Education Briefs | Dec. 26
Duffy named to Dean’s List at University of North Georgia for fall 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Jack Duffy of Cape Coral made the fall 2025 Dean’s List at the University of North Georgia for achieving at least a 3.5 grade-point average, carrying 12 or more credit hours in one semester and having no grade lower than B.
The University of North Georgia comprises five campuses united by a single mission focused on academic excellence and academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. With 20,317 students, the University of North Georgia is one of the state’s largest public universities, offering more than 100 programs of study ranging from certificate and associate degrees to doctoral programs. For more about the university, visit ung.edu.
Urbanowicz elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
BATON ROUGE, La. — Ashley Urbanowicz of Cape Coral was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Urbanowicz is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States and its territories. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.” For more information, visit PhiKappaPhi.org.
Sweezor earns degree from Central Methodist University
FAYETTE, Mo. — Central Methodist University celebrated its Winter 2025 commencement on Dec. 6 in Puckett Fieldhouse on the Fayette campus.
Students were recognized for earning degrees at the master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s levels.
Skyler Marie Sweezor of Cape Coral was among those on the program for the event. Sweezor graduated with a bachelor of health sciences degree.
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools to name five Suncoast Credit Union Scholars
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is partnering with the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools to offer five $3,000 scholarship awards to high school graduates in the Class of 2026. This year’s high school graduates in Suncoast Credit Union’s 25-county service territory have the opportunity to apply for financial support to continue their education, thanks to a $234,810 investment in scholarships by the Florida-based credit union’s Foundation.
Applications opened on Nov. 1, and are available at apply.leeschoolfoundation.org. The deadline for submittals is Jan. 19.
This year’s Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program represents the continued mission of the foundation to support education initiatives and the well-being and potential of children. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has contributed more than $40 million including more than $2.9 million in scholarships.
“Florida’s students are the next generation of leaders, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have every opportunity to thrive,” said Amity Schuyler, President and CEO of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. “The Consortium is proud to partner with Suncoast Credit Union and local education foundations in awarding scholarships that directly impact students in their own communities, opening doors, expanding possibilities, and helping every student move confidently toward a brighter future.”
Farah & Farah firm announces Empowering Greatness Scholarships
Fort Myers personal injury law firm Farah & Farah has announced the relaunch of its sixth annual Empowering Greatness Scholarship. In partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida, the program will award five outstanding high school students with a two-year college scholarship.
The application window is now open and submissions must be completed no later than Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Winners will be announced in spring 2026.
The scholarship is available to students currently enrolled in a public or charter high school in Florida. The award covers tuition and most fees for 60 credit hours at any public college in Florida (or can be used at universities/trade schools within the state).
Students can find more information and submit their applications through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida online application portal.
For additional information, please visit farahandfarah.com/scholarship or email: scholarships@farahandfarah.com.