Florida SouthWestern State College

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)
Type	Public college
Established	1962; 62 years ago
Parent institution	Florida College System
Accreditation	SACS
Endowment	$49.5 million (2024)
Budget	$96.6 million (2024)
President	Jeffery Allbritten
Academic staff	194 (full-time); 338 (part-time)
Undergraduates	14,326 (fall 2022)
Location	Fort Myers, Florida, United States; 26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W
Campus	Large suburb
Colors	Purple and aqua;
Nickname	Buccaneers
Sporting affiliations	NJCAA Region 8 – Suncoast Conference
Mascot	Captain Blackbeard
Website	www.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

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

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

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

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.

Gallery

Photos of Florida SouthWestern State College

Lee Campus sign in 2019
Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
Technology Center on the Lee Campus
Medical Museum on the Lee Campus

Notable alumni

Charles Ghigna, poet and children's author
Matt Hudson, member of the Florida House of Representatives^[6]
Tina Wainscott, romance and suspense novelist
Fuzzy Zoeller, professional golfer, currently plays on the Champions Tour

References

^ 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.
^ "Annual Budget Summary - Fiscal Year 2024-25 (Florida SouthWestern State College)". Florida Department of Education. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Florida SouthWestern State College. National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator). Retrieved September 8, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Rosenburg-Douglas, Katherine (July 7, 2014). "Goodbye Edison, hello Florida SouthWestern State College". Naples Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
^ Dorsey, Dave (November 28, 2016). "'Masterpiece' Suncoast Credit Union Arena set to open at FSW". Naples Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
^ "Florida Southwestern State College Website". April 8, 2024.

External links

[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.

[NCES-3] Florida SouthWestern State College. National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator). Retrieved September 8, 2024.

[namechange-4] 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.

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v t e Florida College System
Activities Association
Broward College Chipola College College of Central Florida College of the Florida Keys Daytona State College Eastern Florida State College Florida SouthWestern State College Florida State College at Jacksonville Gulf Coast State College Hillsborough Community College Indian River State College Florida Gateway College Lake–Sumter State College Miami Dade College North Florida College Northwest Florida State College Palm Beach State College Pasco–Hernando State College Pensacola State College Polk State College Santa Fe College Seminole State College of Florida South Florida State College St. Johns River State College St. Petersburg College State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota Tallahassee State College Valencia College
Florida College System – Founded in 1933

Authority control databases
International	ISNI
Geographic	MusicBrainz place