Graduation Program

2024

COMMENCEMENT

FRIDAY, THE Seventeenth OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FOUR SEVEN O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING

HISTORIC RINGLING MANSION | COLLEGE HALL NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA SARASOTA, FLORIDA

RECEPTION FOR GRADUATES FOLLOWING CEREMONY

MESSAGE TO GRADUATING STUDENTS

Graduating Class of 2024, We extend our warm congratulations to you for this milestone moment and equally warm thanks to your families for their confidence in New College. Your presence here this evening represents an enormous amount of cumulative effort and success.

As you walk across this stage this evening, reflect on your accomplishments and the challenges you have overcome to bring you to this point in your life. We hope that you will occasionally reflect on the important lessons embedded in the strong liberal arts education you received. Only some of you will turn your specific area of concentration into your actual life's work. Most of you will instead benefit in indirect ways from the power of your liberal arts education, which begins with the ability to think critically, to communicate successfully, and to confront new and complex ideas and viewpoints with openness and self-confidence.

Indeed, the very idea of the residential liberal arts college focuses our attention on the power of multiple aptitudes in combination - including intelligence, problem-solving skills, and persistence. You have not only succeeded here academically, but you have also managed your time, made lasting life decisions, and dealt with adversity of all sorts.

The lingering effects of this influence will help shape who you are in the years ahead, deepening your sense of the benefits of the small liberal arts college experience. We are grateful in turn to all of you for what you have brought to the campus during your time here, beginning with your intellectual curiosity - the very thing that makes New College special.

No doubt all of you will do well in life, as have New College graduates who have gone before you. But the true measure of your New College education will reside in the multiple ways you bring your powers of discernment, critical thinking, and openness to human differences to bear on the communities in which you live and work. You will make a difference, not by being more acquisitive than the next man or woman, but by being more committed to the common good.

Again, congratulations to you and to your family members - as you make the transition this evening from New College student to New College graduate.

Richard Corcoran President

THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY PROCESSIONAL Pomp and Circumstance, No. 1, Sir Edward Elgar

ORDER OF THE ACADEMIC PROCESSION Amy Reid, PhD, Chair of Faculty, New College Marshal Raymond Rodrigues, MPA, Chancellor of the State University System Richard Corcoran, Juris Doctor, President David Rancourt, ABD, Interim Provost and Vice President of Enrollment Management Bradley Thiessen, PhD, Vice Provost Joe Ricketts, Commencement Speaker Barbara Hicks, PhD, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Division of Social Sciences Maribeth Clark, PhD, Professor of Music and Chair of the Division of Humanities Sandra Gilchrist, PhD, Professor of Biology and Marine Science, Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences Debra A. Jenks, Juris Doctor, Chair, New College of Florida Board of Trustees, Class of ‘80 Heidi Harley, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Peg Scripps Buzzelli Chair, Director of Environmental Studies Program Mark Famiglio, Bachelor of Biological Science, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Class of ‘75

THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY OPENING OF THE CEREMONY Richard Corcoran, President

REFLECTIONS OF A FACULTY MEMBER Heidi Harley, PhD

REFLECTIONS OF A ALUMNUS Mark Famiglio, Bachelor in Biological Science

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Joe Ricketts, Bachelor in Economics, Creighton University, Omaha NE

PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE Richard Corcoran, President

REFLECTIONS OF A GRADUATING SENIOR Grace Keenan

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS Richard Corcoran, President

CONFERRING OF DEGREES Bradley Thiessen, Vice Provost Rebecca Noss, Registrar Sonia Wu, Associate Dean of Enrollment Services

RECESSIONAL Pomp and Circumstance, No. 1, Sir Edward Elgar

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Melvin Lewis Adkins Fairfax, VA Adkins Melvin Lewis

Fehmi Neffati^ Sarasota, FL Fehmi Neffati^

Citrus Springs, FL Daemyeong Hwang Irvine, CA Hwang Daemyeong

Sarasota, FL Robert Logan Patterson Pensacola, FL Patterson Robert Logan

Bradenton, FL Sarah A. Nash Tampa,A.FL Sarah Nash

Tampa, FL Aaron Christian Spielman Orlando, FL Aaron Christian Spielman

Fairfax, VA Raymond Lukas Blaha Citrus Springs, Raymond LukasFL Blaha

Irvine, CA Joshua Daniel Ingram Bradenton, FLIngram Joshua Daniel

Tampa, FL

BACHELOR of ARTS BACHELOR Isabella Alvaradoof ARTS

Social Sciences Isabella Alvarado Sarasota, FL Social Sciences

Sarasota, FL Jorge Alvarez^ Liberal Arts Jorge Alvarez^ Saint FL LiberalPetersburg, Arts

