Our graduates are going places
Our recent 458 fall 2012 grads come from 21 countries—from the Bahamas to the United Arab Emirates – and from 37 states.
Here is a round-up of some of our graduates, from youngest to young at heart, from far-away places, with honors and outstanding achievements.
Youngest to Young at Heart
Lawrence Bailey, 20 years old, is the youngest to receive a bachelor’s degree this past semester. He graduated high school in Jamaica at age 15, continued in England and came to Florida Tech at age 17. He will stay at Florida Tech as a flight instructor and plans to continue his studies here with an MBA or master’s in applied aviation safety.
Bonnie Crow, 49 years young and a Sebastian, Fla. resident, is the oldest to receive a bachelor’s degree this past semester. An artist and real estate appraiser, she has prepared herself to start another business in the near future using her newly acquired business administration degree.
Came the Furthest
It was quite a reunion for the Abidin family. Sisters Neng-Caroline Intan Abidin and Neng-Cathy Mutiara Abidin received their bachelor degrees. Neng-Caroline’s is in international business; Neng-Cathy’s is in communication with a minor in biology. Their mother came from Bandung, Indonesia, and their father traveled from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, to watch them receive their diplomas.
Faculty Honors
Two students from the biological science department received B.S. degrees and earned Faculty Honors for their 4.0, perfect, grade point averages. The honors were received by Jason Gilmore, a molecular biology major from Tallahassee, and Ann Wassick, a marine biology major, from West Olive, Mich.
ROTC
Four U.S. Army cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants in ceremonies and will be entering various areas of the Army, including Military Intelligence, the Signal Corps and Quartermaster branches. They include: Damion Bailey of Pembroke Pines, who earned his degree in interdisciplinary studies; Nicholas Deschenes, of Nashua, N.H. who earned his degree in astrophysics; Deborah Subocz of Waldorf, Md., who earned her degree in civil engineering; and Joshua Fristron of Palm Bay, Fla., who earned his degree in interdisciplinary studies.
Off to Earn His Wings
Kristopher Jackson, a senior flight instructor and graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Aeronautics, is off to Navy Officers Candidate School in Pensacola. He will soon be commissioned an ensign and begin to earn his Wings of Gold. He was among the top 1% in the nation selected and maintained a very high grade point average while at Florida Tech.
Just Outstanding
Earning a degree in pre-medical biology, Outstanding Senior of the Year Brittany Reinard is starting physician’s assistant school and wants to pursue orthopedic medicine or surgery. She is an athlete as well. Brittany participated in varsity cross country, and track & field events, and completed the USA Triathlon Collegiate Race in Tuskaloosa, Ala. while studying at Florida Tech.
Ace Researcher
Kim Rigano earned her degree in biological sciences after an illustrious student career. This includes—just in the past year—three important research awards and two competitive grants. She won first place for excellence in student research from the national honor society Tri Beta—a national award. Kim will continue her studies in conservation biology or behavioral ecology.
Our Outstanding Athletes
Big League
K.C. Clabough, a former baseball player, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in June. He returned to Florida Tech this past fall to complete his B.S. in business administration.
Basketball Standouts
Derek Hellemann and DeMario Robinson helped lead our men’s basketball team to its first outright Sunshine State Conference Championship last February. Both received their Bachelor of Science in business administration.
Soccer Star
Carly Hunt helped the women’s soccer team advance to the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2010. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in biology with a concentration in conservation biology and ecology.
Athlete Meteorologist
Angie Lassman played a big role in our volleyball team’s success this past fall. She was named All-Sunshine State Conference and all-region. She earned her Bachelor of Science in meteorology and will return to Florida Tech in the spring to begin her Master of Science in meteorology.
Power Graduate
Guinevere Chamberlain Shaw earned her B.S. in solar earth and planetary science. She will be working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the Fusion Energy Division with the US-ITER program. This is an unprecedented international collaboration of scientists and engineers working to design, construct, and assemble a burning plasma experiment that can demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power for the commercial power grid.
Staying Local
Monali Patel, formerly of India and now a U.S. citizen, isn’t going far for her job after graduation. With a software engineering diploma in hand, she will start her new job at Harris Corporation here in Melbourne as a software developer.
Congratulations to all of our recent graduates. Wherever the next chapter takes you, we wish you continued success. You can stay connected to Florida Tech through the Alumni Association or catching up on the latest edition of the Florida Tech Today.
