News

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson addressed the graduates

LAKELAND, Fla. (Dec. 18, 2007) — Florida Southern College conferred degrees to 198 graduates at its December commencement ceremonies on Dec. 15. The Honorable Bill Nelson, U.S. senator from Florida, delivered the commencement address.

Graduating Saturday were seniors from the college’s traditional day program, the Lakeland evening program, and the Orlando and Ocala programs. Thirteen students received their master’s degrees. 

Nelson received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in recognition of his outstanding career in service to the citizens of Florida. As a fifth-generation Floridian, he has served the people of his home state for more than three decades, first as state legislator, then as congressman, then as a state Cabinet officer, and now as Florida's senior United States senator. He currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Aging committees and is recognized as the leading congressional expert on NASA.

Joe P. Ruthven, respected Lakeland businessman, also received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree in recognition of his lifelong leadership in business and community service. Ruthven is founder and owner of The Ruthvens and Joe P. Ruthven Investments, one of the
largest brokers/developers of warehouse space in the Lakeland area with over 2.5-million square feet of space in more than 75 commercial properties.

The following list includes full names of graduates with information
about degree type, major, academic honors, and parent or spouse names (when available).

FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
FALL 2007 GRADUATES

Florida
Apopka
Sharita Yvette Burns. Master of Science in Nursing. MS.

Arcadia
Donald Eugene Knoche Jr. Physical Education. BS. He is the son of Donald and Sheila
Knoche.

Auburndale
Matthew Brian Bagley. Psychology. BS. He is the son of Fletcher and Loretta Bagley.

Adrienne Michelle Sapp. Art: Art Education. BS. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Kathy Power.

Bartow
Jessica Carmen Gray. Criminology. BS. She is the daughter of Larry and Sara Gray.

Maureen Casey Leckie. Nursing. BSN. Magna Cum Laude.

John Macintosh Sargeant. Music: Composition. BM. He is the son of C. Richard Sargeant and Jeanne Hebert.

Belleview
Meagan Patricia McGregor. Educational Studies. BS. Cum Laude.

Eileen M. Scoville. Educational Studies. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Bradenton
Amelia Bess Twinem. Music Education. BME. She is the daughter of Robert and Brenda Twinem.

Brandon
Randall Craig Love. Music Education. BME. He is the son of Roscoe and Linda Love.

Christopher Robert Riley. Music Education. BME. He is the son of James Riley and Sue Riley.

Cape Coral
JohnWillard Arrojado Utuk. Music Education and Music: Performance. BME. Magna Cum Laude. He is the son of Maria Lenita and John Utuk Jr.

Chuluota
Judith Ellen Mollo. Nursing. BSN. Cum Laude.

Clermont
Stacy Leigh Cooper. Psychology. BA. She is the daughter of Robert and Karen Britt.

Charleen Lashawn Oliver. Business Administration: Financial Management and Accounting. BS.

Davenport
Patricia Marie Park. Master of Business Administration. MBA.

Fort Myers
Noelle Christine Welker. Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Jerry Welker and Sharon Welker.

Flagler Beach
Jonathan McCain Alter. Communication: News Media. BS. He is the son of Dennis and Laurette Alter.

Green Cove Springs
John S. McMurry. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Haines City
Rebecca Diane Rittenhouse. Elementary Education. BS. She is the wife of Dave Rittenhouse and the daughter of Russ Phelps and Sharon Phelps.

Highland City
Cynthia Carol Gutierrez. Elementary Education. BS.

Inverness
Edward Vincent Gonzalez. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS.

Kissimmee
David John Dolyak. Psychology. BS. He is the son of John and Dolly Dolyak.

Monica Leigh Scarlett. Accounting and Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Lake Alfred
Karie Erickson Insua. Elementary Education. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Lake Helen
Robert William Hughes Jr., Business Administration: Production. BS.

Lake Placid
Jack Zimmerman Sanders III. Special Education. BS. He is the son of Jody and Jack Sanders II.

Lake Worth
Ashley Marie Gero. Psychology. BS. Magna Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Craig and Sandra Gero.

Lakeland
Venus Acevedo. Master of Arts Education. MAT.

