South Florida Community College
Encyclopedia
South Florida Community College (SFCC), serving more than 19,000 area residents annually, has campuses and centers in Highlands
, DeSoto
and Hardee
counties, Fla. The Highlands Campus, on 228 acre (0.92268408 km²), is located two miles (3 km) south of Avon Park, Florida
. It is bounded on the north by Lake Lelia, to the south by Lake Glenada, and to the west by U.S. Highway 27. SFCC is a public college offering associate's degree
s in more than 60 fields of study. The college also offers selected bachelor's and master's degrees and a doctoral degree in partnership with four-year colleges and universities. Specialized courses are geared for adult education
needs and coursework is offered through a mix of traditional classroom and distance learning instructional modalities. An athletic program fields teams in volleyball, softball, and baseball.
This college is oriented toward educating and training the citizens of its area for jobs in great demand in the area. It has course offerings in a variety of subjects, including corrections, law enforcement, nursing and other health fields, and the citrus industry. In September 2002, Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
became the President of South Florida Community College.http://www.southflorida.edu/about/history.aspx
Since 2002, the Highlands Campus has been home to the SFCC Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC), which is open October through May, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 12:30-4:30 p.m. SFCC MOFAC provides an exhibition venue for contemporary Florida regional artists and preserves Florida’s history and heritage through its art. The Museum also serves as a repository for the discoveries unearthed by members of the Kissimmee Valley Archaeological and Historical Conservancy.
The Hardee and Desoto campuses and Lake Placid Center have administrative offices and various classrooms catering to a variety of vocational and academic programs.
The Hotel Jacaranda serves a variety of purposes. It has dormitory facilities for SFCC students, and commercial hotel rooms for guests. The Hotel Jacaranda Dining Room is a restaurant where food service students learn culinary and food management skills. Finally, several administrative offices are located in the Hotel, and remaining office space is rented out.
The Crews Center has facilities for commercial driving
students and plumbing and electrical apprenticeship students.
The Teacherage is an administrative office dealing with SFCC's public teacher education program.
The Lorida Center is a small facility where a few SFCC classes and seminars are offered.
The college immediately began expansion of its programs and even had a basketball team in its first year of existence. In 1968, the college became fully accredited by the state, the first junior college to gain full accreditation in less than three years. That same year, a vocational technical program was started and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the Highlands Campus's current site.
In January 1970, permanent facilities for the college's staff were completed and the staff was moved there. In 1974, the vocational buildings, a bookstore, and a student center were constructed. The school's auditorium was completed in 1978, and in 1982 the gymnasium was completed.
In January 1984, Dr. Stallard retired as president and Dr. Richard Morley was named interim president. In March 1984, the College District Board of Trustees renamed the South Florida Junior College with its present name, South Florida Community College. Two months later, the South Florida Community College Foundation, Inc., held its first meeting. The Foundation's goal was to offer grants and scholarships to SFCC students. In July 1984, Dr. Catherine Cornelius became SFCC's president.
In late 1984, the DeSoto and Lake Placid centers of SFCC were opened. The DeSoto Center first had three classrooms and an office. Today the DeSoto Campus is housed in a large modern building. The Lake Placid Center was established in a former public school. Today this center consists of five buildings. The DeSoto Center originally had three classrooms and an office in the Fountain Plaza. A new campus was built in 2003 with much more space.
In 1988, the Hotel Jacaranda was acquired. The hotel was built in the 1920s and was a distinguished hotel for many years. Babe Ruth
, George Burns
and Gracie Allen
, among others, stayed there. The hotel has since been developed to fit SFCC's needs as a residence facility as well as various community needs.
Telecourses were first offered by SFCC in 1992. In 1993, the Public Service Academy (PSA) was opened. This unit provides training and education in criminal justice, emergency medical services, and law endorcement.
In 1999, the Crews Center was opened. In 2002, MOFAC and the SFCC University Center, which houses the college's bachelor's and advanced degree programs, were opened. Also, that year Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
became president of SFCC.
