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SPC Foundation
Board of Directors
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Willie H. "Bill" McCloud
Chairman
Angela Beltz
Joseph G. Blanton
John Brown
Kenneth P. Cherven
Stephen O. Cole
Paul Demirdjian
John W. Dosher
Robert J. Fine, Jr. Theresa K. Furnas
Jenn Greacen
Robert L. Hilton
Beth A. Horner
William D. Law*
Frances Neu*
Walter L. "Skip" Schafer Jr.
Steven Shepard
Shan Shikarpuri
Richard B. Winning
David Zillig
Directors Emeriti
Dan Carlisle
Leon R. Hammock
Helen K. Leslie
Alfred T. May
Henry B. Sayler
Honorary Director
Wendell R. Ware
*Ex officio members
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 St. Petersburg College will hold it's 127th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 9:00am at Tropicana Field. Families, friends, professors and administrators will gather as members of the Class of 2015 cross the stage to receive their diploma and prepare to embark on the next chapter of life.
This term, over 2,800 degrees and certificates will be conferred to SPC students. The occasion marks a milestone in the students' lives and a day of great celebration.
It is also a day when we remember the generosity of our donors, partners and friends who help pave the way for our students through scholarship support and program enhancements. Long after the cap and gown are stored, the influence of your generosity will be evident in a workforce that is competent, confident and eager to address the issues of the day.
From all of us at St. Petersburg College, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Frances Neu
VP of Institutional Advancement &
Foundation Executive Director
St. Petersburg College
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Annual Event Brings Together Students and Donors
Donors, students and college leadership celebrated the awarding of over $1.2 million in scholarships to more than 1,800 students during the 2014-15 academic year at the St. Petersburg College Foundation's 16th Annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon last month.
More than 220 guests attended the event, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management and Emceed by Bay News 9's Veronica Cintron.
SPC students Elizabeth Magriplis, David Brewster and Jennifer Baugher moved the audience as they shared their educational journeys with guests. Magriplis, a senior in the College of Education, said "It takes a special kind of person to help another...and donors are most special because they help complete strangers. That's the kind of person I strive be for our future youth."
Luncheon guests also enjoyed performances by three students from the SPC Music Department, who are also scholarship reicipeints: John McColley, Rachael Rodriguez and Robert Kruithoff.
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Clark Mason of RBC Wealth Manage-
ment joins Bay News 9 Anchor
and Luncheon MC Veronica Cintron
at the podium.
 Jennifer Baugher (r.), student speaker
and recipient of the Helen K. Leslie
Scholarship shares a moment with her
mother, Barbara Baugher.
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David Brewster, student speaker and
recipient of the John and JoAnn
Nestor Scholarship
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Recipient of the Amy R. Blanton
Scholarship, Hunter Drake and
Joe Blanton
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 SPC Midtown Campus Prepares to Open
After months of anticipation during the building phase, the St. Petersburg College Midtown campus is scheduled to open for the 2015-16 academic year.
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The three-story, 45,000 square-foot full-service building at 1300 22nd St. South in St. Petersburg, will be four times as large as the current facility and will house two science labs, three computer labs, a book store, a community room and a career center. The facility will formally be called the Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Midtown Center,
|  JoAnn and John Nestor tour Midtown with
President Law in December |
in honor of Mr. Jamerson's commitment to education and service to the people of St. Petersburg and the state of Florida.
The College is actively planning a community celebration for Grand Opening on Saturday, August 1, to include community leaders and residents of the Midtown community.
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Foundation Board Welcomes New Member
Angela Beltz
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Angela Beltz is vice president, Cisco Solutions Group at Tech Data. She is responsible for leading the company's dedicated team of sales, marketing and technical professionals supporting all Cisco solutions available through Tech Data.
Beltz earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University. She is involved with a number of community organizations and is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the National Association of Professional Women.
Beltz was named to CRN's 'Power 100' Women of the Channel in 2011 and Business Woman of the Year in 2014 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in the Technology category.
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SPC Partnership Provides Students Real Life Technology Skills
St. Petersburg College, Tech Data, Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), Valpak and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg have embarked on a partnership to provide students across all degree programs  with exposure to the technology skills many local companies require. The "Exploratory Lab Boot Camp" is an innovative 70-hour STEM focused program that provides tech and non-tech degree seeking students a leg up on the job market by helping them meet specific job requirements to increase their employability.
"Tech Data is excited about the opportunity to be part of a collaborative effort with leaders in the Tampa Bay area and to create best-in-class curriculum and collateral for the Exploratory Lab Boot Camp," said Angie Beltz, Vice President of Product Marketing for the Cisco Solutions Group at Tech Data."
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The Bank of Tampa Pledges $15,000
The Bank of Tampa recently pledged $15,000 to support the SPC Foundation's Innovation Grants Initiative. The Bank has an impressive reputation for supporting educational projects and services throughout the Bay area. "The Bank of Tampa is impressed by the dedication of the SPC faculty and staff to promoting student success. We are proud to support this initiative," said Beth Horner, Bank of Tampa Senior Vice President, and Foundation Board Vice Chair.