Sheryl Jean Arnold. Elementary Education. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Angela Aulisio. Business Administration: Hotel Management. BS. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Julius and Terry Aulisio.

Robert Franklyn Barber. Citrus. BS. He is the son of Thomas and Deborah Barber.

Autumn Nichole Bell. Educational Studies. BS. She is the daughter of James and Cynthia Drawdy.

Cara Maria Berardi. Communication: News Media. BA. She is the daughter of Donald and Cheryl Berardi.

Gregory Scott Berry. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Anastasia Alicia Cifuentes. Accounting. BS.

Sean Brandon Connolly. Mathematics. BS. He is the son of William and Sherry Connolly.

Michelle Lee Crawford. Philosophy. BA. She is the daughter of Richard and Terri-Anne Crawford.

Brittany Autumn Criswell. Criminology and Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Charles and Cathy Criswell.

Cathy Roxann Criswell. Psychology. BS.

Eoghan Patrick Cullen. Biology. BS. He is the husband of Stephanie Cullen and son of William and Frances Cullen.

Kim Myung Ja Curran. Criminology. BS. She is the daughter of Kevin Curran.

Sarah Elizabeth Dalton. Humanities Division. BA. She is the daughter of Dave and Cathy Dalton.

Joshua Trent Dampier. Music Education. BME. He is the son of Harry and Susan Dampier.

Angel Renae' Davis. Sacred Music(BA). BA. She is the daughter of Dorothy Latimer.

Shanida De Gracia. Business Administration: International Management and Business Administration: Financial Management. BA. She is the daughter of Joaquin Ng and Dorig DeGracia.

Ryan Michael Delliveniri. Business Administration: Financial Management and Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS.

Nicholas Anthony Diyorio. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the husband of Rhea Diyorio and the son of Joseph Diyorio and Marti Diyorio.

Rhea Nicole Diyorio. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. She is the wife of Nicholas Diyorio and the daughter of Walter Battle.

Allen Lee Ellison. Political Science. BA. He is the husband of Samantha Bethel Ellison.

Lauren Lee Elmhorst. Communication: News Media. BS. She is the daughter of Frederick and Michelle Elmhorst.

Esteban Felix. Religion: Biblical/Theological and Art: Studio. BA. Cum Laude. He is the son of Wilfredo and Gudrun Felix.

Kelly Suzanne Flynn. Physical Education: Teacher Certificate. BS. She is the daughter of Donald and Sharon Flynn.

Adney Gillingham. Art:Studio Art. BA. She is the daughter of Albert Portero and Neida Mendoza.

Maria Govea Hall. Nursing. BSN.

Mark Angelo Hastings. Social Science Division and History. BA. He is the son of Edward and Victoria Hastings.

Kimberly J. Hovey. Elementary Education. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

David Joseph Izzo. Elementary Education. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Irina Nikolaevna Johnson. Accounting. BS.

Jackie Maria-Ann Kepner. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Ramez F. Kishta. Psychology. BS.

Fahim Ibrahim Kishta, Jr.. Elementary Education. BS. Cum Laude.

Jesse Dean Kubicek. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Jerry and Constance Kubicek.

Karen Patricia Lean. Accounting. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Sherika Ann Lewis. Business Administration: Marketing. BS. She is the daughter of Dairy Lewis and Donnie Lewis.

Jessica Erin Lovett. Elementary Education. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Scott Joseph Lyons. Physical Education. BS. He is the son of Robert and Dianne Lyons.

Dylan James Marquess. Sociology. BS. He is the son of Carl Marquess Jr and Lil Marquess.

Zachary Keith Maybank. Business Administration: Financial Management and Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Gene and Julie Maybank.

Guyan Omar Meares III. Master of Education. MED.

Wanda M. Melo-Beltre. Accounting. BS.

Anthony Wayne Mercer. Music: Performance. BM. He is the son of Newton Mercer and the late Barbara Mercer.

Tonya Irene Moose. Biology. BS.

Brian Matthew Morgan. Physical Education. BS. He is the son of Michael and Eileen Morgan.

Philip David Murray. Master of Business Administration. MBA.

