Florida Gulf Coast University Graduates First 18 Students to Complete All Four Years at FGCU
4/9/2001

FORT MYERS, FL -Florida Gulf Coast University's Spring commencement is the first one this year to graduate students who started as freshmen at the newest American University established in 1997. They are the "Inaugural Freshman Class of 1997" graduating with 275 students in the class of 2001 at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 5 at TECO Arena. Mariana Coto, a Barron Collier High School graduate was the first student to enroll at the new university. She will join the others as they celebrate their achievements.

FGCU's 18 inaugural freshman students graduating in May, grouped by current listed city of residence, are:

From Alva:
Albert Geza Wass de Czege Liberal Studies - Environmental Studies

From Bonita Springs:
Jennifer Lynn Story Liberal Studies
Lauren Melinda Holzinger Elementary Education

From Cape Coral:
Yeidhit Cherenek Clinical Laboratory Science
Diana Ivette Heredia Human Services

From Fort Myers:
Gregory Wayne Garrett Liberal Studies - Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Miles Nunzio Mancini Liberal Studies - History
Tara Lynn Christopoulos Health Science
Mariana Eileen Coto Nursing
Jennifer E. Hannon Clinical Laboratory Science
Amy Michelle Koplan Clinical Laboratory Science

From Naples:
Melissa Kathleen Joy Liberal Studies
Jill Annette Godette Business Management
Panagiotis Minas Masouras Marketing
Jessica Denise Burhans Clinical Laboratory Science
Vanessa Ruble Alvarez Secondary Education
Tara Marie Elijah Elementary Education

From Punta Gorda:
Brandon Mical Odegard Computer Information Systems

Five will graduate with honors.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude are Tara Lynn Christopoulos and Lauren Melinda Holzinger.
Graduating Cum Laude are Jennifer Lynn Story, Jennifer E. Hannon, and Vanessa Ruble Alvarez.

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