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Florida SouthWestern State College

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Coordinates: 26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W / 26.5513; -81.8872
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"Edison State College" redirects here. For other uses, see Edison State College (disambiguation).
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)
TypePublic college
Established1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Parent institution
Florida College System
AccreditationSACS
Endowment$49.5 million (2024)[1]
PresidentJeffery Allbritten
Academic staff
194 (full-time)[2]
338 (part-time)[2]
Undergraduates14,326 (all undergraduate)
(Fall 2022)[2]
Location
Fort Myers
,
Florida
,
United States

26°33′05″N 81°53′14″W / 26.5513°N 81.8872°W / 26.5513; -81.8872
CampusLarge suburb[2]
ColorsPurple and aqua
   
NicknameBuccaneers
Sporting affiliations
NJCAA Region 8 – Suncoast Conference
MascotCaptain Blackbeard
Websitewww.fsw.edu

Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is a public college in Fort Myers, Florida, and a member of the Florida College System. FSW also operates campuses in Punta Gorda, Naples, and LaBelle.

History

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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.[3]

Academics

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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

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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

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FSW reestablished its athletics program in 2014 under the "Buccaneers" moniker.[3] 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.[4] Baseball and softball teams play at City of Palms Park.

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Photos of Florida SouthWestern State College
  • Lee Campus sign in 2019
    Lee Campus sign in 2019
  • Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
    Courtyard next to the Rush Library on the Lee Campus
  • Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
    Library garden welcome sign on the Lee campus.
  • Technology Center on the Lee Campus
    Technology Center on the Lee Campus
  • Medical Museum on the Lee Campus
    Medical Museum on the Lee Campus

Notable alumni

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References

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