President’s Perspective

Dr. Thomas LoBasso

Since the College was founded in 1957, more than 120,000 students have earned their degrees and certificates here. With this issue of the DSC Magazine, we celebrate the members of our 2023 graduating class who are embarking on the next leg of their life’s adventure.

The four Daytona State alumni featured in this issue have pursued remarkably different careers and their lives have provided each of them with incredibly unique experiences. But one thing they have in common is passion - to give back to their communities, to share their experiences with the next generation, and to make the world a better place.

Each of them speaks about the people around them – family, mentors, and role models – a support network who helped along the way. Our faculty and staff also played a vital, positive role in their individual journeys.

Our support network also extends to our community, and this issue’s cover feature tells the story of one of DSC’s most generous benefactors, L. Gale Lemerand. In recognition of his support, our Health, Wellness and Community Education Center, our iconic Student Center, and our very popular Entrepreneurial Speaker Series all bear his name. His investment in our students’ education will be paying dividends for generations to come.

This issue also includes a story on our just-announced plans to raise funds for a second student residence hall. This project builds on the incredible success of the first residence hall, which opened to full capacity in Fall 2022, and is already at full capacity for the coming academic year. With your support, the new facility will include approximately 200 beds and could open as early as Fall 2025.

Last, but certainly not least, is our newest baccalaureate degree program, the Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science. This is our 13th bachelor’s degree and will begin Fall 2023. The demand for graduates with this credential is high and will continue to grow in the next decade.

We are tremendously thankful for the continued support we’ve received from our donors, area business leaders and the community at large. We are proud of our alums and all the good they are doing in the world. And we’re confident the 3,373 students graduating as part of the class of 2023 will achieve great things.

It is truly a great time to be a Falcon.

Thomas LoBasso, Ed.D.

DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Randy Howard, Chair

Betty J. Holness, Vice Chair

Kelly Parsons Kwiatek

Randy Dye

Lloyd J. Freckleton

Robert Lloyd

Garry R. Lubi

Publisher

Dr. Thomas LoBasso

Editor

Chris Thomes

Contributing Writers

Jim Graham

Tim Norton

Chris Thomes

Art Director/Graphic Design

Amanda Kanawall

Photographers

Aldrin Capulong

Brittany Dombrowski

Olivia Hansen

Michele Meyers

Ren Morrison

Steven Wease

Daytona State College Magazine is published for alumni, friends and supporters of Daytona State College and the Daytona State College Foundation.

Thursday, November 2, 2023, 6 p.m. Hosseini Center - Daytona Beach Campus

The Daytona State College Foundation’s Board of Directors invite you to join them for the 29th Annual Gala – Boots and Bling: Kick Up Your Heels for DSC – on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

You’re invited to get all “gussied up” in your finest attire (black tie optional – bolos welcome), bling-it-up (don’t be shy now y’all), and dust off those boots!

You’ll enjoy great food prepared by Chef Costa and our renowned culinary students, and be inspired with stories from students while enjoying the evening with friends. Proceeds benefit students attending Daytona State College.

For more information call (386) 506-3195 or email Foundation@DaytonaState.edu