Five Florida State University College of Business students have secured posts in the Florida Department of Financial Services' new Academy of Leadership Excellence program (A.L.Ex.).

CFO Alex Sink, who oversees the department, commended the 2008 inaugural class for its academic achievements and commitment to public service.

"As a state, we need to do everything we can to encourage and mentor our young people, providing a pathway for public service and a lifetime of success," Sink said.

FSU's representatives are all Florida natives. They include:

• Alex Conrad, Oviedo, Fla., is majoring in accounting and finance. Conrad will work in the department's Administration Division in Financial and Support Services;
• Trent Kilpatrick, Ocean Ridge, Fla., is majoring in finance and applied economics with a minor in mathematics. Kilpatrick will work in the Inspector General office;
• Aaron Lindsey, Mayo, Fla., is majoring in applied economics with a minor in business. Lindsey is working in the treasury division;
• Michael Rodriguez, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is pursuing a master's degree in public administration. Rodriguez, who has undergraduate degrees in political science and sociology, is working in the Office of Budgeting in the administration division;
• Cody Whelan, Coral Springs, Fla., is majoring in risk management/insurance and finance. Whelan is working in the risk management division.

The Academy of Leadership and Excellence program for FSU and Florida A&M University students will provide real-world work experience, professional development, and career opportunities in public service for Florida's best and brightest university students. Students will receive substantive and challenging work assignments from their assigned mentor and have their work evaluated on a professional level.

"The real-world experience and instruction acquired through this program will give our students a great opportunity to succeed in either the public or private sector" said FSU President T.K. Wetherell. "I thank CFO Sink and the mentors throughout the department for investing in the future."

Students have paid positions and are required to work at least 20 hours a week. All students must maintain above a 3.0 GPA and be a junior, senior or a graduate student. This class's average GPA is 3.5. Future classes will be open to all state university students.

For more information about the College of Business, please go to www.cob.fsu.edu.