Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Brittany Bowe Receives President’s Medallion, Delivers 2026 FAU Commencement Address
5/9/2026 12:00:00 PM | General
BOCA RATON, Fla. - One of Florida Atlantic's most accomplished alumna returned to Paradise on Saturday to celebrate the next generation of Owls. Brittany Bowe, a Florida Atlantic Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, four-time Olympian, and two-time Olympic medalist, was presented with the President's Distinguished Service Medallion and served as commencement speaker for the 2026 ceremony.
"Brittany is an incredible representative of Florida Atlantic University," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. "From her time as one of our best women's basketball players, to her induction to the FAU Athletics Hall of Fame, to her flourishing Olympics career, Brittany has proudly carried the Hometown Team with her. We congratulate her on becoming the first student-athlete to receive the President's Distinguished Service Medallion and for the honor of delivering the commencement address. Brittany will always have a special place in FAU Athletics history."
Bowe, a native of Ocala, Florida, was a four-year member of the Florida Atlantic women's basketball program, competing for the Owls from 2006-10. The Sun Belt All-Conference honoree finished her career with 1,062 career points, ranking as the eighth-best scorer in school history at the time, and was the ninth FAU women's basketball player to join the Owls' 1,000-point club.
Following her successful career, Bowe continued her athletic pursuits professionally, trading the hardwood for the ice. Bowe trained in the offseason at FAU as an inline skater, but following graduation, her interest turned fully to speed skating.
Now a four-time Olympian, Bowe is one of the most accomplished American long-track speed skaters in history. She earned two Olympic bronze medals — in the team pursuit at the 2018 Winter Games and in the 1,000 meters at the 2022 Winter Games — and currently holds the world record in the 1,000 meters. Bowe is a six-time world champion and was inducted into FAU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
Bowe is the most recent FAU alumnus to compete in either the summer or winter Olympics and is the third to medal, joining two-time gold medalist Yolanda Griffitth as a member of Team USA Basketball in 2000 and 2004, and Romanian women's swimmer Noemi Lung, who medaled twice in the 1988 Olympics.
The President's Distinguished Service Medallion is FAU's highest honor, recognizing individuals who have rendered service of outstanding value to the university and the broader community. Bowe is the first FAU student-athlete to receive the distinction.
The 2026 spring commencement marks a milestone for the institution, as FAU celebrates the largest graduating class in its history, with more than 4,300 students receiving degrees across eight ceremonies.
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