UNF Student Honored for Service at Summer Commencement

Joanna Norris, Assistant Director

Department of Media Relations and Events

(904) 620-2102

The University of North Florida will honor a student with an outstanding record of volunteerism when it hands out more than 630 degrees Friday, July 30, during summer commencement at the UNF Arena.

Southside resident Matthew “Toby” Robin, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Transportation and Logistics, will be recognized as the recipient of the Senior Service Award for the summer graduating class. The UNF Alumni Association presents the Senior Service Award to a graduating senior for outstanding volunteer service to the University or community.

Over the past four years, Robin has become well known on the campus and in the Jacksonville community. Since arriving at UNF, he has volunteered in several capacities. As president of the Transportation and Logistics Society, he helped collect transportation- and environmental-themed books for children, which were donated to Mayor Peyton’s book drive in 2009. He also served on the Transportation and Logistics Career Day Committee, which helped raise more than $5,000 for Hubbard House.

This past spring, Robin co-chaired the Transportation and Logistics Relay for Life team to benefit the American Cancer Society. His efforts included organizing his team members for the 18-hour relay, volunteering for early set-up, running the on-site fundraiser as well as volunteering to operate and monitor the Gladiator Jousting Arena. He was also selected as one of four UNF students to compete in the 2010 Operation Stimulus Case Competition in Denver, Colorado. He and his team competed with top schools around the country and finished first place at the competition.

In the community, Robin is committed to serving others as he volunteers at the Clara White Mission and the Boys Home of Jacksonville. “My biggest passion is to help others fulfill their goals, achieve their dreams and carry out their ambitions in life,” he said. Volunteering has given him a sense of purpose, accomplishment and social responsibility as well as confidence in his career goals for the future.

The ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction will be held at 11 a.m. The Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business and the College of Education and Human Services will hold their ceremony at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the UNF Arena.

The University expects to award a total of 670 bachelor’s degrees, 132 master’s degrees and five doctoral degrees this summer.