Fall Commencement 2024 - Digital Program

Fall 2024

Commencement

December 13, 2024 11:00 A.M. Raider Arena Niceville, FL

Northwest Florida State College

Board of Trustees Lori Kelley, Chair

Maj. Gen. Thomas “Rudy” Wright, Ret. USAF, Vice Chair Cory Fosdyck Kristen “Rhea” Goff Megan Harrison Maj. Gen. Don Litke, Ret. USAF Tanner Peacock Dr. Jon Ward Dr. Cristie Kedroski, Interim President

Vision

To transform lives through exemplary, relevant programs and educational experiences, meeting the workforce demands of our ever-changing economy.

Mission

As Northwest Florida’s premier educational institution, we prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s success.

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Northwest Florida State College

Background

The College was founded in April 1963 as Okaloosa-Walton Junior College, the 18th of the state’s eventual 28 junior and community colleges. The College first opened its doors to students in August 1964 at a temporary campus in Valparaiso. The first student body consisted of 767 students. The first commencement of 85 charter students took place on May 1, 1966, in Perrine Park, Valparaiso. Today, the College serves nearly 6,500 students each year in credit and non-credit programs. In addition to the College’s Niceville campus, Northwest Florida State College operates a joint campus with the University of West Florida in Fort Walton Beach and delivers instruction and service at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, the Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center and the Aviation Center of Excellence in Crestview, and centers at Hurlburt Field, and in South Walton.

Throughout 60 years of service, Northwest Florida State College has earned a reputation for educational excellence and community involvement. The College offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

The College’s 264-acre campus in Niceville includes instructional facilities, administrative offices, the Raider Arena sports complex and wellness center, the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center and Amphitheatre, the Mary Lou O’Connor Child Development & Education Center, a Criminal Justice Training Center, the Susan Myers Learning Resources Center, an observatory, the Veterans & Military Success Center, and the Collegiate High School.

On commencement day, Northwest Florida State College celebrates the achievements of its students who are the true measure of the College’s success. Congratulations!

Accreditation

Northwest Florida State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Northwest Florida State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

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History of Academic Regalia The origins of academic regalia date back as early as the 12th century. Scholars defined as either a teacher or student were required to wear the dress of a cleric. Long gowns and hoods were necessary to keep warm due to unheated buildings. The traditional gown and hood have transformed into the academic regalia worn during commencement today.

There are several characteristics for the gown. The sleeves are pointed for the bachelor’s degree. The gown for the master’s degree has oblong sleeves and doctor’s degrees has bell shaped sleeves. The gowns for the bachelor’s or master’s degrees are untrimmed. The doctor’s degree gown has three bars of velvet used across the sleeve and down the front. The facings and crossbars may be velvet of the color distinctive of the disciplines for the degree earned.

Hoods are generally black and made out of the same material as the gown. The length of the hood varies for each level. A bachelor’s degree must be three feet, master’s degree three and one-half feet, and doctor’s degree, four feet. The hood for the doctor’s degree should only have panels at the sides. The hoods are lined with the official color or colors of the college conferring the degree. The edging of the hood should be velvet or velveteen, two to five inches wide for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees. The color is indicative of the subject to which the degree pertains.

The cap worn for commencement is called a mortarboard. The color is black as well as the tassel.

The tassel can vary depending on the subject area and level of education. The doctor’s cap may have a gold tassel.

Academic regalia have been worn by many scholars throughout the centuries. The tradition continues at Northwest Florida State College.

Recognition Levels For a degree program (Baccalaureate and Associate), a student’s total academic record is reviewed to determine eligibility for recognition of outstanding academic achievement. The levels of recognition for students enrolled in degree programs include the following: Summa Cum Laude

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 4.00

Gold Cord

Magna Cum Laude

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 3.80 - 3.99

Silver Cord

Cum Laude

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 3.50 - 3.79

Red Cord

For a certificate or diploma program (Career and Technical, Vocational, College Credit or Applied Technology Diploma), all coursework pursued for the certificate or diploma will be reviewed to determine eligibility for recognition of outstanding academic achievement. The level of recognition for the students enrolled in certificate or diploma programs includes the following: Highest Honors

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 4.00

Gold Cord

High Honors

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 3.80 - 3.99

Silver Cord

Honors

Institutional Cumulative GPA of 3.50 - 3.79

Red Cord

Summer graduates – Final GPA used for program and ceremony.

Fall prospective graduates – Summer GPA is used because fall grades are not posted until after the ceremony.

