Spring Commencement Closes Out 2024-25 Academic Year

AVON PARK, Fla. – May 9, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) marked the end of the 2024-25 academic year with its spring Commencement held in two ceremonies on Thursday, May 8 in the SFSC Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park.

During the 2 p.m. ceremony, SFSC honored the recipients of the Associate in Science, Career Certificate, College Credit Certificate, and State of Florida High School Diploma.

Honored during the 5:30 p.m. ceremony were students who earned their Associate in Arts, Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Opening the ceremonies, Terry Atchley, chair of the SFSC District Board of Trustees, told the graduates, “Your achievement is not just a personal triumph. It is a beacon of hope and possibility for all who will follow in your footsteps. You are the future of this region, this state, and this nation.”

In her presentation to the graduates during the 2 p.m. ceremony, Chelsea Marvel-Brooks, who earned her Electrical Lineworker Career Certificate, reflected on an African proverb about the rose and its thorns. She said it means that “to appreciate the good things in life, we must also acknowledge and address the challenges and difficulties that come with them.”

She urged her fellow students, “When the time has come to be weak, then let yourself be weak. But don’t become still. Be yourself, be open to new ideas, and trust God’s timing, because the times and seasons belong to God. Your time to overcome and or prosper is determined by God, not you, not me, not your instructor, or your supervisor. As you continue on your journeys, I wish you the best and must remind you that sometimes you will lose, sometimes you will fail. But in those moments, I challenge you to reflect on the past. Do not dwell in it, however. Let your weaknesses remind you of your strengths because, as we all know, it’s the thorns that complement the beauty of the rose.”

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony featured speaker Melissa Garner, who earned her Associate in Arts (AA) and anticipates continuing her education at the University of South Florida. Addressing the graduates, she said, “I will never forget the wonderful experiences I’ve had with every one of you. All the people I have just mentioned have played a huge part in my success here at SFSC, which shows that kindness and inclusion go such a long way in making a difference in someone’s life. This Commencement ceremony tonight is proof that WE are smart enough, WE are good enough, and looking at all of us dressed up tonight, WE are sure pretty enough. As Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh once said, ‘You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’ Thank you everyone, and congratulations to the graduating class of 2025. We did it y’all!”

When Fred Hawkins, SFSC president, spoke to the graduates, he said, “Soak every bit of this moment in. This is a rite of passage you have earned. Look around you at the friendships you have made, don’t forget to thank those who helped and supported you along the way. Crossing this stage and leaving here today, you will always be united forever as proud Panthers. Congratulations, graduates!”

During the ceremony, three faculty members who retire in the near future were honored for outstanding and dedicated service to SFSC. They were Cindy Kinser, Medical Administrative Specialist professor, who retires after 15 years with SFSC; Elizabeth Andrews, English professor, who retires after 19 years; and James McBride, Mathematics professor, who retires after 22 years.

Approximately 475 students will have met the SFSC requirements by spring 2025 Commencement. Of these, 13 will receive their BAS-SM, seven receive their BSN, eight receive their BSETE, 110 receive their AA, 58 receive their AS, 25 receive their State of Florida High School Diploma, one receives their College Credit Certificate, and 70 receive the Career Certificates. Students participating in the Commencement ceremonies will total 294.

Mace bearer and chief marshal for this year’s ceremony is Mlisa Manning, and marshals are Marlene Cruz, Kelly Fairfield Dec, Courtney Green, Robert Hampton, Candy Jones, Garrett Lee, Michelle Macbeth, Micah Montague, Sofia Ochoa, Michael Pate, Lena Phelps, Andrew Polk, and Megan Togno.