(Bradenton, Fla., Dec. 9, 2022) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) celebrated its Winter 2022 graduation with a pair of commencement ceremonies on December 9 at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. More than 1,000 degrees and certificates were awarded to students who completed their credentials in the Summer and Fall terms, including 530 associate in arts degrees, 163 associate in science degrees, 115 bachelor’s degrees and 198 workforce certificates. The two formal ceremonies and the Grad Walk, an informal graduation event held Friday morning in the Studio for the Performing Arts Recital Hall, combined to feature more than 200 student participants.

The Outstanding Graduate Award was presented to María Camila Medina Almaguer, who graduated with her associate in arts degree with a 4.0 GPA. She emigrated from Cuba with her family shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Her many accomplishments at SCF included winning the Florida College System Activities Association 2022 Student Artist Competition piano division and being selected by faculty as recipient of the Sarasota Steinway Society scholarship.

Tracy Abrahamson, the President’s Faculty Excellence Award recipient, was the keynote speaker. Abrahamson is a member of the nursing faculty at SCF, instructing associate and baccalaureate level courses.

Patrick W. Patterson, professor and program director of radiography, and Frances Auld, professor of language and literature, served as mace bearers for the ceremonies. Additional ceremony participants included Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, president; Dr. Todd G. Fritch, executive vice president and provost; Victoria Lauren Flounders, an Outstanding Graduate Award finalist. Rev. Jonathan Bachman and Lenz Daniel from SCF’s Campus Ministry delivered the invocations.

Faculty readers, who announced each graduate, included Nicolette M. Mason, assistant professor, speech; Gladys S. Green, associate professor, psychology; Dr. Meredith N. Butilis, assistant professor, physical therapy; and Catherine M. Quadir, ASN/BSN instructor, nursing.

The SCF Chamber Choir performed the National Anthem at the start of each ceremony.

For more information about SCF, visit SCF.edu.

SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld and Outstanding Graduate Award winner María Camila Medina.

Students celebrate after Friday morning’s Grad Walk at SCF Bradenton.

A decorative graduation cap of a nursing graduate.