The University of North Florida will hand out more than 1,300 degrees Friday as part of its spring commencement. That includes honoring several students with outstanding volunteerism records and one with a posthumous degree.
Morgan MacIntyre, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, will be recognized with the Senior Service Award, given to a graduating senior for service to the university or community.
Sara Gaver, a junior majoring in health administration, will receive the Albert D. Ernest Jr. Caring Award, given to a student who “demonstrates the spirit of caring, humanitarianism and volunteerism” exemplified by the award’s namesake.
Kaitlyn Schwantes, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, will receive the Bill and Angie Halamandaris Caring Internship. She’ll spend nine weeks this summer interning at the Heart of America Foundation in Washington, D.C., and is a certified advocate for domestic violence awareness.
UNF also will award Garth Sangree, a senior who passed away in January after a kayaking accident, a posthumous bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His parent, Mark and Lisa Sangree, will accept the award.
The university expects to award a total of 1,548 bachelor’s degrees, 216 master’s degrees and 34 doctorates this term.
Stellar employees named to AIA Jacksonville board
Two Stellar employees have been appointed to the American Institute of Architects Jacksonville board of directors for 2015.
Architect Jennifer Suharmadji was named secretary, while Stellar Vice President Tony Lamell was named a chapter delegate to the AIA Florida board of directors.
For Suharmadji, it’s her first year on the board. Lamell has been involved with the group more than 20 years.
Stellar is a worldwide design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm based in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville earning title as ‘Track City’
The city will host two national and one state championship along with five collegiate meets this year, a schedule that has some calling the First Coast “Track City.”
The events will be presented at Hodges Stadium on the University of North Florida campus over the coming months.
Combined, the eight will have a local economic impact of more than $25 million, with hotel occupancy rates expected to exceed 85 percent the weekend of the NCAA and Junior Olympic events. Those figures come from Visit Jacksonville.
The running starts this weekend with the Florida High School State Championships, followed by the UNF team competing May 8.
A week later, championship season starts with Atlantic Sun Conference Outdoor Track and Field, with all eight conference teams competing. At the end of the month, the NCAA East Preliminary meet takes place, which will have more than 800 participants competing for a spot in the national championships.
They’ll be followed by the USA Masters Championship on July 23 and the Junior Olympic Track and Field Championship July 27. Then the Junior Olympics and its anticipated 10,000 participants hit the track Aug. 2.
Jacksonville dips from No. 1 to No. 58 in study
In about a year, Jacksonville has dropped from being the best city to start a business to the high 50s nationwide.
WalletHub’s 2015 edition of its “Best Cities to Start a Business” was released this week, showing the tumble.
Methodology included categories of access to resources, such as financing, office space and employee available, along with the overall business environment consisting of taxes, cost of living, workforce education and more.
Jacksonville placed No. 66 for access and No. 58 for business environment.
Jaguars name draft winners
The Jacksonville Jaguars are rewarding two fans, one in the U.S. and one in England, with the honor of announcing upcoming NFL draft picks.
Seth Studer, of Jacksonville, will announce the team’s fourth- and fifth-round picks Saturday, doing so from the north deck of the stadium at EverBank Field.
London will be the first city outside the U.S. to partake in announcing picks, when George Bedford does so for the team’s sixth- and seventh round picks from a TV studio. The contest ties into the Jaguars’ schedule, playing an annual home game in the United Kingdom since 2013. It plays there again Oct. 25 against the Buffalo Bills.
Giltrop joins library as deputy director
Jennifer Giltrop began her role this week as deputy director of public services for the Jacksonville Public Library.
Most recently she served as public services for the Washington, D.C., public library system, with responsibilities that included directing public services and operations for its Central Library and 25 neighborhood facilities. Before that, she was public services director for the Seattle Public Library, which has 27 locations.
She holds a master of library and information science degree from Wayne State University along with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Aquinas College.
She fills a position left vacant when the former deputy director retired.
FSCJ hosting 48th commencement
Florida State College at Jacksonville will honor graduates at 4 p.m. May 7 during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Arena.
Students who have earned degrees and/or technical certificates will receive their diplomas or certificates from FSCJ President Cynthia Bioteau and the college’s board of trustees.
About 7,000 students have earned such honors in the 2014-15 academic year.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Calvin Mackie, an award-winning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professor and mentor.
Assistance available for Pecan Park flea market fire victims
For businesses impacted by the Pecan Park Flea & Farmers’ Market fire, the U.S. Small Business Administration may help with recovery assistance.
The announcement came Tuesday that the filing deadline for disaster loan applications is June 22 and can be completed at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Those from Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties can apply.
The fire this month destroyed more than 50 businesses that call the Northside venue their business home.
Fafard named head of 121 Financial
Bruce Fafard is the new president and CEO of 121 Financial Credit Union, board director Eddie Clanton announced.
Fafard held the same role at Scient Federal Credit Union in Groton, Conn.
His background includes expertise in strategic planning, charter expansion and team development.
He begins May 4, taking over for Bill Braddock, who served as CEO for 28 years. Braddock is credited for sustaining and growing the company, expanding to 13 branches and 45,000 members during his time.
121 Financial was established in 1935 and offers banking and loan services to individual and small businesses through Northeast Florida.
McGraw schedules Jacksonville show
Country music star Tim McGraw is hitting Jacksonville as part of his “Shotgun Ride Tour 2015.”
McGraw, who was born in Jacksonville, will perform Aug. 20 at Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets and will be on sale at 10 a.m. May 8.
He will be here with special guests Billy Currington and Chase Bryant.