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As outstanding on the playing field as they are exceptional in the classroom, Seminole football players Myron Rolle and Christian Ponder epitomize the term "scholar-athlete."</p>
<p>In recognition of their simultaneous prowess in academics and athletics, Rolle and Ponder — both of whom completed their undergraduate degrees in less than three years — led the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance at Florida State's summer commencement, which was held at 9 a.m., August 9, at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.</p>
<p>Rolle, an All-American safety who was honored in 2006 as the ACC's newcomer of the year, completed his pre-med studies and graduated magna cum laude. He plans to become a neurosurgeon and has received a $4,000 undergraduate grant for his biomedical research studying the metabolism of human cells with potential implications for stem-cell and cancer-cell research.</p>
<p>A Rhodes Scholarship hopeful, Rolle begins work on a master's degree in public policy at FSU this fall while continuing his football eligibility.</p>
<p>Christian Ponder graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance. The son of former FSU defensive tackle David Ponder, he begins the fall term as an FSU MBA student and a redshirt sophomore in a high-profile competition for the starting quarterback job in the Seminole football program.
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Dillon Jeffery Fritz earned his doctorate in biomedical sciences. The College of Medicine started the graduate training program in biomedical sciences in 2004, three years after the college welcomed its first class of medical students. Fritz has accepted a National Cancer Institute-funded fellowship at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.</p>
<p>Rolle, Ponder, Fritz and their fellow graduates were addressed by commencement speaker R. Eugene Taylor, former vice chairman and president of Global Corporate and Investment Banking for Bank of America Corporation and an FSU alumnus.</p>
<p>Very impressive students!</p>
<p>For the complete article see: Florida</a> State University</p>