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{{Short description|Public college in Southwest Florida, United States}}
{{Short description|Public college in Fort Myers, Florida, US}}
{{Redirect|Edison State College}}
{{Redirect|Edison State College}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
| name = Florida SouthWestern<br />State College
| name = Florida SouthWestern State College
| former_names = {{ubl|Edison Junior College|Edison Community College|Edison College|Edison State College}}
| image = Seal-of-Florida-SouthWestern-State-College.svg
| motto = A Higher Degree of You
| image_upright = 0.7
| former_names = Edison Junior College (1962–1972)<br>Edison Community College (1972–2004)<br>Edison College (2004–2008)<br>Edison State College (2008–2014)
| established = {{Start date and age|1962}}
| campus = Suburban
| type = [[Public college]]
| type = [[Public college]]
| established = {{start date and age|1962}}
| parent = [[Florida College System]]
| parent = [[Florida College System]]
| president = Jeffery Allbritten
| accreditation = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
| endowment = $49.5 million (2024)<ref>Marra, Andrew (February 12, 2024). [https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/education/2024/02/12/uf-um-have-floridas-largest-endowments-more-than-1-billion-each/72442053007/ "Two Florida universities have more than $1 billion in endowments to invest on campus"]. ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]''. Retrieved September 8, 2024.</ref>
| city = [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], [[Naples, Florida|Naples]], & [[LaBelle, Florida|LaBelle]]
| budget = $96.6 million (2024)<ref>[https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/19874/urlt/2425FLSouthWestern.xlsx "Annual Budget Summary - Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Florida SouthWestern State College)"]. [[Florida Department of Education]]. Retrieved September 12, 2024.</ref>
⚫
| state = [[Florida]]
| president = Jeffery Allbritten
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|26.5513|-81.8872|type:edu_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| faculty = 194 (full-time)<ref name="NCES">[https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=133508 Florida SouthWestern State College]. [[National Center for Education Statistics]] (College Navigator). Retrieved September 8, 2024.</ref><br>338 (part-time)<ref name="NCES" />
⚫
| country = U.S.
| students = 14,386 (fall 2022)<ref name="Quickfacts" />
| undergrad = 14,326 (fall 2022)<ref name="NCES" />
⚫
| city = [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]]
| administrative_staff = 1043 (493 full-time, 550 part-time)<ref name="Quickfacts" />
| faculty = 594 (279 full-time, 315 adjunct)<ref name="Quickfacts" />
| state = [[Florida]]
| endowment =
| country = United States
⚫
| coordinates = {{Coord|26.5513|-81.8872|type:edu_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| budget = $81,597,242 (2022-2023)<ref name="Quickfacts">{{cite web|title=General Statistics & Demographics|url=https://www.fsw.edu/researchreporting/generalstatisticsanddemographics}}</ref>
| colors = {{color box|Purple}}{{color box|Aqua}} Purple & aqua
| campus = Large suburb<ref name="NCES" />
| colors = Purple and aqua<br>{{color box|#470a68}} {{color box|#00bfa9}}
| sports_nickname = The Buccaneers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fswbucs.com/landing/index |title=FSW Buccaneers |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref>
| nickname = Buccaneers
| mascot = [[File:https://www.fsw.edu/assets/img/logos/fsw-buc-logo.png|200px|Buc]]
| sporting_affiliations = [[National Junior College Athletic Association|NJCAA]] [[NJCAA Region 8|Region 8]] – [[Suncoast Conference]]
⚫
| free_label = Newspaper
| free = FSW Compass
| mascot = Captain Blackbeard
| website = {{URL|http://www.fsw.edu}}
| logo = Logo-of-Florida-SouthWestern-State-College.svg
⚫
| logo_size = 250px
⚫
| image = [[File:Florida SouthWestern State College logo.png|200px|FSW logo]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.fsw.edu}}
}}
}}


'''Florida SouthWestern State College''' ('''FSW''' or '''Florida SouthWestern''') is a [[public college]] with its main campus in [[Fort Myers, Florida]]. It is part of the [[Florida College System]]. The college has [[satellite campus]]es in [[Charlotte County, Florida|Charlotte County]] and [[Collier County, Florida|Collier County]], and outreach programs in [[Hendry County, Florida|Hendry County]] and [[Glades County, Florida|Glades County]].
'''Florida SouthWestern State College''' ('''FSW''') is a [[public college]] in [[Fort Myers, Florida]]. It is a member of the [[Florida College System]].

