The College of Central Florida will hold its spring 2019 commencement Friday, May 3, with two ceremonies to honor graduates. Both ceremonies will be held at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 S.E. Maricamp Road. Tickets will be required for guests to attend and live streaming of the ceremony will be available.

At 3 p.m., students receiving certificates, Associate in Science and bachelor’s degrees will be recognized. The second ceremony, for students receiving an Associate in Arts, will begin at 6 p.m.

For the second time in CF history, tickets will be required for guests to attend the ceremonies to ensure adequate seating for everyone. For four years, CF has split May graduation into two ceremonies to accommodate the greatest number of guests possible. Each graduate who attends the ceremony will receive at least four tickets, and additional tickets may become available as students turn in those that they will not use. Since 2013, CF’s spring graduation ceremonies have been held at First Baptist Church of Ocala, the largest indoor venue in Marion County.

“We take great pride in the accomplishments of our graduates and look forward to commencement ceremonies,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “Every graduate deserves the opportunity to have someone in the audience to celebrate their achievement. We wish that we could allow an unlimited number of guests, but safety codes limit our capacity. Tickets are the most equitable way to ensure each graduate has someone in attendance.”

In addition to student speakers, the commencement address will be delivered by Kevin Sheilley, President/CEO of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership. John S. and Shirley B. Rudnianyn will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

For more information about CF graduation or to access the live stream, visit www.CF.edu/graduation.

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus will celebrate local veterans in the Citrus Speaks Veteran Voices auditory-visual display on Tuesday, April 23, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Citrus Learning and Conference Center at the Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto. The program will start at 12:45 p.m. and there is no fee to attend the exhibit.

This auditory-visual display will feature listening stations with sound bites from the recordings as captured by CF students of eight veterans living in Citrus county, as well as a poster presentation based on the oral histories and some commemorative speeches. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Chelsea Watts at 352-746-6721, ext. 6197.

The College of Central Florida Citrus Campus will celebrate local veterans in the Citrus Speaks Veteran Voices auditory-visual display on Tuesday, April 23, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Citrus Learning and Conference Center at the Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto. The program will start at 12:45 p.m. and there is no fee to attend the exhibit.

This auditory-visual display will feature listening stations with sound bites from the recordings as captured by CF students of eight veterans living in Citrus county, as well as a poster presentation based on the oral histories and some commemorative speeches. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Chelsea Watts at 352-746-6721, ext. 6197.

The College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department will host “Sing, Sing, Sing,” a jazz concert Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dassance Fine Arts Center at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Enjoy the classics of swing band music juxtaposed against contemporary percussion compositions. The CF Percussion Ensemble, directed by John Wallace, will open the event and be featured in multiple collaborations with the Jazz Band. Additionally, enjoy the intricacies of jazz in the combo setting with the Patriot Blues Jazz Combo. This group directed by Greg Snider specializes in improvisation and group musical communication and has composed specific music for this concert.

Snider, a CF adjunct professor for saxophone, clarinet and jazz, directs the jazz band, jazz combo and saxophone ensemble. He was recently awarded a master’s in music education with a focus on jazz studies from the University of Florida. He holds a master’s in music in saxophone performance, also from UF.

Wallace has been a Visual and Performing Arts Department percussion adjunct professor since 2015 and is director of the CF Percussion Ensemble. He started his musical education at CF and transferred to Florida Southern College where he earned a bachelor of music and later a master of music from the University of Florida. Most recently, Wallace has become a principal percussionist with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Lakeland. He plays professionally with the Florida Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Orchestra and other professional orchestras throughout Florida.

Admission to the concert is $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students. CF students, faculty and staff are free with valid ID. For tickets and more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810 or visit tickets.cf.edu. The box office is located in the lobby of the Fine Arts Center and is open from 1-4 p.m. and an hour before show time.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union is a proud partner of the College of Central Florida and the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810, or visit Tickets.cf.edu.

The College of Central Florida Corporate College is hosting an equine summer camp for students in middle and high school June 10-13 from 9 a.m. to noon. The camp will be held at Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala. Registration fee is $130.

The camp will introduce middle and high school students to the world of equine science. Students with a passion for horses will improve their confidence, knowledge and experience around horses while gaining insight into the multi-faceted world of equine science. Students will be introduced to the variety of international equine sports that are represented in Ocala as well as the relationship between these activities and the supporting industry that accounts for almost a quarter of the local economy. Riding lessons are not part of the curriculum.

Register online at CF.edu/CorporateCollege, or call CF Corporate College at 352-873-5855.

The College of Central Florida’s Equine Studies program will present an Equine Education Day on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave, Ocala.

Attendees will learn and practice skills needed to be successful in the equine industry. Workshops on a variety of topics will include hay evaluation, body condition scoring, feed management, basic first aid and routine veterinary care, and more.

