CONTACT: Doug Carlson
(850) 645-1255 or (850) 694-3735
doug.carlson@med.fsu.edu

May 14, 2008

The Florida State University College of Medicine will graduate its fourth class of students at a commencement ceremony on Saturday. Dr. Alma Littles, senior associate dean of the College of Medicine, will deliver the commencement address.

The 58-member Class of 2008 includes six students who benefited from College of Medicine outreach programs. The outreach programs, including Bridge, SSTRIDE and MAPS, seek to increase the enrollment of minority, rural and other students who are traditionally underrepresented in medical school and in the physician work force.

SSTRIDE (Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence) gives urban and rural middle- and high-school students opportunities to participate in academic enrichment activities. They are tutored and mentored by college students, most of whom are pre-med.

The undergraduate component of SSTRIDE, the only program of its kind in the state of Florida, provides comprehensive support and advising to its participants. The program focuses on FSU students interested in attending the FSU College of Medicine, many of whom are members of MAPS (Multicultural Association of Pre-Medical Students). Bridge gives College of Medicine applicants the opportunity to strengthen their skills during a post-baccalaureate year before being admitted as first-year students.

The commencement ceremony will be held:

SATURDAY, MAY 17
10 A.M.
RUBY DIAMOND AUDITORIUM
WESTCOTT BUILDING
TALLAHASSEE