UNF Spring Commencement Slated for April 28

Contact: Joanna Norris, Assistant Director
Department of Media Relations and Events
(904) 620-2102



The University of North Florida will honor two students with outstanding records of volunteerism and will award an honorary degree when it hands out nearly 1,300 degrees Friday, April 28, during spring commencement at the UNF Arena.

Melissa O’Connor, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors, will be recognized as the recipient of the Albert D. Ernest Jr. Caring Award, while the Senior Service Award will be presented to Annie Litchfield, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

The Caring Award recognizes a student who demonstrates the spirit of caring, humanitarianism and volunteerism exemplified by Albert Ernest. The UNF Alumni Association presents the Senior Service Award to a graduating senior for outstanding volunteer service to the University or community. Both awards will be presented during the 7 p.m. ceremony.

In addition to maintaining a 3.78 GPA and meeting her rigorous academic requirements in the Honors Program, Melissa O’Connor has involved herself with several volunteer activities both on and off campus since her freshman year. Organizations where she has volunteered include JCL Prison Mission; Mayo Clinic; Boggy Creek Gang Camp; HabiJax; Clara White Mission; Breast Cancer Society; and the JCL New Orleans Clean Up during her spring break in March.

O’Connor’s most notable volunteer accomplishment has been the organization and implementation of symposia aimed at increasing minority representation in the medical field. As director of the Minorities in Medicine Student Symposium, she planned and coordinated information for participating high school students wishing to enter the medical profession. The symposia included an exhibition hall with participation from medical and undergraduate representatives; faculty from all Duval County high schools, inspirational speakers and local vendors.

With a 3.55 GPA, Annie Litchfield has become well known on the UNF campus and in the community. She has worked as a recruiting coordinator in the UNF Honors Program and is also a resident technician at St. Johns Horizon House. In addition to her employment and academic work, Annie has logged close to 1000 hours in volunteer service. During 2005, she was the recipient of the Albert Ernest Jr. Caring Award and the Student Government Outstanding Service Award. Annie has also served as a teacher’s assistant, served on the Honors Council and is an active member of the Honors Student Union.

Annie’s off-campus community service includes projects with Hubbard House, St. Lukes Hospital, Clara White Mission, Disney Boggy Creek Camp for terminally ill children, I.M. Sulzbacher Center, Aspen Wyndham Lakes Nursing Home, Heart of America, Baptist Home for Children, Hope Haven, Catalina Island Conservatory and more. Although she feels that all volunteer experience is important, her most rewarding work was with Riverhouse, a local mental illness drop-in facility, where she was put in charge of the UNF Honors Service Learning Orientation Project that required her to renovate the facility with only $2000.

UNF will also award an honorary doctorate degree to His Excellency Sir Colville N. Young, Governor General of Belize, during the 3 p.m. commencement ceremony. Dr. Young has been a tremendous friend of the University for over a decade. He has been an instrumental player in the long-term partnership that the College of Education and Human Services has had with the University of Belize and the Ministry of Education in Belize. This partnership has resulted in approximately 300 Belizean alumni from UNF, with graduates from Belize now holding major educational, governmental and business leadership roles in this country.

The ceremony for the College of Education and Human Services, Brooks College of Health and the Coggin College of Business will be held at 3 p.m. The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction will hold their ceremony at 7 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the UNF Arena.

The University expects to award 1,118 bachelor’s degrees, 169 master’s degrees and four doctorates this term.


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