FSW was founded in 1962 as Edison Junior College, named after [[Thomas Edison]], and was subsequently renamed Edison Community College in 1972, Edison College in 2004, Edison State College in 2008, and Florida SouthWestern State College in 2014.


==History==
==History==
FSW was established in 1962 as '''Edison Junior College''', named after [[Thomas Edison]], who spent winter months in Fort Myers. Its first campus opened in 1965. The school rebranded several times, reflecting changes in its mission and academic offerings. It became a baccalaureate-granting institution in 2008, when it was renamed '''Edison State College'''. In 2014, the college adopted its current name, cutting ties to Edison and aligning with its expanded geographic reach.<ref name="namechange">Rosenburg-Douglas, Katherine (July 7, 2014). [https://archive.naplesnews.com/news/education/goodbye-edison-hello-florida-southwestern-state-college-ep-474364750-337225831.html "Goodbye Edison, hello Florida SouthWestern State College"]. ''[[Naples Daily News]]''. Retrieved September 8, 2024.</ref>
Florida SouthWestern State College, originally known as '''Edison Junior College''', admitted its first students in the fall of 1962. The college was named after the inventor and industrialist Thomas Edison who frequently wintered in Fort Myers. The Lee Campus (now known as the Thomas Edison Campus) opened in 1965 on an 80-acre site with three buildings. The school's nursing program began on campus with a $50,000 donation in 1968.

The college's name changed to '''Edison Community College''' in 1972, shortly after the first nursing class graduated. Ten years later, in 1982, a branch campus of the [[University of South Florida]] was dedicated. The college's primary arts center, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, opened in 1986 and serves as the premier Performing Arts venue in Lee County.

Construction on the Collier County Campus at Lely lasted from 1991 to 1992, on a {{cvt|50|acre|adj=on}} site in [[Naples, Florida]]. Soon after that, the Charlotte County Campus opened in 1997, on a {{cvt|204|acre|adj=on}} plot of land in [[Punta Gorda, Florida]]. This is the largest campus to date. The college revised its mission by publishing a new strategic plan, ''The Decade of Promise'', in 2002. The college again changed its name in 2004, to simply '''Edison College'''.

⚫
[[File:SignFloridaSouthWesternStateCollegeLeeCampus.jpg|thumb|left|Lee Campus sign in 2019]]
The college continued to expand through the 2000s with increased funding for the nursing program and the new Richard H. Rush Library on the Lee Campus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida SouthWestern State College Richard H. Rush Library|url=http://www.fsw.edu/cultural/rushlibrary/}}: short background, exhibits</ref> In 2008, the college saw its fourth name change to '''Edison State College''', and a new torch logo with blue and yellow colors to reflect the college's new status as a [[bachelor's degree|baccalaureate]]-granting state college. Multiple new baccalaureate programs opened over the next decade, including Middle Grades Mathematics, Sciences, and Language Arts Education; Applied Science in Public Safety Management; Elementary Education; and Secondary Education Biology and Mathematics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/chronology |title=About {{!}} History of Florida SouthWestern {{!}} Florida SouthWestern State College |website=www.fsw.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903061314/http://www.fsw.edu/about/chronology |archive-date=2014-09-03}}</ref>

