Seminole State College hosts virtual Veterans Day celebration

Seminole State College of Florida honored members of the armed forces Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a virtual Veterans Day Ceremony.  View the ceremony

The ceremony, hosted by Seminole State’s Office of Veteran Student Services  and the Office of Student Life, included opening remarks from Seminole State President Dr. Georgia L. Lorenz, the singing of the National Anthem and the Armed Forces salute by SeminoleSound and the presentation of the Sgt. Mark Johnson scholarship to three military veterans.

Johnson, a married father of two, was one of six Marines killed in a helicopter crash while on a mission to help Nepal earthquake victims in May 2015. He grew up in Altamonte Springs, earned an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Automotive Service Management Technology in 2005 and an Associate in Arts (A.A.) in December 2008. He joined the military in early 2009.

Johnson's mother, Shirley Johnson, took part in the ceremony to thank the College and the Foundation for Seminole State College, for creating the scholarship to honor her son and to congratulate this year's recipients.  "Mark gave his life helping other people and he would be pleased to know that with this scholarship his work and his legacy continue," said Johnson.  " The fact that it goes to veterans makes it even more meaningful."

2020 Sgt. Mark Johnson IV Endowed Memorial Scholarship recipients:

James Carr
U.S. Navy Veteran

Carr enlisted in the Navy in 2015 and served as a gunners mate for four years and received an honorable discharge and left with the motivation to begin his college journey.  “This scholarship will help not only my financial situation, but it is such a great motivator,” said Carr. “I am inspired knowing that someone heard my story and was willing to give me aid to reach it.”.     

Mark Drury
U.S. Army Veteran

During his time in the U.S. Army, Drury completed one combat tour in Afghanistan 2010-11, but his military career was cut short due to an injury to his shoulder.  Drury is pursuing a degree in teaching as his wife works full time and he takes classes while being a stay-at-home dad. “I will be finished with an A.A. degree this fall. I am doing my best to be a good example for my kids,” said Drury.   “I want to put that positivity into practice in my future profession. This scholarship is my first and it will really help cover childcare costs.”  

Joshua Imbert
U.S. Navy Veteran

During his time in the Navy, Imbert served as a hospital corpsman at Jacksonville Naval Air Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia and deployed on the USNS Comfort to aid with Hurricane Maria recovery. He is now pursuing a forensics science degree and plans to work in law enforcement. “Trying to balance a full class load and working part-time jobs was way too hectic,” said Imbert. This scholarship will help me substantially.”

To donate to the Sgt. Mark Johnson IV Endowed Memorial Scholarship, call the Foundation for Seminole State College at 407.708.4571, or visit seminolestate.edu/foundation.

Seminole State has been recognized as a Military Friendly School for its strong commitment to the success of not only veterans and active duty service members who attend Seminole State, but also their spouses and children who take classes on our campuses.

Over the past five years, Seminole State has supported and enrolled 106 active duty members, 2,499 veterans, 282 reservists, 1,213 spouses and children of veterans and has awarded credentials to 35 active duty members, 1,179 veterans, 139 reservists and 477 spouses and children of veterans.

The College has been designated a premier Purple Heart Institution by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in recognition of the College’s support of military members, including veterans and their families and has been awarded the Department of Defense - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond Award for its support of an employee who was recalled to active duty.