Sebastian Dieter Paul. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS. He is the son of Reinhard and Denise Paul.

Cheryl Leigh Pierce. Master of Education. MED.

Megan Sharri Riddle. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. Magna Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Dale and Debbie Riddle.

Raina Dawn Roy. Physical Education: Teacher Certificate. BS. She is the daughter of Dean Roy and Lynda Roy.

Damian Mark Rumbough. Biology. BS. He is the son of Henry and Theresa Rumbough.

Margaret Joan Shoaff. Psychology. BS. Cum Laude.

Aaron Fay Shroyer. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Scott Porter Shuman. Master of Business Administration. MBA.

Samuel Sostre. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Robin Noelle Sutton. Elementary Education. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Donshae Latrice Thomas. Elementary Education. BS. She is the daughter of Clifford and Beverly Thomas.

Wendy Joy Thornton. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS.

Alyssa Danielle Tsikuris. Art:Studio Art. BFA. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Paul and Deborah Tsikuris.

Carrie Theresa Tullis. Elementary Education. BS. She is the daughter of Charles and Mary Tullis.

Nicole Marie Tyler. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. She is the daughter of Robert Parisi.

Sandra Jane Vaughan. Nursing. BSN. Summa Cum Laude.

Bryan Joseph Velez. Mathematics. BA. He is the son of Jose Velez and Cheryl Wilson.

Rachel Ward Waller. Elementary Education. BA. She is the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor
Waller.

Jason Allan Wilkins. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Lonchia Shavon Williams. Nursing. BSN.

Stacy Marie Worrell. Master of Education. MED. She is the daughter of William and Diane Worrell.

Michael Clifford Wright. Elementary Education. BA. He is the son of William and Diane Wright.

Largo
Jennifer Lynn Algren. Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Gregory Algren and Laura Algren.

Lithia
Amanda Jo Newberry. Master of Education. MED.

Longwood
Megan Ashley Hoak. English: Literature and English: Writing. BA. Summa Cum Laude. She is the daughter of David and Susan Hoak.

Elizabeth Theresa Loffredo. Nursing. BSN. Summa Cum Laude.

Lowell
Iris Starkes-Butler. Educational Studies. BS.

Merritt Island
Katherine Susanne Drennon. Communication:Advertising. BS. Magna Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Jake and Susanne Drennon.

Maria Antonia Gines. Music Education. BME. Magna Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Pablo and MaryAnn Gines.

Miami
Sabrina Isabel Garcia. Psychology. BA. She is the daughter of Jose Garcia and Julia Garcia.

Mt Dora
Diana M. Nutter. Master of Education. MED.

Mulberry
Ryan Joseph Taylor. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Larry Taylor and Joni Long.

Newberry
Barbara Jeannette Stanley. Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Glen and Jeanne Stanley.

North Port
Angela Marie Nohl. Elementary Education. BS. She is the daughter of Thomas and Lynne Nohl.

Ocala
Vincent Bonomo. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Tanya N. Grant. Nursing. BSN.

Bonnie Ingram. Educational Studies. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Wantanisha Dawson Morant. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Kelly Renee Morgan. Educational Studies. BS. She is the daughter of John Morgan and Kimberly Morgan.

Megan Leigh Richardson. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS. Cum Laude.

Tina Denise Stelogeannis. Educational Studies. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Sheena Marie Thom. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS. Cum Laude.

Ocoee
Diana Cody Pratt. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Oldsmar
Joseph Dean Nichols. Psychology. BS.

Orlando
Katherine Laine Brown. Nursing. BSN.

Carreena Marie Capece. Business Administration: Financial Management and Accounting. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Jeshuabet Castro. Physical Education. BS. He is the son of Rolando and Yolanda Castro.

Berline Deneus. Business Administration: Financial Management and Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS.

Chandra Demetria Dennis. Business Administration: Computer Information Services.

Ronald Grant Foster. Nursing. BSN. Cum Laude.

Patricia Jordan Gorrie. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS.

Nicole Lynn Harrington. Master of Education. MED. She is the daughter of Randall and June Bruce.

Jada Tricia Liburd. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS.

Charmaine Elaine McBean. MS. in Nursing. MS.

