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YourHub.com \\ Vero Beach \\ Stories \\ Education \\ Graduation

VB RESIDENT SEAN FROMANG RECOGNIZED

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Contributed by: Robin Koestoyo on 12/15/2008

Ten University of Florida graduates and eight scholarship recipients were honored recently by UF and local officials, professors, family and friends, at the UF Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) 2008 Graduation Celebration. The center is part of the university's statewide Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS, serving the state's agricultural and natural resources industries.

The IRREC Director Peter Stoffella opened the event with praise for the graduates, two of which earned Doctoral degrees; five earned Master's degrees; four, with bachelor's degrees. Eight scholarship recipients were recognized with more than $11,000 in awards for the academic year. Program Director and Professor Dr. Roy Carriker presented certificates and gifts to graduates. Mistress of Ceremonies Jane Bachelor, UF Lecturer and Chair of the Treasure Coast Research, Education and Development Authority Board, recognized attending officials and announced scholarship awards.

Attending public officials included Rev. John Lee, representing Congressman Alcee Hastings, Mr. and Mrs. Alto "Bud" Adams and City of Vero Beach Councilmember Debra Fromang; UF/IFAS officials in attendance included UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Associate Dean of Graduate Programs Mark Rieger and St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension Director Anita Neal.

"Students have a unique opportunity to study online or in the evening, work closely with research professors and maintain full-time jobs and families," said Stoffella. "Our students are dedicated professionals who make meaningful contributions to their profession."

The ten graduates earned doctorate, master's and bachelor's degrees from the local UF site, working online, in the field doing research with professors, and participating in classroom lectures along with a wide range of students representing the entire state.

Fort Pierce residents Veronica Manrique and Rodrigo Diaz each earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology and Nematology. The two new doctorates plan to continue their employment at the UF/IFAS Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory.

Master degree recipients are Matthew DiMaggio, Ed Skvarch, Thomas Jerkins and David Mahnken. Skvarch, commercial horticulture educator for the St. Lucie County UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension, earned a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Communication. DiMaggio, a Stuart resident, completed a Master of Science degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. He is currently employed at the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center. Manager and Executive Vice President of Bluegoose Growers, Thomas Jerkins earned a Master of Science degree in Agribusiness Management. Mahnken is a resident of Seminole County. A career environmentalist employed with ESciences Inc. He completed a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences through distance education.

Those who were awarded with Bachelor's degrees are: Cheryl Dunne, Audrey Rotrock, Jorge Luna and Vince Munne. Dunne, a Vero Beach resident, is a research and development scientist with Syngenta Crop Protection in Vero Beach; she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management. Fellsmere resident Jorge Luna completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management; self-employed, he is a construction sub-contractor. Port St. Lucie residents Vincent Munne and Audrey Rotrock each earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management. Munne is Environmental Compliance Officer at Florida Power and Light's St. Lucie Power Plant. Audrey Rotrock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management. She is at this time serving an internship at Florida Power and Light's St. Lucie Power Plant, working with the Environmental Manager to compile an environmental management system manual.

Recipients to $11,050 in scholarships were recognized by Bachelor. They are: Eliza Dunne, Debra Flinn and Melissa Sangster, with the Florida Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Off-Campus Scholarship Award; Treasure Coast Gator Club Awards recipients are Cyndy Musgrave and Pierre Maurice Revange, who each earned the Bryan Schirard Memorial Scholarship Fund Award; and Jorge Luna, with the Riverside Bank Mac Varn Memorial Scholarship Award; Debra Flinn, Jordan Yancy and Pierre Maurice Revange were presented with the Bud Adams Scholarship Award; recipients to the Garden Club of Indian River County Scholarship Award are Jorge Luna and Sean Fromang. Matthew DiMaggio received a Davidson Graduate Student International Travel Scholarship for travel expenses to attend "World Aquaculture 2009 Meeting" in Veracruz, Mexico.

"Our graduates are serious, responsible adults," said Carriker. "Hard work is something they well understand; mature, they have mortgages, families and are diligent with coursework. It's a privilege to teach them."

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