MIAMI, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / May 9, 2025 / Barry University will celebrate its 2025 Commencement with two days of ceremonies honoring distinguished leaders and graduates across a range of disciplines. Events begin on Friday, May 9, on Barry's Miami Shores campus and continue on Saturday, May 10, at the Broward County Convention Center.
On Friday, May 9, the Doctoral Commencement Ceremony will take place on Barry's campus, where the university will bestow an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters upon Honorable Billy Joel in recognition of his lifelong dedication to community service. A respected philanthropist and civic leader, Billy Joel has spent decades uplifting underserved communities across Florida, New York, and Israel.
"This honor belongs equally to the children who have risen above their challenges," Joel said. "I hope it will encourage even greater efforts from others to create positive change."
On Saturday, May 10, Barry's undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will be held at the Broward County Convention Center, where the university will present an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Benjamín León Jr., a healthcare innovator and longtime community champion. As Founder and Chairman of the Board of Leon Medical Centers and Leon Health HMO, León has dedicated over five decades to improving access to care for seniors and underserved populations in South Florida.
"It is a privilege to receive this recognition from Barry University," León said. "Education and healthcare are cornerstones of a thriving society, and it has been my life's mission to contribute to both through service to our community."
The May 10 morning ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and Public Administration will feature keynote remarks from Dr. Marjorie Lozama (DNP '24) and Jeff Lozama (MBA '24), distinguished alumni and Haitian-American leaders in mental health, humanitarian outreach, and business development. Speaking at the undergraduate and graduate ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and Public Administration, the Lozamas embody Barry University's mission of service, scholarship, and social justice through their professional achievements and community leadership.
"As we celebrate the Class of 2025, we also honor the values that define the Barry community-resilience, service, and the power of education to transform lives," said Dr. Mike Allen, President of Barry University. "Our graduates inspire us, and we are proud to share in their achievements and the legacies they continue to build."
Contact Information
Katherine Doblee
Office of Communications
kdoble@barry.edu
305-318-0837
SOURCE: Barry University
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
