Jan. 27, 2025 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) conducted their annual review of President Fred Hawkins and established goals for 2025 at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
The DBOT goals for 2025 include:
- Continue to provide affordable tuition through scholarships and grants
- Analyze the College’s physical and academic footprint to confirm all facilities and programs are being utilized and offered efficiently and economically
- Maximize revenues and minimize expenditures to ensure positive gains while navigating through a competitive grant cycle and vying for funding with other institutions
- Partner with community businesses and industries to meet their employment needs
- Advance and support student success and retention through graduation
- Implement strategies to modernize the current infrastructure
“We are extremely excited to share that President Hawkins has received outstanding feedback on his annual evaluation from the SFSC District Board of Trustees,” said Terry Atchley, chair of the SFSC DBOT and Hardee County manager. “This highlights the president’s commitment to service and setting goals that uplift and inspire the College and our community. The dedication and goals set by both the president and the board will continue to guide our great institution into the future for the betterment of our students and our region.”
The DBOT meets monthly on the Highlands Campus of SFSC in Avon Park, Fla. For more information and meeting details, visit southflorida.edu/board-of-trustees.
Jan. 23, 2025 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation hosted its eighth annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford on Saturday, Jan. 18. This year, all finalists were unable to place, but the event raised $16,029 in support of SFSC Athletics.
Golfers participated in the three-day Golf Shootout and new Putt Challenge, which began on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring. A record number of golfers turned out to vie for the $1 million prize with 116, and 24 golfers tried to putt their way to $10,000.
The golfers who rounded out the group of 12 shootout qualifiers were: Kyle Braxton, Dave Johnson, Jeff Polen, Steve Sortore, Tosh Banning, Scott Hitt, Jeff Taylor, Julian Gonzalez, Randy Bonney, Carlos Maldonado, Andy Polk, and Peter Elliott. The Putt Challenge finalist was Terri Thayer.
“Anytime we can see an event exceed a previous year is a great accomplishment,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC. “This, of course, couldn’t be possible without our sponsors and golfers who come out each year to support our athletes, and who bring their friends. SFSC is blessed with the amazing support we receive from our community.”
Proceeds from the golf shootout benefit SFSC Panther Athletic with teams in women’s volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. SFSC’s student-athletes assisted throughout the Golf Shootout.
For more information on the event or how to become a sponsor for next year’s Golf Shootout, contact the SFSC Foundation at 863-453-3313.
Dental Ed students
AVON PARK, Fla. — Jan. 24, 2025 — During the January meeting of South Florida State College’s (SFSC) District Board of Trustees, 22 students studying for careers in the health sciences at SFSC received approximately $28,100 in scholarships.
The Florida College System Foundation (FCSF) and Florida Blue awarded Nursing and Allied Health scholarships to SFSC students in Nursing, Dental Education, and Radiography programs. The students may use the scholarships for tuition, textbooks, lab fees, and childcare.
Students receiving the scholarships are studying within three health science disciplines:
- Nursing: Dusti Conners, Savannah Ewing, Jamilet Gondinez, Nubia Hernandez, Ana Ibanez, Flor Leon, Jenise Lopez, Karen Monterrosa, Keyshauna Parhams, TaiYonna Phillips, Magnolia Santiago, Monike Thomas, Griselda Vasquez, Juanita Vilafana-Rocha, and Aiani Walker.
- Dental Education: Abronikka Brown, Kerstin Jones, and Nora Ortiz
- Radiography: Destiny Badillo, Juan Molina-Molina, Alyssa Perez, and Gemi Saunders
Nursing students
The scholarships are the result of a partnership between the FSCF and Florida Blue. The Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship was created to sustain a source of funding for student scholarships at Florida colleges to meet the growing need for skilled nurses and allied health professionals who serve the state’s diverse population. The SFSC Foundation, Inc. provided a 50% match of the original award from the FCSF and Florida Blue, as the funds must be matched dollar for dollar by private donors at the local level.
“The students who received the Florida Blue scholarships will soon begin careers in nursing, dental care, and radiography – all fields that are critical in keeping our community safe and healthy,” said Jamie Bateman, SFSC vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs. “Students participating in intensive healthcare programs are often unable to work outside of their studies. Because of its commitment to education and statewide healthcare needs, Florida Blue has provided scholarships to aid these students in completing their programs and alleviating financial stress. We extend our sincerest appreciation for Florida Blue’s continued support to SFSC’s students.”
Radiography students
The FCSF, based in Tallahassee, is a nonprofit organization that solicits gifts and donations from corporations and individuals for distribution to Florida’s 28 community and state colleges. SFSC has received scholarships for health sciences students since 2006. Florida Blue, previously known as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, provides individual and group health insurance to millions of Floridians.
| Name: | Drew Dawson |
| Number: | 29 |
| Position: | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Height: | 6’5″ |
| Weight: | 217 lbs. |
| Hometown: | P.K. Younge |
| Class: |
Sophomore |
| Name: | Brayden Allison |
| Number: | 26 |
| Position: | Left-Handed Pitcher, First Base |
| Height: | 6’2″ |
| Weight: | 196 lbs. |
| Hometown: | Flanagan |
| Class: |
Freshman |
| Name: | Landon Carter |
| Number: | 25 |
| Position: | Left-Handed Pitcher, First Base |
| Height: | 5’10” |
| Weight: | 190 lbs. |
| Hometown: | Port Charlotte, Florida |
| Class: |
Freshman |
| Name: | Alex Pena |
| Number: | 24 |
| Position: | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Height: | 6’0″ |
| Weight: | 215 lbs. |
| Hometown: | Western |
| Class: |
Sophomore |
| Name: | Cole Cozzolino |
| Number: | 23 |
| Position: | Left-Handed Pitcher |
| Height: | 5’11 |
| Weight: | 165 lbs. |
| Hometown: | Cardinal Gibbons |
| Class: |
Sophomore |
| Name: | Desmond Pinder |
| Number: | 21 |
| Position: | Outfield |
| Height: | 5’9″ |
| Weight: | 173 lbs. |
| Hometown: | International Elite Academy |
| Class: |
Freshman |
| Name: | Avery Anderson |
| Number: | 20 |
| Position: | Catcher |
| Height: | 6’1″ |
| Weight: | 220 lbs. |
| Hometown: | Georgia Premier |
| Class: |
Freshman |