Saint Petersburg, FL Dariana Maria Alvarez-Herrera Humanities Dariana Maria Alvarez-Herrera Jacksonville, Humanities FL

Jacksonville, FL Alexia Atkinson Animal Well Being and Conservation/Biology Alexia Atkinson Kissimmee, FL and Conservation/Biology Animal Well Being

Kissimmee, FL Gabriella Batista Anthropology Gabriella Batista Ponce, Puerto Rico Anthropology

Ponce, Puerto Rico

Sarasota, FL David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Sarasota, FLJoseph Nezelek David-Paul

Pensacola, FL Nikolas J. Santamaria Tampa, Nikolas FL J. Santamaria

Orlando, FL

Evelyn Lisette Beauchemin Biopsychology Evelyn Lisette Beauchemin Port Charlotte, FL Biopsychology

Port Charlotte, FL Halle Belden BiologyBelden with Chemistry Secondary Field Halle Sarasota, Biology withFLChemistry Secondary Field

Sarasota, FL Logan Bell Biopsychology Logan Bell Punta Gorda, Biopsychology FL

Punta Gorda, FL Sarah Birdsong^ AnimalBirdsong^ Well Being and Conservation Sarah CooperWell City,Being FL and Conservation Animal

Cooper City, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Camila Sonia Blasi Greig Melvin Lewis Adkins Social Sciences Fairfax, VA Osprey, FL

Ahmet Sami Cemek Fehmi Neffati^ Computer Science & Statistics Sarasota, FL Istanbul, Turkey

Raymond Lukas Blaha Michael Bolesh Citrus Springs,Science* FL & Anthropology with Environmental

David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Ayse Betul Cemek Sarasota, FLwith Computer Science Secondary Biochemistry Field Robert Logan Sarasota, FL Patterson Pensacola, FL

Melissa Alyce Bouchard Joshua Daniel Ingram Biochemistry/Neuroscience Bradenton, North Port,FL FL

Julia Cole Nikolaswith J. Santamaria Religion Theater, Dance, and Performance Tampa, FL Studies Secondary Field Gainesville, FL Aaron Christian Spielman Orlando, FL Coon Christopher

French Language and Culture Secondary Field Daemyeong Lisbon, NY Hwang Irvine, CA

Sarah A.Sky Nash Mikayla Bowling Tampa, FL Applied Mathematics Sarasota, FL

BACHELOR Joshua Broyhill^ of ARTS Political IsabellaScience Alvarado Annapolis, Social SciencesMD

Sarasota, FL Marshall Xavier Bustamante Philosophy Jorge Alvarez^ Orange Park, FL Liberal Arts

Saint Petersburg, FL Danielle Campbell Human DarianaEcology* Maria Alvarez-Herrera Port Saint Humanities Lucie, FL

Jacksonville, FL Nayelis Cardenas Biology Alexia Atkinson Miami, Well FL Being and Conservation/Biology Animal Kissimmee, FL Vivian Cargille Marine Biology Gabriella Batista Saint Petersburg, FL Anthropology

Ponce, Puerto Rico Liam Parker Carrillo-Rodriguez Biology/Spanish Language and Culture Caibarien, Cuba Ana Cedeno Escobar Biology/Chemistry Bradenton, FL

Classics Tallahassee, FL

Alexia EvelynCraig Lisette Beauchemin Marine Biology Biopsychology Sarasota, FL FL Port Charlotte, Janie Day Halle Belden Anthropology Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Jacksonville, Sarasota, FL FL Gleimi Bell De Jesus Logan Art with Statistics Secondary Field Biopsychology Thonotosassa, FL Punta Gorda, FL AudreyBirdsong^ Dixon Sarah Theater, Dance, andand Performance Studies Animal Well Being Conservation Sarasota,City, FL FL Cooper Annie Dong Psychology & Art Tampa, FL Madison Dye Biology Largo, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE James Dyke Melvin Lewis Adkins Social Sciences Fairfax, VA FL Jacksonville, Raymond Lukas Blaha Zachary East Citrus Springs, Computer Science FL Sarasota, FL Daemyeong Hwang Irvine, Elting CA Drake

