Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIV, Issue II Fall 2020 | Page 25

McCann from North Campus; Christina Edwards,
Evangeline Knecht and Michael Zeleke from
Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch; Dalton Brown
and Theresa Cipolloni from Spring Hill Campus;
and Leila Bove and Amanda Ortner from
West Campus.
This year’s team, comprised of 166 students from
the Florida College System, was recognized at
an awards ceremony in St. Petersburg, Florida in
spring. Hannah Caldi, a Bright Futures Scholarship
recipient, was invited to introduce the Florida
Lottery representative speaker and speak briefly
about what the scholarship meant to her education.
Student services were available online and
employees worked remotely—connecting by
phone, email and virtual meetings to continuously
maintain College operations. Faculty and staff
recorded inspirational videos, shared on the
College’s social media channels, to help keep
students engaged and focused on finishing the
semester strong. Resources, such as the Student
Assistance Program, were available to students
struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally,
PHSC received $6.5 million dollars of the $2
trillion CARES relief package passed by Congress.
This funding allowed PHSC to provide financial
assistance for students and helped offset College
operational costs.
PHSC closely monitored and adhered to guidance
provided by Florida’s Department of Education
and the Department of Health. A special virtual
commencement ceremony allowed spring
2020 grads to safely celebrate this momentous
occasion. Administrator, faculty and student
speaker messages, as well as a montage of
graduate photos made the experience personal
and memorable for each of the students and
their family and friends. For more about virtual
commencement, visit phsc.edu/2020grad.
PHSC Student Hannah Caldi (left) with Florida Lottery Representative
and a fellow Bright Futures Scholarship recipient at the All-Florida
Academic Team Award Ceremony.
To learn more about PHSC’s response and
activity related to COVID-19, visit safety.phsc.
edu/procedures/coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS CREATES NEW NORMAL
AT PHSC
Amidst the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic,
PHSC transitioned nearly 1,100 spring term
classes from fact-to face to online on March
30. Classes remained online for the remainder
of the extended spring term and throughout the
summer. Additionally, all campuses remained
closed to students and the community through
June 1. In-person events were canceled and
spring sports came to an early end. In the wake of
cancellations, crisis and adjusting to a new normal,
PHSC Bobcats were indeed strong, resilient and
determined to excel.
Dealaney Allen provided student remarks during PHSC’s first-ever
virtual commencement.
FALL 2020 23