Monday, May 6, 2024
Associate and Bachelor's Degrees
Ceremonies 1 & 2 Location
Ocean Center Arena
101 N. Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
View the Ocean Center Parking and Entrance Map
Ceremony 1
College of Arts & Sciences and College of Engineering
10 a.m.-Noon
(Students Arrive by 8:30 a.m.)
Speaker
Steve Nordlund
Steve Nordlund
Steve Nordlund is vice president and general manager of Air Dominance for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In this position, he oversees classified programs and the F/A-18, F-15, F-22, T-7, MQ-25 and MQ-28 programs as well as the Phantom Works organization, including its Virtual Warfare Centers.
Nordlund was previously vice president and general manager of Phantom Works for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In this position he oversaw advanced research, development, and prototyping organization responsible for innovating concepts and technologies to extend current products, capture new programs, developing new businesses and enter new markets.
Previously, Nordlund was vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt, a business division he launched, dedicated to building a safe, sustainable and seamless future mobility ecosystem, ranging from electric air taxis to high-speed transport.
Prior to Boeing NeXt, Nordlund served as founder and vice president of Boeing HorizonX, a strategy organization that experiments with solutions and business models for disruptive aerospace applications and launched the company’s venture fund which has since merged with AeroEquity Investment firm.
Since joining Boeing in 2009, Nordlund has held business development, business line and strategy leadership positions across the company’s defense and commercial businesses, including as vice president of Autonomous Systems.
Prior to Boeing, Nordlund was a founding member of Insitu, Inc., providers of the ScanEagle, Integrator, and RQ-21 Blackjack Unmanned Aerial Systems to the U.S. Department of Defense and Allied militaries. Insitu ranked #34 on Inc. Magazine 500 Fastest Growing Companies. Earlier in his career, Nordlund worked in the educational, health, and public sector division of IBM.
Nordlund serves on the Board of Trustees of Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University and has served on the Boards of Directors of SparkCognition, an artificial intelligence and machine learning company, as well as the St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL).
Nordlund has a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida. He is a licensed pilot and is involved in volunteer work related to non-profit educational organizations.
Ceremony 2
College of Aviation and David B. O’Maley College of Business
3-5 p.m.
(Students Arrive by 2 p.m.)
Speaker
Michael Whitaker
Michael Whitaker
Michael G. Whitaker became FAA Administrator in October 2023. He is responsible for helping to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the largest aerospace system in the world.
Whitaker served as Deputy Administrator at the FAA from 2013–2016, and was also the Chief NextGen Officer. He was responsible for the implementation of FAA's NextGen modernization of the air traffic control system, moving from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology.
Before becoming FAA Administrator, Whitaker was chief operating officer of Supernal, a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle.
Prior to Supernal and his tenure at the FAA, Whitaker served as Group CEO of InterGlobe Enterprises, India’s largest travel conglomerate and operator of its largest airline, IndiGo. There, he oversaw strategy and operations for four affiliate travel companies.
Whitaker also spent 15 years at United Airlines in a variety of roles as Director, Vice President and Senior Vice President. His broad portfolio at the airline included commercial alliances and joint ventures, international and regulatory affairs, and strategic counsel to the Chairman and CEO on international matters.
Whitaker began his more than three-decade aviation career as a litigator, then as Assistant General Counsel of international and regulatory affairs at Trans World Airlines (TWA).
Whitaker is a private pilot, holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and French from the University of Louisville and a juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Cap, Gown and Memorabilia Information
Academic regalia, or the dress uniform of one of the U.S. Armed Forces, is required. Graduating ROTC cadets can wear their uniforms starting in Spring 2024.
The deadline to order caps and gowns online through Herff Jones was March 22, 2024. Regalia orders can now be made in person at the University Bookstore and will be charged a $10 late fee.
In-store purchases made at the bookstore after April 22, 2024 are not guaranteed and will be charged the $10 late fee plus an additional expedited shipping fee. All cap and gown orders will be distributed at the graduation Lift-Off event hosted by Alumni Engagement on May 1.
Honor cords based on academic standing of GPA (cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude) are permitted and distributed at the ceremony to graduates at check-in.
Stoles are distributed by your organization's advisor prior to the ceremony. Please contact your advisor directly for more information.
Ceremony Information
The Daytona Beach Ocean Center is conveniently located off Highway A1A in Daytona Beach, about 5 miles east of the Embry-Riddle campus. Students will enter the Ocean Center through the East Side (facing A1A) and report to the Atlantic Room no later than 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony.
Note: Graduates should not bring any personal belongings that they cannot keep on their person during the Commencement ceremonies. No secure storage areas are available, and University staff will not take possession of, or responsibility for, personal belongings during the ceremonies.
Guest Information
Family, friends, and guests will enter through the West Concourse (Earl Street, directly across from Daytona Lagoon and the parking garage). Doors will open 1.5 hours prior to each ceremony.No tickets are required for entry, and seating will be first come, first served. Saving seats, however, will not be permitted. The Ocean Center has accommodations for those guest needing Disability and Limited Mobility Accommodations.
Ceremony will begin promptly with our processional. The anticipated length of ceremony is two hours. We ask that you kindly stay in your seat for the duration of the ceremony; be courteous to the graduates and their families and remain seated until the recessional.
To accommodate families and friends of our graduates who are not able to attend the commencement ceremony, the event will be webcast live here. A “watch now” link will posted on the home page the morning of the ceremony.
The possession or use of alcohol, noise making devices (air horns), firecrackers, balloons, flags, banners, or illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Cell phones and pagers must be turned to silent.
Due to the stadium seating arrangement at the venue, strollers and baby carriages are not permitted in the event venue. You may check the stroller or baby carriage with an attendant at the North Corridor entrance.
Parking
Parking is available on the day of the ceremony for $15 (cash only) in the designated Ocean Center Parking Lots. Parking outside of these designated lots may result in higher parking rates and are managed by third party businesses, not ERAU or the Ocean Center.
Note: Parking in Ocean Center parking lots is limited and has run out in the past that parking is first come, first served. Carpooling and early arrival is strongly recommended. Graduates: Consider parking time and walk time to the Ocean Center to ensure you are arriving by your designated arrival time. Students are placed in a specific order for line up so prompt arrival is imperative.