Biology Joshua Daniel Tampa, FL Ingram Bradenton, FL Rebecca Engels Sarah A. Neuroscience* Nash Cognitive Tampa, FLBeach, FL Pompano Joshua Lazer-Salzhauer Epstein BACHELOR of ARTS Economics Surfside, FL Isabella Alvarado

Social Sciences Leighton Skyler Findley Sarasota, FL Liberal Arts Gainesville, FL Jorge Alvarez^

Liberal Arts Sophie Flem Saint Petersburg, FL Biopsychology & Neuroscience/Philosophy Cincinnati, OHAlvarez-Herrera Dariana Maria Humanities Ender Fluegge Jacksonville, FL Computer Science West Beach, FL AlexiaPalm Atkinson

Animal Well Being and Conservation/Biology Alexandra Kissimmee,Gates FL Environmental Studies Orlando, Gabriella FL Batista Anthropology Anna Ponce,Gliwski Puerto Rico Art History with Latin Secondary Field Naples, FL

Brendon Gonzalez Fehmi Neffati^ Environmental Studies with Music Secondary Sarasota, FL Field Miami, FL David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Sarasota, FL Alexandra Gorman

Psychology/Environmental Studies Robert Logan Gainesville, FLPatterson Pensacola, FL

Bristen Groves NikolasDance, J. Santamaria Theater, and Performance Studies Tampa, FL Saint Augustine, FL Aaron Christian Brittney Hall Spielman Orlando, FL Biology & Environmental Studies Niceville, FL Sidny S. Hall Psychology Evelyn Lisette Beauchemin Miami, FL Biopsychology

Port Charlotte, FL Katie Herbert Chemistry Halle Belden Bradenton, FL Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field

Sarasota, FL Dylan J. Hogan Political Science & Urban Studies Logan Bell Port Charlotte, FL Biopsychology Punta Gorda, FL Kranti Jafar^ EnglishBirdsong^ Sarah Orlando, FLBeing and Conservation Animal Well Cooper City, FL Lindsey Bliss Jennings Liberal Arts Sarasota, FL Chloe Jones Computer Science Sarasota, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE

Celeste Kadzis Anthropology Museum Studies Secondary Melvin Lewiswith Adkins Field Fairfax, VA Tallahassee, FL Raymond Lukas Blaha Margaret Kahl FL Citrus Springs, Biology/Chinese Naples, FL Hwang Daemyeong Irvine, CA Jessica Katz Art/Anthropology Joshua Daniel Ingram Tampa, FL FL Bradenton, Grace Keenan Sarah A. Nash Classics Tampa, FL Avon, CT Faye Landers of ARTS BACHELOR Computer Science IsabellaSprings, AlvaradoFL Winter Social Sciences Sarasota, FL Sadie Landreville Creative Writing/Environmental Studies Jorge Smyrna Alvarez^Beach, FL New Liberal Arts Saint Petersburg, Eliza Ledbetter FL Biopsychology/Animal Well Being and Dariana Maria Alvarez-Herrera Conservation Humanities Ruskin, FL Jacksonville, FL Richard Leffler Alexia Studies/Chinese Atkinson Urban Animal Well Sarasota, FLBeing and Conservation/Biology Kissimmee, FL Augustus Leonard Gabriella Batista Natural Sciences Anthropology Orlando, FL Ponce, Puerto Rico Jenna Levich Marine Biology Lincoln, NE

Sydney Lingenfelser Environmental Studies Fehmi Neffati^ Miami, Sarasota,FLFL

Cynthia Lucas David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Sarasota, English & FL Chinese Language and Culture Ruskin, FL Robert Logan Patterson Mia LuddenFL Pensacola, Anthropology Avon Park, FL Nikolas J. Santamaria Tampa, FL Alicia Luguri ^ English Aaron Christian Spielman Sarasota, Orlando, FL Nissi Luvavali Music Sarasota, FL Evelyn Lisette Beauchemin Biopsychology Lola Lyons Port Charlotte, FL Biology Inver Grove, MN Halle Belden Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Jane Major Sarasota, FL and Performance Studies with Theater, Dance, Quantitative Social Science Secondary Field Logan Bell FL Pensacola, Biopsychology Punta SophiaGorda, VictoriaFLMallo Psychology with Philosophy Secondary Field Sarah MiamiBirdsong^ Beach, FL Animal Well Being and Conservation Cooper FL SebastianCity, Mark Computer Science with Mathematics Secondary Field Bradenton, FL Lila Marlowe Chemistry/Biology Sarasota, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Rosa Dilia Martinez Melvin Lewis Adkins Art History with Museum Studies Secondary Fairfax, VA Field Pompano Beach, FL Raymond Lukas Blaha Citrus Springs, FL Anne McAllister Biochemistry with Spanish Secondary Field Daemyeong Hwang Palm Harbor, FL Irvine, CA

