The University will recognize six students with scholarships at its American Free Enterprise Day celebration Nov. 14.
The tradition dates to 1984 and honors individuals whose hard work and achievement exemplify the best of the American free enterprise system. It is also a day to encourage future business leaders by conferring scholarships.
The University will honor Y. Michele Kang, founder & chief executive officer of the healthcare technology company Cognosante®, along with companion medalists Robert W. “Chip” Lafferty, Beth Neuhoff, Geoff Seiber and Carlos Vidueira.
The medal ceremony is 10:30 a.m. in the Rubin Arena of the Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation, 1100 S. Dixie Highway. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call (561) 803-2025.
Eva Bracciale, of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, will receive the Col. Marty Trauger Scholarship. Bracciale is a senior majoring in marketing and accounting.
Trauger established the scholarship. He spent 30 years in the Army, retiring in 1970 as a colonel and deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia. He then launched a new career at the University as an assistant professor of business administration while serving as director of financial aid. He designed PBA’s course in American Free Enterprise. He was named distinguished professor of business administration in 1988, and in 1991, he became professor emeritus of business administration.
Alexander Furjanic, of Waterloo, Nebraska, and Brandon Miller, of Sarasota, Florida, will receive the James & Annie Erneston Scholarship. Furjanic is a senior studying ministry and management. Miller is a senior studying international business.
Steve Scalici ’95 and his wife Apryl ’96 established the scholarship in recognition of the Ernestons’ good works, generosity and faithfulness. The Ernestons were honored as companion medalists during American Free Enterprise Day in 2010. James Erneston is a founder and the president of J & J Produce Inc., a year-round grower and distributor of fruit and vegetables along the East Coast. James and Annie, his wife of more than four decades, grew J & J Produce into the institution it is today.
Andrew Padilla, a senior marketing major from West Palm Beach, will receive the Southern Self Storage Scholarship. Southern Self Storage owners Robert A. McIntosh and Peter V. Cowie, past recipients of the American Free Enterprise Companion Medal, established the scholarship.
Lourdes Hernandez, a senior from Wellington, Florida, and Ulbruna Notrez, a senior from West Palm Beach, Florida, will receive the Susan L. Petersen scholarship. Both are studying management and accounting.
Misty Travani and Darline Richter established the scholarship in honor of their friend and mentor, Suzy Petersen, who led the way for women in accounting. Petersen championed the advancement of women in accounting throughout her career and received the AFE Companion Medal in 1987. Travani and Richter received AFE Companion Medals in 2008.
