St. Johns River Community College
Encyclopedia
St. Johns River State College is a state college with campuses in Palatka
, St. Augustine
, and Orange Park, Florida
. It is a member institution of the Florida College System, and is one of several colleges in the system designated a "state college", meaning they can offer more four-year bachelor's degree
s than traditional two-year community college
s.
The institution was founded in 1958 and soon branched out with the goal of serving Putnam
, St. Johns
, and Clay
Counties in North Florida
. Prior to 2011 it was known as St. Johns River Community College, with the Palatka campus including the Florida School of the Arts, Florida's first state-sponsored arts school. In 2011 it adopted its current name reflecting that it will begin offering bachelor's degrees in organizational management and early childhood education. The current president of the college is Joe Pickens
. He took over from Dr Robert L. McLendon, Jr.
, who had served as president of the college from 1972–2008.
Palatka, Florida
Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...
, St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, and Orange Park, Florida
Orange Park, Florida
Orange Park is a town in Clay County, Florida, USA, and a suburb of Jacksonville. The population was 8,412 at the 2010 census. The name "Orange Park" is additionally applied to a wider area of northern Clay County outside the town limits, covering such communities as Fleming Island, Lakeside, and...
. It is a member institution of the Florida College System, and is one of several colleges in the system designated a "state college", meaning they can offer more four-year bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s than traditional two-year community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
s.
The institution was founded in 1958 and soon branched out with the goal of serving Putnam
Putnam County, Florida
Putnam County is a county located in the state of Florida. The entire county makes up the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 70,423. The U.S. Census Bureau 2009 estimate for the county was 72,893 . Its county seat is Palatka, Florida. The county is centrally...
, St. Johns
St. Johns County, Florida
St. Johns County is a county located in northeastern Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 190,039. The county seat is St. Augustine. Due to the inclusion of Ponte Vedra Beach, it is one of the highest-income counties in the United States....
, and Clay
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
Counties in North Florida
North Florida
North Florida refers to the northernmost part of the U.S. state of Florida, including some counties that border the state of Georgia. It also borders the Big Bend with Madison County and Taylor County to the east and the Central Florida region to its south....
. Prior to 2011 it was known as St. Johns River Community College, with the Palatka campus including the Florida School of the Arts, Florida's first state-sponsored arts school. In 2011 it adopted its current name reflecting that it will begin offering bachelor's degrees in organizational management and early childhood education. The current president of the college is Joe Pickens
Joe Pickens
Joe Hill Pickens is an American politician, educator, and college administrator who currently serves as President of St. Johns River State College. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000–2008, representing District 21.Pickens was born in Deland, Florida...
. He took over from Dr Robert L. McLendon, Jr.
Robert L. McLendon, Jr.
Dr. Robert L. McLendon, Jr. is an American academic, and the former President of St. Johns River Community College. He has served as the President from 1972–2008, and he is currently one of the longest serving President in the history of the Florida Community Colleges System. McLendon graduated...
, who had served as president of the college from 1972–2008.
Campus locations
- Palatka Campus (Putnam CountyPutnam County, FloridaPutnam County is a county located in the state of Florida. The entire county makes up the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 70,423. The U.S. Census Bureau 2009 estimate for the county was 72,893 . Its county seat is Palatka, Florida. The county is centrally...
) - St. Augustine Campus (St. Johns County)
- Orange Park Campus (Clay CountyClay County, FloridaClay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
) - Florida School of the Arts (Palatka Campus)
District Board of Trustees
- W. W. "Bunky" Roberts (Putnam) - Chairman of the Board
- Larry Lancaster (Clay) - Vice Chairman
- Dale Wilson (Clay)
- Dr. Neil F. Benson (Putnam)
- Diane Leone (St. Johns)
- Carl Beck (St. Johns)
- Board Attorney - Joe C. Miller II
Notable alumni and attendees
| Alumni | Notability |
|---|---|
| Ed Hickox Ed Hickox (umpire) Edwin William Hickox is an umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1990 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues beginning in 2005. He wears uniform number 15. Hickox officiated in the 2007 National League Division Series and the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star... |
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... umpire |
| Howie Kendrick Howie Kendrick Howard "Howie" Joseph Kendrick III is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Early life:... |
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... second baseman |
| Lake Ray Lake Ray Lake Ray in Jacksonville, Florida.Ray is a Representative in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida. He received his Associates degree from St. Johns River Community College, and his Bachelors degree from the University of Florida in 1981... |
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... |
| Bill Swaggerty | Former 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 |
| Rick Surhoff Rick Surhoff Richard Clifford Surhoff is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Surhoff played for the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies in . He last played professional baseball in .... |
Former 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 |