NFC Honors Outstanding Students and Leaders at Honors Convocation Ceremony 

MADISON, FL (May 7, 2024) – North Florida College (NFC) honored outstanding students and student leaders during its Honors Convocation ceremony on April 25th. Students from various academic areas and student organizations received recognition for outstanding achievement and character during the 2023-2024 academic year. NFC faculty and staff were pleased to announce each award recipient as NFC President Dr. John Grosskopf and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Jennifer Page presented the awards. 

NFC awarded a total of 35 Outstanding Student Awards at its 2024 Honors Convocation ceremony and announced two special honors. 

Donquaise Fudge of Madison County received NFC’s prestigious Student of the Year award, the College’s highest student honor. Faculty and staff nominate students who have a 3.75 GPA or higher while maintaining active engagement through student activities, leadership opportunities, and a positive attitude. 

"The Student of the Year embodies the NFC Sentinel Spirit through high academic achievement, campus engagement, service to others, and exemplary character,” stated Page. “I've had the honor to help select the Student of the Year for several years now, and I have never received as many nominations for one student as I did for Don. We are proud of his achievements despite the challenges often faced when combining the demands of college with the demands of life. Don is more than deserving of this award, and we thank him for being such an outstanding example of student life at NFC." 

The 2024 Friend to the College award was designed to recognize an extraordinary individual who has gone above and beyond during the past year to support the college, NFC students, and surrounding communities. This year’s award was presented to Michael Williams, a long-time member of the NFC Board of Trustees. Prior to stepping down from the Board in April, Williams served for over 17 years as both Chairman and member; upholding the College’s mission and responsibility as charged by the State of Florida. 

“We commend Mike Williams, the longest-serving board chair in our college's history, for his dedicated advocacy in advancing accessible education and career opportunities for our community,” stated Grosskopf. “North Florida College's success owes much to his tireless efforts.” 

NFC’s top students of 2023-2024 are: 

Name 

2023-2024 Outstanding Student Awards 

County 

Heather DeRocco  

Associate Degree Nursing Bridge Track Award  

Hamilton  

Mariela Garcia-Rendon  

Microbiology Award  

Hamilton  

Jocelyn Uruza-Tlapa  

Astronomy Award  

Hamilton  

Caroline Wynn  

Literature Award  

Hamilton  

Avery Buchanan  

Sentinel Upstage Players Award  

Lafayette  

Katlyn Ducksworth  

Painting Award  

Lafayette  

Barbara Siplin  

Accounting Award  

Leon  

Stephanie Clark  

Associate Degree Nursing General Track Award  

Lowndes  

Kaitlynn Johnson  

Bachelor of Science Degree Nursing Award  

Lowndes  

David Adams  

Commercial Vehicle Driving Class A Award  

Madison  

Algier Bess  

Drawing Award  

Madison  

Mercedes Edwards  

Early Childhood Education Preschool Specialization Award  

Madison  

Jasmin Evans  

Garden Club Award  

Madison  

Rebecca Grosskopf  

Design Award  

Madison  

Cade Huggett  

Philosophy Award  

Madison  

Ja’shanti Johnson  

Ceramics Award  

Madison  

Caibre Johnson  

Phi Theta Kappa Award  

Madison  

Jayce Johnson  

Gaming & Technology Club Award  

Madison  

Seth Nash  

Biology Award  

Madison  

Brock Daniel  

Anatomy & Physiology Award  

Suwannee  

Rebekah Elliott  

Human Development Award  

Suwannee  

Krista Law  

History Award  

Suwannee  

Brentson McCall  

Mathematics Award  

Suwannee  

Jacob Cash  

Chemistry Award  

Taylor  

Anna English  

Religion Award  

Taylor  

Logan Ferrer  

Music Club Award  

Taylor  

Taylor Groom  

English/Communication Award  

Taylor  

Dhruv Patel  

Calculus Award  

Taylor  

Victoria Taylor  

Sociology Award  

Taylor  

Bobbi Walsh  

Business Award  

Taylor  

Bobbi Walsh  

American Government Award  

Taylor  

William Montgomery  

Public Safety Award  

Wakulla  

Anthony Russo  

Physics Award  

Wakulla 

Special recognition and awards include: 

Name 

2023-2024 Awards 

County 

Donquaise Fudge 

Student of the Year 

Madison 

Michael R. Williams 

Friend of the College 

Madison 

 

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Student of the Year

 Donquaise Fudge is crowned NFC 2023-2024 Student of the Year! 

Friend of the College

NFC President, John Grosskopf, presents Michael R. Williams with the Friend of the College Award.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: Please refer to our Facebook page for full event photos and captions.  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=863212362490483&set=pcb.86323163582188