Three Veterans attending Seminole State awarded scholarships

Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Written by: Mark Richardson

Three U.S. military veterans attending Seminole State College of Florida have been awarded scholarships. The three were to be recognized at the College’s annual Veterans Day Celebration, but it was canceled due to Hurricane Nicole.

The Foundation for Seminole State College awarded the endowed scholarship honoring fallen Marine Sgt. Mark Johnson IV to U.S. Army Veteran Jake Fowler.  

Jake Fowler
Jake Fowler

Johnson, a married father of two, was one of six U.S. 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.




Sgt. Mark Johnson IV
Sgt. Mark Johnson IV


To make a donation to the scholarship fund, visit the Sgt. Mark Johnson IV Endowed Memorial Scholarship page.







The Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter (PVACFC) awarded $1,000 scholarships to U.S. Air Force Veteran Colton Ellis and U.S. Army Veteran Nicholas Whitaker.

Colton Ellis and Nicholas Whitaker
Colton Ellis and Nicholas Whitaker

Visit the Paralyzed Veterans of America Central Florida Chapter Endowed Scholarship for Veterans page to make a donation to the scholarship fund.

“We support and honor our hard-working and determined veteran students who have made so many sacrifices,” said Seminole State President Dr. Georgia L. Lorenz. “We thank them for their service to our country and also want to express our thanks to our veterans’ families who also serve and recognize the sacrifices they have made.” 

Over the past five years, Seminole State has awarded credentials to 43 active-duty military students, 1,514 veterans, 178 students who serve in the reserve forces, and 591 spouses and children of veterans.

Green for Veterans Day
Operation Greenlight shined on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Nov. 7-13 for Veterans Day.

In honor of Veterans Day, the College proudly joined Seminole County government, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers for Operation Greenlight and shined green on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Nov. 7-13. The initiative, supported by Amazon, helps new veterans and soon-to-be veterans transition to civilian life. 

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.

The College also 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. 

Last year, Seminole State launched a partnership with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) to offer a General Education Mobile (GEM) program. Through the partnership, the College is offering 18 online General Education classes to more than 300,000 U.S. Air Force and Space Force personnel pursuing a CCAF Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.  


About the Office of Veteran Student Services

Seminole State College’s Office of Veteran Student Services is dedicated to serving as a one-stop source for veterans to secure, interpret and exercise their VA education benefits. Seminole State serves about 1,000 veterans and their dependents each year and has been named a Military Friendly School since 2012. For more information, visit seminolestate.edu/veterans.

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