News Article

Bob Graham Award Presentation

May 13, 2011

May 13, 2011 –

Lee Campus

Edison State College Student Government Association presents Dr. Kenneth P. Walker with Bob Graham Award

Edison State College Student Government Association members from Lee and Collier campuses will present Dr. Kenneth Walker, District President, with the prestigious Bob Graham Award.

The public, media, and the College students and staff are invited to attend the presentation at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16^th at the clock-tower at Taeni Hall (Building S), Edison State College, 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers.

John Quincy Adams stated, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” As a leader who puts students first, Dr.  Kenneth Walker was chosen for the Bob Graham award in recognition of his distinguished service to a state college. Nominations were received statewide from Student Government Associations for this lifetime achievement award which is considered the highest recognition bestowed by The Florida Junior/Community Colleges Student Government Association (FJCCSGA). This award is presented to a nominee for their caring nature, truly typifying the “community college spirit”, and one who has “provided the right ingredients” to their College campus to “make it a great place and a better place to learn.” 

 “I am honored by this tribute of esteem from the Edison State College students that I serve, as there is no greater honor than to be recognized by those you serve,” President Walker said. “My heart has always been with our students first and foremost. They are an inspiration to me as I strive everyday to be a better leader, remembering that the reason I am here is to help these students who need the opportunities extended to them through an open-access four-year state college. “ 

For the second consecutive year, the Student Government Association (SGA) at Edison State College Collier Campus won three of the four prestigious Bob Graham Awards during the annual Florida Junior/Community Colleges Student Government Association Year-End Conference. The other award winning categories were the Advisor Category: Sue Buntic; and Community Supporter Category:  Jennifer Smith, from the Collier County Health Department.

This is the fifth year in a row that Collier Campus SGA members have won this award. The achievement is a first in the 54 years of FJCCSGA history.

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Celebrating nearly 50 years of excellence, Edison State College is Southwest Florida’s largest, most established, accessible and affordable institution of higher education. Edison State serves more than 24,000 students yearly in five counties and through the Edison Online virtual campus. For more information visit www.edison.edu.

For media inquiries contact Meg Hawthorne, Public Information Specialist at Edison State College (Lee Campus) 239-489-9306 or mahawthorne@edison.edu.

Last Updated: May 13, 2011