Career and tech adult commencement
Pasco County Schools’ Office for Career and Technical Education will host the 79th Adult Commencement on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road. The ceremony is open to the public.
Open house at Double Branch
Double Branch Elementary School will have an open house Sept. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. for kindergarteners to second graders, and from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for those in grades 3 through 5. The PTA will conduct a general assembly meeting in the cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. Spirit items will be available. The school is at 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel. For information, call (813) 346-0400.
English as second language class
Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., will host an English as a Second Language class on Thursdays beginning Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Classes are for beginner through intermediate level speakers. Topics include American culture, English idioms and slang. Cost is $20 per quarter, which covers the workbook and class materials. For information or to register, call Heather at (813) 753-8567.
PHCC hosts artist Michael Conway
Pasco-Hernando Community College will host a lecture by Michael Conway, artist of Beyond the Proof Sheet, the first fine arts exhibit of the season, at Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery on Sept. 5 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Conway will discuss his artistic journey from an early focus in photography to the use of mixed media. The gallery is in the library of the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. For information, call (727) 816-3231.
SAT and ACT practice test offered
The Wesley Chapel High School PTSA is sponsoring the Princeton Review Practice test on Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. The practice test features a mix of questions from both the ACT and SAT. Cost per student is $20. Preregistration is preferred. Students will need to arrive by 8:45 a.m., and bring a calculator and No. 2 pencils. Lunch will be provided. A detailed score report will provide a side-by-side comparison of a student’s projected test scores. For information, call the school at (813) 794-8700, or email Heidi Bernaldo at .
Extension office offers food handler course
The Pasco County Extension office is offering the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food Managers Food Safety and Quality Program and ServSafe Certification Exam on Sept. 11 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Central Pasco Professional Center in Land O’ Lakes. There will be a break for lunch and the exam from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a comprehensive food handler course, which includes food safety concepts. Upon completion of the training, participants will receive a state Certificate of Achievement from the university. Upon passing the ServSafe manager’s examination, participants receive a national certification valid for five years. Class size is limited. Training, exam and textbook cost is $165. To register, call (888) 232-8723, or visit fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/foodsafety.
Saint Leo offers doctoral program
Saint Leo University’s Donald R. Tapia School of Business is accepting applications through Sept. 15 for its new doctor of business administration degree program. The coursework emphasizes applied knowledge and practice, and is designed to develop graduates for college-level teaching, academic leadership or consulting. The first class of students will be capped at 25 participants. For information, contact graduate admissions at (800) 707-8846, or .
Samuel Watkins earns business degree
Samuel Watkins of Lutz has graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in business. The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate education.
Social work program gets accreditation
Saint Leo University announced its master of social work program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, just four years after the technologically innovative program was launched.
The accreditation assures workplaces, prospective students and the general public that the Saint Leo program meets the teaching and curricular standards established by the profession. Through the accredited program, master of social work graduates are eligible to take the examination to become licensed clinical social workers.
Lee on Dean’s List at Eckerd
Laura Lee of Lutz has been named to Eckerd College’s Dean’s List for the spring 2013 semester. Lee is majoring in American studies. To qualify, students must complete at least four courses with a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Eckerd College is at 4200 54th Ave. S., in St. Petersburg.
PHCC trustees elect new leadership
The Pasco-Hernando Community College District Board of Trustees elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2013-14 academic year. Trustee John L. DiRienzo was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Rao Musunuru, and Trustee Leonard H. Johnson was elected as vice chair.
DiRienzo, of Spring Hill, is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Leo University. He is a retired school principal with a master’s degree in special education and additional certification in educational leadership. DiRienzo is past president of the Board of Directors for Arc of Florida and Arc Nature Coast in Hernando County, and currently is an active volunteer for the organizations. DiRienzo has served on the college’s board since July 2009.
Johnson, a Dade City attorney, is a shareholder at Johnson Auvil & Pratico P.A., where he practices real estate law, business and banking law, construction law and estate planning.
Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. He also sits on the board of directors of Gator Boosters Inc., and has served on the college’s board since November 2011.