In 2011, the college's [[Academic senate|faculty senate]] approved a [[vote of no confidence]] in the college president and senior vice president, amid allegations of employment discrimination, inappropriately high salaries for key administrators, and problems with the accreditation of the nursing program.<ref name=NoConfidence>{{cite journal |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/apr/05/edison-state-college-faculty-vote-no-confidence-pr/ |title=Edison faculty vote results: 84 percent no confidence in President Walker, Browder |author=Leslie Williams Hale |journal =[[Naples Daily News]] |date=April 5, 2011 |accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> A few weeks later, President Kenneth Walker, who had led the college for over twenty years, announced plans to resign.<ref name=WalkerResignation>{{cite journal |url=http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/edison-state-president-to-resign/32522 |title=Edison State College’s Embattled President to Resign |journal =[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]] |date=April 27, 2011 |accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> The college's governing District Board of Trustees ultimately fired Walker in January 2012.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20120125/NEWS0104/106170005/Edison-trustees-fire-President-Kenneth-Walker|title=Edison trustees fire President Kenneth Walker |author=Dave Breitenstein |journal =[[The News-Press]]|date=January 24, 2012 |accessdate=March 29, 2014}}</ref> The college's accrediting agency placed the college on probation in June 2012. The agency cited multiple factors, including the institution's inability to demonstrate integrity; lack of full-time faculty; nursing students being misled about their program's accreditation; and substitution of electives for core classes, which allowed students to graduate without completing degree requirements.<ref name=AccreditationProbation>{{cite journal |url=http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201206211034/NEWS0104/120621003 |title=Edison State College placed on probation by accrediting agency |author=Dave Breitenstein |journal =[[The News-Press]] |date=June 21, 2012 |accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> The college saw its accreditation reaffirmed and its probation lifted in June 2013.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jun/20/edison-state-colleges-accreditation-reaffirmed-aft/ |title=Edison State College's accreditation reaffirmed after probationary period |author=Kristine Gill |journal =[[The Naples Daily News]] |date=June 20, 2013 |accessdate=March 29, 2014}}</ref>

The name, logo, and colors were changed for the fifth and most recent time in 2014. This name broke ties to Thomas Edison, who was the college's former namesake. The new name, '''Florida SouthWestern State College''', was created in response to reflect the wide geographic region the college serves. Another reason for the change was to avoid confusion with [[Thomas Edison State College]] of New Jersey due to new online courses with a nationwide reach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.winknews.com/mobile/index.php/mobile/article/2014-01-08_Edison-College-to-become-Fla-South-Western-State-College |title=Wink Mobile |access-date=2014-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109150157/http://www.winknews.com/mobile/index.php/mobile/article/2014-01-08_Edison-College-to-become-Fla-South-Western-State-College |archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbc-2.com/story/24399496/florida-house-supports-edison-state-name-change|title = White House says Florida flopped with vaccines, but that's not the whole story|date = 26 January 2021}}</ref>


==Academics==
==Academics==
FSW offers both associate and baccalaureate degrees, and several vocational certificate programs, focusing on healthcare, business, technology, and education. FSW is accredited by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]].
⚫
[[File:RushLibraryLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg|thumb|Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus]]
FSW offers 25 [[associate degree]], 6 [[bachelor's degree]], and 29 [[Academic certificate|certificate]] programs, with an emphasis on healthcare, business, technology, and education programs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Academic Programs|url=https://www.fsw.edu/academics/programs}}</ref> The college also enrolls more than 3,500 [[dual enrollment]] students each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edison.edu/dualenrollment |title=Dual Enrollment |year=2014 |publisher=edison.edu |access-date=March 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084542/http://www.edison.edu/dualenrollment |archive-date=2014-03-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Non-credit [[continuing education]] courses are also offered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Continuing Education|url=https://www.fsw.edu/ce}}</ref> FSW is accredited by the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fsw.edu/accreditation |title=Accreditation |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref>


