The first administrator to lead The Villages Community Development Districts who now serves as the chairman of Lake-Sumter State College’s (LSSC) board of trustees has received a distinguished honor.
Pete Wahl, a longtime Rotarian who in 1995 was hired away from Lake County to serve as the District’s first administrator, recently took home the Trustee Hall of Fame Award presented by the Lake-Sumter College Foundation. Wahl received the honor for going “above and beyond” in his service and commitment to the college and its mission. He was presented with the honor along with eight other winners during the 8th Annual Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards ceremony, which was held Oct. 17 at the Mission Inn Resort.
Wahl served as head of The Villages District Government until retiring in 2008. Prior to that, he spent time as the county administrator for Lake County and also served in Brevard County’s government.
One of the many things Wahl is known for in The Villages is being the father of the annual Chili Cook-Off, the 22nd version of which was held in February at Lake Sumter Landing. The event, which debuted in 1998 when The Villages was much smaller and completely contained north of County Road 466, was pitched by Wahl with the goal of raising thousands upon thousands of dollars for charity, which it has done over the years.
After retiring from Villages government, Wahl served as a projects director for Developer H. Gary Morse. In that role, he held responsibilities for overseeing growth on various projects in the southern end of The Villages.
Wahl also served on The Villages Regional Hospital’s Foundation and raised money for the Moffitt Cancer Center when it came to The Villages. And in 2013, he joined forces with former State Rep. Marlene O’Toole as her legislative aide working out of a new outreach office near the Sumter County Courthouse in Bushnell.
The eight others – seven of whom received degrees from the college – honored by the LSSC Foundation were:
- Community Engagement Award: Marilyn Budzynski (1979);
- Professional Achievement Award: Michael DeGraw (1988);
- Valor Award: Edward Daughtery (1999);
- Scholar Award: Mark Logas (1983).
- Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award: Dean Simmons Jr. (2018);
- Faculty Hall of Fame Award: Alissa Sustarsic (1996), professor of mathematics;
- Staff Hall of Fame Award: Andrea Brooks (2004), assistant director of admissions; and
- Athletics Hall of Fame Award: Dr. Robert Westrick, who served as the fourth president of the college from 1993-2002.
“Lake-Sumter State College has over 25,000 alumni and friends who are doing great work and making positive impacts in our community and beyond,” said Dr. Laura Byrd, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the foundation. “This year’s winners are making a difference for LSSC, it’s students, and across Central Florida. We value any opportunity to recognize their achievements.”
LSSC, founded in 1962, serves more than 6,000 students annually at three locations: Leesburg, South Lake (Clermont) and Sumterville. The college offers certificate and degree programs designed to support and prepare students for today’s dynamic workforce.
LSSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Through a partnership with the University of Central Florida, students graduating with an Associate in Arts are guaranteed admission to UCF. Learn more about LSSC at www.lssc.edu.
The LSSC Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides support to the college through the funding of scholarships and projects to advance the college’s mission of student success. The foundation’s work is possible through the support of many individuals, businesses and organizations.