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The Bank of Tampa Chairman, Jerry Divers and team visit with President Law
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Florida Institute of CPAs - Suncoast Chapter Supports Scholarship Initiative
At right, FICPA-Suncoast Chapter Chair Jay Hill and members Anna
Adamczyk and Charlie Allcott present a check to SPC Foundation Sr.
Development Officer Theresa Afify
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The Florida Institute of CPAs - Suncoast Chapter (FICPA) has partnered with the St. Petersburg College Foundation for 17 years. This year they provided an additional $5,000 to support scholarships for accounting students who demonstrate initiative and leadership. |
Conner Appointed Provost of New St. Pete/Gibbs Campus
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Jamelle Conner joined St. Petersburg College in 2008, following several leadership roles at Tech Data Corporation, Progress Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense. In her role as SPC Associate Vice President of Strategic Execution and Administrative Systems, Conner has made significant contributions to the success of numerous academic and student affairs initiatives.
A St. Petersburg native, Conner has a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Florida Southern College and an M.B.A. from the University of Tampa. Conner will begin her duties at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs campus in July.
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The League for Innovation Recognizes SPC Faculty Members
Seven St. Petersburg College faculty members were chosen to receive the John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Awards from the League for Innovation in Community Colleges. Congratulations to: Michael Gordon, Cynthia Grey and Wendy Rib, Ray Menard, Therezita K. Ortiz, Anthony Valentine and James A. Wallis. The awards were presented at the 2015 Innovation Conference in Boston last month.
The League is an international, nonprofit organization that leads projects and initiatives with member colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies in a continuing effort to make a positive difference for students and communities.
Recipients of the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award, Drs. Anthony Valentine, Wendy Rib, Ray Menard, Cynthia Grey and Jim Wallis (not pictured) Michael Gordon and Therezita K. Ortiz
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Travel to the Amalfi Coast, Italy with SPC
The St. Petersburg College Alumni Association has partnered with AHI Travel to offer the opportunity to discover Italy's picturesque Amalfi Coast this November. The program also includes Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii and the Greek ruins at Paestum. Travel discounts are available on reservations made prior to April 28. For more information or to book your vacation, please visit stpet.ahitravel.com or contact AHI Travel at (800) 232-7373. Photo Courtesy of AHI Travel, Inc.
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In Memoriam
SPC Says Goodbye to Honored Friends and Co-Workers
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Coach Ed Davis
Longtime St. Petersburg College Baseball Coach Edward "Ed" Davis passed away in January. He came to St. Petersburg (Junior) College's Clearwater Campus 28 years ago as its baseball coach and was instrumental in the major curriculum reform to move students into lifetime wellness and health.
In 2014, Davis was honored by the college as a professor emeritus, a distinction reserved for the most highly regarded former faculty members.
Davis' family and friends have graciously established the Edward and Nancy Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund at the SPC Foundation in memory of Coach Davis.
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Harold Nesbitt, Sr.
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Harold Nesbitt, Sr.
Harold Nesbitt, Sr. began his distinguished career with SPC in the early 1980s when he began part-time work as a bus driver and mail room clerk. Nesbitt's hard work and dedication led to his promotion to a full-time position as a security guard. Popular among both faculty and students, Mr. Nesbitt passed away in December.
He served faculty, staff and students on several campuses including the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, the Allstate Center, and most recently at the Midtown Campus, where he earned the title of Senior Security Officer.
Donations to the Foundation in his memory are providing scholarship support to SPC students.
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SPC Alumni Class Notes
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Peter Parapon (L) and Congressman
David Jolly
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Class of 2014: Peter Parapon, A.A., in General Studies is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree at SPC in Public Policy and Administration. He is President of the Student Veterans Association on Seminole Campus and works part time with Veterans Services through the work study program. Parapon also volunteers in the office of Rep. David Jolly on the Seminole Campus.
"Congressman Jolly's staff are amazing to work with," he said. "I deal with constituent issues every day. It's very rewarding when you get a chance to help resolve their issues."
Class of 2005, 2006: Anastasia Smith, A.A., went on to earn a B.A.S. degree in Technology Management at St. Petersburg College, as well as M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the University of South Florida.
Class of 1998: Paul Wilder, A.A., earned a B.S. degree in Information Systems Management from the University of South Florida in 2002. He serves as the Director of Information Technology for Kelby Media Group in Oldsmar.
Class of 1995: Jan DeGraw-Higgins, A.S., in Veterinary Technology, is actively volunteering as a puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Her passion is puppy raising and she has a solid love for dogs. To share your accomplishments with your fellow alumni, send us an email to foundation@spcollege.edu.
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Create a Legacy That Gives an Education
Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, IRAs, and gifts of property are some of the ways you can provide significant and lasting support to SPC. To learn how your planned gift can meet your financial objectives while supporting the work of the College and the aspirations of students, call us at 727-341-3302. Change a life today!
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