Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Spring 2002
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Writer:
Brenna
Smith
Contact:
Brenna
Smith
(863)
667-7010
LAKELAND,
FL (May 7, 2002) - The
University of South Florida’s Lakeland campus broke records recently
with its second annual commencement ceremony. Of the nearly 4,000 students
to graduate from USF this semester the May 6, 2002, Lakeland graduating
class boasted 71 members, the largest graduating class to date. This number
included both fall and spring graduates. For the year, the Lakeland campus
boasts 157 graduates, 93 for this Spring and 64 for this past Fall.
Additionally, USF Lakeland student, 19 year old Amanda Jordan of Lakeland,
was heralded as the youngest of the USF graduates this year. Over 1,700
individuals attended the exercises, held in the Youkey Theatre of the
Lakeland Center. Commencement speaker, TECO President, John Ramil, urged
those in attendance to determine their values, work hard and give back
to the communities from which they came. Local businessmen, Paul Cate,
Dave Ellsworth and Duane McConnell received the Outstanding Service Award.
This is the first year for the award, which will be given each year to
a pillar of the local and campus community who has been instrumental in
the development of the area and, most especially, the Lakeland campus.
Though many participants overcame incredible obstacles to reach this milestone,
graduate Daniel Burrows of Lakeland was one graduate who deserved special
recognition for the hurdles he faced in achieving his dream. Leaving high
school to assist during a family illness, Burrows never had the opportunity
to graduate with his class. He labored diligently for several years and
soon earned his GED. Upon receiving his GED, Burrows pursued his undergraduate
degree from USF Lakeland and graduated this semester with his Master’s
in Education.
In the last three years, the USF Lakeland campus has grown over 40%. Though
the campus had humble beginnings with its inception in 1988, the numbers
have continued to soar over the years. Only 6 faculty members and few
complete-able degrees welcomed the initial 40 students choosing to take
classes on the Lakeland campus. Today, over fourteen years later, over
1,100 students are taught by nearly 30 Lakeland-based professors, and
have the opportunity to choose from the twenty programs available on the
campus.
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