More than 1,000 Graduate from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Approximately 300 students participated in State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) graduation ceremonies Friday evening at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. They were among more than 1,048 students that completed their degree requirements in the summer and fall semesters. Degrees conferred included Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Science, Associate in Science, Associate in Arts and workforce certificates.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Nicholas G. Goody, an SCF alumnus and Major League Baseball pitcher currently with the Texas Rangers. Goody followed up a sensational career with the Manatees by winning a Southeastern Conference Championship at Louisiana State University. He has pitched in the big leagues with the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians, and in 2017 became the first active Major Leaguer inducted into the SCF Hall of Fame. Goody encouraged the graduates to persevere through life’s challenges and to will themselves to success in their future endeavors.

The Outstanding Graduate Award was presented to Ronny S. Fray Regato. Fray is a United States Navy veteran who served as a sonar technician in Japan. He graduates with a 4.0 grade point average and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in computer science. His goal is to pursue a career in cyber security, either with the military or the private sector, to defend America’s interests from foreign and domestic threats. During his time at SCF, Fray served as the vice president of programming for the Student Veterans of America at SCF Venice. Valerie Padilla and Nicole I. Ritenour were finalists for the Outstanding Graduate Award.

A new addition in the graduation program this year was a featured photograph representing SCF. The photo, titled “The Annex,” was shot by graduating digital photography major Gabrielle Versmessen. It depicts the Student Services Annex at SCF Bradenton on a sun-splashed morning.

Graduation ceremony participants included SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld; Dr. Todd G. Fritch, executive vice president and provost; Jennifer A. Bieselin, associate professor, language and literature department; Janet H. Samuels, assistant professor, mathematics; and the Rev. Michael P. Todd, campus ministry.

Matthew L. Ennis, SCF athletic director, served as the mace bearer and offered a short welcome to begin the ceremony.

The national anthem was sung by the SCF Chamber Choir directed by Melodie Dickerson, SCF’s director of choral and vocal studies. The processional and recessional were performed by the SCF Symphonic Band conducted by Dr. Robyn Bell, SCF music program manager and director of instrumental studies.

For more information about SCF, visit SCF.edu.