In 2003, the Dental Education Center opened. The Hardee Campus and the DeSoto Campus also opened.
Highlands County, Florida
Highlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population was 97,346. Its county seat is Sebring, Florida. The county comprises the Sebring, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, DeSoto
DeSoto County, Florida
DeSoto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 32,209. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 35,406 . Its county seat is Arcadia, Florida. The county comprises the Arcadia, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :DeSoto...
and Hardee
Hardee County, Florida
Hardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 . Its county seat is Wauchula, Florida. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :It...
counties, Fla. The Highlands Campus, on 228 acre (0.92268408 km²), is located two miles (3 km) south of Avon Park, Florida
Avon Park, Florida
Avon Park is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population in 2009 at 8,824. It is the oldest city in Highlands County, and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England.-History:...
. It is bounded on the north by Lake Lelia, to the south by Lake Glenada, and to the west by U.S. Highway 27. SFCC is a public college offering associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
s in more than 60 fields of study. The college also offers selected bachelor's and master's degrees and a doctoral degree in partnership with four-year colleges and universities. Specialized courses are geared for adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
needs and coursework is offered through a mix of traditional classroom and distance learning instructional modalities. An athletic program fields teams in volleyball, softball, and baseball.
This college is oriented toward educating and training the citizens of its area for jobs in great demand in the area. It has course offerings in a variety of subjects, including corrections, law enforcement, nursing and other health fields, and the citrus industry. In September 2002, Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr. is an American academic, and the former President of Lincoln Land Community College. Stephens graduated with his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Florida. He also received his Masters degree from the University of Florida as well. In addition he...
became the President of South Florida Community College.http://www.southflorida.edu/about/history.aspx
Campuses and Centers
- The Highlands Campus, between Avon Park and Sebring, FloridaSebring, FloridaSebring is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States, nicknamed "The City on the Circle", in reference to Circle Drive, the center of the Sebring Downtown Historic District...
. - The Lake Placid Center, in Lake Placid, FloridaLake Placid, FloridaLake Placid is a town in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the town's population as 1,878 on 1 July 2007...
. - The Hardee Campus, at Bowling Green, FloridaBowling Green, FloridaBowling Green is a city in Hardee County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,892 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 2,928...
. - The DeSoto Campus, at Arcadia, FloridaArcadia, FloridaArcadia is a city in DeSoto County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,604 as of the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city grew to 7,151. It is the county seat of DeSoto County; it is also DeSoto County's only incorporated community. On October 27, 2009,...
. - The Hotel Jacaranda, in downtown Avon Park.
- The Crews Center, in Avon Park.
- The Teacherage, in Sebring, Florida.
- The Lorida Center, in Lorida, FloridaLorida, FloridaLorida is an unincorporated community in eastern Highlands County, Florida, United States. It lies along the road between the cities of Sebring and Okeechobee....
.
Since 2002, the Highlands Campus has been home to the SFCC Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC), which is open October through May, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 12:30-4:30 p.m. SFCC MOFAC provides an exhibition venue for contemporary Florida regional artists and preserves Florida’s history and heritage through its art. The Museum also serves as a repository for the discoveries unearthed by members of the Kissimmee Valley Archaeological and Historical Conservancy.
The Hardee and Desoto campuses and Lake Placid Center have administrative offices and various classrooms catering to a variety of vocational and academic programs.
The Hotel Jacaranda serves a variety of purposes. It has dormitory facilities for SFCC students, and commercial hotel rooms for guests. The Hotel Jacaranda Dining Room is a restaurant where food service students learn culinary and food management skills. Finally, several administrative offices are located in the Hotel, and remaining office space is rented out.
The Crews Center has facilities for commercial driving
Commercial driver's license
A Commercial Driver's License is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lb or more for commercial use, or transports quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of...
students and plumbing and electrical apprenticeship students.
The Teacherage is an administrative office dealing with SFCC's public teacher education program.
The Lorida Center is a small facility where a few SFCC classes and seminars are offered.
