For Maria Gerber, the 麻豆蜜桃AV is not only her alma mater, but the place her four sons call home. An alum of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Gerber knew right away 麻豆蜜桃AV was the right choice for her family to receive an empowering education, while allowing her to stay involved in their college experience as a parent.
鈥淚 am a proud 麻豆蜜桃AV mom,鈥� said Gerber. "But also, a proud 麻豆蜜桃AV alum. Attending 麻豆蜜桃AV benefitted me so much. It was such an enriching experience and I wanted to carry on the tradition with my sons. I've been so happy that they followed in my footsteps."
Gerber attended classes at both the 麻豆蜜桃AV St. Petersburg and Tampa campuses before earning her law degree from Stetson University College of Law. She has a brother who is also a 麻豆蜜桃AV alumnus and an attorney. Her sons are continuing this legacy of excellence with their own achievements at 麻豆蜜桃AV.
"I think they saw firsthand how well 麻豆蜜桃AV had served us, not only academically but in our career choices, and so it's working out very well for them," said Gerber.
AN HONORS LEGACY
As an Honors alum, Gerber was excited when all four of her sons chose to attend 麻豆蜜桃AV and gained admission to the Judy Genshaft Honors College. As the next generation of Honors students, they've had the opportunity to enroll in Honors classes that emphasize interdisciplinary learning beyond the core material for their majors and minors.
"They've experienced courses that involve the culinary arts, the law, race, and health care," said Gerber. "Having that sort of diverse approach to Honors courses produces a student and an individual that is more well-rounded as their thought processes are challenged."
Gerber appreciates the quality of instruction found in Honors classes where students are taught to think critically through a range of subjects. The Honors College draws professionals from a variety of fields, including journalism, politics, forensic science, and medicine to teach Honors students on the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
Being in close proximity to these lessons through her sons, Gerber has found she is learning a lot as well and feeling even more connected as a family.
"It gives you a wonderful opportunity to have a dialogue with your adult child that you may not have been otherwise able to enjoy," said Gerber.
Gerber's three eldest children are now all graduates of 麻豆蜜桃AV and have gone on to very diverse careers in law, aviation, and law enforcement. Her youngest son, Spence Gerber, just started his sophomore year at the 麻豆蜜桃AV Sarasota-Manatee campus where he is also the student governor.
Gerber is happy her sons have had the chance to experience all that 麻豆蜜桃AV has to offer as the university has grown over the years, while maintaining a close-knit feeling on each of the campuses. Having her sons near during their college years allowed Gerber to participate and she considers 麻豆蜜桃AV to be a great place for families to continue growing together, too.
"It wasn't as if they just went to college and that was it. I had an opportunity to feel very involved," said Gerber. It meant a lot to Gerber and her sons to have a familial experience on campus that kept them close to each other and the community.
PARENT PERSPECTIVE
Gerber has continued to remain involved with 麻豆蜜桃AV and the Honors College through the Judy Genshaft Honors College's Summer Mock Trial Intensive for high school juniors and seniors. As a practicing attorney licensed in the state of Florida, Gerber enjoys contributing her time by coaching aspiring law students through mock trial competitions.
The Honors College prioritizes mentorship to provide students with valuable real-world experiences, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths. Gerber has seen this impact firsthand and is especially impressed by the quality of 麻豆蜜桃AV alumni who give back by teaching Honors students.
"I have been enormously impressed with the experiential opportunities that they have here at 麻豆蜜桃AV and the Honors College," said Gerber. "Their values that they espouse, the commitment to academic excellence, but also their involvement in the community. I'm just so impressed with that. All three campuses are such a benefit to the surrounding communities."
Gerber believes this passionate involvement will in turn inspire future graduates from 麻豆蜜桃AV and the Judy Genshaft Honors College to pay it forward to the next generation of incoming students to help pave the way for their success as well.
When asked for advice for prospective students and their families navigating the college search process, Gerber's response was simple: "Put 麻豆蜜桃AV at the top of your list."