FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Millennia Atlantic University Class of 2021 Celebrates Graduation
Students treated to commencement address by Johann Zietsman
Doral, Fla. — Students treated to commencement address by Johann Zietsman.
The students and their guests were treated to an inspiring commencement address by Johann Zietsman, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. A native of South Africa, Zietsman grew up under an Apartheid regime and got involved in the arts as a brass player in his high school band, which ignited a lifelong passion for the transformative power of the arts in a community.
“I thought I was a good guy,” Zietsman said in his address. “I thought I was doing all these things, but Apartheid was the complete opposite of this. And my understanding of this came into sharp focus when I discovered one word: Ubuntu. Ubuntu is an African philosophy and the word Ubunti comes from the Zulu phrase, ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.’ Umuntu a person, ngumuntu is a person, and ngabantu through other people. A person is a person through other people. Or, I am because we are.”
Trained as an architect and with a master’s in music, Zietsman took an active role in the political transformation of his homeland through pioneering work in the arts, earning recognition from Nelson Mandela’s government. Zietsman and his family moved to the United States when he was recruited in 2002 by the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), based in New York City. After two more stints in high-level arts management positions, he accepted his current role in December of 2018.
“It is really, really important you have an unmovable moral anchor and a compass to guide you through the storms of life,” Zietsman advised the graduates. “Without this, the winds of the storms of life will blow you here, there, and everywhere. I urge you to find an anchor. If you do not have a clear idea of your anchor yet, don’t worry. It took me almost 40 years to get there. Choose elements and characteristics of people you love, of people you respect. Trust and grow these into your own moral compass.”
At the ceremony, graduates celebrated earning associates, bachelors, and masters degrees in business administration, human resource management, international business administration, international logistics management, and business administration with concentration in accounting.
“Our students are leaving with degrees based on a real-world business-centric curriculum taught by internationally renowned faculty that will equip graduates to reach their career goals and aspirations,” said University President Dr. Aristides Maza Duerto.
Ada Xama earned two masters degrees in two-and-a-half years at MAU, one in human resource management and one in business administration. Graduating Suma Cum Laude with highest distinction in both disciplines, Xama – a native of Albania – delivered the student address.
“My speech was about why I chose MAU, how it gave me a different perspective from the educational system in Europe which I was previously used to, and the familiarity and close relationships with everyone,” noted Xama, who believes students should challenge themselves to grow.
“Studying at MAU with both programs gave me a better understanding and knowledge of different business concepts, the U.S. system, how to manage relations with people, and how to be prepared for your dream job,” said Xama, who has set her sites on becoming a business intelligence engineer.
Of the 83 diplomas handed out at the ceremony, 37 were to students who earned master’s degrees in business administration. Founded in 2006, MAU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and has developed an international reputation as a leader in business education.
New and returning student registration begins Nov. 29. Visit www.maufl.edu for more information.
Millennia Atlantic University
Media Contact: Angi Noote
media@maufl.edu | 706.445.2644
About Millennia Atlantic University
Millennia Atlantic University is a boutique business-centric college in the Doral-Miami area making a significant impact on the quality of each student’s professional, personal, and family lives. Founded in 2006 and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), MAU offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees and is and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. Equipping students to meet the challenges of economic, technological, and organizational growth in regional and global business communities, Millennia Atlantic University develops skilled professionals with extensive knowledge of new information, communication technologies, and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.maufl.edu.