Andrew William McKibben. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS.

Arlita J. Moody. Nursing. BSN.

Luis R. Oquendo. Nursing. BSN.

Bradelie Andre Pierre. Nursing. BSN. Magna Cum Laude.

Wendi Rufrano Reisch. Business Administration: Marketing. BS.

John Paul Rovnak. Business Administration: Marketing Management and Business Administration: Financial Management. BS. Magna Cum Laude.

Tiffany Jeanette Stokes. Music: Performance. BM. She is the daughter of Elton Wayne and Margaretta Stokes.

Ormond Beach
Sean M. Gates. Biology. BS. He is the son of John Gates and Donna Gates.

Oviedo
Mark R. Valente. Business Administration: Production Management. BS.

Polk City
Christy Marie Benefield. Psychology. BS. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of C. J. and Irene Benefield.

Carrie Lorane Norman. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS. She is the daughter of Robert and Shirley Norman.

Shana Marie Rockwell. Psychology. BS. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Glen Rockwell and Susan Rockwell.

Port Charlotte
Takara Sekayi Angel Forman. Elementary Education. BS. She is the daughter of Wayne Forman and Doris Forman.

Rockledge
Kathryn Elizabeth Schmidt. Mathematics. BA. She is the daughter of Joseph Schmidt and Michele VanHove.

Sarasota
Christine Marie Buckingham. Biology. BS. She is the daughter of D. Gregory Buckingham Jr. and Ann Kennedy.

Brett Dewey Robinson. Criminology and Sociology. BS. He is the son of Dewey and Cindy Robinson.

Satellite Beach
Travis Christopher Hobgood. Computer Science. BS. Cum Laude. He is the son of Clifton and Maureen Hobgood.

Jeffrey Ryan Howell. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Tony and Ruth Howell.

Seffner
Crystal Lynn Conlon. Communication: Public Relations. BA. She is the daughter of Robert and Susan Conlon.

Sparr
Patricia Gladin Snyder. Educational Studies. BS. Summa Cum Laude.

Spring Hill
Eric Alan Ruoff. Religion: Biblical/Theological. BA. He is the son of Marc Ruoff and Kimberly Ruoff.

St Cloud
Jose D. Rivera. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Summerfield
Janel Marie Muffett. Educational Studies. BS. Cum Laude.

Tallahassee
Lindsey Diane Tryon. Mathematics. BS. Magna Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Richard and Lyn Tryon.

Tampa
Arnaldo Rafael Abreu. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Jose and Miguelina Abreu.

Thomas Welty Compton. Business Administration: Sports Management. BS. He is the son of William and Mary Louise Compton.

Ryan Kimberly O'Steen. Sociology. BS. She is the daughter of David and Tanya Wortman.

Wauchula
Jonathan Edwin Leupold. Physical Education: Teacher Certificate. BS. He is the son of Kenneth and Barbara Leupold.

Windermere
Ashlee Nicole Grimes. Elementary Education. BS. She is the daughter of Marc and Karen Grimes.

Winter Garden
Alice Y. Flowers. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS.

Winter Haven
Justin Archibee. Accounting. BS.

Christy Adele Merrick. MS. in Nursing. MS.

Tracie Renay Selwood. Elementary Education. BS.

Winter Park
Kaci Ann Davis. Accounting. BS.

FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
FALL 2007 GRADUATES
OUT OF STATE

Alabama
Mobile
John Ryan Hill. Business Administration: Financial Management. BS. He is the son of David Bradley and Linda Bradley.

Colorado
Red Feather Lakes
Matthew Robert Ward. Business Administration: Marketing Management and Business Administration: Sports Management. BS. He is the son of James and Diana Ward.

Connecticut
Moosup
Renee Nicole Heath. Special Education. BS. She is the daughter of Johnny and Georgia Heath.

Georgia
Zebulon
Kyle Wesley Grice. Communication: Advertising. BA. He is the son of Richard and Karen Grice.

Illinois
Lake Forest
Whitney Landis Palmer. Sociology. BS. She is the daughter of Alan Palmer and Debbie MacFarlan.

Maine
Brunswick
Sarah Lynn Penney. Sociology. BA. She is the daughter of Robert and Debra Jo Penney.

