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Fall 2002 Commencement generates record 202 grads
Largest fall class yet; Manatee Glens CEO was speaker
(see photos below)

(Sarasota, FL, December 18, 2002) -- The University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee Commencement ceremony generated a record 202 graduates, the largest fall class yet, on Tuesday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House in downtown Sarasota.  Students earned diplomas at the master's and bachelor's levels.  Two graduates were honored for achieving 4.0, or perfect, grade point averages; five graduated with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude.

"Graduation is the culmination of hard work and often family and personal sacrifice.  The pride in the graduates' faces speaks volumes about their accomplishments," says Campus CEO Dr. Laurey Stryker.  "And just as the graduating students are redefining themselves by earning degrees, this campus is defining itself as a more essential institution intertwined with the future of this region.  Our students serve the community as nurses, teachers, accountants, information system experts, and business executives, and nearly 9,000 USF alumni live or work in the Sarasota/Manatee County area."

The commencement speaker was Mary Ruiz, President/CEO of Manatee Glens Corporation, who is an alumna of USF and New College of Florida.  Ruiz recently was honored with three awards:  the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association gave her a 2002 Leadership Award of Excellence, and the Florida Council for Community Mental Health named her a Fellow of the organization and presented her with a Golden Gavel award in recognition of her service as board chair.  She serves the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus on the Community Leadership Council.

Here is additional information on the fall 2002 graduates:

• Of the 202 students graduates, 12 percent of the baccalaureates graduated with honors;

• Two undergraduate students were King/O'Neal Scholars, which means they each had a 4.0 g.p.a.;

• 28 master's degrees and 174 bachelor's degrees were conferred;

• Age range was 21 to 76;

• 76 percent worked full-time while getting their degrees; and,

• Almost half are married, and 41 percent have children.

King/O'Neal Scholars are named in honor of charter graduates of the University of South Florida, Lucas King and Evelyn O'Neal.  The two scholars graduating from the Sarasota/Manatee Campus were:

• Helen Cao of Bradenton, age 31, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; and,

• Daniel Crick of Venice, age 25, Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Other awards given included:

• Outstanding Senior - Mary Reukauf-Reiter, Magna Cum Laude, B.S. Management Information Systems;

• Outstanding Service to Education - Mary Lou Docksey, M.A., Guidance and Counselor Education;

• Outstanding Bull - Vicky Gallo, Magna Cum Laude, B.S., Elementary Education;

• Outstanding Graduate Student - Maureen Cassidy, M.A., Guidance and Counselor Education; and,

• Outstanding Faculty - Dr. Robert Barylski, Associate Professor, International Studies.

An estimated 1,000 people attended, which is the approximate capacity of the Sarasota Opera House.  USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft presided.

The University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee Campus offers 25 accredited degree programs for students to complete at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Currently serving 2,500 students annually, the campus is located at the Sarasota/Manatee County line on 140 acres at University Parkway and U.S. 41, touching the shoreline of Sarasota Bay and adjacent to the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.  It is part of the University of South Florida, the second largest university in Florida with more than 39,000 students, a Research I institution, and one of the top 20 largest universities in the United States.

# # #

Commencement speaker Mary Ruiz

Student Govt. Assoc. Vice Pres. Amaris Gallo and
Outstanding Bull Vicky Gallo

Campus Board Chairman Jan E. Smith, USF President
Judy Genshaft, Campus CEO Laurey Stryker,
Outstanding Senior Mary Reukauf-Reiter, and
Manatee/Sarasota Chapter USF Alumni Association
President Roger Frazee

Media contact:  Ellen Wile (941) 359-4749; e-mail ewile@sar.usf.edu