News Article

EFSC Foundation Announces 2021 Distinguished Alumni

The Eastern Florida State College Foundation recently announced three 2021 Distinguished Alumni, surprising each with the announcement, presentation of their awards and yard decorations at their homes.

This year’s honorees are Michael Cadore, Associate Provost of the EFSC Cocoa Campus; Ashley McGrath, Quality Analyst at J. Lodge, a Cognosante Company; and Michael Stephens, Security Manager for the Orlando Utilities Commission.

Board members Trizia Eavenson and Pam Posey Persse surprised the recipients with in-person presentations, donning masks and maintaining social distance.

“We are thrilled to recognize these distinguished EFSC alumni,” said EFSC Foundation Board Chair, Bill Row. “EFSC is the foundation for the success of so many of us here on the Space Coast. It is an honor to showcase them and the impact they have had on their community.”

Here is more on each honoree.

MICHAEL CADORE

Cadore is a community leader with more than three decades of experience in education, public safety, civic and community engagement, and mentoring. He currently serves as the Associate Provost for Eastern Florida State College and adjunct instructor. In November 2019, he retired from the Rockledge Police Department and now serves his city as a Rockledge city councilman.

A 1990 EFSC graduate, Cadore holds a master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Corrections & Administration of Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. He is currently a Doctoral of Education student at Capella University.

Before becoming a law enforcement officer, he earned national recognition at Eastern Kentucky University as a record-setting kick returner. After college, he was drafted into the National Football League by the New Orleans Saints. He finished his professional football career in Montreal, Canada. In 2014, he was inducted into the 2014 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame and in 2020 he was inducted into the 2020 Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame.

ASHLEY MCGRATH

McGrath graduated from EFSC in 2006 with her A.A. Degree.

She was no ordinary student.

She was born with Campomelic Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that includes symptoms such as deformed bones and muscle weakness. She was not supposed to live past her first birthday.

A wheelchair user with a hearing impairment, she was undaunted by what she could not do, focusing instead on what she could do and excelling at it.

She was in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, an All-Florida Academic Team member, a Citizen Scholar and earned numerous awards.

She earned both a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from UCF. In 2020, she was recognized by the UCF Space Coast Chapter Alumni Chapter with the prestigious Notable Knight Award.

She is a published author, a blogger and a voracious volunteer.

MICHAEL STEPHENS

Stephens graduated from EFSC in 1972 with his A.A. Degree, transferring to Florida State University where he earned both his Bachelor of Science Degree (1974) and his Master of Science Degree in Criminology (1975).

In 1985, he was hired as a Special Agent (SA) with the United States Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. In addition to his SA duties, he was assigned as the Use of Force Training Coordinator for the Tampa Field Office’s 80 Special Agents.

Michael was also assigned to the United States Secret Service assisting with dignitary protection details during election years. In 2007, he retired from this Federal law enforcement agency after serving for 32 years.

In 1985, Stephens joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve performing search and rescue missions while assigned to Port Canaveral, Florida. He later transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard Investigative Service, as a Special Agent. His duties included criminal investigation and dignitary protection. He retired from military service in 2012 after serving for 27 years.

Stephens is currently a sergeant with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit. He provides security to the citizens of Brevard County and is assigned to lead the Dignitary Protection Unit. This is a voluntary unit where he is a fully certified law enforcement officer.

He is employed as the manager in charge of the Security Division for the Orlando Utilities Commission. He directs the activities that secure the critical infrastructure of this utility company.

The EFSC Foundation will be accepting applications for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award in July.

For more information about the EFSC Foundation, scholarships and the Distinguished Alumni Award, visit easternflorida.edu/foundation or contact us at 321-433-7055.