Senior Finance major Michel Fleurime was among those honored by Governor Charlie Baker and other officials during the annual 29 Who Shine Ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House on May 3rd.

“These students’ stories are moving and inspiring and provide a powerful reminder of the importance of a college degree,” said Governor Baker. “It is an honor to be able to recognize them for their hard work, dedication and contributions to their communities.”

The 29 Who Shine Ceremony recognizes an outstanding student from each of the state’s 29 public colleges and universities. Fleurime is an honors student at FSU who has excelled during his time working at the University’s Entrepreneur Innovation Center (EIC). He is currently the Assistant to Director Mark Hardie at the EIC, which is the top student position, and connects him to all aspects of the center’s operation. This includes managing staff operations, tracking the center's finances, and onboarding new student staff. He credits the center with helping him grow professionally by providing him with real-world experience in finance and marketing, as he works alongside the more than 30 entrepreneurs operating out of the center.

Hardie was also honored during the May 3rd ceremony for his role as Fleurime’s mentor.

“Mark has been a tremendous mentor to me,” Fleurime says. “He has continually expanded my responsibilities at the Innovation Center, allowing me to manage students and giving me a prominent role in interacting with our members. I credit him with building my capacity as a leader.”

Fleurime plans to pursue a graduate degree in the future, with a focus on finance and marketing. He would like to broaden his financial knowledge and learn more about investing. His ultimate goal is to use his business and marketing skills to contribute to the economic development of his hometown of Brockton, MA.

“Today we see 29 living examples of what can come from state support of public higher education,” said Carlos E. Santiago, Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education. “The ’29 Who Shine’ remind us that when individual students succeed, the Commonwealth as a whole benefits from their knowledge and commitment to serve others. I could not be prouder of this year’s stellar nominees.”