Welcome to Florida SouthWestern State College!
Welcome to the Florida SouthWestern State College family. We’re here to help you reach your professional goals. Along the way, our faculty are passionate about teaching and sharing their wealth of knowledge with you. Your learning experience here will extend far beyond the classroom. As you get closer to graduation, there are a variety of opportunities designed to provide you a complete college experience, including student clubs and activities, study abroad, internships and undergraduate research. These opportunities serve to make your professional certification, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree that much more valuable.
The year 2016 marks the return of athletics. You’ll cheer for the Buccaneers at City of Palms Park, the former Spring Training facility of the Boston Red Sox. Our baseball and softball teams feature players from the region, the state, the country and the world. Opening in the Fall is our Suncoast Credit Union Arena, a state-of-the-art facility where you can cheer for our men’s and women’s basketball teams. It will also be home to a variety of tournaments, concerts and community events. As a FSW student, you can enjoy this arena’s wellness features and activities.
At FSW, your moment is now to grow personally and become a leader. When the day arrives that you put on your cap and gown, I’ll be there to shake your hand and congratulate you on a job well done.
Go Bucs!
Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President
About Florida SouthWestern State College
Five Decades of History
As the largest institution of higher learning in Southwest Florida, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) has been serving the five-county region of Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties for over five decades, and currently has over 35,000 alumni serving in the healthcare, education, public service, and technology industries around the world. Originally founded in 1962 as Edison Junior College, FSW has developed into a leading provider of higher education opportunities for deserving students from across the country.
From Edison State College to Florida SouthWestern State College
In May 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill to change the college’s name to Florida SouthWestern State College. On July 1, 2014, faculty, staff, students, administrators, business and political leaders joined to celebrate the first day of the institution’s new beginning as Florida SouthWestern State College.
Along with the new name, the FSW Buccaneers are back in collegiate athletic competition. City of Palms Park is home to our baseball and softball teams. Opening in fall 2016 is Suncoast Credit Union Arena, a student activity center facility that will also be home to FSW’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, and women’s volleyball in 2017. The arena will also be a place for students to enjoy fitness and recreational activities, along with community concerts, graduations and events.
Led by its fourth president, Dr. Jeffery S. Allbritten, the college remains committed to providing affordable educational access to a four-year baccalaureate degree, a two-year associate degree, or a certificate from one of its five accredited schools:
- School of Health Professions
- School of Education
- School of Business and Technology
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences
- School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
FSW launched the Center for International Education to enhance study abroad experiences, and sponsored programs to encourage faculty and student research opportunities. The college is also known for its dedication to the arts. The year 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, which is an integral part of the college. FSW has fall and spring performances at The Hall featuring our jazz, symphony orchestra and choir. Our college is also home to the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW, where numerous exhibits are open to the public featuring artists of modern and contemporary art in all mediums, including the works of the late Rauschenberg and international names like Yoko Ono. Within our Richard H. Rush Library, we also have the Rush Collections Gallery on the ground floor.
Board of Trustees
Brian G. Chapman, Jr., B.A., Chair, Lee County
Mr. Chapman, of Cape Coral, is the founder and owner of State Insurance Agency. He received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University.
Tristan “Tris” Chapman, MBA, Vice-Chair, Hendry County
Mr. Chapman, of LaBelle, is a retired Vice President and General Manager of Southern Gardens Citrus. He received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of South Florida.
Sankey E. “Eddie” Webb, III, CPA, MBA, Charlotte County
Mr. Webb, of Punta Gorda, has been a certified public accountant and managing partner of Webb, Lorah and Company P.A. since 1985. He received a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University.
Marjorie Starnes-Bilotti, J.D., Lee County
Mrs. Starnes-Bilotti, of Fort Myers, is a retired attorney. She received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Florida State University.
Byron Donalds, B.S., Collier County
Mr. Donalds, of Naples, is a Portfolio Manager at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. He received a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Florida State University.
Eric Loche, B.A., Charlotte County
Mr. Loche, of Port Charlotte, is a Vice President with Morgan Stanley. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from California State University.
Julia G. Perry, B.A.E., Glades County
Mrs. Perry, of Moore Haven, is a retired school librarian. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi.
Braxton C. Rhone, B.S., Lee County
Mr. Rhone, of Fort Myers, is an Investment Representative at Fidelity Investments. He received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he also served as student body treasurer and vice president.
Christopher T. Vernon, J.D., Collier County
Mr. Vernon, of Naples, is a founding partner of the business and investment litigation firm Vernon Healy in Naples. He received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and received a law degree from Stetson University College of Law.
Strategic Directions
Enhancing the College Experience
- Focus recruiting, admissions, and retention efforts
- Create a robust residential life experience on Lee to support our residence hall
- Explore the potential return of athletics as a component of student life/residential life
- Increase scholarly activity vis-à-vis the creation of sponsored programs office
- Expand international education
- Provide efficient processes that enhance or improve student, faculty and staff overall experience with the college
- Explore new workforce-related certificate and degree offerings including additional $10,000 degree options
Increasing Community Connections
- Fund new initiatives that hold promise for FSW
- Emphasize the arts as a community resource
- Refocus the direction for the FSW Foundation and enhancing its role in the college
- Increase service area coverage through regional vice presidents for economic and community development
- Assess and respond to regional workforce needs.
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