(Bradenton, Fla., Dec. 8, 2023) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) celebrated its Winter 2023 graduation with a pair of commencement ceremonies on December 8 at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. Nearly 1,000 degrees and certificates were awarded to students who completed their credentials in the Summer and Fall terms, including 562 associate in arts degrees, 211 associate in science degrees, 138 bachelor’s degrees and 43 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 250 student participants.

The Outstanding Graduate Award was presented to Jaelyn Elizabeth Landers, who graduated with her with an associate in arts degree and a 3.61 GPA. She is currently the President of the Student Government Association (SGA) and Vice President for STEM.Med, and in 2022, she served as the Vice President of SGA. Landers has also been an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta and the History & Political Science Club. Her service extends outside the College, volunteering for various organizations and events such as Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Keep Sarasota Beautiful and K-Kids Club at Taylor Ranch Elementary Open House.   

Kim Ghiselin, the President’s Faculty Excellence Award recipient, was the keynote speaker. Ghiselin is a member of the mathematics faculty at SCF, serving the college since 2002.

Professor of Political Science Danny Fuerstman, served as mace bearer for the ceremonies. Additional ceremony participants included Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld, president; Dr. Todd G. Fritch, executive vice president and provost; Colton Gray Cook, an Outstanding Graduate Award finalist, and Chaplain Frank Brunner from SCF’s Campus Ministry delivered the invocations.

Faculty readers, who announced each graduate, included Dr. Meredith N. Butulis, assistant professor, physical therapy; Gladys S. Green, associate professor, psychology; Dorothy Neufeld, associate professor, nursing; and Josh Schulte, associate professor, natural science.

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

For more information about SCF, visit SCF.edu.