June 23, 2004

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Lindsay Ellenbogen, Director
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954-262-5455

America's First Labor Secretary For Disabled Encourages NSU Graduates to Overcome Life's Obstacles

NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr., keynote speaker W. Roy Grizzard, Jr., and dean of FGSEHS, Dr. H. Wells Singleton stand during the Processional.

W. Roy Grizzard, Jr., Ed.D. , the first Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy in the U.S. Labor Department was the keynote speaker for the 35th Annual Commencement ceremony for NSU’s Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services (FGSEHS), held recently at the Office Depot Center, Sunrise.

Approximately 650 students from FGSEHS, mostly educators, received words of wisdom from Grizzard, a 1976 FGSEHS graduate, who is now responsible for advising the Secretary of Labor on issues related to the employment of people with disabilities.

“Having a disability motivates one to be patient, plan carefully, and work hard,” said Grizzard. "A large part of my success can be attributed to the people I came in contact with throughout my life's journey…the people at Fischler and in the workplace who focused on my ability - not on my disability," he said.

Grizzard, who has retinitis pigmentosa, was a teacher and administrator prior to joining the Department of Labor. In addition, he served six years as Commissioner for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.