Florida Southern College: A Historic Landmark in Lakeland, Florida

Florida Southern College (FSC), a private college rooted in the United Methodist Church, is located in Lakeland, Florida, United States. Established in 1883, the college has a rich history and a distinctive architectural identity. Its location is not only geographically strategic but also integral to its unique campus environment and educational experience.

A Journey Through Time: Florida Southern's Historical Locations

Originally named South Florida Institute (1883-1885), then Florida Conference College (1885-1906) and Southern College (1906-1935), the institution has evolved through several name changes, finally settling on Florida Southern College. In 1901, the college moved to Sutherland (now Palm Harbor), marking a significant relocation in its early history. However, fires in the early 1920s prompted a temporary move to Clearwater Beach before the college finally found its permanent home in Lakeland in 1922. This relocation to Lakeland set the stage for the college's transformation into an architectural and educational landmark.

The Allure of Lakeland: Location and Accessibility

Florida Southern's 113-acre, lakeside campus is ideally situated directly between Tampa and Orlando in Lakeland, Florida. Lakeland, recognized as one of the best places to live and a fast-growing metropolitan area, offers a vibrant downtown scene with trendy restaurants and unique coffee shops, all within walking distance of the campus. Community events like First Fridays, the Downtown Farmer's Curb Market, the Lakeland Food Truck Rally, and Pics on the Promenade provide opportunities for students to gather with friends.

The college's location also provides easy access to major attractions. Florida Southern is just 45 minutes away from Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens, offering students convenient access to entertainment and recreation.

Directions to Florida Southern College

From the West (Tampa, Points South):* Take I-75 or I-275 to I-4 east.

Take Exit 27 (560E, Polk Parkway exit).
Proceed approximately 6.1 miles to Exit 7 (South Florida Ave. - toll $0.75).
Turn left on to 37N (South Florida Ave.) and proceed approximately 1.5 miles and turn right onto Beacon Rd.
Proceed to the lake and turn left onto Lake Hollingsworth Drive.
Follow the perimeter of the lake until you reach Johnson Ave. (slightly less than one mile).
Turn left. Proceed to Frank Lloyd Wright Way (formerly McDonald St.).
Turn Right.

From the East (Orlando, Points North):* Take I-4 west.

Turn left.
Bear right just after the overpass onto SR33 (Lakeland Hills Blvd.) The street name will change to Massachusetts Ave.
Approximately four miles from the interstate, Massachusetts Ave. will end at Lake Morton Dr.
Turn right.
Follow the perimeter of the lake until you reach Success Ave. on your right.
Follow Success Ave. to Frank Lloyd Wright Way (formerly McDonald St.).
Turn left.

From the South (via Florida Turnpike):* Take the Florida Turnpike north to the Yeehaw Junction Exit (Route 60).

Follow Route 60 west toward Tampa.
Once in Bartow, follow the signs for Highway 98 North.
Once on 98, proceed into Lakeland (approx. 13 miles).
Watch for Grove Park Shopping Plaza on your left.
Just past the shopping center, turn left onto Crystal Lake Dr.
Continue on Crystal Lake Dr. until it ends.
Turn right on Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Follow the perimeter of the lake until you reach Ingraham Avenue.
Turn right. Proceed to Frank Lloyd Wright Way (formerly McDonald St.).
Turn left.

For those traveling by air, Orlando International Airport is 1 hour from campus, and Tampa International Airport is 45 minutes from campus.

The Child of the Sun: Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Legacy

Florida Southern College is renowned for housing the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, a collection known as Child of the Sun. This architectural marvel significantly contributes to the college's positive reputation and attracts visitors from around the globe.

The Genesis of the Collection

In 1938, Florida Southern College President Ludd M. Spivey approached Frank Lloyd Wright with a visionary proposal: to transform the 100-acre lakeside orange grove into a modern campus. Wright responded with designs for 18 structures, though only 12 were completed during his lifetime.