Marian Morera Bandera Fehmi Neffati^ Psychology with Rhetoric and Writing Secondary Sarasota, FL Field Sarasota, FL David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Sarasota, FL Suher Mostafa Chinese Language and Culture Robert Logan Patterson Sarasota, FL Pensacola, FL

Dalia McCloud Joshua Daniel Ingram Social Sciences Bradenton, FL Lutz, FL

Shelby Nagle Nikolas J. Santamaria Liberal Arts Tampa, FL Coral Springs, FL

Sarah A. Nash Lianna McDonald Tampa, FL Art/Chinese Language and Culture West Palm Beach, FL

Aaron Christian Spielman Fehmi Neffati Orlando, FL Computer Science Sarasota, FL

BACHELOR Emma McGuire of ARTS Theater, and Performance Isabella Dance, Alvarado Studies/Creative Social Sciences Writing Littleton, CO Sarasota, FL

Olivia Nelson Theater, Lisette Dance, and Performance Studies with Evelyn Beauchemin Statistics Secondary Field Biopsychology PuntaCharlotte, Gorda, FL Port FL

Brendan McMahon Jorge Alvarez^ Russian Language and Literature & Liberal Arts International and Area Saint Petersburg, FL Studies Lake City, FL Dariana Maria Alvarez-Herrera Aimee Mendoza Humanities Writing/Marine Biology Creative Jacksonville, FL Clearwater, FL Alexia Atkinson Payton Mitchell Animal Well Being and Conservation/Biology Animal Well Being Kissimmee, FL and Conservation with Psychology Secondary Field Nokomis,Batista FL Gabriella Anthropology Isaac Moncada Almendarez Ponce, Puerto Rico Physics Sarasota, FL McKenna Mooney Psychology Decatur, GA

DarianBelden Nigro Halle Political Science Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Osprey, FL Sarasota, FL Megan Bell Nigro Logan Zoology* Biopsychology CrystalGorda, River, FL Punta FL Tyler O'Neil Sarah Birdsong^ Sociology Animal Well Being and Conservation Sarasota,City, FL FL Cooper Spencer Emerson Opal Levine Political Science Sarasota, FL Isabelle Origlio Biopsychology/Neuroscience Jacksonville, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Alyssa Palmatier Melvin Lewis Adkins Secondary Field Psychology with Philosophy Fairfax,Shores, VA FL Miami

Mia Reyna Fehmi Neffati^ Psychology with Art Secondary Field Sarasota, FL Miami, FL

RaymondPark Lukas Blaha Connor CitrusArts* Springs, FL Media Sarasota, FL Daemyeong Hwang Irvine, CA Megan Pelletier

David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Xabier Rezola Sarasota,Science FL Political Miami, FL Robert Logan Patterson Pensacola, FL Chloe Rusek

Michael Pertler Sarah A. Nash Marine Biology Tampa, FL Deland, FL

Ariella Russin Aaron Christian Computer Science Spielman Orlando, FL Princeton, NJ

Marios Petrov BACHELOR ARTS Computer Science &ofNeuroscience Sarasota, FL Isabella Alvarado

Galen Rydzik^ Quantitative Economics/Applied Mathematics Spring FLBeauchemin Evelyn Hill, Lisette

Physics Joshua Daniel Tampa, FL Ingram Bradenton, FL

Social Sciences Nicolas Sarasota,Pitcher FL Computer Science Bradenton, FL Jorge Alvarez^

Liberal Arts Tomas Porter^ FL Saint Petersburg, Film & Media Studies* Miami DarianaBeach, MariaFL Alvarez-Herrera Humanities Isaac Presberg Jacksonville, FL Political Science Fayetteville, GA Alexia Atkinson Animal Well Being and Conservation/Biology Damien Razdan Kissimmee, FL Computer Science/Creative Writing Ocala, FLBatista Gabriella Anthropology Reardon Charles Ponce, Puerto Rico Biopsychology & Environmental Studies with Rhetoric and Writing Secondary Field Saint Petersburg, FL