Maryland
Adelphi
Matthew Cortez Hinton. Communication: Advertising. BA. He is the son of Merritt Hinton and Shenawn Beaver.

Massachusetts
New Bedford
Colleen Elizabeth Marinelli. Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Robert and Nora Marinelli.

Missouri
Lee's Summit
Kathryn Lynn Goppert. Environmental Horticulture/Landsape Design. BS. She is the daughter of Thomas Goppert and Lorraine Goppert.

New Hampshire
Nottingham
David Francis Andrikowich. Communication: Public Relations. BA. He is the son of John Andrikowich and Joan Andrikowich.

Pelham
Deborah Jeane Gallagher. Criminology and Psychology. BS. She is the daughter of Walter Filimond and Julie Gallagher.

New Jersey
Lavallette
Casey Lynn Cassese. English: Dramatic Art. BA. She is the daughter of John and Marilynn Cassese.

New York
Cicero
Christa Catherine Maier. Business Administration: Hotel Management. BS. She is the daughter of Edwin and Carol Maier.

West Sayville
Steven Keith Rowland Communication: Public Relations. BA. He is the son of Kenneth and Laura Rowland.

Ohio
Centerville
Scott Byron Comer. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Larry and Ruth Comer.

Cincinnati
Joie Nicole Bucalo. Theatre Arts Performance. BA. She is the daughter of Samuel Bucalo and Vicky Combs.

Hamilton
James Francis Homan. Criminology. BA. Cum Laude. He is the son of Barbara Homan and the late Chris Homan.

Van Wert
Kristin Renee McFarlin. Biology. BS. She is the daughter of James McClure and Lisa McClure.

Yorkshire
Jessica Lynn Steinke. Criminology and Psychology. BS. Cum Laude. She is the daughter of David Steinke and Teresa Harmon.

Pennsylvania
Bainbridge
Derek Lokey. Communication: News Media. BA. He is the son of Randy and Pamela Lokey.

Pittsburgh
Benson Isaiah Gloster. Psychology. BS. He is the son of Ben Gloster and Debra Gloster.

Puerto Rico
San Sebastian
Rogelio Perez-Rodriguez. Communication: News Media. BA. He is the son of Rogelio Gonzalez and Irma Rodriguez.

Rhode Island
Wakefield
Kimberly Elaine Fish. Social Science Division. BA. She is the daughter of Larry and Phyllis Fish.

South Carolina
Hilton Head Island
Caroline Fitzgerald Rankin. Business Administration: Sports Management. BS. She is the daughter of William and Mary Rankin.

Mt Pleasant
Stephanie Morgan Ott. Business Administration: Human Resources Management. BS. She is the daughter of Robert and Bonnie Ott.

Texas
Cedar Park
Brian Michael Silveira. Business Administration: Marketing Management. BS. He is the son of Antonio and Valerie Silveira.

 

FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE
FALL 2007 GRADUATES
OUT OF THE UNITED STATES

Brazil
Aguai
Bruno Jundy Fukugauti. Citrus. BS.

Kenya
Mosoriot
Jael Chepkemboi Koech. Educational Studies. BS. She is the daughter of Micah Towett Taptengelei and Hellen Towett.

Macedonia
Skopje
Ana Cokovik. Business Administration: Financial Management and Economics. BA. She is the daughter of Boris and Rosa Cokovik.

Madagascar
Antananarivo
Zhivuan Cai. Business Administration: International Management. BS. He is the son of ShuJun Cai and Liping Wang.

Spain
Sant Est Sesrovires
Isaac Victor Galindo. Business Administration: Sports Management. BS. He is the son of Francisco Galindo and Teresa Ramirez.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive United Methodist-affiliated college with a liberal arts core. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 46 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 13:1 student/faculty ratio; is a national leader in engaged learning; and boasts 26 NCAA Division II national championships. It is ranked in the Top 5 “Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the South” by U.S. News & World Report and is included in The Princeton Review’s “366 Best Colleges” guide. The College is committed to the development of the whole student through vibrant student life programs that prepare graduates to make a positive, consequential impact on society. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is home to the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

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