Lake-Sumter State College Celebrates 2025 Distinguished Alumni And Hall Of Fame Honorees

by Kevin Yurasek, Lake-Sumter State College

Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) and the LSSC Foundation are proud to announce the 2025 Honorees for the Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards.

“Pursuing higher education, earning a degree, and achieving success is the core of the mission of Lake-Sumter State College,” said Dr. Laura Byrd, executive vice president, LSSC, and executive director, LSSC Foundation. “We are proud to celebrate the successes and impact of our alumni, faculty, staff, and partners, who showcase how this great institution is transforming lives and futures throughout our community.”

This year’s honorees will be recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, hosted on the LSSC Leesburg Campus.

Boardway is the principal of Eustis Elementary School. As a proud LSCC alumna and former student-athlete, she credits the college for instilling in her the discipline, resilience, and leadership that drive her efforts as an educator and community advocate.

Breeden serves as the Sheriff of Sumter County with 34 years of law enforcement and corrections experience, all with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. He credits LSCC for providing the educational tools and values that shaped his character and guided his service-driven career.

Gonzalez is the Executive Director of Lake Cares Food Pantry and a passionate force for positive change in Lake County. She says her time at LSSC fostered her leadership and compassion, which continue to guide her daily work serving others and advocating for families in need.

Falconer is a Family Nurse Practitioner with AdventHealth. After being inspired to become a nurse from watching her own mother’s career, she earned her AA, ASN, and BSN at LSSC. She says her time at LSSC empowered her academically and personally.

Long is the Senior Vice President and Regional President/CEO for Central Florida at University of Florida Health, where she leads with a steadfast commitment to excellence and compassion. Earning her Associate of Science in Nursing from LSSC, Long credits the college’s support and resources with shaping her professional path and deepening her passion for service.

Norton is a Professor of Political Science at Lake-Sumter State College who has impacted students and the campus community through his commitment to civics education over the last twenty-one years. He is known for supporting student initiatives and enriching the academic experience by connecting students with real-world political engagement.

Napoles is an Operations Manager at LSSC where he has played a pivotal role in cultivating excellence in events and a vibrant creative arts environment. He has advised hundreds of fine and performing arts students and produced award-winning theatre productions and major community events

Emma Gray, an Associate of Arts graduate from Lake-Sumter State College, was a trailblazing volleyball student-athlete who elevated the College’s athletics program to national prominence. Her exceptional performance helped lead Lake-Sumter to its historic first appearance in the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in 2018.

For over 25 years, Duke Energy Florida has been a vital community partner to Lake-Sumter State College, financially supporting the start-up and ongoing operations of the lineworker and energy programs with a total investment over $1.1 million. In addition to hiring graduates, the company supports curriculum development to ensure that LSSC’s energy programs are aligned with cutting-edge industry standards, ensuring graduates are well prepared for today’s workforce.

 

 

Founded in 1962, Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) offers a high-quality education at an affordable price to the communities of Lake and Sumter counties. LSSC embraces its mission as a community college to increase access and opportunity for all learners in its community. As a proud member of the Florida College System, LSSC serves more than 10,000 students annually at four locations and online: Leesburg, Four Corners, South Lake (Clermont), and Sumterville. LSSC offers non-credit, certificate, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree programs designed to support and prepare students to pursue their goals and join Florida’s dynamic workforce. LSSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Learn more about LSSC at www.lssc.edu.

 

The Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, Inc., also known as the LSSC Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a direct support organization of Lake-Sumter State College as defined and authorized in Section 1004.7, Florida Statutes. The LSSC Foundation provides support to Lake-Sumter State College through the funding of scholarships and projects to advance the College’s mission and strategic priorities. The LSSC Foundation’s work is possible thanks to the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations.