Bredenberg Family Class of 1970, 1975, 1980, 2014, 2016 Over three generations, members of the extended Bredenberg family embrace travel and adventure, an active lifestyle, and a lifelong love for learning—qualities they tie back to their time at the College. Their story began in the…

Brady O’Donnell Class of 2015 For Brady O’Donnell ’15, his Eckerd story was defined by mentors—people across disciplines and departments who shaped his studies, worldview and eventual career. Mentorship, in fact, is what brought him to Eckerd College in the first place. Growing up in…

Grace Gair Class of 2008 It was early February, 2007 and Eckerd College junior Grace Gair had just finished a Winter Term course co-taught by visiting professor Elie Wiesel, the late Nobel laureate, human rights activist, writer, educator and Holocaust survivor. As the spring semester…

Andy Haines Class of 1986 In a lifetime of living abroad and traveling the world (63 countries and counting), Andy Haines ’86 is always thrilled to return to the place he thinks of as home: Eckerd College. Starting at age 2, Andy grew up in…

Ernie Mahaffey Class of 1968 Ernie Mahaffey ’68 remembers his time at Eckerd (then Florida Presbyterian) College fondly —despite his undergraduate journey ending without a degree. The Vietnam War was at its height, and while he excelled socially—even being elected president of the Student Government…

Eileen McCarron Class of 1973 When Eileen (Bielanski) McCarron ’73 reflects on what brings her joy and peace, she names some of life’s simple pleasures: singing, taking piano lessons, and working in her garden. She finds deep meaning, too, in the unyielding work to which…

Grover Wrenn Class of 1964 Fortuitous circumstances led Grover Wrenn ’64 to Florida Presbyterian College in 1960 as one of 154 members of the founding freshman class. Hailing from a very small town in North Carolina, he took a summer chemistry course at Western Carolina…

Jack and Trisha Senterfitt Class of 1968 Throughout the over 50 years of Jack Senterfitt ’68 and Trisha (Lyons) Senterfitt ’68’s shared life together, they see the imprint of Florida Presbyterian / Eckerd College. They see it in Jack’s career as an attorney fighting for…

Fern Johnson Class of 2005 In 2003, recently divorced and parenting a young son, Fern Johnson ’05 knew she wanted to expand her opportunities. Working as an accounting assistant at a local pharmaceutical business, Fern was the only Black woman in the company at the…

Chrissy Jackson Class of 2016 After retiring to St. Petersburg, Chrissy Jackson ’16 had a long career behind her, four grown children, several successful business ventures, and an exciting retirement stretched out ahead. It was a full life. But then, in 2010, Chrissy and her…