LAKELAND, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2005) - Marcene H. Christoverson, chair of the board of St. John Associates, Inc., one of the largest direct mail organizations in the country owned by a woman, and a member of Florida Southern's board of trustees, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business degree during the college's commencement ceremony Dec. 18. Christoverson was recognized for her business achievements and support of higher education and the environment. 

Christoverson received the prestigious Bridges to Success Award, which recognizes leading New York City companies. She served on the board of directors of Mail Advertising Service Association, which honored her as Woman of the Year; and she currently serves on the boards of directors of the Direct Marketing Education Foundation and Spartan Foods of America. 

An advocate of the environment, Christoverson is involved with the Nature Conservatory of Idaho, and contributes to the Silver Creek Foundation, an organization created to preserve natural creeks and streams in her home state of Idaho. 


About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 24 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.