| Edison State College Featured Alumni Profiles |
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James D. Schulz, Ed.D.
Community Education Specialist, Argosy University
James D. Schulz (AA, 1984), recently returned to Edison College's Lee Campus, but this time the purpose was to build community educational alliances with Sarasota-based Argosy University. Schulz' worldly education started as an Army Brat, living in points across the globe including Germany and Hawaii. He attended four high schools and discovered Edison College when his father retired to the area in the early 1980s.
With his AA degree and an ROTC scholarship in hand, Schulz enrolled at the University of Miami and was commissioned as an Army Officer upon graduation in 1986. The next 11 years brought more world travel as he worked as a military police officer and army recruiting commander. In 1997, following his final assignment as a department head and instructor at the military police school, Schulz accepted a position as the Criminal Justice Policy Coordinator for Sarasota County, Florida. He completed his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership at Argosy University last year and was tapped to fill the University's new Community Education Specialist position.
Dr. Schulz fondly recalls Edison College faculty, the original campus buildings, and student leadership positions including service as Student Government Senator, Vice President, Chair of the Committee of 20, President of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, and member of Phi Beta Lambda. But when asked his favorite Edison College memory he promptly replied, "I met my wife here."
"I learned so many things while attending Edison Community College, things that I have used throughout my life: work hard, get involved, take charge, and have fun."
Dr. Schulz and his wife Linda (nee Cioffi, AA, 1984) live in Venice with their three daughters.
SUYA DAVENPORT
Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau
When people across the globe think of Southwest Florida, they imagine relaxing in the warm, tropical sunshine on endless sandy beaches. That mental image is one of Suya Davenport's favorites.
As Executive Director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Davenport promotes alluring images and services that will make people want to flock to our little corner of paradise. Charged with providing innovative leadership and developing strategic plans and partnerships to grow tourism, she plays an important role in growing the economy of Southwest Florida.
Davenport's rise to the top started with a scholarship that changed the course of her life. "I originally had no desire to attend college, but since I had this opportunity, I gave it a try." While a full-time student at Edison, she also worked full time in retail. "It wasn't until I attended Edison that I realized how important a college education would be." Davenport went on to earn her bachelor's degree in marketing with an emphasis on management from the University of South Florida.
"Without the teachers, counselors and students I met at Edison, I would not have had the desire to continue my education and gain an interest in sales and marketing, which eventually led me to the hospitality industry and the career path I enjoy."
BERT F. HAMILTON
Entrepreneur, Leading National Shipping Software Publisher
Whenever you have packages delivered to your door, it's likely that local successful Edison College alumni had something to do with labeling and tracking it.
Bert Hamilton, who graduated from Edison in 1978, co-founded Harvey Software, Inc., the innovative software that allows businesses to weigh, price shop, label and track parcels shipped by carriers like UPS, FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service. Harvey Software's clients include hundreds of retailers, Internet retailers and manufacturers, including an impressive list of heavy-weights: Wal-Mart, Honda Direct Line, Alibris, Milwaukee
Tools, Atlanta Thread, Coats & Clark, Scotts Liquid Gold, Parker Hannifin, Christopher Morgan and Byram Health to name a few. They also include thousands of small to medium size businesses looking for reliable, cost-effective, seamless shipping solutions that help them optimize their parcel shipping.
Hamilton, along with Harvey Software, Inc., which has been doing business in Southwest Florida since 1983, is a strong supporter of local business development, government, education, environment and community improvement.
Hamilton's early experience at Edison College helped prepare him to develop and grow his company. "Edison College is an important asset that helps students prepare for real world employment. I still go back and take classes occasionally just to help keep me on top of ever changing times."
FERMIN DIAZ, PE
Civil Engineer and President of WilsonMiller, Naples
Fermin Diaz, professional engineer, is proof that the American Dream exists. At the age of 14, the Cuban-born Diaz was sent to live with relatives in the United States and ended up in Naples in 1969. By the time his parents could join him in the United States, Diaz had worked his way through an AA degree in pre-engineering at Edison. In fact, a night class at Edison marked a turning point in Diaz's career. A fellow student, the wife of a founder of the Naples-based firm, WilsonMiller, was impressed with Diaz's work ethic and abilities. The engineering and design firm, which has guided award-winning master-planning and public infrastructure projects throughout Florida, hired Diaz.
That was over thirty years ago. Today, with a degree in civil engineering and countless awards to his credit, Diaz is president of the company that took him on as an eager young entry-level engineer. WilsonMiller is consistently named one of the top design firms in the nation, and locally, has earned the reputation as one of the "best places to work," according to the Economic Development Council of Collier County. The company's Rural Lands Stewardship Plan has become a model for rural planning around the country. Gulfshore Life magazine recognized WilsonMiller as "Outstanding Large Business" in its 2005 Philanthropists of the Year awards.
With all these accolades (and more!), Diaz is an enthusiastic mentor and supporter of young people, and WilsonMiller's philanthropic efforts focus on education. "Providing education is one of the most important things we can do for our youth," says Diaz. "My experience was that Edison focused on providing a good education to students. The caliber of the professors that I was fortunate to have provided me with the foundation that I needed to complete my career goals."
