Summer 2023 President's Perspective

State College

SUMM E R 2 0 2 3

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

VOLUME 7, N O. 03

As the fall approaches, I want to take a moment to share some of the achievements of an exceptional summer at Northwest Florida State College. In this issue of the President’s Perspective, I would like to recognize the tremendous contributions and achievements of our impressive Raider family.

First and foremost, congratulations to all Spring 2023 graduates of Northwest Florida State College! I have immense pride in these students and their diligent work in reaching the finish line. During our May commencement ceremonies, we celebrated 1,195 candidates who received their diploma, twelve of whom are full or part-time NWFSC staff members.

Additionally, it was an honor to celebrate and recognize our Collegiate High School graduates during their spring commencement. These students have excelled, and I look forward to seeing what their futures hold.

As President, I am thrilled to share that the summer semester marked the fourth semester in a row with an enrollment increase. This summer, we saw a 7% increase in headcount and the numbers for the fall semester look even better! For the first time in school history, NWFSC teams won four Panhandle Conference Championships and Lady Raiders Softball was named the FCSAA’s Female Academic Team of the Year.

Faculty and staff have continued to inspire me with their remarkable efforts to increase our footprint throughout Northwest Florida. On May 17, alongside fifty local tech exhibitors, NWFSC participated in the annual TeCMEN Industry Day at the Okaloosa County Convention Center. In June, we signed an articulation agreement with Pensacola State College creating a pathway for students studying Cybersecurity.

Additionally, Voices of NWF was given an extraordinary opportunity to travel internationally. They performed in several venues across France, including the world-renowned Les Salorges. And our summer months would not be complete without highlighting the incredible success of Futures Forward and Kids on Campus. These camps have made a tremendous impact on this community with several hundred students receiving hands-on experience in nearly thirty different educational programs.

I hope you enjoy this issue of President’s Perspective and I challenge you to step into the future with us this fall. As always, thank you for your continued commitment and being a part of our Raider family.

Dr. Devin Stephenson #TheBestIsOurStandard

TOP STORIES THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA SOFTBALL TEAM MADE HISTORY THIS SEASON! The NWFSC Raider team scored big, breaking records ending their season 57-11, NJCAA National Runner-Up and the Region’s 8th Runner-Up. Heart stopping wins secured the Raiders the first bid into the NJCAA National Tournament, a program first, as well as the team’s first Panhandle Conference Championship since 2016.

This incredible group of players were truly a force to be reckoned with smashing school records throughout the season!

SCHOOL RECORDS BROKEN Wins: 57 Batting Avg: 0.352 Runs: 515 RBIs: 472 2B: 129 HR: 92 Total Bases: 1015 Hits: 646 Sydney Stewart: 22 2B Gyvan Hammons: 39 SB

SOFTBALL ACHIEVEMENTS Panhandle Conference Champs Region 8 Runner-Up National Runner-Up 11 All-Conference players 5 All-State players

NWFSC ANNOUNCES NEW CHEERLEADING COACH

Northwest Florida State College announced Shannon Tucker as the new Cheerleading Coach. Tucker is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Sports and Fitness, specializing in coaching and sports injuries, and has an impressive 17year coaching background. Her extensive experience includes owning a cheer and tumbling facility in Niceville called Destination 850, serving as Cheer Coach at Destin High School since 2021, and successfully coaching teams including the national champion cheerleaders at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando, Florida.

“I am excited for this opportunity to coach at Northwest Florida State College, and I am thrilled to become a part of the Raider family,” Tucker said.

“Coach Tucker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “I believe the program will thrive under her leadership, achieving a championship-level cheer team that is commensurate with the quality and high-level performance of our other Raider athletic teams.”

SPRING COMMENCEMENT GUEST SPEAKERS Marcus D. Chambers, Superintendent of Okaloosa County (FL) School District, delivered remarks at the 10 A.M. Spring Commencement Ceremony. Chambers has served students, parents, his community, and fellow educators for more than 25 years.

Awards such as the Okaloosa County Reading Leader of the Year in 2010 and the Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Achievement Award in 2013 demonstrate Chambers’ commitment to training and development. He is passionate about giving back to his community and was awarded the Southern Hero Award for Outstanding Community Service and Leadership in 2010.

