Alan Baggett & Charlotte Flint
Cristie Kedroski & Lori Kelley
O
n Saturday, May 5, Northwest Florida State College
held their 53rd commencement at the Raiders Arena in
Niceville, FL, where the CEO of the Florida Chamber
of Commerce, Mark Wilson, delivered the keynote
address to students. After the 10:00am ceremony a VIP luncheon
was held in a designated area in the arena. Some infl uential and VIP
guests attended the luncheon including Representative Mel Ponder,
who was very instrumental in the passing of the HB75, which allows
for all state and community colleges in Florida to waive state fees
for active duty military members, Mr. Mark Wilson, the CEO of
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Jimmy Patronis, the CFO for the
State of Florida, Stan Connally, the president and CEO of Gulf Power
Company, among others.
During the luncheon, the NWF State College President, Dr.
Devin Stephenson, welcomed guests who were attending the
luncheon and said he was honored to have them as his distinguished
guests. Dr. Stephenson also said, “Commencement is the time
of the year where we come together to celebrate our students and
their academic achievements.” He also said “NWF State College is
moving the institution at the speed of business sound.” He provided
some astounding statistics on enrollment activities after a decline in
enrollment in the past six years. According to Dr. Stephenson, for
this semester there is a seven percent increase in enrollment, and
for summer term the college was already headed for a double-digit
increase in enrollment. Applications for the fall term had already
surpassed last year at nineteen percent. He thanked everyone in the
room for working together and being a part of a team, which has
yielded great success.
Commencement
VIP Luncheon
photos & story by
Zhalman Harris
Amy & Stan Connally
VIP Destin at NWF College
Brad Drake, Stan Connally, Mark Wilson, Jimmy Patronis, Mel Ponder & Dr. Devin Stephenson
94 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
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5/25/18 4:17 PM