Mast and Peggy Gossett-Seidman to be keynote speakers at PBSC’s fall commencement ceremonies

 

Palm Beach State College will welcome U.S. Rep. Brian Mast and Florida Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman as the keynote speakers during the College’s 2024 fall commencement ceremonies at noon and 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach.

Mast will speak at the noon ceremony and Gossett-Seidman at 4 p.m.

During the ceremony, which will be livestreamed on PBSC’s website, PBSC will award degrees and certificates to more than 1,800 graduates including more than 800 graduates of the Associate in Arts degree program and more than 1,000 graduates of the Associate in Science, Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degree programs and the certificate programs.

Mast is in his fourth term representing the 21st Congressional District of Florida.

Prior to his election to Congress, Mast followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years, earning medals including The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, The Purple Heart Medal, and The Defense Meritorious Service Medal. While deployed in Afghanistan, he worked as a bomb disposal expert under the elite Joint Special Operations Command. The last improvised explosive device that he found resulted in catastrophic injuries, which included the loss of both of his legs.

In Congress, Mast strives to serve as he did on the battlefield: without regard for personal gain or personal sacrifice. He is a member of two committees:

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where his priorities include fixing the pressing water quality issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee; and
The Foreign Affairs Committee, where he uses his military expertise to help strengthen the safety and security of the United States

Mast lives in Fort Pierce with his wife Brianna and four children: Magnum, Maverick, Madalyn and Major.

Gossett-Seidman was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2022. She served as commissioner for the Town of Highland Beach from 2018-2022. Gossett-Seidman graduated with honors from Michigan State University and worked as a journalist and reporter before public service. She is the Women’s Tennis Association’s former press director and the first woman in Palm Beach County to cover professional sports.

Gossett-Seidman has introduced several pieces of legislation that address issues such as voter registration, public health, and transparency in judicial processes.

She currently resides in Highland Beach with her husband, Dr. Barry Seidman, her dog Rocky, and her cat Huckberry.

For more information on PBSC’s graduation, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/graduation.