Russell Hughes, Superintendent of the Walton County (FL) School District, delivered

remarks during the 2 P.M. ceremony. Hughes’ experience in education spans 32 years and includes serving as a teacher, Dean of Students, Head Football Coach and Assistant Principal at the middle school and high school levels, and, since November 2016, as the Elected Walton County Superintendent of Schools. His schools achieved state and national recognition for performance in assessments and graduation rates.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

VOICES TRIP TO EUROPE

The Voices of NWF sang their way to Noirmoutier, France. Students, faculty, and staff were all incredibly hosted by local French families. The group performed at various venues ranging from Cathedrals built in the 10th century to a MainStage theatre on the island with an incredible year of dedication and work showcased as they sang at the world-renowned Les Salorges. The group also toured Paris, France where they explored museums, architecture, and many historical landmarks.

The final leg of the trip was a two-day extension in London, England where the group experienced many historical sites as well as a few west end musicals.

TECMEN INDUSTRY DAY

On Wednesday, May 17, the College participated in TecMEN Industry Day at the Okaloosa County Convention Center. This year, the NWFSC booth was set up like a TV show set and the College interviewed several influential leaders in our community including Rep. Michelle Salzman.

TeCMEN Industry Day is the Gulf Coast’s leading one-day technology, manufacturing, and engineering expo. The “must attend” annual expo was introduced in 2017 combining robust and relevant content with meaningful networking opportunities. TeCMEN was established by One Okaloosa, the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County in 1989.

KIDS ON CAMPUS

This year’s Kids on Campus was a huge soldout success! Session 1 began Monday, June 26 and Session 2 began Monday, July 10. Both weeks kids thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their classes from learning to bake or play a sport, to getting hands-on experience in a career field.

Kids on Campus summer camp is a unique opportunity for summer enrichment and fun

learning in a college environment. Kids on Campus (KOC) is open to students entering 3rd – 8th grade. Students had the opportunity to choose from a variety of classes such as athletics, hands-on science, performing & fine arts, academics, and visual arts.

SEAN ARBUCKLE SELECTED TO RECEIVE PHI THETA KAPPA’S 2023 HITES TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP

Northwest Florida State College’s very own Collegiate High School Student, Sean Arbuckle, was selected to receive Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 Hites Transfer Scholarship.

Arbuckle is one of only fifteen students to receive this scholarship and was up against more than 2,700 applicants. This is the Phi Theta Kappa Society’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering at $10,000. Hites Scholars

are selected based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community activities.

“Sean has earned this recognition with his exemplary service, leadership, and academic achievements,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The best is our standard and Sean embodies that. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!”

NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lori Kelley, Chair Thomas “Rudy” Wright, Vice Chair Charlotte Flynt Graham Fountain

Don Litke Tanner Peacock Jon Ward Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Bo Arnold, Chair Alan Wood, Vice Chair

Jonathan Ochs, Treasurer Ken Wampler, Past Chair

Chris Stowers, Secretary Don Litke, Trustee Liason Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christie Austin James Bagby Destin Cobb Cindy Frakes Todd Grisoff Teresa Halverson Tyler Jarvis Dave Jefferson

Bernard Johnson Heather Kilbey Gordon King Kim Kirby Vincent Mayfield Michelle McGee Freeman Jonathan Ochs

J.D. Peacock Brian Pennington Steve Rhodes Hu Ross Stan Siefke Rhonda Skipper Cecil Williams

FOUNDATION SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY The Sons and Daughters of Italy is an organization dedicated to the preservation of Italian heritage, language, and culture. The Grand Lodge of Florida, incorporated in 1953, consists of 22 lodges and approximately 1,420 members. The organization has a long history of philanthropy awarding scholarships and supporting many other charitable organizations.

On May 11, 2023, representatives from the Sons and Daughters of Italy Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge 2422 of Fort Walton Beach presented a check for $50,000 to establish the Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge 2422 Sons and Daughters of Italy Scholarship Endowment at Northwest Florida State College.

HAPPY SUMMER!

State College

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