Outstanding Graduate Award - Spring 2019
Outstanding Graduate Award Finalists
Jacob M. Blenker, who graduates with his Associate in Arts degree with a 3.84 grade point average, plans to attend SCF in the Fall to pursue a degree in Nursing. He is a veteran, having served in the United States Army nine years as an Infantry Squad Leader. During his time in the military he was awarded a Purple Heart Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Afghan Campaign Medal and an Iraqi Campaign Medal. He was medically retired in May 2016 after sustaining multiple traumatic injuries. In spite of his injuries, Jacob maintained a steadfast determination to recover and attain his goal of working in a meaningful field. He credits the outstanding and caring medical professionals that helped him during his recovery with his decision to pursue a career as a registered nurse. Giving back is the best way he knows to show his appreciation for the support he himself received. He is a proud husband and father of two sons.
LeAnn L. Copeland, who graduates with her Associate in Arts degree with a 3.81 grade point average plans to continue her prerequisite studies in Health Sciences at SCF this Fall. She is applying to the University of West Florida for entry into the bachelor’s program in Public Health for Spring 2020 and ultimately plans to receive her master’s. Her goal is to help address environmental factors and public health challenges and become a promoter of change to help reduce health threats to the human population. She volunteered with the SCF Food Pantry, maintained high grades while overcoming huge personal obstacles, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Nu Zeta Chapter and made the Dean’s List in Fall 2018. Her advice to students is to “show up to every class prepared and use all of the available resources on campus. The college journey requires dedication and hard work; however, it can be a memorable and impactful time in their life.”
Loren C. Lacy, a U.S. Navy veteran, is president of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) Chapter at SCF Venice. He graduates with his Associate in Arts degree with a 3.67 grade point average and has made the dean’s list every semester. Since his transition from the military to college in 2017, Lacy immersed himself in his classes and joined student organizations that allowed him to expand his experience and skills in the areas of project management, leadership and technical abilities. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Mu Upsilon Chapter, Swamp Scribes, Sigma Kappa Delta English Honors Society at SCF Venice, and helped set up Xenos, SCF Venice’s inclusivity club, by drafting the club constitution. During his time at SCF, he also worked as a Business and Technology lab assistant and most recently a Veteran Academic Peer Advisor. He has been accepted to University of Central Florida in Orlando, where he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Communications with a minor in Information Technology.
Darrell E. Stinger, Retired Lt. Colonel, United States Air Force, graduates with his Associate in Science degree in Digital Cinema with a 4.0 SCF grade point average. During his time in the military, he served many roles including jet pilot and an instructor teaching Air Force pilots how to defeat surface-to-air missile threats. He also was an all source research analyst of foreign weapon systems with the National Air & Space Intelligence Center, Missile & Space Intelligence Center, Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of Naval Intelligence. He was deployed at sea aboard Carrier Ronald Reagan conducting air operations in Afghanistan. After his military retirement he decided to focus on his other lifetime goal, which was to produce a movie and he enrolled in the Digital Cinema program at SCF. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Scholastic Honor Society, the SCF Film Club and SCF Veteran’s society, and is a recipient of the SCF President’s Award for Scholastic Excellence. He has already completed and published his first novel, “TOKAMAK,” a fictional account of scientists creating a controlled nuclear fusion reactor, which he hopes to make into his first feature film.
