Mr. John Marazzi receives an Honorary Doctorate Degree

Dr. John Marazzi of John Marazzi Nissan and Audi Jaguar Land Rover of Fort Myers delivered the Commencement Address and also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration at the Southwest Florida College, 2010 Commencement Ceremony held on June 19 at the Harborside Event Center. Dr. Marazzi entered into the automotive business as a car washer at the age of 12. His desire to do right by each and every customer and his passion for building a strong community has led him to become a successful business leader. He demonstrates that hard work and perseverance can turn dreams into realities and therefore set a strong example for the Southwest Florida College graduating class of 2010.

Southwest Florida College is an accredited private institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information, call toll free 888-279-2342 or visit www.swfc.edu.

Southwest Florida College Holds 36th Commencement Ceremony

Graduation Ceremony will take place Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Harborside Event Center.

Fort Myers, Fla. – A well known business leader and entrepreneur will accept an honorary degree and deliver the commencement address to 509 students receiving bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and diplomas at Southwest Florida College’s 36th commencement exercise, planned for Saturday, June 19 at Harborside Event Center.

“Graduation marks an important milestone for our students and is the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice,” said Dr. Stephen Calabro, Executive Vice President of Southwest Florida College. “We look forward each year with great excitement as we watch our graduates begin a new chapter in their lives.”

Mr. John Marazzi of John Marazzi Nissan and Audi Jaguar Land Rover of Fort Myers will deliver the Commencement Address and will also receive an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration. Mr. Marazzi entered into the automotive business as a car washer at the age of 12. His desire to do right by each and every customer and his passion for building a strong community has led him to become a successful business leader. He demonstrates that hard work and perseverance can turn dreams into realities and therefore sets a strong example for the Southwest Florida College graduating class of 2010.

Since the College was founded in 1974, approximately 4,500 students have graduated with degrees, diplomas and certificates in career fields such as allied health, legal studies, education, business, design and information technology – all of which offer high growth potential. This year’s ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 19 at Harborside Event Center. There will be a reception to follow for the guest speaker and honorary degree recipient. For more information on the event and directions to Harborside Event Center, please call toll free 888-279-2342 .

Southwest Florida College is an accredited private institution of higher learning centrally located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and includes the Institute of Interior Design located within the Miromar Design Center in Estero. The College has been providing post secondary education to Floridians since 1974 and offers programs in Allied Health, Business, Design, Education, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities for individuals to acquire knowledge and skills that will help prepare them for rewarding careers in fields with high growth potential. For more information, call toll free 888-279-2342 or visit http://www.swfc.edu/.

Power of perseverance: SW Florida College grads celebrate

I think I can.

If optimism worked for The Little Engine that Could, surely it will work for 426 men and women who graduated Saturday from Southwest Florida College. They are leaving school in the worst economic period since the Great Depression, yet their future success boils down to having a positive attitude.

"Henry Ford once said, 'If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right,' " said Lee County School Board chairwoman Jane Kuckel, who delivered the commencement address at Harborside Event Center.

Southwest Florida College is a career-oriented institution, the region's most diverse college. It has black students, white, Hispanic and Asian. It has teenage students and those who are grandparents. It has those who take the bus to class and those who drive new cars. It has well-to-do students and those who are one paycheck away from homelessness.

Education is the great equalizer.

"We are a colorful group from all different walks of life, different ages and ethnic backgrounds, but we all reached the finish line together," said Laura Allard, 39, of Bonita Springs, who earned an associate's degree in marketing and management.

No one ever told JoAnna Stewart that college would be easy; it was her struggle outside of class that made graduation seem like an impossible goal. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation for sickle cell anemia, sometimes so sick she could barely drag herself to class. But Stewart did, never missing a step. It got easier as June 20, 2009, approached.

"I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and when I saw the light, I kept pressing," said Stewart, 49, a Lehigh Acres resident who earned a bachelor's degree in management.
The highlight of Saturday's ceremony was President Gregory Jones conferring 36 bachelor's and 295 associate's degrees, along with 85 diplomas and 12 certificates for students completing non-degree programs.

"I have been looking forward to this day all of my life," said 23-year-old Rosanna Sauceda, a Fort Myers resident who earned an associate's degree in graphic design. "I know my family is so proud of me. It got hard toward the end, but looking forward to this day has been my goal."

For those students who have yet to firm up post-graduation plans, the future is uncertain. Matthew Curry, 28, of Port Charlotte isn't sure where he will work, or even if he'll stay in Florida. Early signs, however, are pointing North.

"I haven't been able to find anything in this state," said Curry, who received an associate's degree in computer-aided drafting and design. "Everybody wants a bachelor's degree."

To find out more about Southwest Florida College visit http://swfc.edu.

By Dave Breitenstein • dbreitenstein@news-press.com • June 21, 2009