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Florida SouthWestern State College: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W / 26.5513; -81.8872
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| faculty = 594 (279 full-time, 315 adjunct)<ref name="General Statistics & Demographics" />
| faculty = 594 (279 full-time, 315 adjunct)<ref name="General Statistics & Demographics" />
| endowment = $49,513,921 (2024)
| endowment = $49,513,921 (2024)
| budget = $81,597,242 (2022-2023)<ref name="General Statistics & Demographics">{{cite web|title=General Statistics & Demographics|url=https://www.fsw.edu/researchreporting/generalstatisticsanddemographics}}</ref>
| budget = $81,597,242 (2022-2023)<ref name="General Statistics & Demographics">{{Cite web |title=General Statistics & Demographics |url=https://www.fsw.edu/researchreporting/generalstatisticsanddemographics}}</ref>
| colors = {{color box|Purple}}{{color box|Aqua}} Purple & aqua
| colors = {{color box|Purple}}{{color box|Aqua}} Purple & aqua
| 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>
| sports_nickname = The Buccaneers<ref>{{Cite web |title=FSW Buccaneers |url=http://fswbucs.com/landing/index |access-date=April 20, 2019 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</ref>
| mascot = {{URL|https://www.fsw.edu/assets/img/logos/fsw-buc-logo.png|Buc}}
| mascot = {{URL|https://www.fsw.edu/assets/img/logos/fsw-buc-logo.png|Buc}}
| free_label =
| free_label =
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[[File:SignFloridaSouthWesternStateCollegeLeeCampus.jpg|thumb|left|Lee Campus sign in 2019]]
[[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>
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 |title=About {{!}} History of Florida SouthWestern {{!}} Florida SouthWestern State College |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/chronology |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903061314/http://www.fsw.edu/about/chronology |archive-date=2014-09-03 |website=www.fsw.edu}}</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>
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 |last=Leslie Williams Hale |date=April 5, 2011 |title=Edison faculty vote results: 84 percent no confidence in President Walker, Browder |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/apr/05/edison-state-college-faculty-vote-no-confidence-pr/ |journal=[[Naples Daily News]] |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 |date=April 27, 2011 |title=Edison State College's Embattled President to Resign |url=http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/edison-state-president-to-resign/32522 |journal=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]] |accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> The college's governing District Board of Trustees ultimately fired Walker in January 2012.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dave Breitenstein |date=January 24, 2012 |title=Edison trustees fire President Kenneth Walker |url=http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20120125/NEWS0104/106170005/Edison-trustees-fire-President-Kenneth-Walker |journal=[[The News-Press]] |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 |last=Dave Breitenstein |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Edison State College placed on probation by accrediting agency |url=http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201206211034/NEWS0104/120621003 |journal=[[The News-Press]] |accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> The college saw its accreditation reaffirmed and its probation lifted in June 2013.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kristine Gill |date=June 20, 2013 |title=Edison State College's accreditation reaffirmed after probationary period |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jun/20/edison-state-colleges-accreditation-reaffirmed-aft/ |journal=[[The Naples Daily News]] |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>
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 |title=Wink Mobile |url=http://www.winknews.com/mobile/index.php/mobile/article/2014-01-08_Edison-College-to-become-Fla-South-Western-State-College |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 |access-date=2014-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2021 |title=White House says Florida flopped with vaccines, but that's not the whole story |url=http://www.nbc-2.com/story/24399496/florida-house-supports-edison-state-name-change}}</ref>


==Academics==
==Academics==
[[File:RushLibraryLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg|thumb|Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus]]
[[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>
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 |year=2014 |title=Dual Enrollment |url=http://www.edison.edu/dualenrollment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084542/http://www.edison.edu/dualenrollment |archive-date=2014-03-28 |access-date=March 29, 2014 |publisher=edison.edu}}</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 |title=Accreditation |url=https://www.fsw.edu/accreditation |access-date=March 29, 2014 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</ref>


