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, 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 and DeSoto campuses opened.
On July 1, 2012, the College officially changed its name from South Florida Community College to South Florida State College.
Read more about this topic: South Florida Community College
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