Outlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville FCCJ’s 24th annual commencement An evening of ‘prompt’ and circumstance FCC]’s 24th annual commencement, held Friday evening, May 3 at the Civic Auditorium, was no doubt a momentous event for the more than 500 students, who attended along with their friends and famililes. But on the eve of the College’s 25th anniversary, the ceremony was also a historic event. “Occasions like this don’t happen very often," said President Charles Spence regarding the presentation of an honorary associate of arts degree to Edward A. Nimnicht ll. “[l-lonorary degrees] are given very seldom and only to those people whose lives have extraordinarily advanced the College.” Currently serving as immediate past president of the FCC] Foundation, Inc., Nimnicht has been an integral part of the organization since his appointment to the Board of Directors in ]uly 1981. His generous contributions of time and re sources have enriched the College tremen— dously, particularly the marine mechanics technology program, the automotive tech— President Spence chats with faculty members before the ceremony. nology program and the FCC] Artist Series. In accepting the degree, Nimnicht admitted, “I stand before you humble to Nimnicht receives honorary degree. Another major change was the decision receive this honor.” As Vice president and regarding the presentation of CEC excel, general manager of Nimnicht Chevrolet, he lence awards (page and outstanding told students of the incredible opportunities faculty (page 5). Though the recipients available in the business world and “the were honored in a private reception and harder you work, the luckier you get." recognized during commencement, the This year’s ceremony will also go down in formal awards presentation will not be held the College’s annals for being one of the until Fall Convocation. “That’s not to say most expeditious. With the memory of these awards aren’t important, but graduav previous, threeahour commencements vivid tion is supposed to be for the recognition of INSIDE in their minds, the graduation committee, students,” Russos said. “We also thought led by Dean of Community and C0a that convocation was more appropriate [for curricular Activities Milt Russos, vowed to these awards], and the winners could be Speed things up this year. recognized in front of their peers.” As part of the time—saving measures, All in all, by the close of commence; student speakers were kept to two (com— ment, there were a variety of emotions. pared to last year‘s four) and graduation Faculty and staff expressed content. announcers were increased to four (as Parents, family and friends expressed pride. Opposed to two last year) so that the More than 500 students expressed relief. graduates’ walk across the stage could And after a record—setting 80 minute proceed in doubletime. ceremony, nearly everyone wore a smile. Some students were smiles...and sunglasses. Commencement speakers prove you’re never too old to learn Rena Oreair Alphonso Lewis When Rena Oreair straightened her cap and zipped up her graduation Like most sailors, Alphonso Lewis joined the Navy to see the gown before this year’s commencement ceremony, it symbolized much world. In his 14 years of military service, he explored Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. But perhaps his most important tour has been the world of education. more than simply the completion of 75 hours of college courses. For her, graduation from FCC] was literally a dream come true. Ever since high school, Oreair was consumed with going to college. Fresh out of high school in 1977, Lewis enlisted and was In fact, as soon as she graduated high school in 1973, she enrolled in trained as a radar operator. For the next eight years, he was night school. Even though she had “every intention” of completing her stationed aboard ships in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va. and degree, she put her dream on hold to get married and have children. Charleston, SC, finally arriving at Mayport in 1985. “Who could say that 1 would change my mind and want to start a fami— Over the years, Lewis, a petty officer first class, had considered ly? It was my decision at the time, and I don’t regret it at all," she said. moving from the enlisted ranks to commissioned officer. “I knew As much as she enjoyed her role of full’time wife and mother, Oreair that getting a college degree would definitely improve my chances still entertained thoughts of returning to school. For years, however, of being selected as a limited duty officer, so I began looking at the they remained just thoughts until one day a friend posed a simple ques— different educational programs offered by the Navy,” he said. Not tion, “Your kids are grown and you want to go back to school, so why don’t you just do it?” Oreair agreed that the timing was perfect, so she en— rolled full~time at FCC]’s North Campus. Though it took almost two decades for her to actually enroll in college, her choice of programs was simple. “I had always been interested in the field of nursing; 1 love being with people and wanted a rewarding career," she said. “And I thought if I could help (continued on page 3) long after being accepted into the Enlisted Education Advancement Program (EEAP) in 1989, he regis— tered for his first college classes at FCC]. “l was hesitant initially about attending college, after being out of high school for over 10 years. I did not know what to expect or how well I would fit in the college environ— ment,” he said. Not surprisingly, he fit right in. (continued on page 3) , OCR Text: Outlook A Publication of Florida Community