News Article

Edison to Honor 1,186 Graduates May 3, 4

Apr 27, 2012

In a period of two days in May, nearly 1,200 students will march to “Pomp and Circumstance” to receive their bachelor’s or associate’s degrees, or professional certifications.

The first ceremony honors the Charlotte Campus graduates on Thursday, May 3 at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The commencement speaker is W. Cort Frohlich.

On Friday, May 4, the Lee Campus and Hendry/Glades Center graduates will be honored at Germain Arena in Estero. The commencement speaker is Porter Goss.

The Collier Campus graduation ceremony is Friday, May 4 at The Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples. The commencement speaker is Michael Reagen.

“This is an incredibly special time for our students, who along with their family and friends celebrate achieving their educational goals and taking the next steps in their lives,” said J. Dudley Goodlette, Interim District President. “This is a proud moment for our students, our community and all of us at Edison State College.”

About the Commencement Speakers:

W. Cort Frohlich graduated from Wake Forest University in 1973, and from the University of Florida School of Law in 1976, where he was managing editor of the Law Review. Mr. Frohlich has been practicing law continuously in Charlotte County since 1976. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar and is nationally certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well. He was lead counsel in a jury trial which resulted in the largest known civil jury verdict in the history of Charlotte County. He currently serves as Charlotte Campus Board Chairman for the Edison State College Foundation, and is a Board member at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care.

Porter Goss is the Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and in 2005, he became the first Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under the newly signed Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. He continued as D/CIA until May 26, 2006. Mr. Goss served as the Congressman representing Southwest Florida for nearly 16 years. His congressional career focused on the environment, House ethics, senior issues, health care reform and the Rules Committee. He was a leader on Everglade's legislation and takes great pride in the passage of the Ricky Ray Bill, which offered relief to victims who contracted HIV through a contaminated blood supply. Mr. Goss was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2006. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical Greek from Yale University, graduating with high honors.

Michael V. (Mike) Reagen was named President of The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and President of the Leadership Collier Foundation in 2002. He earned a Ph.D. (Syracuse University), an M.S. (University of Illinois), and a B.S. with honors (Fordham University). The author/editor of three books and 42 publications, he is an alumnus of The Senior State and Local Government Executive Program, JFK Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University). Dr. Reagan advises the Council for International Visitors, the Civic Information Center and the Naples Press Club, and is a member of the One Hundred Club, The Greater Naples Illini Club, Syracuse University Alumni, and the World Affairs Council. Gulfshore Life magazine honored him in 2008 as one of the Men of the Year and in 2009 as a ‘Man of Distinction.’

Last Updated: April 27, 2012