Digital Media Production & Journalism* Nikolas J. Santamaria Woodstock, GA Tampa, FL

Biopsychology Ayah Saleh Port Charlotte, FL Political Science Palm FL Halle Bay, Belden

Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Alyssa Sampson Sarasota, FL Psychology FL Apopka, Logan Bell Biopsychology Sara Sarnicki Punta Gorda, FL Biopsychology Sarasota, FL Sarah Birdsong^

Animal Well Being and Conservation Ashley Sciame Cooper City, FL Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Sarasota, FL Benjamin Sernaker Environmental Studies Fernandina, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Carina Setterberg Melvin Lewis Adkins Botany* Fairfax, VAFL Lakeland,

Claire Stout Fehmi Neffati^ Anthropology Sarasota, FL NJ Maplewood,

Raymond Lukas Blaha Saiyid Shariq Citrus FL Secondary Field Biology Springs, with Chemistry

David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Lola Swanson Sarasota, FL Psychology/Neuroscience with Philosophy Secondary Field Robert Logan Fort Myers, FLPatterson Pensacola, FL

Literature & Chinese Language and Culture Joshua Daniel Pensacola, FL Ingram Bradenton, FL

Isaac Tellechea Nikolas J. Santamaria Humanities with Creative Writing Secondary Tampa, FL Field Sarasota, FL Aaron Christian Spielman Orlando, Tepe FL Gregory

New Port Richey, FL Daemyeong Hwang Irvine, CA Carleigh Shourds

Samiha Siddiqui Sarah A. Nash Biology with Chemistry Secondary Field Tampa, FL Orlando, FL Sujit Sivadanam BACHELOR of ARTS Applied Mathematics Pleasanton, CA Isabella Alvarado

Social Sciences Phynyx Sarasota,Soltis-Tatro FL Integrative Arts* Saint Jorge Petersburg, Alvarez^ FL

Liberal Arts Natalie Spivey FL Saint Petersburg, Political Science Orlando, FL Alvarez-Herrera Dariana Maria

Humanities Samantha Steele Jacksonville, FL East Asian Studies* with Economics Field Secondary Alexia Atkinson Neptune Beach, Animal Well BeingFL and Conservation/Biology Kissimmee, FL Nickolas Steinig Digital Media Production* Gabriella Batista Tampa, FL Anthropology

Ponce, Puerto Rico John Stephens Economics with Political Science Secondary Field Gig Harbor, WA

Economics & Public Policy Sarasota, FL

Raegan Thompson Evelyn Lisette Beauchemin Psychology & Religion Biopsychology Tampa, FL Port Charlotte, FL Magdelyn Wiliana Veras Halle Belden Music with Chemistry Secondary Field Biology Bradenton, Sarasota, FLFL Cyriac Versini Logan Bell Social Sciences Biopsychology & International and Area Studies/Health, Culture, and Societies Punta Gorda, FL South Miami, FL Sarah Birdsong^ Tessa Vincennie Animal Well Being and Conservation Biopsychology/Neuroscience Cooper City, FL Jacksonville, FL Isadora Vitkus Environmental Studies/Health, Culture, and Societies Sarasota, FL

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE Dignorah Maria Whitty Pecora Melvin Lewis Adkins Quantitative Economics Fairfax, VA AL Birmingham,

Christian Wing Fehmi Neffati^ Literature Sarasota, FL Fort Lauderdale, FL

RaymondWickham^ Lukas Blaha Rebecca Citrus Springs, Gender Studies &FL Spanish Language and Literature Daemyeong Vero Beach, Hwang FL Irvine, CA

David-Paul Joseph Nezelek Sabine Wittmann Sarasota,Science/German FL Political with Quantitative Social Sciences Secondary Field* Robert Logan Sarasota, FL Patterson Pensacola, FL

Alexander Wills Joshua Daniel Computer ScienceIngram with Rhetoric and Bradenton, FL Writing Secondary Field Lakeland, FL Sarah A. Nash Tampa,Wimbush FL Meilah

William Wolfe Nikolas J. Santamaria Natural Sciences Tampa, FLKey, FL Longboat

BACHELOR of ARTS

Xin Zhang Art withLisette Economics Secondary Field Evelyn Beauchemin Richmond, Biopsychology British Columbia

Political Science & Environmental Studies Orlando, FL Isabella Alvarado Social Sciences Sarasota, FL

