Lake-Sumter State College and the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation are pleased to announce the 2019 Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Award winners.
This year’s award winners were recognized at the 8th Annual Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 17th. The ceremony was held at Mission Inn Resort and was emceed by the Hon. Jason Nimeth, State of Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit.
“Lake-Sumter State College has over 25,000 alumni and friends who are doing great work and making positive impacts in our community and beyond,” says Dr. Laura Byrd, VP of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the LSSC Foundation. “This year’s winners are making a difference for LSSC, it’s students, and across Central Florida. We value any opportunity to recognize their achievements.”
This year’s winners are:
The Community Engagement Award is presented to an LSSC alumni who has made notable contributions to the advancement of LSSC through impactful engagement and visibility in the community.
The 2019 Community Engagement Award recipient is Marilyn Budzynski ’79.
The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an LSSC alumni who demonstrates excellence, has achieved success in their professional career, and gained the admiration and respect of their colleagues.
The 2019 Professional Achievement Award recipient is Michael DeGraw ’88.
The Valor Award is presented to an LSSC alumni who has demonstrated exceptional courage in the face of danger as a service member in the U.S. Armed Forces, law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.
The 2019 Valor Award recipient is Edward Daughtery ’99.
The Scholar Award is presented to an LSSC alumni who has demonstrated continual commitment to the field of education and works to instill a passion for learning in others.
The 2019 Scholar Award recipient is Mark Logas ’83.
The Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award is presented to an LSSC alumni who has graduated in the past ten years and distinguished themselves through excellence in their profession, service to the community, and a continued commitment to supporting LSSC.
The 2019 GOLD Award recipient is Dean Simmons, Jr. ’18.
The Faculty Hall of Fame Award is presented to a current, former, or retired LSSC faculty member who has/had noteworthy accomplishments during their career at LSSC while exercising exemplary service to the advancement of LSSC.
The 2019 Faculty Hall of Fame Award recipient is Alissa Sustarsic ’96, Professor of Mathematics.
The Staff Hall of Fame Award is presented to a current, former, or retired LSSC staff member who has/had noteworthy accomplishments during their career at LSSC while exercising exemplary service to the advancement of LSSC.
The 2019 Staff Hall of Fame Award recipient is Andrea Brooks ’04, Assistant Director of Admissions.
The Trustee Hall of Fame Award is presented to a current or former member of LSSC’s District Board of Trustees who has gone above and beyond in their service to the College and commitment to the advancement of LSSC and its missions.
The 2019 Trustee Hall of Fame Award recipient is Peter F. Wahl, the current chair of the District Board of Trustees.
The Athletics Hall of Fame Award is presented to an LSSC alumni, current or former coach, administrator, or community member who has contributed positively and significantly to LSSC’s Athletics programs and its student athletes.
The 2019 Athletics Hall of Fame Award recipient is Dr. Robert Westrick, who was the 4th president of LSSC from 1993-2002.