Education

Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association Board of Directors recently presented the "Alumni of Distinction Society" award to 2002 FGCU graduate Nola Theiss, former mayor and resident of Sanibel. Each year, the FGCU Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomes one distinguished graduate of FGCU into the Alumni of Distinction Society. This is the highest award presented to a most deserving graduate. Theiss is the fifth recipient of the award. Theiss received a Master in Public Administration from FGCU in 2002. In addition to her achievements as an elected official, Theiss is the founder of Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships Inc. Her dedication has brought the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of public awareness, returning most recently from the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking in Vienna, Austria.

Compass Construction, Inc. announced that Teri Burleigh has been awarded a State Certified General Contractors license. She holds a degree in design from Brooks Design College (Long Beach, Calif.) and has 22 years of experience in the construction industry. As an employee of Compass Construction, Inc. for 17 years; she currently serves as Vice President of the general commercial contracting firm.