Port Charlotte, FL

ASSOCIATE of ARTS

Jorge Alvarez^ MiriamArts Baram Liberal Sarasota, FL Saint Petersburg, FL

Matthew Bejar Dariana Sarasota,Maria FL Alvarez-Herrera Humanities Jacksonville, FL Julia Dipronio

North Port, FL Alexia Atkinson Animal Being Doyle and Conservation/Biology JasmineWell Deniece Kissimmee, Miami, FL FL Gabriella Batista Anthropology Ponce, Puerto Rico

Aaron Christian Spielman Samuel Worthington Orlando, FL Music Sarasota, FL

Halle Belden Emma with Mayorga Biology Chemistry Secondary Field Tampa, FL Sarasota, FL Jessica J. Mazon Orlando, FL Logan Bell Biopsychology Ritchelle StacyFL Pierre Seide Punta Gorda, Hillsboro, FL Sarah Birdsong^ Ariana Wible Animal Well Being and Conservation Sarasota, FL FL Cooper City, Cooper Wright Tallahassee, FL

*INDICATES SPECIAL AREA OF CONCENTRATION ^ INDICATES SUMMER 2024 EXPECTED GRADUATE

PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT AND INCLUSION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT CERTIFY THE COMPLETION OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. A FULL LIST OF 2024 GRADUATES IS AVAILABLE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT John Joseph “Joe” Ricketts is a titan in the business realm, spending 35 years building one of the largest brokerage firms, TD Ameritrade. Charles Schwab Corporation recently acquired TD Ameritrade for approximately $26 billion, combining the firms into one of the largest global financial powerhouses with approximately $6 trillion in client assets. His visionary approach to recognizing opportunities in the securities market, coupled with innovative technologies and distinctive marketing strategies, propelled TD Ameritrade into a global financial juggernaut after its founding as First Omaha Securities in 1975.

In January 2024, New College debuted a version of its liberal arts degree featuring classes offered through distance learning, using curriculum from Ricketts Great Books College and supported by live video-conferencing seminars and discussion groups accessible to students everywhere.

The accomplishments of Mr. Ricketts and his impact extends far beyond the financial sector, as evidenced by his dedication to philanthropy and entrepreneurship. Mr. Ricketts’ approach to philanthropy is like his approach to business – he actively engages in the creation and execution of innovative programs with far reaching goals. Mr. Ricketts operates charitable and educational foundations that focus on education for all, such as Opportunity Educationand its Quest Forward curriculum platform, The Cloisters on The Platte, The Ricketts Art Foundation, and The Ricketts Conservation Foundation. Mr. Ricketts has invested in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, including the Straight Arrow News, Village PieMaker, and High Plains Bison.

Mr. Ricketts is a graduate of Creighton University in 1968 with an economics degree.

Today, we honor him with a Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from New College.

Commencement Speakers Heidi Harley, PhD The Peg Scripps Buzzelli Endowed Chair in Psychology and Director of Environmental Studies, Professor Harley is a comparative psychologist who studies the perspectives and cognitive processes of non-human animals, especially bottlenose dolphins. She’s been teaching courses in psychology, environmental studies, and animal wellbeing at New College of Florida since 1994 and also has research appointments at a variety of other institutions.

Professor Harley’s work has been highlighted in many media venues including an installation at the Musèum National d’Histoire Naturelles in Paris and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Recently, she’s been working to identify and highlight the ways in which marine mammals’ cognitive systems can be leveraged to support their own conversation.

Mark Peter Famiglio Mark Peter Famiglio left his native Philadelphia at the age of 15 to attend New College. A National Merit Finalist and the son of Italian immigrants committed to the best education for their eight children, he graduated in just three years with a Bachelor’s of Biological Science, Class of 1975. Throughout his vibrant and varied career, Mark has been engaged in numerous business enterprises within the fields of real estate, information technology, biologics and aviation.

Mark is the CEO of M Olivia Corporation, a real estate and development company. He has built, owns and manages both commercial and residential property along the West Coast of Florida. He has made significant contributions towards the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands and has been instrumental in saving numerous historically significant properties, one of which he converted into the regional campus for the Florida State University College of Medicine. Mark is the Co-Founder and Managing Member of CopyTalk, a technology company that he co-founded with a fellow alumnus of New College.

Formerly, he was the CEO and Principal of Boston Information Technologies and the CEO and Founder of Cambryn Biologics, a biotherapeutics company. Mark is the Managing Member of Aviation Partners of America and has owned and operated numerous jet aircraft throughout North America and Europe.

As the current President and Co-Founding

Producer of the Sarasota Film Festival, Mark brings the art of filmmaking and the contributions of filmmakers to Sarasota by hosting an international film festival along with yearlong programs for the economic, educational and cultural benefit of the community. He has also served on numerous non-profit boards including the Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Ballet, and United Cerebral Palsy, of which he was the President. He has been the Chair of the Van Wezel Foundation (Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation iteration), which supports the region’s performing arts hall, and has served on the board almost two decades.

Other charitable involvements include the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, where a gallery and the Museum Store are named in his honor. Mark established the Mark P. Famiglio Fund for Excellence at the Florida State University College of Medicine to support the presence of the medical school in his community and was inducted into the Frances Eppes Society of the Florida State University in recognition of his dedication and support of Florida education.

Mark divides his time between Sarasota, where he has lived for more than five decades, and Nantucket, Massachusetts. In Nantucket, he has served on the Executive Board of the Nantucket Film Festival as well as The Screenwriters’ Colony. In his free time, Mark enjoys boating (he was an Offshore Grand Prix North American Champion), cooking, watching films and spending time with the true loves his life, his twin teenage daughters.

Grace Keenan Grace Keenan is originally from Connecticut and started her collegiate studies at Boston University before transferring to New College. Today, she graduates with a degree in Classics.

Keenan was active in student government throughout her time at New College, and served as Student Body President and as the student representative on the Board of Trustees from 2022-2024. After graduating, Keenan plans to travel abroad this summer, and apply to law school.

CURRENT TRUSTEES OF NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA Debra A. Jenks, Chair, Class of ‘80 Ron Christaldi, Vice Chair, Class of ‘89 Dr. Ryan T. Anderson Dr. Mark Bauerlein Dr. Lance Karp Olivia Mikkelsen, Student Trustee, New College Student Alliance Dr. Charles R. Kesler Joe Jacquot Dr. Sarah Mackie Don Patterson Dr. Amy Reid, Faculty Trustee, Chair of the Faculty Christopher Rufo Dr. Matthew Spalding

CURRENT NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adam Kendall, Chair, Class of ‘98 Larry Geimer, Treasurer Monica Van Buskirk, Secretary Rob Billott, Class of ‘83 Hazel Bradford, Class of ‘73 Benjamin Brown, Class ‘05 Susan Burns, Class of ‘76 Greg Douglas Christie Fitz-Patrick, Ex-Officio Debra A. Jenks, Chair, Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio Lance Karp, Ex-Officio Brian McCarthy James McDonald, Class of ‘77 Fermin “JJ” Miranda Elizabeth Moore

Trustees Emeriti Richard O. Donegan Elaine Keating

HONORING NEW COLLEGE of FLORIDA PAST PRESIDENTS We invite you to take a moment to visit the plaques in front Historic Ringling MansionCollege Hall, each commemorating the invaluable contributions of previous presidents who have since passed away.

These monuments serve not only as memorials but as reminders of the visionary guidance and unwavering dedication that has shaped New College into what it is today. With reverence and gratitude, let us honor their legacies and draw inspiration from their enduring commitment to educational excellence.

Please join us as we acknowledge the deep impact these extraordinary leaders have had on our shared history and pursuit of leading students into lives of great achievement.

George Baughman Founding President, New College 1961 - 1965

John Elmendorf Second President, New College 1965 - 1972

Victor Butterfield Third President, New College 1968 - 1969

Dallas Dort Fourth President, New College 1972 - 1973

Arland Christ-Janer Fifth President, New College 1973 - 1975

ACADEMIC APPAREL THE HISTORY of academic apparel has its origins in medieval British universities, particularly Oxford University, where scholars wore hoods and gowns as their customary daily attire. Because of the close affiliation between the university and church at that time, academic gowns resembled cassocks and elaborately worked clerical vestments. It is from these medieval garments that American academic dress derives.

Gowns and hoods have been worn at American colleges and universities since colonial times, but it was not until 1895 that a code for academic attire was established by an intercollegiate commission. In accordance with this code, which has been modified over the years, academic attire reflects the level of an individual’s degree and the institution granting that degree. Black is the standard color for gowns, and the three levels of degrees are distinguished mainly by sleeve style. Gowns for the bachelor’s degree are usually worn closed and have long, pointed sleeves. Master’s gowns are usually worn open and have oblong sleeves with the front section cut away in an arc. The doctor’s gown is trimmed in velvet down the front, with three bars on each of the large, bell-shaped sleeves.