==Students==
==Students==
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* Female - 63.3%; Male - 36.3%; Unknown/Unreported - 0.5%
* Female - 63.3%; Male - 36.3%; Unknown/Unreported - 0.5%
* 34.4% White, 38.2% Hispanic/Latino, 12.9% African American, and 2.8% other minorities
* 34.4% White, 38.2% Hispanic/Latino, 12.9% African American, and 2.8% other minorities
* [[Dual enrollment]] students were 20.0% of the total 2023 fall enrollment. <ref name="General Statistics & Demographics"/>
* [[Dual enrollment]] students were 20.0% of the total 2023 fall enrollment. <ref name="General Statistics & Demographics" />


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
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]].
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 |title=Florida SouthWestern athletics make progress |url=http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2015/07/29/florida-southwestern-state-college-athletic-programs-take-shape/30829261/}}</ref> The teams participate in the [[Suncoast Conference]] of the Florida State College Activities Association within the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]].


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.
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.


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>
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 |last=Dorsey |first=David |date=November 30, 2016 |title=FSW opens new arena with fanfare, basketball doubleheader |url=http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2016/11/29/fsw-opens-new-arena-fanfare-basketball-doubleheader/94419944/ |work=The News Press}}</ref>


== Library ==
== Library ==
[[File:FSW Lee Campus Library Garden.jpg|thumb|Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.]]
[[File:FSW Lee Campus Library Garden.jpg|thumb|Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.]]
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>
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>


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>
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>


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" />
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" />
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==Campuses==
==Campuses==
[[File:PondLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg|thumb|left|Technology Center on the Lee Campus]]
[[File:PondLeeCampusFloridaSouthWesternStateCollege.jpg|thumb|left|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>
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 |title=Lee Campus |url=https://www.fsw.edu/lee |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</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 |title=Campus Maps |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/maps |access-date=August 27, 2014 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</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 |title=About Collegiate High Schools |url=http://www.fsw.edu/about/chs |access-date=August 27, 2014 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</ref>


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>
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 |title=Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall |url=https://www.bbmannpah.com/ |access-date=August 27, 2014 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</ref>


[[File:MedicalMuseumFSW.jpg|thumb|Medical Museum on the Lee Campus]]
[[File:MedicalMuseumFSW.jpg|thumb|Medical Museum on the Lee Campus]]
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The Collier County campus is a {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} site off [[Collier Boulevard|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 Collier County campus is a {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} site off [[Collier Boulevard|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 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 |title=FSWCHS-Charlotte |url=http://www.fsw.edu/wp/cchs/about/ |access-date=August 27, 2014 |publisher=fsw.edu}}</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>
The Hendry/Glades Center outreach program campus is located on Cowboy Way in LaBelle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Edison State College |url=http://www.edison.edu/about |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330160204/http://www.edison.edu/about |archive-date=2014-03-30 |access-date=March 29, 2014 |publisher=edison.edu}}</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 }}</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]]

Revision as of 14:14, 7 September 2024

Florida SouthWestern
State College
FSW logo
Former names
  • Edison Junior College
  • Edison Community College
  • Edison College
  • Edison State College
MottoA Higher Degree of You
TypePublic college
Established1962; 63 years ago (1962)
Parent institution
Florida College System
Endowment$49,513,921 (2024)
Budget$81,597,242 (2022-2023)[1]
PresidentJeffery Allbritten
Academic staff
594 (279 full-time, 315 adjunct)[1]
Administrative staff
1043 (493 full-time, 550 part-time)[1]
Students13,860 (Fall 2023)[1]
Location, ,
U.S.

26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W / 26.5513; -81.8872
CampusSuburban
Colors   Purple & aqua
NicknameThe Buccaneers[2]
MascotBuc
Websitewww.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 campuses in Charlotte County and Collier County, and outreach programs in Hendry County and Glades County.

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

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 50-acre (20 ha) site in Naples, Florida. Soon after that, the Charlotte County Campus opened in 1997, on a 204-acre (83 ha) 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.