==Students==
==Campuses==
The main campus is located in Fort Myers, and covers {{convert|140|acre|ha}}. The college also has additional campuses, including the Charlotte Campus in [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], which opened in 1997 and is the largest campus at {{convert|204|acre|ha}}. The Collier Campus, located in [[Naples, Florida|Naples]], opened in 1992 on a {{convert|50|acre|ha|adj=on}} site. Additionally, the Hendry/Glades Curtis Center in [[LaBelle, Florida|LaBelle]] serves as a hub for outreach programs.
*Enrollment – 14,386 (Fall 2022)
*Full-time – 38.5%; Part-time – 61.5%
*79.2% of students are 24 years old or younger, 20.8% of students are over the age of 24
*Female - 63.8%; Male - 35.8%
*36.2% White, 36.8% Hispanic/Latino, 12.7% African American, and 2.7% other minorities
*[[Dual enrollment]] students represent 22.6% of the total fall enrollment.<ref name="Quickfacts"/>


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
FSW reestablished its athletics program in 2014 under the "Buccaneers" moniker.<ref name="namechange" /> Teams participate in the [[Suncoast Conference]] of the [[Florida State College Activities Association]] and the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]]. The 3,500-seat [[Suncoast Credit Union Arena]] opened in 2016 and is home to the basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the [[City of Palms Classic]] high school basketball tournament.<ref>Dorsey, Dave (November 28, 2016). [https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/college/florida-southwestern/2016/11/28/masterpiece-suncoast-credit-union-arena-set-open-fsw/94576018/ "'Masterpiece' Suncoast Credit Union Arena set to open at FSW"]. ''Naples Daily News''. Retrieved September 8, 2024.</ref> Baseball and softball teams play at [[City of Palms Park]].
Florida SouthWestern State College resumed its athletics program in 2015 after having been discontinued in 1997. The teams continued to be known once again as the Buccaneers. For the inaugural season, the school fielded teams in softball, baseball, men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2015/07/29/florida-southwestern-state-college-athletic-programs-take-shape/30829261/|title=Florida SouthWestern athletics make progress}}</ref> The teams participate in the [[Suncoast Conference]] of the Florida State College Activities Association within the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]].


==Gallery==
On November 29, 2016, the new on-campus [[Suncoast Credit Union Arena]] opened. With a seating capacity of 3,500, it is home to the basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the new home of the [[City of Palms Classic]] high school basketball tournament. The arena has also held other basketball events, including Fort Myers Tip Off and concerts.
{{Gallery

⚫
| title = Photos of Florida SouthWestern State College
The baseball and softball team play at the City Of Palms Park, which was home of the Boston Red Sox spring training games from 1993 to 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=FSW opens new arena with fanfare, basketball doubleheader|first=David|last=Dorsey|url=http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2016/11/29/fsw-opens-new-arena-fanfare-basketball-doubleheader/94419944/|newspaper=The News Press|date=November 30, 2016}}</ref>
| align = center

⚫
| File: SignFloridaSouthWesternStateCollegeLeeCampus.jpg
== Library ==
| Lee Campus sign in 2019
⚫
[[File:FSW Lee Campus Library Garden.jpg|thumb|Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.]]
| alt1= Lee Campus sign in 2019
Florida SouthWestern State College houses an academic library at each of its four campuses. Its main campus library, the Richard H. Rush Library (residing on the Lee campus), was remodeled and reopened in 2008 following an $8 million donation from Richard Rush and his wife. The Rush's generous donation resulted in the growth of a flourishing outside garden and the establishment of a dedicated gallery space on the first floor, which houses famous Renaissance and Impressionist paintings as well as Eastern porcelain antiques.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida SouthWestern State College Richard H. Rush Library|url=http://www.fsw.edu/cultural/rushlibrary/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Exhibit: High Renaissance to Impressionism|url=https://www.fsw.edu/cultural/rushlibrary/italy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Exhibit: The Sanders Porcelain Collection|url=https://www.fsw.edu/cultural/rushlibrary/sanders}}</ref>
⚫
| File: RushLibraryLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg

| Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
The Richard H. Rush Library, as well as the satellite campus libraries, supports the mission of Florida SouthWestern State College by providing quality resources and research instruction, ensuring that students, employees, and community members become effective researchers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. Librarians and library staff provide customer service and instruction both to in person and virtual students.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries: Mission Statement|url=https://researchguides.fsw.edu/MissionStatement}}</ref><ref name="fswhome">{{cite web|title=Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries: Home|url=https://researchguides.fsw.edu/home}}</ref>
| alt2= Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus

| File: FSW Lee Campus Library Garden.jpg
The library collection houses thousands of physical and electronic books and videos, as well as hundreds of scholarly databases to assist faculty and students with their courses and research. Beginning in 2021, the Richard H. Rush Library launched an eReserves [[Controlled digital lending]] initiative, allowing hundreds of course textbooks to be digitized and uploaded to an online repository for 24/7 student access. Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries house Anatomy Labs that include anatomy models and various other anatomy and physiology teaching aids for students. In 2023, Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries merged with the College's Tutoring Department to house Math, Writing/Speech, and Peer Tutoring Centers to provide academic support to students.<ref name="fswhome" />
| Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.

⚫
| alt3= Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
==Campuses==
[[File:PondLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg|thumb|left|Technology Center on the Lee Campus]]
| File: PondLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg
| Technology Center on the Lee Campus
| alt4= Technology Center on the Lee Campus
The Lee campus is the primary campus, located on {{convert|140|acre|km2}} between College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive in South Lee county.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fsw.edu/lee |title=Lee Campus |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=January 29, 2024}}</ref> The campus consists of 24 permanent buildings, including one- and two-story classroom buildings, a library, a bookstore, a cafeteria, a student center, and laboratories for science, computer science, nursing, health technologies, and college preparatory classes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/maps |title=Campus Maps |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=August 27, 2014}}</ref> Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School - Lee is located on this campus. The collegiate high school is a dual-enrollment based program allowing students to earn an [[associate degree]] at the same time as a [[high school diploma]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/chs |title=About Collegiate High Schools |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=August 27, 2014}}</ref>
| File: MedicalMuseumFSW.jpg

⚫
| Medical Museum on the Lee Campus
The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, opened in 1986, is located on the Lee Campus and hosts plays, shows, and concerts. The Edison Pops Concert Series is held there annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbmannpah.com/ |title=Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=August 27, 2014}}</ref>
| alt5= Medical Museum on the Lee Campus

}}
⚫
[[File:MedicalMuseumFSW.jpg|thumb|Medical Museum on the Lee Campus]]
Also located on the [[Fort Myers, Florida]] Lee campus, the Gallery of Fine Art was renamed the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, on June 4, 2004, celebrating a long time association with artist [[Robert Rauschenberg]].[47] The gallery has been host to many of the artist's exhibitions since 1980.[48]

The Collier County campus is a {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} site off [[Florida State Road 951|State Road 951]] in east Naples. The Collier campus opened in 1992. This campus is located adjacent to [[Lely Resort, Florida|Lely Resort]]. Facilities such as a bookstore, auditorium, student center, and the NCEF Early Childhood Development center, and NCEF Pediatric Dental Center are located on the Collier County campus.[28]

The Charlotte County campus is located on a wooded site on Airport Road in Punta Gorda. The Charlotte campus opened in 1997. It also has a collegiate high school, which was the first collegiate high school in Florida to accept ninth graders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fsw.edu/wp/cchs/about/ |title=FSWCHS-Charlotte |publisher=fsw.edu |access-date=August 27, 2014}}</ref>

The Hendry/Glades Center outreach program campus is located on Cowboy Way in LaBelle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edison.edu/about |title=About Edison State College |publisher=edison.edu |access-date=March 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330160204/http://www.edison.edu/about |archive-date=2014-03-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
* [[Charles Ghigna]], poet and children's author
* [[Charles Ghigna]], poet and children's author
* [[Matt Hudson]], member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Florida Southwestern State College Website. |url=https://www.fsw.edu/about/maps |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Matt Hudson]], member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Florida Southwestern State College Website. |url=https://www.fsw.edu/about/maps}}</ref>
* [[Tina Wainscott]], romance and suspense novelist
* [[Tina Wainscott]], romance and suspense novelist
* [[Fuzzy Zoeller]], professional golfer, currently plays on the [[Champions Tour]]
* [[Fuzzy Zoeller]], professional golfer, currently plays on the [[Champions Tour]]
Line 99: Line 75:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.fsw.edu}}
* {{Official website|http://www.fsw.edu}}
*[http://fswbucs.com Athletics website]
* [http://fswbucs.com Athletics website]


