Blue Origin president implores 500-plus Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ. Daytona campus grads to 'take that first step, ferociously'

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University grads like commencement address / Headline SurferFriendships built at Embry-Riddle / Headline SurferYouTube download / EmbryRiddleUniv video / Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrated more than 500 bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. graduates on Dec. 19, in Daytona Beach, Florida. 
Photos for Headline Surfer by David Massey/Embry-Riddle / Above, a student is all smiles after receiving her bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. At left, other Embry-Riddle grads show appreciation for the advice given to them by Rob Meyerson, president of Blue Origin and the commencement speaker, as demonstrated by their collective smiles and their attentiveness. In the inset  an ERAU grad reminds his friends of the bonds of friendship they've built along the way.
 
By HENRY FREDERICK
Headline Surfer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Rob Meyerson, president of Blue Origin, a pioneer in 21st-century space flight and exploration, cited his company's motto in Latin and then English for the 500-plus graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's 500-plus fall semester graduates: “Gradatim Ferociter” or “step-by-step, ferociously.”

Meyerson's commencement message to Embry-Riddle's 506 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. graduates at the Daytona Beach Campus at Monday's during fall graduation was clear, concise and to the point in counseling graduates to find an environment where failure is a way to learn from mistakes, where one can practice humility and transparency. And above all, Meyerson challenged the graduates to “take that first step, ferociously.” 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrated the culmination of its 90th anniversary with Monday’s Fall Commencement ceremony for 506 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. graduates at The Daytona Beach Campus. 

Blue Origins President Rob Meyerson gave the commencement address to Enbry-Riddle Aeoronautical University grads at the Daytona campus / Headline SurferRob Meyerson, president of Blue Origin, shown here at left, a pioneer in 21st-century space flight and exploration, cited his company's motto in Latin and then English for the 500-plus graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's 500-plus Fall semester graduates: “Gradatim Ferociter” or “step-by-step, ferociously.”

Meyerson's commencement message to Embry-Riddle's 506 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. graduates at the Daytona Beach Campus at Monday's during fall graduation was clear, concise and to the point in counseling graduates to find an environment where failure is a way to learn from mistakes, where one can practice humility and transparency.

And above all, Meyerson challenged the graduates to “take that first step, ferociously.” 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University celebrated the culmination of its 90th anniversary with Monday’s Fall Commencement ceremony for 506 bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. graduates at The Daytona Beach Campus. 

Poses after Embry-Riddle Fall graduation on Daytona Beach campus / Headline SurferFall Commencement was notable for another milestone: Ten Ph.D. degrees were awarded, the largest number in the school’s history. Doctoral degrees were conferred to graduates in Engineering Physics, Aviation, and for the first time, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Human Factors.

Interim President Karen Holbrook welcomed Meyerson, clearly an innovator in their fields of study wrapped around aerospace and engineering.

Embry-Riddle’s ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies were held beginning this past Friday, as the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps commissioned nine officers. On Sunday, eight US Air Force cadets were commissioned as Second Lieutenants, and Monday afternoon, five US Navy and Marines ROTC cadets were commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps.