers 21 bachelor's programs and, as the campuses continues to expand, is looking to offer more.

"The chance to earn a bachelor's degree did not exist at our college before, which has made our programs a game-changer for students and local businesses that need their talent," said Eastern Florida President Jim Richey, who after coming to the college in 2012 pushed for the college to offer four-year degrees. “Today’s milestone is an incredible day for everyone at the college whose hard work has brought new opportunities to our students and community."

Caroline Glenn is the Education Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact her at caglenn@floridatoday.com or 321-576-5933, or follow her on Twitter @bycarolineglenn and like "Education at Florida Today" on Facebook.