1,090 Degrees and Certificates Bestowed at SCF Spring 2024 Commencement

Bradenton, Fla. May. 3, 2024

(Bradenton, Fla., May 3, 2024) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) celebrated its Spring 2024 graduation with a pair of commencement ceremonies on Friday at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. The college awarded more than 1,090 degrees and certificates, including 668 associate in arts degrees, 235 associate in science degrees, 101 bachelor’s degrees and 86 workforce certificates. The College hosted two formal ceremonies and the Grad Walk, an informal graduation event held Friday morning in the Studio for the Performing Arts Recital Hall.

The Outstanding Graduate Award was presented to Braydon Alex Bernard, who graduated with his associate in arts degree and a 4.0 GPA. Bernard is a dual enrollment student who intends to transfer to the University of Florida in the fall to study biochemistry, continuing his arduous path toward a future in pediatric neurosurgery and as a mentor to other children in need. He received the Math Memorial Award and was named the Sunshine State Scholar for the 2022-23 academic year in Florida. Bernard was the president of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Club, is a research and development intern at Trace Eye-D, and a brain health scholar for the Brain Health Initiative, and mentor with Dive Into Reading.

Dr. Dennis Runde, Professor of Mathematics, served as mace bearer for the ceremonies. Dr. Andrew Swanson, Natural Sciences Professor, received the Student-Selected Outstanding Faculty Award. Additional participants included Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, president; Dr. Todd G. Fritch, executive vice president and provost; Outstanding Graduate Award finalists Shawn Cacciola and Christina Beaver; and Jonathan Bachman from SCF’s Campus Ministry.

Faculty readers, who announced each graduate, included Gladys S. Green, associate professor, psychology; Meredith Butulis, assistant professor, physical therapy; Joshua Schulte, associate professor, biology; and Colleen Paige, instructional faculty, speech, language and literature.

The SCF Chamber Choir, under the direction of Melodie C. Dickerson, performed the National Anthem at the beginning of each ceremony.