SJRCC PRESS RELEASE May 2008 SJRCC honors graduates, Clay County mom receives Valedictorian Award St. Johns River Community College held its 49th Annual Commencement on Friday, May 2 at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts located on the Orange Park Campus. Of the approximately 700 students who were candidates to earn an associate in arts degree, associate in science degree or college credit certificate for the 2007-08 academic year, 144 participated in the ceremony. During the ceremony, Gilbert Evans, Ph.D., J.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant General Counsel, presented Clay County resident Angela Curvier with the Valedictorian Award. The award is given based on grade point average, difficulty of courses and involvement in extracurricular activities. The 32-year-old mother of three received her associate in arts degree and plans to further her education in mathematics at the University of North Florida. Executive Vice President and General Counsel Melissa Miller, J.D. recognized retiring administrators and faculty members during the ceremony. Recognition went to Shirley Kennedy, Ph.D. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, 22 years); Gail Wiltse (mathematics professor, 22 years); John Roberts (business professor, 20 years); Ruth Benjamin (public services librarian, 18 years), Frank Casey (student activities coordinator, 14 years); and Mike Purinton, Ph.D. (Vice President for Workforce Development 11 years). Florida School of the Arts student Thaddeus Pearson sang the National Anthem. Hastings resident and agricultural specialist William R. Cotton was the commencement speaker. Cotton served for more than 20 years as a member of SJRCC's District Board of Trustees and currently serves on SJRCC's Foundation Board. He has dedicated his career to crop development and improving working conditions for farmers as well as water conservation and research with UF and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Cotton also served as president of the Wetumpka Fruit Company in Hastings for more than 40 years. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Association of America and has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. Cotton is also a United States Navy veteran of World War II. Students from the Palatka, Orange Park and St. Augustine campuses received their associate in arts degrees, associate in science degrees or certificates. The associate in arts degree is specifically designed for the student who wishes to transfer into the Florida University System. The associate in science degree is designed for students who are planning to enter a chosen career or profession upon completion of their program. SJRCC offers a variety of associate in science degrees including computer engineering technology, architectural drafting and construction technology, health information management and nursing. The certificate program is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce in just one year. Specialized areas include business, computer programming, financial services, legal office systems and office management. St. Johns River Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. PHOTO CAPTIONS: PHOTO TOP: Students line up for the processional at SJRCC's 49th Annual Commencement on Friday, May 2 at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts located on the Orange Park Campus of SJRCC. PHOTO 2: Clay County resident Angela Curvier was awarded the Valedictorian Award. The award is given based on grade point average, difficulty of courses and involvement in extracurricular activities. FACULTY FROM LEFT: Kennedy, Wiltse, Purinton, Roberts, Benjamin and Casey. Return to SJRCC home page.