History
In 1960, efforts began to open a junior college in Avon Park. In 1965, the college was founded as South Florida Junior College. A Highlands-Hardee Junior College Advisory Committee was appointed by the Florida State Board of Education. Dr. William A. Stallard was appointed as the first president of the college. The first term of college began in temporary quarters in Avon Park on Aug. 22, 1966. The first term had a full-time faculty of 14, serving 164 full-time students and 119 part-time and evening students.The college immediately began expansion of its programs and even had a basketball team in its first year of existence. In 1968, the college became fully accredited by the state, the first junior college to gain full accreditation in less than three years. That same year, a vocational technical program was started and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the Highlands Campus's current site.
In January 1970, permanent facilities for the college's staff were completed and the staff was moved there. In 1974, the vocational buildings, a bookstore, and a student center were constructed. The school's auditorium was completed in 1978, and in 1982 the gymnasium was completed.
In January 1984, Dr. Stallard retired as president and Dr. Richard Morley was named interim president. In March 1984, the College District Board of Trustees renamed the South Florida Junior College with its present name, South Florida Community College. Two months later, the South Florida Community College Foundation, Inc., held its first meeting. The Foundation's goal was to offer grants and scholarships to SFCC students. In July 1984, Dr. Catherine Cornelius became SFCC's president.
In late 1984, the DeSoto and Lake Placid centers of SFCC were opened. The DeSoto Center first had three classrooms and an office. Today the DeSoto Campus is housed in a large modern building. The Lake Placid Center was established in a former public school. Today this center consists of five buildings. The DeSoto Center originally had three classrooms and an office in the Fountain Plaza. A new campus was built in 2003 with much more space.
In 1988, the Hotel Jacaranda was acquired. The hotel was built in the 1920s and was a distinguished hotel for many years. Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, George Burns
George Burns
George Burns , born Nathan Birnbaum, was an American comedian, actor, and writer.He was one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, film, radio, television and movies, with and without his wife, Gracie Allen. His arched eyebrow and cigar smoke punctuation became...
and Gracie Allen
Gracie Allen
Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen , known as Gracie Allen, was an American comedian who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns...
, among others, stayed there. The hotel has since been developed to fit SFCC's needs as a residence facility as well as various community needs.
Telecourses were first offered by SFCC in 1992. In 1993, the Public Service Academy (PSA) was opened. This unit provides training and education in criminal justice, emergency medical services, and law endorcement.
In 1999, the Crews Center was opened. In 2002, MOFAC and the SFCC University Center, which houses the college's bachelor's and advanced degree programs, were opened. Also, that year Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
Norman L. Stephens, Jr.
Dr. Norman L. Stephens, Jr. is an American academic, and the former President of Lincoln Land Community College. Stephens graduated with his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Florida. He also received his Masters degree from the University of Florida as well. In addition he...
became president of SFCC.
In 2003, the Dental Education Center opened. The Hardee Campus and the DeSoto Campus also opened.
Notable Alumni & Attendees
| Alumni | Notability |
|---|---|
| Darren Clarke Darren Clarke (baseball) Darren Lawrence Clarke is a free agent Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who most recently played for the Colorado Rockies... |
Current Major League Baseball Major League Baseball Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... relief pitcher |
| Ryan Raburn Ryan Raburn Ryan Neil Raburn is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers. Though primarily an outfielder, Raburn can also play third base, second base, first base, and catcher.... |
Current Major League Baseball Major League Baseball Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... outfielder |
| Baxter Troutman Baxter Troutman Baxter Troutman is a Winter Haven, Florida Citrus Grower, businessman, and Republican politician who serves as the representative for District 66 in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida. He was first elected to the Florida House in 2002, and was re-elected to three more... |
Current member of the Florida House of Representatives Florida House of Representatives The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at... |
| Jesse Litsch Jesse Litsch Jesse Allen Litsch is an American pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is tall and weighs 225 pounds.... |
Current Major League Baseball Major League Baseball Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... pitcher |