PALMETTO -- Former Bayshore High Bruin Sarah Fredrickson was honored Sunday for her perfect 4.0 grade point average at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee by receiving USF’s top academic award at Spring Commencement.
Fredrickson was one of 254 graduates, the largest graduating class ever for the local USF campus, who received diplomas at the Manatee Civic Center on a warm and clear afternoon.
Fredrickson received the King O’Neal award, given each semester since 1988 by the Alumni Association in honor of graduates Lucas King and Evelyn O’Neal.
“Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society and was actively involved in psychology research here at USF,” said Arthur Guilford, Regional Chancellor at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
Fredrickson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and plans to pursue her doctorate degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Jamie Worley, who volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, won the Golden Bull Award, presented to the student who shows excellence in leadership activities.
USF’s Outstanding Graduate Award went to Brittany Gleitsman, president of the school’s Student Government Association.
The Outstanding Professor Award went to James Curran, associate professor of marketing and a Lakewood Ranch resident.
The graduation featured speeches by Guilford and USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft.
Genshaft told the students they were among 5,700 students who graduated from the USF system this spring from 45 states and 97 countries.
Genshaft won applause when she remarked that USF Sarasota-Manatee is on the verge of local autonomy.
“USF Sarasota-Manatee will join USF St. Petersburg in having your own accreditation, giving you local control in developing your missions,” Genshaft said.
Said Guilford, “Live a principled life, embrace ethics and honor. Use your resources to help others.”
In a tale fitting for a Mother’s Day graduation, Cardinal Mooney High School graduate Jeanna Tito continued her studies in the College of Business Administration right up until her daughter, Alexandria, was born Feb. 12.
“Jeanna was not comfortable sitting in class, but she never quit,” said senior lecturer Ross P. Alander.
Four generations of Tito’s family not only celebrated Tito’s first Mother’s Day but also her graduation. They included Tito’s mother and father, Jenny Nyland of Sarasota and Ralph Tito of near Pittsburgh, Pa., and Nyland’s mother, Janet Hebenthal, also from Pennsylvania.
Tito, who has accepted an internship with the Sarasota YMCA, hopes for a business career that involves travel to Japan.