“This event is an entirely student organized and conducted event, designed to showcase the Equine Studies program and Vintage Farm,” said Dr. Judy Downer, Equine Studies professors and program coordinator. “The students are in their final semester of the baccalaureate degree in Business and Organizational Management Equine Studies Specialization, and this is part of their Capstone course, designed to be a culmination of their educational experience.”

Admission is $40 in advance and $50 for walk-ins. Lunch is included.

For more information, contact Kaitlyn Grimes at grimesk@patriots.cf.edu, or visit cf.edu/equineeducation.

The College of Central Florida was recently named a proud partner with CAMPUS USA Credit Union. As part of the partnership agreement, which will provide CF with $50,000 annually for five years, CAMPUS USA will be recognized as the premier sponsor and partner for the college and Foundation events and programs.

“CAMPUS USA has been a great friend to CF for several years and this new partnership agreement will add value to our college and community,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, president College of Central Florida. “Their gift will support our CF Reaching Higher comprehensive campaign.”

The CF Foundation’s Reaching Higher Campaign includes raising $8.5 million for scholarships to continue its mission to make higher education accessible and affordable to all. The Foundation also plans on raising $7 million for capital and new program initiatives in CF’s Health Sciences Department, and raising $1 million for enhancing the Appleton Museum of Art exhibition and educational programs so visitors have a first-class experience when viewing the museum’s world-class artwork and artifacts.

“This new partnership will provide funds for scholarships, which are the center of what we do at the CF Foundation,” said Chris Knife, executive director of the Foundation. “CAMPUS USA has been a supporter of student scholarships at the college, and through this partnership they will continue to help students.”

“We see the value CF brings to the community and felt that it was the perfect partner for CAMPUS USA. Making higher education more accessible to the students and families in our communities makes us all stronger and we are excited to help that mission any way we can,” said Jerry Benton, CEO CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union was originally chartered in 1935 as Gainesville Florida Campus Federal Credit Union, and was the first credit union on a U.S. College Campus. CAMPUS serves over 100,000 members from all over the world.

CF offers more than 140 academic pathways including college credit certificates, postsecondary adult vocational programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees. Several programs, including the Associate in Arts, can be completed online. The CF Foundation has more than 400 scholarships, 363 of them endowed, for CF students in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.

The College of Central Florida Wind Symphony will present a free spring concert on Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. and the CF Patriot Singers and Chamber Choir will perform on Wednesday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dassance Fine Arts Center at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

The Wind Symphony concert will be conducted by John D. Ash, associate professor of music in the Visual and Performing Arts Department. The Patriot Singers and Chamber Choir will present their program directed by Jason Longtin, assistant professor of music in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

Tickets are not required for these free performances. For more information, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union is a proud partner of the College of Central Florida and the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

The College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department will present a chamber music concert Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at the Webber Center, Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

The annual spring chamber concert features the Saxophone Ensemble, under the direction of Gregory Snider; the Trumpet Ensemble, led by Andrew Moore; and the Percussion Ensemble, led by John Wallace. Light refreshments will be served.

“The concert offers audiences a mix of CF ensembles and instruments in the intimacy of the conference center at the Webber Center. Come out to enjoy the music,” said Dr. Sarah Satterfield, professor of music for the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

Admission to the concert is $12 for adults, $6 for non-CF students. CF student, faculty and staff are free with valid ID.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the CF Box Office at 352-873-5810, or visit Tickets.cf.edu.

CAMPUS USA Credit Union is a proud partner of the College of Central Florida and the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

The College of Central Florida has announced the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. John S. Rudnianyn and Shirley B. Rudnianyn will be honored at a reception on April 4 at the Appleton Museum of Art and at CF’s spring commencement on May 3.

Recipients are selected based on peer recommendations and notable accomplishments in the community and in their careers. The CF Alumni Association has recognized 28 Distinguished Alumni since the award began in 1996.

The Rudnianyns have supported numerous local nonprofit organizations over the years, including the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership’s Leadership Ocala Marion Youth program, 4-H and the Future Farmers of America, the Marion County Literacy Council, United Way of Marion County, Operation Hope, Friends of the Library and the Reilly Arts Center. Additionally, the Rudnianyns open their farm in northwest Marion County every year to host the agriculture education session for LOMY participants.

They are both graduates of the College of Central Florida and lifelong residents of Marion County. Their three children were raised and work and live in Ocala. They have built numerous successful development projects and businesses, and have made it a point to give back generously to their community, whether through purchasing livestock at the local Southeastern Youth Fair, helping make possible the construction of the Freedom Library, or assisting with government acquisition of numerous conservation lands. Together they are a true homegrown success story.

“Our Distinguished Alumni honorees are great examples of what it means to be a CF Patriot, each one making a unique and lasting impact in their community. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments with CF alumni and friends,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president.

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Award or to nominate someone for next year, please contact Elvie Tyler, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving coordinator at the CF Foundation, at tylere@cf.edu or 352-573-5808, ext. 1726.