ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Dutch Holland
Dutch Holland, now studying mechanical engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), says the most valuable thing he learned (as a student) is that every day is an opportunity to learn more.
MEET DUTCH
E. J. Guzman
E. J. Guzman, Chief of Police, Green Cove Police Dept., enrolled at SJR State to complete the Law Enforcement Academy so he could fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer.
MEET E. J.
Jason Shaw
Palatka Police Department Chief of Police Jason Shaw is a graduate of SJR State and the College’s Law Enforcement Academy.
MEET JASON
Stephen Singleton
By starting at SJR State, Stephen was able to build study habits and time management skills that made him successful in his future academic endeavors.
MEET STEPHEN
Callie Brauman
Callie obtained her Associate of Arts degree at SJR State on her way to furthering her studies to become a Livestock Product Specialist.
MEET CALLIE
Matt Reynolds
Matt is a 2004 graduate who began his studies as a dual enrollment student. He is currently the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Putnam County.
MEET MATT
Jonathan Roberts
Jonathan began his collegiate journey at St. Johns River State College (SJR State) and believes that “all students should first start their journey at SJR State.
MEET JONATHAN
Stacie Branam
Stacie, a 2007 graduate, is Senior Community Health Nursing Director at the Putnam County Health Department.
MEET STACIE
Robin Cleary
Now a ESE Paraprofessional and Registered Behavior Technician, Robin wanted to work in education for as long as she can remember.
MEET ROBIN
Roshonda Phillips
As a high school dropout, Roshonda’s story of personal triumph begins with her decision to earn her GED. She then enrolled in SJR State’s nursing program and persevered until she earned a doctorate of nursing practice.
MEET ROSHONDA
Mallory Scott
My interest in health information technology came from my love for the medical field. I knew I didn’t want to be a “hands-on” professional, but I wanted to still care for patients.
MEET MALLORY
Amanda Owens
Her grandfather inspired her to become a respiratory therapist due to his history of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
MEET AMANDA
Staci Damato
Staci Damato loves her job as a country approval specialist at Pharmaceutical Product Development.
MEET STACI
Jennifer Sherman
Jennifer Sherman landed her "dream job" as a 2nd grade teacher after training in SJR State's Early Childhood Education program.
MEET JENNIFER
Eddie Anderson
Retired attorney Eddie Anderson says that he is “proof that a kid in America can start pretty much at the bottom and still become a success, if he or she has some get-up-and-go, some basic smarts, and some pride and ambition.
MEET EDDIE
Sheriff Gator DeLoach
As a lifelong resident of Putnam County, it has always been important to Sheriff Gator DeLoach to establish personal and professional roots within the community.
MEET GATOR
Joy Herring
Joy Herring finds great joy serving in the field of nursing. As vice president of clinical analytics with Health Care Management Group, Joy says, “I am so blessed to be given the opportunity to care for people.
MEET JOY
Swinita (Suni) Moore
"When the respiratory program was starting at SJR State, I was looking to do something with all of the previous health and science classes I took. There were several nurses and doctors in my family, and I didn't want to do either of those. I just wanted to do something different."
MEET SWINITA
David Cummings
Dr. David Cummings got his start at St. Johns River State College as a dual-enrollment student before transferring to the University of Florida and ultimately earning his M.D. from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2012.
MEET DAVID
Rian Giddings
My time at SJR State prepared me well for launching into an IT career soon after I graduated. Today, it serves as a solid foundation of knowledge and experience for continuing to develop and expand upon my skills as an IT professional.
MEET RIAN
Logan Becker
There are many employees (faculty, staff and administration) who went the extra mile to help me and guide me. I wouldn't be where I am today without SJR State. And, for that, I am forever thankful.
MEET LOGAN
Glehn Von Loh
During the Fall of 2016, I interned at the Office of Korean Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. It was an international relations student’s dream come true, as I felt like I was at the forefront of foreign policy.
MEET GLEHN
Delonja Duncan
After receiving a full African-American scholarship to St. Johns River State College, Delonja Duncan completed her Associate in Arts degree and went on to study at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).
MEET DELONJA
Blankenbiller Sisters
This week, St. Johns River State College is honoring THREE of its own in an alumni salute, celebrating the career milestones, community contributions and personal reflections of three sisters who began their collegiate journey as SJR State Vikings.
MEET THE BLANKENBILLER SISTERS
Tera Gwaldis
Tera Gwaldis received three degrees from St. Johns River State College before returning to the College in 2016, not as a student, but as a clinical instructor for the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program.
MEET TERA
Chase Mason
As a child, Chase Mason spent hundreds of hours exploring places such as the tide pools of the Matanzas Inlet and the remote parts of Ravine Gardens.
MEET CHASE
Stanley Bishop
As a member of the Future Business Leaders of America in junior high and high school, Stanley Bishop knew he wanted to become a business owner.
MEET STANLEY
Robley Davis
As Robley Davis prepares to retire from 36 years of brightening smiles, a big smile lights up her face as she reflects on the many “wonderful people” she has met as patients over the years.
MEET ROBLEY
Ben Brotemarkle
After receiving his Associate degree in music/voice performance from FloArts in 1983, Ben went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College.
MEET BEN
Lacie Silcox Klann
As a student worker in the Foundation office at St. Johns River State College, Lacie Klann was introduced to the field of nonprofit fundraising.
MEET LACIE
Josh Brown
A conversation with one of his St. Johns River State College professors led Josh Brown to a career as a pharmacist.
