published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012

SFSC open house to feature tour of facilities

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK -- South Florida State College is giving the community a behind-the-scenes look at its educational facilities in celebration of its new name and expanded mission at the SFSC Open House Celebration on from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the SFSC Highlands Campus.

The program begins at 3:15 p.m. with the raising of the new flag and the dedication of a time capsule in front of the flagpole, opposite the Tower of Enlightenment mural on the mural circle.

The SFSC flag, in white, orange, and midnight blue, bears the new college seal designed by artist Keith Goodson. The time capsule will contain documents and other artifacts that commemorate this period in the college's history. It is proscribed to be opened at the college's 75th anniversary in 2040.

Afterwards, the celebration will continue in Building B, the Catherine P. Cornelius Student Services and Classroom Complex. The Career Development Center will showcase the services it provides to local jobseekers and employers. Staff and students will be available to discuss the more than 40 programs offered by the college, including technical training, corporate education, and its new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM).

Building B will also be the point of departure for tours of technical and occupational program laboratories, the Health and Science Education Center and its nursing, radiography, and science labs and the college's art and cultural facilities, including the SFSC Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC), and the college's art studios.

Open house refreshments will be served by students in the college's culinary arts program under the direction of Tim Hansen, professor, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. The local band Broken Road, which consists of Adam Martin, David Hale, Troy Kershaw, Erin Sena, and Ryan Hall, will entertain guests with its brand of American folk, country, and rock.

The open house marks a significant milestone in the history of the college, president Dr. Norm Stephens said. In June, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved a level change for South Florida Community College, which allowed it to award baccalaureate degrees. This led to the decision to change the college's name to South Florida State College. With the start of the fall term, classes began for the BAS-SM degree, making it possible for students to pursue a bachelor's degree from SFSC for the first time.

"We have always had a comprehensive mission of 'enriching our communities through education ... one life at a time,' and the new bachelor's program adds to it," Stephens said. "This open house is a celebration of our expanded mission but also an opportunity to affirm that we continue to be a comprehensive college that responds to the needs of our community. We invite everyone to celebrate with us and hope they'll develop a greater awareness of all of the programs and services we have to offer."

Guests may park around the SFSC Theatre for the Performing Arts and in front of the Learning Resources Center and then walk the short distance to the flagpoles and Building B. Transportation from parking areas will be available to those who need it.

For more information about the college and its services, call 453-6661, 773-2252, 465-5300, or 494-7500. To learn more about the open house, call 784-7250.