Frank Brogan’s voice was uncharacteristically shaky in key moments last Wednesday as he gave his final State of the University Address.
“This is the hardest goodbye I have ever had to make,” he said.

This was Brogan’s victory lap and the last time addressing FAU as president before taking on his next challenge in Tallahassee. He was joined in the 500-seat University Theatre by his wife, Courtney, his son, Colby John, and new Interim President John Pritchett.

He highlighted the school’s transformation during his six-and-a-half-year tenure and took turns thanking every key administrator and successful department.

Praiseworthy
Generous donor Harold Forkas, who donated $1.1 million to FAU and passed earlier this year, was among the first honored. His widow, Marleen, looking stylish in a canary yellow hat, was present, and waved enthusiastically when she was asked to stand.

Brogan also praised commercial music program Head Scholar Michael Zager, who was in Thailand this summer helping Payap University launch their recording studio.

Brian Fleishman, a freshman at Wilkes honors college, received a special welcome from Brogan. He did two tours of duty in Iraq. According to Brogan, the 106 new honors college students earned an average high school GPA of 4.04.

Video evidence
The program included a slick video presentation specially produced for the event as a Brogan retrospective. Talking points emphasized the advancements made under Brogan in the areas of academic instruction, research, community involvement, fundraising and student life.

Student Body President Tiffany Weimar appeared in order to thank friends and supporters of FAU for their generosity in providing donations and funding.

The most convincing spokesperson, however, was volleyball star and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice President Krystena Castro. A natural on camera, she provided the climax for the video with her line “FAU life has never been better, and there is a lot more to come … so stay tuned.”

Saying goodbye
After reliving great recent moments in FAU sports and demonstrating the proper way to throw up the “owl eyes” (with three fingers on each hand representing the football team’s quest for a third consecutive win in a bowl game), Brogan began the bittersweet task of saying goodbye to the university community. He immediately got a lump in his throat.
“Thank you for the most amazing six and a half years that a person has ever been afforded,” he said.

The Brogan family came together onstage to close out the program. Colby John, whose first and only home has been the president’s mansion, stomped his feet, pulled on his parents and mugged for the crowd. He received a signed football while his mother and father received a bouquet and a Board of Trustees resolution, respectively. Finally, the FAU marching band appeared out of nowhere, with baton twirlers and the drum line onstage and the other instruments along each side of the seats. They provided a festive farewell to the president and his family.