Graduates wearing Red, White, and Blue Cords represent Military Active Duty, Retired, and Veterans.

Graduates wearing Gold Stoles and Tassels represent Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members.

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Fall 2024 Commencement 11:00 a.m. guest speaker

Sean Dietrich Sean Dietrich is an author, musician, and standup storyteller. He began playing piano in church at age nine. By age fifteen, he was playing with adult bands in establishments his foot-washing Baptist mother would have preferred he avoided. A multiinstrumentalist, he started playing mandolin when he was seven, guitar at age eight, and threw away all hopes of a musical career by taking up accordion at age nine.

Having lived through enough heartache, joy, embarrassment, love, and renewal for several lifetimes, Sean condenses our human failures and triumphs into stories that make the Southern heart resound.

His wildly popular blog and musical podcast, “Sean of the South,” is suited for anyone with red clay on their car and sand in their shoes. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, Southern Living, Garden and Gun, and he has authored fifteen books.

His one-man shows have earned him a cult-like following in the southeastern United States and among closeted accordion players worldwide. Sean is a master storyteller in the tradition of Will Rogers, Mark Twain, and Lewis Grizzard. His brutally candid, laugh-out-loud, and sometimes painful tales remind us that we are not alone in our human experience.

Taking lessons learned from his hardscrabble childhood, this middle-school dropout and former construction worker/ice-cream dipper has earned a following for his painfully honest writing, songs, humorous observations, and blue-collar love of life. His tales of covered-dish suppers, camp meeting sing-alongs, funerals gone awry, and hounds that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge have audiences drying their eyes one minute and slapping their knees the next.

His latest book, “You Are My Sunshine”, published by Zondervan Books, is a true tale of a how two novice cyclists, a husband-and-wife duo who share the last name of “Dietrich”, tackled a 350-mile trail and not only lived to tell about it, but emerged more resilient and in love than ever.

Sean Dietrich, and his wife, Jamie, along with dogs Thelma Lou, Otis Campbell, and Marigold the Blind Wonder Dog are residents of Birmingham, Alabama, but cannot shake the Florida panhandle out of their system.

Sean Dietrich is an alumnus of Northwest Florida State College and received the NWFSC Foundation Against the Odds Alumni Award in 2018.

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Program - Ceremony

*Processional........................“Pomp and Circumstance,” composed by Edward Elgar *Singing of the National Anthem................................... Voices of Northwest Florida *Invocation....................................................... Lillian Roller, Student Representative Welcome..................................................................................................... Lori Kelley Chair, Board of Trustees Introduction of Board of Trustees, Recognition of Dignitaries, Introduction of Guest Speaker......................................................Dr. Cristie Kedroski Interim NWFSC President Commencement Address...................................................................... Sean Dietrich Instructions to the Candidates...................................................... Dr. Jenna Sheffield Vice President for Academic Affairs Recitation of the NAEYC Statement of Commitment and the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida......................................... Brittany Wyatt Director of Teacher Education Recitation of the Nursing Pledge......................................Dr. Tanya Beauregard Director of Nursing

Presentation of Candidates........................................................... Dr. Jenna Sheffield Vice President for Academic Affairs Conferring of Degrees....................................................................Dr. Cristie Kedroski Interim NWFSC President *Recessional............................................................................................... Music Mix Student Marshals Lisa Walton Rhonda Springfield Julie McSwain Colin Lipnicky Jason Masters

Faculty Marshals Elissa Miller Keith Burns

*Audience stands

Please remain at your seat until the stage party, faculty, and graduating class have exited the Arena. Thank you.

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Fall 2024 Commencement

Professional Workforce & Development Program Culinary Apprenticeship Gabrielle Grace Goetzke ***

Career Certificate Welding Technology Jeremias Daniel Rodriguez

Welding Technology - Advanced

Aviation Powerplant Mechanics Emilie Anne McMillan

Sean Michael Bennett Sean Joseph Connolly Catarino P. Esparza Kaitlyn Elizabeth McLeod **

College Credit Certificate Accounting Management

Business Management

Medical Coder/Biller

Rebecca Ann Brown * Morgan Rogers

Khanh Hoang ***

Trenecia Brown

Culinary Arts Management Jennifer D. Russell

*Honors **High Honors ***Highest Honors ◊ Cum Laude ◊◊ Magna Cum Laude ◊◊◊ Summa Cum Laude

