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YourHub.com \\ Indiantown \\ Stories \\ Milestones \\ Graduations

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FORT PIERCE GRADUATION

On 12/7/2007

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Contributed by: Robin Koestoyo on 12/14/2007

During a joyous celebration at the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center just west of Fort Pierce, 10 graduates and two scholarship recipients were honored on Friday, Dec. 7. The event, the IRREC Graduation Celebration, is held annually at the UF Fort Pierce location to recognize those who have earned scholarships and degrees throughout the last academic year.

Dr. Roy Carriker, professor and academic program director, led the event along with Dr. Peter Stoffella, IRREC Interim Center Director. In attendance were St. Lucie County agricultural legends Mr. and Mrs. Alto "Bud" Adams Jr., Okeechobee resident and Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee Mr. Frank "Sonny" Williamson Jr. and his wife Mrs. Betty Williamson, and Dr. and Mrs. David Calvert, professor emeritus and former IRREC director. Of the 11 honorees, who reside in 7 different Florida counties, and who recently transferred to Texas, each carried a high grade point average. During the event, attended by about 100 faculty, staff, current students and family members, eight bachelor's of science degrees and two master's of science degrees were recognized, and two scholarship awards were presented.

St. Lucie County cattle ranch magnate Bud Adams presented the scholarship that bears his name to recipient Kenny Osteen, an Okeechobee resident. Osteen, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management, is employed with his family's business, K&M of the Treasure Coast, the region's largest cucumber producer.

Drs. Carriker and Stoffella recognized student Mrs. Delta Harris with the Garden Club of Indian River County Scholarship Award. Harris is the first recipient of the newly established academic prize, made available by the Garden Club Board to residents of Indian River County who have an interest in protecting the county's natural resources.

Dr. Carriker recognized each of the graduate's immediate family members, observing their contributions to each of the students' success. And Dr. PJ van Blokland, who will reach retirement as 2007 ends, was presented with a place marker to the "PJ van Blokland Fitness Trail" an on-campus site faculty and staff designated to remember the professor for his devotion to fitness, and as inspiration for many others to follow his healthful example.

Ten graduates were recognized for earning both bachelor's and master's degrees, some of whom commuted to the center from a distance. Four degree recipients have devoted their lifetime careers to agriculture. Hilary Hartzell Hathaway, a resident of Lake Placid in Highlands County, co-owns Hathaway Tree Farm; Winter Garden resident Richard Freeman is a longtime citrus industry worker and current supervisor; Zach Langford is currently employed for an agricultural chemical manufacturer and works in South Florida; Cody Hoffman recently transferred to Texas where he works for Syngenta Crop Protection. Each of these students earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management and each received multiple scholarship awards throughout their studies at the UF Fort Pierce location.

St. Lucie County residents recognized as degree recipients are Port St. Lucie residents Cheryl Friend, Catherine Riiske and Miguel Mozdzen. Friend, a former city planner currently employed as a landscape designer and newspaper columnist, completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticultural Sciences. Catherine Riiske, a mid-career professional microbiologist, has accepted a position with the South Florida Water Management District. Miguel Mozdzen is a biologist at Cape Canaveral in Titusville. He also held a position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Riiske and Mozdzen both earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences.

Residents of Indian River County who earned UF degrees at the UF/IRREC are: Vero Beach natives Delta Harris and Kristina Jewett-Richon, and Israeli native Ruben Koch. Harris was presented with the first-ever IRREC Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management. Jewett-Richon, is an office manager at the Florida Veterinary League, Vero Beach's top-rated veterinary service. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management. Ruben Koch is co-owner of Vero Beach's prominent Irrigation Consultants Unlimited Inc., a provider of irrigation design and management services throughout the state. He was presented with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticultural Sciences.

Dr. Carriker's closing remarks congratulated each of the graduates and their families, recognized the center's current students and attending agricultural leaders. He noted that while many present were members of the University of Florida Alumni--all of the event attendees are members of the Gator Nation.

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