College at Jacksonville FCCJ’s 24th annual commencement An evening of ‘prompt’ and circumstance FCC]’s 24th annual commencement, held Friday evening, May 3 at the Civic Auditorium, was no doubt a momentous event for the more than 500 students, who attended along with their friends and famililes. But on the eve of the College’s 25th anniversary, the ceremony was also a historic event. “Occasions like this don’t happen very often," said President Charles Spence regarding the presentation of an honorary associate of arts degree to Edward A. Nimnicht ll. “[l-lonorary degrees] are given very seldom and only to those people whose lives have extraordinarily advanced the College.” Currently serving as immediate past president of the FCC] Foundation, Inc., Nimnicht has been an integral part of the organization since his appointment to the Board of Directors in ]uly 1981. His generous contributions of time and re sources have enriched the College tremen— dously, particularly the marine mechanics technology program, the automotive tech— President Spence chats with faculty members before the ceremony. nology program and the FCC] Artist Series. In accepting the degree, Nimnicht admitted, “I stand before you humble to Nimnicht receives honorary degree. Another major change was the decision receive this honor.” As Vice president and regarding the presentation of CEC excel, general manager of Nimnicht Chevrolet, he lence awards (page and outstanding told students of the incredible opportunities faculty (page 5). Though the recipients available in the business world and “the were honored in a private reception and harder you work, the luckier you get." recognized during commencement, the This year’s ceremony will also go down in formal awards presentation will not be held the College’s annals for being one of the until Fall Convocation. “That’s not to say most expeditious. With the memory of these awards aren’t important, but graduav previous, threeahour commencements vivid tion is supposed to be for the recognition of INSIDE in their minds, the graduation committee, students,” Russos said. “We also thought led by Dean of Community and C0a that convocation was more appropriate [for curricular Activities Milt Russos, vowed to these awards], and the winners could be Speed things up this year. recognized in front of their peers.” As part of the time—saving measures, All in all, by the close of commence; student speakers were kept to two (com— ment, there were a variety of emotions. pared to last year‘s four) and graduation Faculty and staff expressed content. announcers were increased to four (as Parents, family and friends expressed pride. Opposed to two last year) so that the More than 500 students expressed relief. graduates’ walk across the stage could And after a record—setting 80 minute proceed in doubletime. ceremony, nearly everyone wore a smile. Some students were smiles...and sunglasses. Commencement speakers prove you’re never too old to learn Rena Oreair Alphonso Lewis When Rena Oreair straightened her cap and zipped up her graduation Like most sailors, Alphonso Lewis joined the Navy to see the gown before this year’s commencement ceremony, it symbolized much world. In his 14 years of military service, he explored Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. But perhaps his most important tour has been the world of education. more than simply the completion of 75 hours of college courses. For her, graduation from FCC] was literally a dream come true. Ever since high school, Oreair was consumed with going to college. Fresh out of high school in 1977, Lewis enlisted and was In fact, as soon as she graduated high school in 1973, she enrolled in trained as a radar operator. For the next eight years, he was night school. Even though she had “every intention” of completing her stationed aboard ships in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va. and degree, she put her dream on hold to get married and have children. Charleston, SC, finally arriving at Mayport in 1985. “Who could say that 1 would change my mind and want to start a fami— Over the years, Lewis, a petty officer first class, had considered ly? It was my decision at the time, and I don’t regret it at all," she said. moving from the enlisted ranks to commissioned officer. “I knew As much as she enjoyed her role of full’time wife and mother, Oreair that getting a college degree would definitely improve my chances still entertained thoughts of returning to school. For years, however, of being selected as a limited duty officer, so I began looking at the they remained just thoughts until one day a friend posed a simple ques— different educational programs offered by the Navy,” he said. Not tion, “Your kids are grown and you want to go back to school, so why don’t you just do it?” Oreair agreed that the timing was perfect, so she en— rolled full~time at FCC]’s North Campus. Though it took almost two decades for her to actually enroll in college, her choice of programs was simple. “I had always been interested in the field of nursing; 1 love being with people and wanted a rewarding career," she said. “And I thought if I could help (continued on page 3) long after being accepted into the Enlisted Education Advancement Program (EEAP) in 1989, he regis— tered for his first college classes at FCC]. “l was hesitant initially about attending college, after being out of high school for over 10 years. I did not know what to expect or how well I would fit in the college environ— ment,” he said. Not surprisingly, he fit right in. (continued on page 3) , Z ArchiveInABox,JAX,Outlook Newsletter Resorted,1991,May/June 1991,May/June 1991 1, May/June 1991 1