Leesburg’s Beacon College
gives honorary doctorates to an international advocate from the United Arab Emirates and a former Florida legislator and his wife.
LEESBURG — Beacon College gave honorary doctorates to a prominent international advocate from the United Arab Emirates and a former Florida legislator and his wife at its 29th Commencement Saturday.
Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al-Qasimi and Andrew and Camille Gardiner were honored for their influential efforts on two continents to enhance the lives of children and young adults with learning differences and developmental disabilities.
“We are indeed fortunate to be graced by honorary degree candidates whose work has benefited the lives of literally millions of people with disabilities, both internationally and here in the Sunshine state,” said Beacon College President George J. Hagerty.
As vice president of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and director general of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, AlQasimi pioneered a myriad programs for individuals with disabilities. She’s received numerous awards, including the Award of Merit from The UAE Red Crescent honoring her local and regional special needs advocacy, the Woman of the Year Award from Datamatix and the United Nations Development Program UAE Accolade for Distinguished Achievements in Humanitarian Services. Al-Qasimi has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Chico.
“Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela has been an influential educator and advocate, not only in Sharjah and countries of the Middle East, but globally,” Hagerty said.
Andrew is the senior vice president of external affairs and community relations at Orlando Health and a former Florida state senator. After rising to Senate president in 2015, he lead efforts for inclusion, equality and equal access for Floridians with unique abilities — an issue close to his heart since he has a son with Down Syndrome. His crowning achievement was the personal learning scholarship that bears his name: the Gardiner Scholarship Program. Camille founded the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida, which has disbursed more than $600,000 in scholarships for families to use for therapy, camps and tutoring.
“Sen. Andy Gardiner and his wife, Camille, have shared a common pursuit,” Hagerty said, “that of improving the quality of educational and life experiences for Floridians with disabilities. Each of our degree recipients embody the true character of civic leaders by virtue of their vision, perseverance and humility.”