David Milliron.
Expert in Database Journalism
A respected authority on database reporting and analysis, Edison alumnus David Milliron has over 20 years of experience in investigative reporting, print and online journalism.
Milliron graduated from Edison College in 1989, where he was president of the student body, a district coordinator in the Florida Junior/Community Colleges Student Government Association, editor of the college newspaper, and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. While pursuing a degree in journalism at the University of Florida, he was a staff writer for The Communigator alumni magazine and twice received UF's President's Award for outstanding service to the university and community.
After working as a crime reporter for The News-Press in Fort Myers, he became special projects and database editor for Gannett News Service in Washington. He also held positions at The Tampa Tribune and The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Milliron is currently vice president of media services at Caspio, Inc., delivering
database solutions to news outlets around the globe. His active community involvement continues as a city commissioner in Avondale Estates (Ga.), an adjunct journalism professor at Emory University, an elementary school English tutor, and a staunch advocate of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, a non-profit organization that advances open government and freedom of information.
"Edison College provided me the foundation I needed to become a successful journalist and civic leader. The time and commitment faculty and staff afforded me outside the classroom was priceless in helping me become the successful person I am today. The professors truly take a vested interest in ensuring the success of every student that comes into their classroom. I will be eternally grateful to the late Marilyn R. McSheehy, the college's long-time student activities coordinator, for she had the single most impact on my success at Edison."
Randall T. Parrish, Jr., O.D.
LaBelle Optometrist and
Member of the Edison College District Board of Trustees
LaBelle optometrist Randall T. "Randy" Parrish is looking to the future. As an Edison alumnus and a member of the College's District Board of Trustees, he has his sights set on breaking ground for a permanent campus in Hendry County, possibly as early as 2010.
"It's an 80- to 100-mile commute round trip from Clewiston to Edison's Lee campus," Parrish says. "A campus close to home would bring a brighter future to generations of students and ensure that our most precious asset-talented, hard-working young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow remain in our community."
The Parrish family is a perfect example. Several members have completed their degrees at Edison, including Randy's son, Jordan, who graduated from Edison and is following in his father's footsteps to become an optometrist. Randy's brother, Tom, another alum, is an optician in the family practice and the office manager. Dr. Lamar Youmans, Randy's cousin and business partner, is also an Edison grad.
Parrish wants local students to have the opportunities he received while completing his pre-optometry requirements at Edison before transferring to the University of Florida, and later, the Southern College of Optometry. "Edison was a very good college experience," he says. "The classes were small, and the professors knew you as an individual, not a number. I'd do it again the same way."
TIZIANA GANDOLFO
Foreign Credential Evaluator, Miami, Florida
A 2002 Phi Theta Kappa graduate who made the All-Florida Academic Team, Tiziana Gandolfo draws on her own experiences as a foreign exchange student to help others who share her dream. Born in Tunisia, North Africa, she grew up in France and moved to Florida when her father, a Motorola executive, was transferred.
"I arrived in the United States in November 2000 and started my first semester at Edison in January 2001. Everything was new to me, everything was life changing. One of the most thrilling challenges of my life happened when the Collier Campus Provost invited me to speak at graduation. After some speech training and a lot of rehearsal, I performed so well that even my father couldn't believe his daughter was speaking."
Tiziana went on to earn her bachelor's degree in psychology from FGCU, working in the international services department, telling others of the importance of a good education.
Today, she works for Josef Silny Associates in Miami as a foreign credential evaluator while she completes her master's degree in educational leadership.
Darol H. M. Carr, J.D.
From Student to Chairman of the Board
Edison College alum Darol H. M. Carr is a civil trial attorney with the firm of Farr, Farr, Emerich, Hackett and Carr, P.A. in Punta Gorda. While at Edison he was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society and Florida student recipient of the 1978 Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
"When I returned from the military, Edison was there offering an open opportunity to initiate a college education. Edison is an exceptional place to start an education in pursuit of any professional endeavor. It has been my distinct privilege to serve Edison and ensure that it remains ready to provide our community educational excellence".
In 2002, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Carr to Edison College's nine member district Board of Trustees. He was elected and served as Trustee Chairman in 2005. He also has served as an Edison adjunct professor and member of Edison College Foundation's Board from 1991 to 1998.
Carr earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from the University of South Florida in 1980 and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University in 1983. While at Georgetown Law School he held a staff position with the American Criminal Law Review and instructed legal writing and research.
He served on the 20th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee from 2001 to 2006, acting as Chairman in 2003-2004. The Supreme Court of Florida has admitted Carr to all courts of the State of Florida, and he is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous Federal Courts including the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and Middle District of Florida. He is a member and past President of the Charlotte County Bar Association and held membership in the Association of Trial Lawyers of American and the Florida Trial Lawyers Association.
Carr has served on the board of numerous local non-profit organizations. He currently acts as Chairman of the Board of the National Bicycle League, a national not for profit organization. He served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1976.
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