Gator family part of 8,043 receiving degrees in spring commencement

April 25, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — After juggling hectic schedules and living in University of Florida housing during most of their graduate education, the Scharfman family is ready for a change.

On May 7, Kevin Scharfman will receive his pharmacy degree, and his wife, Michelle, will receive a master’s degree in special education with highest honors. Their daughter Kaylee, 3, will complete another year at the Baby Gator Child Development and Research Center.

However, the dual graduation will not be the only reason for this true Gator family to celebrate; they expect their second daughter, Kennedy, the week before commencement.

“It’s been great raising Kaylee here,” said Kevin, who bought a house for the family in Tennessee, where he will work as a pharmacist for Target. “I think it would have been a totally different experience if we had not lived on campus. It will be a lot different with [Kennedy], having a house and a yard, and not being so busy.”

During their time in graduate school, the Scharfmans, who earned undergraduate degrees from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, became involved at UF, attending sporting events and taking on leadership roles within the Baby Gator parent groups. Michelle is a tutor for UF athletes.

“After living on campus through graduate school, I think we are grateful for the things we have and appreciate the time we spend together,” said Michelle, who is planning to take time off with her daughters after graduation.

Living as a family on campus and earning graduate degrees has been a challenge for the Scharfmans, as they have juggled multiple jobs, intense studying and family time.
“For the last two years, I’ve worked two jobs and had school, Michelle said. “It’s been crazy, but we’ve always found the time to do stuff with [Kaylee], and that’s been really important to us, because she’s No. 1.”

The Scharfmans will be among the 8,043 candidates eligible to receive degrees, including 5,200 bachelor’s, and 1,988 master’s and doctorates.

Based on the number of caps and gowns reserved through UF bookstores, 5,019 of the eligible students will participate in commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled for May 4-7, depending on the college. Commencements for the Levin College of Law will be May 12, the College of Medicine May 20, College of Dentistry May 26, and College of Veterinary Medicine May 27.

During the ceremonies, the UF Alumni Association will recognize graduates who have made outstanding contributions in their fields. Steve and Carol Shey will receive Distinguished Achievement awards. Distinguished Alumnus awards will go to Sandra Adams, Jim Newsom, Robert Cohn, James Harper, Carol Bosshardt and David Hughes.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham; Linda Aiken, director of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research; and J. Crayton Pruitt, a surgeon and inventor; will receive honorary doctoral degrees.

Outstanding Four-Year Scholar awards will be presented to undergraduates Nicole Andrews, Michael Bogorad, Jennifer Burner, Anthony Colombo, Katie Drane, Christopher Fields, Diego Galindo, Ryan O’Mara, Marissa Rewak and Crystal Trevino. Two-Year Scholar awards will go to Kelly Dunn, John Golden and Yue Wang.

To be named as Outstanding Female Leaders are Anne M. Imanuel, Marni Jacob, Kelli A. Murray and Alexandria H. Smith. Outstanding Male Leader awards will go to Joe Goldberg, Andrew Hoffman and Bigad Shaban.

Sarah Lowe, a UF basketball player, will receive the Tracy Caulkins Award for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and community involvement, and will be named as an Outstanding Female leader. Justin Zumsteg, who is on the UF swimming and diving team, will receive the Doug Belden Award for outstanding academic, athletic and leadership achievements.

For more information and a detailed schedule of commencement ceremonies, visit http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/commencement/.