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February 11, 2025 ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½

FORT PIERCE, FL (February 11, 2025) – ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ celebrated the return of a significant piece of its history as a bronze plaque commemorating its first graduating class was returned to campus during a dedication ceremony at the Miley Library at the ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s Fort Pierce campus. The ceremony was hosted by the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation and Alumni Association on February 7, 2025. 

A restored bronze plaque honoring ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River Junior ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s first graduating class, rescued from a dumpster by alumnus Brad Culverhouse, is unveiled during its dedication ceremony at the Miley Library on February 7, 2025. The plaque will be permanently displayed to inspire future generations of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ students.

The plaque, which lists members of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River Junior ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s inaugural graduating class of 1962, was discovered by Brad Culverhouse after being separated from the institution for many years. Culverhouse, the ¹û¶³´«Ã½â€™s first Alumni Association president and 1960s graduate, participated in the dedication alongside Cynthia Putnam, half-sister of Dorothy Putnam Sparkman, one of the graduates honored on the plaque.

During the ceremony, Culverhouse recounted the discovery of the plaque. In a remarkable twist of fate, Culverhouse spotted something metallic glinting from a dumpster while passing a demolished home in Fort Pierce. Following his instinct, he climbed into the dumpster and discovered the historic bronze plaque from ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River Junior ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s first graduating class. After retrieving it from the debris, Culverhouse partnered with concerned community member Dorran Russell, who meticulously restored the plaque to its original condition, preserving this vital piece of the ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s heritage for future generations.

A restored bronze plaque honoring ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River Junior ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s first graduating class, rescued from a dumpster by alumnus Brad Culverhouse, is unveiled during its dedication ceremony at the Miley Library on February 7, 2025. The plaque will be permanently displayed to inspire future generations of ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ students.

“The return of this historic plaque powerfully connects our past to our present,” said Dr. Timothy Moore, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President. “As we honor our first graduating class, we also celebrate the dedication of Brad Culverhouse and Dorian Russell, who rescued and restored this precious piece of our heritage. Now standing as a testament to excellence in our Miley Library, it reminds every student who walks through these doors that they’re part of an enduring legacy of transformation and achievement.”

“Discovering this plaque was a profound moment for me. ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ gave me the foundation for my entire career, and now I have been able to rescue a piece of its history from that dumpster. Returning it to where it belongs – where it can inspire future generations – feels like repaying a small part of the tremendous debt I owe ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½,” said Culverhouse.

The graduates noted on the plaque include: Dorothy Barbara Ann Albrecht, Patricia Andrea Barthel, Salvatore Julius Bavuso, Ann Cali, Suzanne Earldean Cathcart, Margaret Jean Edenfield, Robert George Ferguson, Diego Garcia, Jose Garcia, Henry Norman Guyaz, Paul Joseph Hall, John Hamrick, Patricia Ann Harrell, Raymond Francis Jelesky, Lanita Gayle Kent, Adele Jennifer Leeper, Frank Joseph Lembo, Nels Alfred Lovegren, Jon Julian Martindale, Patricia Ann Mendes, June Irene Molnar, Marie O’Hara Moody, Janet Foote Rock, Beverly Janet Rogers, Dorothy Putnam Sparkman, Eloise Lorraine Spatafora, Samuel Worthington Teague, Jr., Thomas Daniel Walker, and Gerald Michael Yates.

“We are incredibly grateful to our alumni whose passion for ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ never wavers,” said Annabel Robertson, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Foundation Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “Brad Culverhouse’s rescue of this historic plaque exemplifies how our graduates continue to protect and celebrate the ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s legacy, ensuring that each new generation of students understands the proud tradition they’re joining.” 

The plaque is now permanently displayed in the Miley Library at 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, where it serves as a testament to the ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s enduring mission and rich history.  

For additional information about the plaque dedication or ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ history, please contact ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Dean of Learning Resources Mia Tignor, at 772-462-7590 or mtignor@irsc.edu. For information about the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Alumni Association, contact Laura Midkiff, Director of Development (Annual Giving and Alumni Relations) at 772-462-7298.

¹û¶³´«Ã½ ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½: ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River State ¹û¶³´«Ã½, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, ¹û¶³´«Ã½ River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ provides more than 120 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. For more information, visit irsc.edu.

Media Contact: Kathleen Walter, Public Information Officer, kwalter1@irsc.edu