News Article

Helphenstine Appointed to Edison College District Board of Trustees

Aug 8, 2008

JoAnn P. Helphenstine of Punta Gorda has been appointed to the Edison College District Board of Trustees by Governor Charlie Crist. Helphenstine, President of Palm Automotive Management, Inc., succeeds Enid Gorvine for a term beginning August 7, 2008 and ending May 31, 2010.

Helphenstine has been a very active member of the Edison College Foundation, serving on the Finance Committee for the past five years. She and her husband, Robert, established Palm Automotive in 1955. An active partner in the business since its inception, Helphenstine stepped into an even larger role following her husband's death in 2002.

"Mrs. Helphenstine has provided outstanding stewardship and leadership as a member of the Foundation board, and I know she will approach her college trustee responsibilities with the same enthusiasm and due diligence," said Walker.

Reappointed as college trustees are Randall T. Parrish, Jr., O.D., of LaBelle, and Julia G. Perry of Clewiston. Both will serve four terms ending May 31, 2012.

The Edison College District Board of Trustees is charged with the responsibility for exercising maximum, local autonomy to establish rules, policies, and procedures to make certain the College is meeting the changing post-secondary educational needs of the community and is reflecting the community's values in fulfilling the College mission. Edison College, a state college, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees and certificates. Approximately 17,000 credit seeking students are served annually through full service campuses in Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Naples, outreach centers in LaBelle and Clewiston and through Edison Online.

Additional information may be obtained through the college website, www.edison.edu.

Last Updated: August 8, 2008