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.[3] 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 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.[4]

In 2011, the college's 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.[5] A few weeks later, President Kenneth Walker, who had led the college for over twenty years, announced plans to resign.[6] The college's governing District Board of Trustees ultimately fired Walker in January 2012.[7] 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.[8] The college saw its accreditation reaffirmed and its probation lifted in June 2013.[9]

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.[10][11]

Academics

Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus

FSW offers 25 associate degree, 6 bachelor's degree, and 29 certificate programs, with an emphasis on healthcare, business, technology, and education programs.[12] The college also enrolls more than 3,500 dual enrollment students each year.[13] Non-credit continuing education courses are also offered.[14] FSW is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[15]

Students

  • Enrollment – 13,860 (Fall 2023)
  • Full-time – 38.9%; Part-time – 61.1%
  • 79.0% of students are 24 years old or younger, 21.0% of students are over the age of 24
  • Female - 63.3%; Male - 36.3%; Unknown/Unreported - 0.5%
  • 34.4% White, 38.2% Hispanic/Latino, 12.9% African American, and 2.8% other minorities
  • Dual enrollment students were 20.0% of the total 2023 fall enrollment. [1]

Athletics

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.[16] The teams participate in the Suncoast Conference of the Florida State College Activities Association within the National Junior College Athletic Association.

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.

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.[17]

Library

Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.

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.[18][19][20]

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.[21][22]

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.[22]

Campuses

Technology Center on the Lee Campus

The Lee campus is the primary campus, located on 140 acres (0.57 km2) between College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive in South Lee county.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26]

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 80-acre (320,000 m2) site off State Road 951 in east Naples. The Collier campus opened in 1992. This campus is located adjacent to 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.[27]

The Hendry/Glades Center outreach program campus is located on Cowboy Way in LaBelle.[28]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "General Statistics & Demographics".
  2. ^ "FSW Buccaneers". fsw.edu. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Florida SouthWestern State College Richard H. Rush Library".: short background, exhibits
  4. ^ "About | History of Florida SouthWestern | Florida SouthWestern State College". www.fsw.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03.
  5. ^ Leslie Williams Hale (April 5, 2011). "Edison faculty vote results: 84 percent no confidence in President Walker, Browder". Naples Daily News. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "Edison State College's Embattled President to Resign". The Chronicle of Higher Education. April 27, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  7. ^ Dave Breitenstein (January 24, 2012). "Edison trustees fire President Kenneth Walker". The News-Press. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Dave Breitenstein (June 21, 2012). "Edison State College placed on probation by accrediting agency". The News-Press. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  9. ^ Kristine Gill (June 20, 2013). "Edison State College's accreditation reaffirmed after probationary period". The Naples Daily News. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  10. ^ "Wink Mobile". Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  11. ^ "White House says Florida flopped with vaccines, but that's not the whole story". 26 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Academic Programs".
  13. ^ "Dual Enrollment". edison.edu. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "Continuing Education".
  15. ^ "Accreditation". fsw.edu. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  16. ^ "Florida SouthWestern athletics make progress".
  17. ^ Dorsey, David (November 30, 2016). "FSW opens new arena with fanfare, basketball doubleheader". The News Press.
  18. ^ "Florida SouthWestern State College Richard H. Rush Library".
  19. ^ "Exhibit: High Renaissance to Impressionism".
  20. ^ "Exhibit: The Sanders Porcelain Collection".
  21. ^ "Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries: Mission Statement".
  22. ^ a b "Florida SouthWestern State College Libraries: Home".
  23. ^ "Lee Campus". fsw.edu. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  24. ^ "Campus Maps". fsw.edu. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  25. ^ "About Collegiate High Schools". fsw.edu. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  26. ^ "Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall". fsw.edu. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  27. ^ "FSWCHS-Charlotte". fsw.edu. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  28. ^ "About Edison State College". edison.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  29. ^ "Florida Southwestern State College Website". April 8, 2024.