Florida Atlantic University (FAU) held its annual Talon Leadership and Service Awards ceremony during Homecoming 2025, recognizing alumni, students, faculty, and community members for their leadership and service to the university.
“We are proud to celebrate those who lead and serve our community boldly,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “Through mentorship, academic excellence, philanthropy and community engagement, this year’s Talon Leadership Award recipients have made a lasting impact that continues to shape the future of Florida Atlantic while inspiring others to do the same.”
Michelle and Michael Hagerty received the President’s Talon Award for their contributions to FAU athletics. The Hagertys’ involvement began in August 2021 with a donation that named the head football coach position as the Hagerty Family Head Football Coach. In 2022, they donated again to create the Hagerty Family Athletics Village and later provided further support for Olympic sport student-athletes by enhancing athletic facilities.
The Richard L. Schmidt Alumni Talon Award was presented to Susan Skemp ’81. Skemp served as executive director of the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center at FAU from 2008 to 2015, where she led research focused on ocean energy technology development. She has also contributed through roles on both the FAU Alumni Association Board and the FAU Foundation Board, along with supporting scholarship funds through mentoring and charitable giving.
Deborah Floyd, Ed.D., received the Faculty Talon Award in recognition of more than 25 years of service at FAU. As a professor specializing in higher education leadership, Floyd has supervised over 50 dissertations and led the Higher Education Leadership Ph.D. program in the College of Education. In 2023, she established the Floyd Scholars Fund with a personal endowment; between 2024-26, eleven scholars have benefited from this funding.
The Student Talon Award went to Shania Grant ’24, a graduate student in criminology and criminal justice. Grant has held various leadership roles at FAU such as peer mentor for undergraduate research programs, managing editor of the Undergraduate Law Journal, secretary of the League of Women Voters, and serves as the youngest-ever student member on Palm Beach County’s Criminal Justice Commission.
“These honorees stand as powerful examples of leadership and service, each forging new paths and setting high standards for our entire community,” said Katie G. Burke, Ph.D., assistant vice president of alumni and community engagement at FAU. “I am deeply proud to recognize this remarkable group of honorees as they have made an indelible impact on our university, driving progress and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.”
Further information about these awards can be found at faualumni.org.