MEET JOSH
Lauren Taylor
Growing up with a love of hunting, fishing and the great outdoors, Lauren Taylor is thrilled to work as an officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
MEET LAUREN
Ernie "Bubba" Silcox
After taking many dual-enrollment classes at St. Johns River State College, Ernie “Bubba” Silcox said he knew it made sense to continue on the path to earning his A.A. degree.
MEET ERNIE
Veronica Charltray
The quality of education she received at St. Johns River State College inspired Veronica Charltray to enroll in the College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
MEET VERONICA
Matt Pennington
If former student-athlete Matthew Pennington could repeat his time at St. Johns River State College, he wouldn’t change a thing about it.
MEET MATT
Alena King Lawson
Alena King Lawson is a hands-on, service-oriented leader with several notable firsts.
MEET ALENA
Josephine Brown
Josephine (Josie) Brown, a first generation college student, recalls a quote she heard time and time again when she attended St. Johns River State College, "Shoot for the moon, for if you miss, you will land among the stars."
MEET JOSEPHINE
Doug Valenti
Doug Valenti graduated from SJR State in 1966 and spent 32 years as an educator in the Putnam County School District.
MEET DOUG
Andy Hall
Although Andy Hall felt he was already destined for a newspaper career prior to studying at St. Johns River State College, he said that his “experience at the College helped cement” his career choice.
MEET ANDY
Aubrie Simpson
Not only did the former Ms. St. Johns County Forestry Queen Aubrie Simpson receive her Associate in Arts degree, cum laude, from St. Johns River State College, she also received nine student awards, including being inducted into the SJR State Hall of Fame.
MEET AUBRIE
Bruce Butler
In his role as a federal wildlife zone officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bruce Butler frequently travels across the country, from his home base in San Juan, Puerto Rico to as far as Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
MEET BRUCE
John Rowe
John Rowe discovered that he had a passion for accounting while earning his Associate in Arts degree at St. Johns River State College.
MEET JOHN
Leon Hunter
Inspired by his father’s work as a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, Leon Hunter decided to serve his community by pursuing a career in law.
MEET LEON
Patrick Maxcy
Patrick Maxcy is certainly no reflection of his favorite quote, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent” from the movie “A Bronx Tale.”
MEET PATRICK
Rick Beseler
For more than 40 years, Sheriff Rick Beseler has strived to provide security and stability in Clay County through his work in the criminal justice field.
MEET RICK
Bill Garrison
Bill Garrison was a successful real estate developer for 25 years until the economic recession forced him to reconsider his career options.
MEET BILL
Greg Baker
Greg Baker earned a respectable reputation in St. Augustine for his expertise in the insurance industry and for his 45 years of work with the Thompson Bailey Agency. His journey began when he graduated from SJR State with his Associate in Arts degree in 1967.
MEET GREG
Allana Alexander
Allana Alexander’s curiosity about medicine and passion for helping others began at an early age as she watched her mother work at her hometown drugstore and assisted with her grandmother’s health care.
MEET ALLANA
Ryan Blanco
For the past 11 years, Ryan Blanco, R.Ph. has been voted the best local pharmacist in St. Augustine. Ryan’s journey to become one of the many well-respected pharmacists in the city began when he enrolled in SJR State’s dual enrollment program as a high school student.
MEET RYAN
Mike Patterson
For more than 30 years, Mike Patterson has dedicated his life to helping others. He began his career as a firefighter and paramedic, before rising through the chain of command to become Putnam County’s Chief of Emergency Medical Services.
MEET MIKE
David Shoar
For more than 30 years, Sheriff David Shoar has kept his promise to serve and protect his community. After graduating first in his police academy class, Sheriff Shoar began his career with the City of St. Augustine, serving as a patrol officer for 10 years.
MEET DAVID
Roger Suggs
Roger Suggs’ extensive career in the assessment/appraisal field includes serving as the assistant Clay County Property Appraiser and as the regional supervisor for the Florida Department of Revenue.
MEET ROGER
Chereese Stewart
Chereese Stewart began her college trek as a student-athlete, enrolling at SJR State with a softball scholarship.
MEET CHEREESE
Daniel Franzese
After attending the Florida School of the Arts, Daniel Franzese quickly jumped into the acting world with his first appearance in “Bully” (2001).
MEET DANIEL
Jason Dunning
As a child, a fear of thunderstorms sparked Jason Dunning’s interest in weather. This, combined with a love for the art of telecommunication, led him to a career in broadcast meteorology.
MEET JASON
Tina Gordon
Tina Gordon’s love for environmental science began during a visit to Anastasia State Park where she saw a turtle nesting and was instantly awed by the sight.
MEET TINA
Ron Brown
Following a brief stint as a college speech and debate team coach that ignited his talent for debate, Ron Brown, J.D., has dedicated more than 27 years to public law and local government - a gratifying career....
MEET RON
Charlie Douglas
Since his graduation from SJR State in 2001, Charlie Douglas has been making big waves in the legal world.
MEET CHARLIE
Rebecca Faunce O'Leary
Dr. Rebecca Faunce O’Leary took her knack for science and her desire to help others and pursued an education in dental medicine.
MEET REBECCA
Lori Wagner
Since the beginning of her collegiate journey, Lori possessed the admirable ability to balance her responsibilities as a wife, mother, student and full-time employee.
MEET LORI
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