{{Florida College System}}
{{Florida College System}}

Latest revision as of 01:57, 13 September 2024

"Edison State College" redirects here. For other uses, see Edison State College (disambiguation).
Florida SouthWestern State College
Former names
Edison Junior College (1962–1972)
Edison Community College (1972–2004)
Edison College (2004–2008)
Edison State College (2008–2014)
TypePublic college
Established1962; 63 years ago (1962)
Parent institution
Florida College System
AccreditationSACS
Endowment$49.5 million (2024)[1]
Budget$96.6 million (2024)[2]
PresidentJeffery Allbritten
Academic staff
194 (full-time)[3]
338 (part-time)[3]
Undergraduates14,326 (fall 2022)[3]
Location
Fort Myers
,
Florida
,
United States

26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W / 26.5513; -81.8872
CampusLarge suburb[3]
ColorsPurple and aqua
   
NicknameBuccaneers
Sporting affiliations
NJCAA Region 8 – Suncoast Conference
MascotCaptain Blackbeard
Websitewww.fsw.edu

Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is a public college in Fort Myers, Florida. It is a member of the Florida College System.

History

[edit]

FSW was established in 1962 as Edison Junior College, named after Thomas Edison, who spent winter months in Fort Myers. Its first campus opened in 1965. The school rebranded several times, reflecting changes in its mission and academic offerings. It became a baccalaureate-granting institution in 2008, when it was renamed Edison State College. In 2014, the college adopted its current name, cutting ties to Edison and aligning with its expanded geographic reach.[4]

Academics

[edit]

FSW offers both associate and baccalaureate degrees, and several vocational certificate programs, focusing on healthcare, business, technology, and education. FSW is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Campuses

[edit]

The main campus is located in Fort Myers, and covers 140 acres (57 ha). The college also has additional campuses, including the Charlotte Campus in Punta Gorda, which opened in 1997 and is the largest campus at 204 acres (83 ha). The Collier Campus, located in Naples, opened in 1992 on a 50-acre (20 ha) site. Additionally, the Hendry/Glades Curtis Center in LaBelle serves as a hub for outreach programs.

Athletics

[edit]

FSW reestablished its athletics program in 2014 under the "Buccaneers" moniker.[4] Teams participate in the Suncoast Conference of the Florida State College Activities Association and the National Junior College Athletic Association. The 3,500-seat Suncoast Credit Union Arena opened in 2016 and is home to the basketball and volleyball teams, as well as the City of Palms Classic high school basketball tournament.[5] Baseball and softball teams play at City of Palms Park.

[edit]
Photos of Florida SouthWestern State College
  • Lee Campus sign in 2019
    Lee Campus sign in 2019
  • Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
    Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
  • Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
    Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
  • Technology Center on the Lee Campus
    Technology Center on the Lee Campus
  • Medical Museum on the Lee Campus
    Medical Museum on the Lee Campus

Notable alumni

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Marra, Andrew (February 12, 2024). "Two Florida universities have more than $1 billion in endowments to invest on campus". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "Annual Budget Summary - Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Florida SouthWestern State College)". Florida Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Florida SouthWestern State College. National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Rosenburg-Douglas, Katherine (July 7, 2014). "Goodbye Edison, hello Florida SouthWestern State College". Naples Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Dorsey, Dave (November 28, 2016). "'Masterpiece' Suncoast Credit Union Arena set to open at FSW". Naples Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Florida Southwestern State College Website". April 8, 2024.
[edit]
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