Exploring Wright's Vision

The Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center serves as the ideal starting point for visitors eager to explore Wright's architectural legacy. Located inside the Visitor Center is the GEICO Gift Shop. Adjacent to the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center is the Usonian House, constructed using Wright’s original 1939 design.

Seven different tours are offered to provide an in-depth view of Wright’s work. These tours offer an inside view of the recently completed Usonian House and provide insights into Wright’s vision for the campus and his construction methods. The tours also include spaces not accessible on other tours, such as the interior of the only planetarium designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. A special nighttime tour allows visitors to experience Wright’s structures illuminated by artificial light.

Key Architectural Highlights

E.T. Roux Library (originally): Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built between 1941 and 1945, this building featured a distinctive multi-tiered circular reading room. After a new Roux Library opened in 1968, the original building was renamed the Thad Buckner Building and used for lectures, seminars, and as the visitor center for the Child of the Sun campus. Today, the original reading room is still used for lectures and can be rented for private events.
Branscomb Memorial Auditorium: Designed by Nils Schweitzer, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, this structure complements Wright's original "Child of the Sun" concept. Construction was completed in 1963.

Campus Life and Learning Environment

Florida Southern College offers a diverse and engaging campus life. The college has a student population with 3,073 students along with 130 full-time faculty members (in 2019). The college provides undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs.

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Academic Excellence

Florida Southern College offers over 50 undergraduate majors in a variety of disciplines, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. With a holistic admissions approach, Florida Southern receives over 11,000 undergraduate applications annually and admits approximately 51% of applicants.

Florida Southern employs the learning style of engaged learning that incorporates engaging, hands-on experiences in every academic program.

The Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise

The Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise offers undergraduate students six programs: accounting, business administration, business and free enterprise, finance and economics, healthcare administration, or political economy. The school also allows students to focus on career tracks in finance, international business, management, marketing, and sport management. The Barnett School also offers the Master of Business Administration to full-time students in its 16-month accelerated program, as well as part-time students in the form of evening and Saturday classes.

Arts and Sciences

There are five primary disciplines within the school: communications, fine and performing arts, humanities, natural science and mathematics, and the social and behavioral sciences. The Division of Biology offers the Bachelor of Science degrees in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB; in conjunction with the Division of Chemistry), Environmental Studies, Integrative Biology, and Marine Biology. The music department maintains several large ensembles, including the wind ensemble, symphony band, jazz ensemble, symphony orchestra, and several choral groups.

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Student Life and Activities

Florida Southern is home to over 100 student clubs and organizations, 14 Greek Life chapters (7 sororities and 7 fraternities) and 22 NCAA Division II men's and women's varsity sports teams. The college's athletic teams are known as the Moccasins, often shortened to Mocs. The official colors are scarlet and white, though athletes sport red, white, and blue uniforms. Students are required to attend the quarterly Convocation, held in the Branscomb Auditorium.

Campus Facilities

Florida Southern's campus facilities provide students with a unique living and learning experience. The Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise is located within the innovative Becker Business Building, a 40,000-square-foot facility with large screens powered by Bloomberg financial software. The Berry Science Building houses state-of-the-art equipment for biochemistry, microbiology and citrus students. The three-story Christoverson Humanities building is home to classrooms, computer labs and a theatre. FSC is also home to an esports arena, Barnett Athletic Complex, Wynee Warden Dance Studio, state-of-the-art Nursing facilities, the Sharon and Jim France Admissions Center, and the recently completed Jean and Sal Campisi, Sr. Academic Center for Physical Therapy.

Rankings and Recognition

Florida Southern College is consistently recognized for its academic quality and value. News & World Report ranks Florida Southern among the "Best Regional Universities in the South" and includes the institution among the country's "Most Innovative." The Princeton Review also includes Florida Southern in its "Best Colleges" guide, recognizing the College's Career Services as one of the best in the nation.

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