Jacksonville University to Hold December Commencement

Jacksonville University to Hold December Commencement

Michael Cascone, Jr. to Address Graduates & Families

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Jacksonville University will bestow degrees on more than 300 students at its annual fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. in Swisher Gymnasium.

Michael Cascone, Jr. ’65, chairman emeritus of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) and former chairman of JU’s Board of Trustees, will deliver the keynote address and will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Cascone began his career at BCBSF in 1968 and served as president and COO, executive vice president and in a senior officer role over each of the BCBSF divisions before being named CEO and president in 1998. During his tenure as CEO, BCBSF increased top line annual revenue to $5.9 billion, increased the number of Floridians served to more than six million, maintained external financial ratings that were among the highest in the country, added new product lines and provider networks and upgraded customer service.

While at BCBSF, Cascone served on the Board of Directors of the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. He was also chairman of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Federal Employees Program, one of the largest health plans in the world. Cascone also served on several key committees for the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, including finance, mediation, health policy, legislative and operations. He served as chairman of The Caucus, an organization of non-profit Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

Cascone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from JU and served as chairman of JU’s Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2005. In addition, he completed Harvard’s Advanced Management Program in 1985.

The graduates will include 269 undergraduates receiving bachelor’s degrees, and 115 of those are nursing students. Master’s degrees will be bestowed on 45 graduate students, including 29 in business administration, 6 in nursing and 10 in education.

Graduates who have achieved perfect 4.0 grade point averages will be honored with the prestigious Fred B. Noble Medal for Scholarship. The University will also present two prominent service awards – the Presidential Award for Leadership and the Presidential Award for Service.