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Associate in Science Business Administration Jabari Jeffrey Clayton ◊ Khanh Hoang ◊◊◊ Kayden Powell Kera D. Tharpe

Rachel M. Von Eberstein Julie Yale

Nursing

Stephanie Alvarenga Chassidy Brooks Emmy Xiang Brown ◊ Computer Information Brandi Lee Burkhalter ◊ Technology Taylor Paige Burkhart ◊◊ Jacob Ryan Gostomski ◊◊ Sarah Bush ◊ Alexia A. Lee Rachell L. Cairns Computer Programming Porscha Durden and Analysis Kerrstin Embry David William Spicer Brian Scott Fincher Lynn Nicole Gage Myers Early Childhood Education Kiari Alejandra Harling Josselyn Espinosa Chelsie Marie Hayden ◊◊ Gioia Nasato ◊ Alexis Elaine Herring Regina Zavala Kimberly Shane Janssen Victoria Emily Susan Paige Little ◊◊ Emergency Medical Services Christopher C. Martin ◊ Michael Allen Klinger ◊ Madison McCormick Engineering Technology Amanda Michele Naimi Nicholas R. Arnett ◊ Justhiena Peppas ◊ Kylar L. Palmer Cara Riccio Health Services Management Sheryl K. Rohan Barbara M. Sariol Cristian Corona ◊ Tiffany Jade Prokop Savoie ◊ Medical Laboratory Technology Jessica Lynn Souza Sabrina Suzanne Stoney Austin Heidy R. Anderson ◊ Ashleigh Harman Tyson Alizah Bonilla Summer Victor Devin Marie Fritz ◊◊◊ Ellie J. Virts Alyssa Paige Harper Shelby Voigt Tatiana Oriann Decordeva Adrienne V. Williamson ◊ Miller ◊ Breeanna Denise Nowling Madelyn Reeder Patrick John Rooney ◊◊◊

*Honors **High Honors ***Highest Honors ◊ Cum Laude ◊◊ Magna Cum Laude ◊◊◊ Summa Cum Laude

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Associate in Arts Katherine Acosta Frida Sofia Alvarado Ryder Anderson Nicholas R. Arnett ◊ Kylie Malai Bauer ◊◊ Ekaterina Igorevna Beliaeva ◊ Hannah Beltran Farrah Braden ◊◊ Rebecca Ann Brown ◊ Rebecca Bryan Zidane Y. Bucuka Isabelle Budzinsky ◊◊ David Bui ◊◊◊ Taylor Paige Burkhart ◊◊ Rachell L. Cairns Fransico Jesus Isaiah Cerda ◊ Tori Chapel Brennen Alexander Cobb Gabrielle Ariana Collins ◊ Mackenzie R. Collins ◊ Emily Kate Cypret Alivia Dabney Hayden Noel Dates ◊◊ Karen Elizabeth David Porter Devane Giulia Donini Jeanae Marie Dupuy ◊ Tamarra Eichberger ◊◊ Kerrstin Embry Joshua Filion Juliana Alice Fitzwilliams Matthew Gletty Hailey Godwin Kerrianne Hallman ◊◊ Baleigh Jade Hannah Lauren Hansel Alyssa Paige Harper Alexis Elaine Herring Tobie Jaeda Hickman ◊

Deloris Dell Hill Cierra Briann Holbrook Gwendolyn Hollomon Jake Dillon Hutchison ◊ Jacqueline Allyn Hyman Wutthichai Jansai ◊◊ Jazyah Marie Jarboe Rachel L. Jones ◊◊ Betthany Keller Kaylee Koelsch Amber Kolarick Victoria Paige Lemire Victoria Emily Susan Paige Little ◊◊ Jessica Nicole Lockhart ◊◊◊ Leslie Lopez Mary Jewel Gomez Madrid Shannon Marie Marlowe Zachary Mathers ◊◊◊ Brian McCalla Jar’Nea McCaskill Brandon McClendon Stephen Gary McCosker Crystal Michelle McCullers Thalia Fey Mendoza Veda L. Merrell ◊◊ Lauren Mae Moeller Emma Joy Moore Nicole Francis Morgan Marquis Alberto Muniz Skylar Tristan Murray Alexandria Ciaria Nagy Leslie Autumn Penrod Kayla Leigh Perez Sierra Faith Petty Zackary Andrew Radka ◊ Amber Lynn Reinke Lillian Rhea Roller Patrick John Rooney ◊◊◊

