Student Profiles

When Carson Flowers (psychology, ’18) chose FSU Panama City, it created a new bond between the college junior and her parents. Thomas (social science, ’97) and Sherry (elementary education, ’91) Flowers also had chosen the branch campus because of the home-like feel and waterfront view.

Debra Spradley and her son already shared a love of math; now they will share an alma mater. Matthew Spradley started studying computer science this fall as a freshman at FSU Panama City.

When Frank Hall decided to follow his sister’s footsteps to attend FSU Panama City, he had no idea he was starting a family legacy. Now his daughter, Alexandria, also is enjoying the benefits of smaller classes with the comforts of home.

A business administration major turned robot programmer is offering her skills to inspire the next generation of women to reach for their dreams. Jessica Haley and others with STEM Institute are developing a local chapter of Girls Who Code to help close the gender gap in computer science.

Sarah Grace Bennett likes to help families let loose and have fun. As a summer intern at Seahaven Beach Resorts, the Panama City native manages Lil’ Shark’s Club for guests ages 4 to 15. The internship is the final requirement before earning her bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Tourism and Events.

In fall 2014, Ana Cortez left her Lakeland home to attend FSU Panama City to study Business Administration. Faced with meeting new people and becoming familiar with a new city, she has turned her passion into a student organization: Project Runway.

As a home schooled student, Justice Wobser began regularly attending classes at Gulf Coast State College when he was 16. Catapulted into adulthood, Wobser found the key to academic success through hard work, self-discipline and responsibility. He now is an Electrical Engineering major at FSU Panama City.

Jake Hamilton is a first-generation college student who made it to college against all odds. Coming from a family with no higher education background, he still pursued his dreams of going to college with their support. He graduated high school in Sebring, Fla., and moved to Panama City to study business administration.

Taylor Dorrough thought she wanted the typical college experience at a major university, but she ultimately discovered a smaller campus was right for her. After attending the University of Kentucky for two years, she found the right fit with the Business Administration program at FSU Panama City.

Coming from the two-light town of Samson, Ala., Emily Crews is used to small. Now a sophomore electrical engineering major at FSU Panama City, she feels right at home in less than 400 square feet of living space.