On Tuesday, March 5, the Lake Sumter State College Foundation celebrated scholarship donors and the students who receive them at the 7th Annual Scholarship Dinner at Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center on the campus of LSSC.
Dr. Laura Byrd, Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement and LSSC Foundation Executive Director, welcomed attendees and introduced Dr. Heather Bigard, President, LSSC.
Dr. Bigard gave an update on the state of LSSC. She spoke with pride on the growth of LSSC, now having 4 campuses, along with hybrid and online classes. *The State Board of Education approved a new LSSC bachelor’s degree to address the growing workforce demand and the ability to achieve a BS right from one of the campuses. *Prepare for a career as a nurse and receive your RN license by earning your AS degree in Nursing. *Check the new LSSC -AS in Construction Management, Water Management certificate, and other programs starting Spring 2024.
Did you know: In 2023, Lake Sumter State College Foundation awarded over $1,250,000 in scholarships benefiting over 1,500 students? After scholarships and financial aid, the average out-of-pocket cost for a student is $798.85 per semester!
Michael Worden, Emma Zellowitz and Alumnus Rosmin Blackshear were the student speakers.
Michael Worden ’25 (Associate of Science, Business Administration) is pursuing an AS in Business Administration and is a highly engaged student at Lake-Sumter State College. In addition to his academics and full-time job, he is also the Leesburg President of the Student Government Association leading a team of students who support student organizations, programming, and student advocacy.
Emma Zelkowitz ’24 (Associate of Arts, Finance) is pursuing an AA in Finance and is a member of the Lakehawks Volleyball team. Emma transferred to LSSC after enrolling at a university in the northeast because she felt a strong sense of belonging in the family environment on this campus. She also embraces her creative ambitions through a social media internship with USL. Fort Lauderdale, a professional women’s soccer team.
Rosmin Blackshear ’23, graduated with her AS Nursing and BS Nursing degrees from Lake Sumter State College. Rosmin chose LSSC because of its reputation for quality nursing education and its community-centered approach. As a mother of five, scholarships from the LSSC Foundation allowed her to pursue her dreams without additional worries about supporting her family. Rosmin is a registered nurse at AdventHealth and an adjunct at LSSC.
Other speakers were Donor Speaker Barbara Wilson-Smith, Scholarship Donor; Michelle Michnoff, Foundation Board President; and Carl Specci, Foundation Board Director.
With the support of the community, students at LSSC can pursue their education and achieve their dreams! For more information, visit https://lssc.edu
