(Sarasota, FL, March 24, 2005) – The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee chapter of Circle K received four awards at the 46th Florida District Conference of Circle K held in Cape Canaveral, FL, March 19. Circle K is a co-educational service, leadership development, and friendship organization, organized and sponsored by Kiwanis Club on colleges and university campuses nationwide.

The USF Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of Circle K competed with private and state colleges and universities from throughout Florida and won “Best Service Award” for a spaghetti dinner fundraiser that raised more than $12,000 for a local girl with leukemia. In addition, the chapter won “Best Monthly Report” and the “Don Knowles Distinguished Club Growth Award” for increased chapter membership and service project growth.

Chapter President Rebecca Jetter won the “Outstanding Leadership Award,” which included a $1,000 scholarship. Jetter, a junior, is an elementary education major.

The USF Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of Circle K, established three years ago, currently has 16 juniors and 9 seniors as members, with membership increasing each semester. Campus advisors are School of Social Work Professor Deborah Ducett, and Academic Advisor Bethery von Dassow.

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The campus offers the prestige of a national Research 1 university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice.