(Sarasota, FL, April 12, 2005) – The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee paid tribute to 237 student honorees at its second annual Spring 2005 Honors Convocation on Sunday, April 10, at 3:30 p.m. The event is held for students and their families in Sudakoff Center on the USF Sarasota-Manatee east campus, and celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding students.

Dr. Barry Karafin, senior lecturer for the College of Business, Department of Marketing, gave the keynote speech, titled “Why Excellence.” Scholarship students, dean’s list, and honors graduates were recognized, along with other award winners including the Outstanding Service to Education Award winner, and two honorees for a university-wide Laurey Ann Richardson Special Education awards. This year, eight students received national recognition by the Who’s Who Among Students program, marking them as outstanding campus leaders both scholastically and through service.

“We are proud of our outstanding students and this event is an opportunity for administration, faculty and staff to recognize them in a separate ceremony,” said Dr. Laurey Stryker, USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus CEO.

Ann Stephanian Kale was the oldest honoree. The septuagenarian was joined by her son Art Kale, grandson Scott Kale, and family friend Connie Dubois. The Manatee County substitute teacher and children’s book author of Armeniann descent is studying elementary education. She plans to travel to Armenia in October to donate the proceeds from her books to Armenian orphanages.