Emma Grace Rushing ◊◊◊ Izaiah Christian Sapp Tiffany Jade Prokop Savoie ◊ Ava LaRae Shaw Brady Lawton Shaw ◊◊ Chyann B. Simpler Simonique Sherone Simpson Emma Kay Spalding ◊ Elissa Strickland Marion Strom Clara Sweat Daniel James Theriot Kendall Thrasher Braden James Turnpaugh Brady Thomas Vann Rina Vo Jaden Susanna Wallace Tyler Walters ◊◊ Hannah M. Whitlock ◊◊ Sara-Ann Shea Williams Sarah Woodward Balyn Wind Wright

*Honors **High Honors ***Highest Honors ◊ Cum Laude ◊◊ Magna Cum Laude ◊◊◊ Summa Cum Laude

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Bachelor of Science in Education Early Childhood Education

Elementary Education

Chiquita Burns ◊◊ Donna Flanagan Abbie Infinger Joanne Louissaint ◊◊◊ Rachael M. Norris ◊◊ Maria Esdareley Ramirez ◊◊ Dorothy Sanders ◊ Mindy Lee Sandidge Brittany Verzani

Brooklyn J. Bernard ◊ Kasey Danielle Bishop Erica Caballero Shelby Dixie Dunbar ◊ Emmalie Langston ◊ Lydia Renee Macias ◊ Stephanie Marie Mitchell ◊ McKenna M. Steele ◊◊

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Ana Blanchard Paola Bravo Cervantes Catherine Davis Gavin Galvin Daisy Garcia Michael Grace ◊

Jessie Greene Josephine Jeter Christine Kenyon Ayako Inoha Listo ◊ Jaime McCabe Ashlyn S. McDevitt ◊◊

Francis B. McGill Kacie L. McLean Roderick Peacock ◊ Shoko Thompson Cristal Alicia Tye Katherine Lynn Wessel ◊

Bachelor of Applied Science Management & Supervision Belinda Lin Acevedo Borough Amy M. Chancey Katie Caroline Crouch ◊◊ Rhiannon S. Duff Sarah B. Galigher ◊ Lauren A. Garro Victoria Guarrasi ◊ Gwendolyn Hollomon Ambria Joy Irlbeck ◊ Victoria Paige Lemire Matthew Mark Lewellyn

Project Management Alyssa A. Marshall Ebony Mone’ Matthews Breyanna McClendon Mary Nichole Moreland Adriane Elisabeth Rivera ◊ Morgan Rogers Alexandra Louise Scheaffer James Anlong Smith Rebecca Ann Williams Diana Wilson

Dennis Steven Carter Christina Lauraine Cary ◊◊ Lucrezia Di Ieva ◊ Shoko McMillian ◊ Andres E. Santiago Brittney N. Shaffer ◊ Rebecca Addie Taylor

*Honors **High Honors ***Highest Honors ◊ Cum Laude ◊◊ Magna Cum Laude ◊◊◊ Summa Cum Laude

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Pledges

National Association for the Education of Young Children Statement of Commitment Led by Brittany Wyatt, Director of Teacher Education “As an individual who works with young children, I commit myself to furthering the values of early childhood education as they are reflected in the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. To the best of my ability, I will… ◊ Respect colleagues in early childhood care and education and support them in maintaining the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. ◊ Serve as an advocate for children, their families, and their teachers in community and society. ◊ Stay informed of and maintain high standards of professional conduct. ◊ Engage in an ongoing process of self-reflection, realizing that personal characteristics, biases, and beliefs have an impact on children and families. ◊ Be open to new ideas and be willing to learn from the suggestions of others. ◊ Continue to learn, grow, and contribute as a professional. ◊ Honor the ideals and principles of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.”

Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida Led by Brittany Wyatt, Director of Teacher Education “I will value the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurturing of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

My primary professional concern will always be for the student and for the development of the student’s potential. I will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

I will maintain an awareness of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of one’s colleagues, of students, of parents, and other members of the community. I will strive to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct.”

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Nursing Pledge

Pledges

(Based on the original Florence Nightingale pledge)

Led by Dr. Tanya Beauregard, Director of Nursing “In the full knowledge of the obligations I am undertaking, I promise to care for the sick with all of the skill and understanding I possess, without regard to race, creed, color, politics, or social status.

I will respect at all times the dignity and religious beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me and refraining from any action that might endanger life or health.

I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skill at the highest level and to give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health team.

I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and to uphold the integrity of the nurse.”

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