The hood indicates the level of degree attained. The bachelor’s hood is three feet long and has a two-inch velvet border. The hood for the master’s degree is three and a half feet long and has a three-inch border. Doctors wear a four-foot-long hood with a five-inch border. The hood’s colored lining identifies the institution conferring the degree; this lining may have a single color or several colorful stripes or chevrons. The color of the velvet trim bordering the hood indicates the field of learning.

The black mortarboard cap is standard at many colleges and universities throughout the United States. Some authorities believe its square shape represents a scholar’s books, while others believe it represents the quadrangles at Oxford. The tassel is its distinguishing feature, with a black tassel signifying a bachelor’s degree and a gold tassel signifying a doctoral degree.

In academic procession, an individual usually wears the apparel appropriate to the highest degree that he or she has earned.

COLORS INDICATING FIELDS OF LEARNING Maize Agriculture Apricot Nursing Silver Gray Oratory (speech) Olive Green Pharmacy Dark Blue Philosophy Sage Green Physical Education Peacock Blue Public Administration, including Foreign Service Salmon Pink Public Health Golden Yellow Science Citron Social Work Scarlet Theology Gray Veterinary Science White Arts, Letters, Humanities Drab Commerce, Accountancy, Business Lilac Dentistry Copper Economics Light Blue Education Orange Engineering Brown Fine arts, including Architecture Russet Forestry Maroon Home Economics Crimson Journalism Purple Law Lemon Library Science Green Medicine Pink Music

THE TWO-SIDED NATURE OF GRADUATION Few events in one’s life are as powerful, and as portentous, as undergraduate graduation ceremonies. Their power derives from the tension that inheres in their Janus-faced nature: they mark an end and a beginning, a culmination and a commencement, a finish and a rebirth. One face looks to the past, marking the graduate’s successful completion of a rite of passage. The other face looks to the future, celebrating the graduate’s transformation.

From the one face, the degree certifies that the graduate has completed a prescribed course of study, and thereby joined a select group of individuals - be it a guild, a profession or, as Harvard graduation ceremonies traditionally proclaimed, the company of educated men and women. From the other face, the degree signifies that the graduate has emerged transformed.

Both faces inform the graduation ceremony. Academic regalia underscore initiation into a distinguished group. Seating arrangements emphasize transformation. When they first arrive on campus, students and their families are greeted as a group and seated together. At graduation, however, the graduates sit together, separate from their families. The implication is clear: While still close to loved ones, students have also grown apart from them.

Some institutions emphasize one face over the other. Liberal arts colleges tend to favor celebrating transformation. New College graduations, where students wear costumes of their own choosing, unabashedly emphasize the transformational aspect.

At New College, students enter curious and graduate curious. But the graduates have learned to imagine broader landscapes on which to exercise their curiosity. They have learned to talk and to write about what matters to them, to test assumptions, to ask questions and to evaluate evidence. They have demonstrated that they can act productively on their curiosity and, in so doing, have acquired confidence in themselves.

Ours is a civilization built on specialization, and 80 percent of the New College Class of 2023 will be in post-graduate studies within a few years. Based on past reports, most graduates will state, decades hence, that their undergraduate years were the most transformative in their lives. For it is, in those years, that they acquired the tools - the habits of mind - that taught them not what to think but how to think and, in so doing, set them free.

This brings us to the center of the two faces of graduation. Good education transforms because it liberates. No one can fully share life’s circumstances, but freedom allows one to reflect on those circumstances and to decide how one will be, those circumstances notwithstanding.

Little wonder that graduations are so powerful. They celebrate the transformation that frees the graduate to participate fully in the human experience. The group to which the graduate has been initiated is far more distinguished than a mere guild, or profession or company: It is all mankind.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES AND WELCOME TO THE NEW COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION! We are proud of your accomplishments as students and we look forward to seeing your futures unfold into lives of great achievement.

Your days as a New College student have come to an end, your life as a New College Alumnus is just beginning.

Please stay in touch after graduation and let us know where your journey takes you next.

Stay Connected: Instagram: ncfalum Facebook: @NewCollegeAlumniAssociation Twitter: @NCF_Alumni LinkedIn: New College Alumni Association Website: ncf.edu/alumni Email: ncalum@ncf.edu

Phone: 941-487-4800