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Around Town Updates on Community, Education, Workforce & Government
Florida. These FSU Panama City alumni
have made and continue to make an important
contribution to the workforce and
quality of life in our immediate community
and Northwest Florida.
Throughout the past 30 years, FSU Panama
City has adapted successfully to new
challenges by expanding and anticipating
new education opportunities. For example,
over the last five years, we have
had a concerted effort to increase STEM
education in middle and high school students
and teachers. The community is
now reaping the rewards. Approximately
20% of our students enroll in a STEM major.
Particularly noteworthy is that 74% of
our electrical engineering graduates work
in Bay County and an astounding 94% of
our civil engineering graduates have found
employment in Northwest Florida.
As we start 2012, we hope you will join
us in celebrating the success of our graduates,
students and campus and the potential
FSU Panama City represents for our community
and region. During the next three
decades, we pledge to remain focused on
meeting the future higher education needs
of our students, community and state by
providing the highest quality education
possible. With over 22 bachelor’s and
master’s degree programs, we would love
the opportunity to talk with you about your
future and how we might be able to serve
you. Check us out at pc.fsu.edu.
Gulf Coast State College
Update
Dr. Jim Kerley, President
Gulf Coast State College
By stepping boldly
into the future,
Gulf Coast State
College continues
to improve the
educational opportunities
in this
region. Education
certainly opens
doors to more employment
opportunities
and knowledge shapes the future for
a new set of dynamic industries. As these
different sectors evolve to become more
high-tech and employers struggle to find
skilled workers, GCSC is building new
partnerships with the community through
the Advanced Technology Center (ATC).
The ATC will showcase new ideas through
unique educational and workforce programs
focused on innovation acceleration,
market intelligence, technology commercialization
and entrepreneurialism.
Businesses with global vision, and the numerous
jobs that will be created in the next
five years, will require an education that goes
beyond a high school diploma. Clearly, we
must go further and sustain the most innovative
and adaptable workforce our area
can provide. An increase in the number of
engineers and technicians across Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) disciplines will evolve as the ATC
actively partners with area businesses and
universities in offering unique educational
pathways. The ATC will allow STEM education
to transform the conventional teachercentered
classroom into a curriculum driven
by problem-solving, discovery, exploration
and active learning.
Transforming Northwest Florida’s sustainability
through economic growth and preserving
our environment are key missions of
the ATC. A prime example will be the Renewable
and Alternative Energy Technology
Laboratory. This real-world lab will engage
students to think outside the box and allow
them to gain knowledge and experience related
to renewable energy systems and alternative
fuels. Students will integrate and
participate with the concepts offered at the
ATC with full support by anchor sponsors
and industry/business partners.
Today’s students have never known a world
without technology such as the Internet and
smart phones, and educators must adapt to
the complexity of the next generation. Not
only is the ATC all about technology and innovation,
the unique concept allows students
to gain an education, credentials and experience
right here without having to move away.
The ATC offers a brighter and clearer future
for the host of students not currently served
in career and technical education, creating a
new sector of the American workforce capable
of taking applied technology to profitable
market endeavors in record time.
“Without continual growth and progress,
such words as improvement, achievement
and success have no meaning.” (Benjamin
Franklin) Gulf Coast State College’s faculty
and staff share a commitment to making
a difference in lives through learning and
community engagement. Visit gulfcoast.edu/
ATC to stay up-to-date on the ATC, where
education, business and innovation thrive!
Troy Update
Lisa Kitto, Site Director, Troy University
This year, Troy
University will
mark 125 years of
service to students
in Alabama, across
the U.S. and around
the world with celebrations
and special
events at its campuses
and sites worldwide.
A worldwide
125th birthday celebration was held on Feb.
24, with simultaneous events conducted on
the campuses in Troy, Dothan, Montgomery
and Phenix City, along with other national
and international sites. Joining in the festivities
the local TROY site in Panama City recognized
the milestone with a party attended
by current students and alumni, faculty, and
staff members and their families. The Troy
Campus celebration was broadcast live online
via the University’s website—www.troy.
edu which allowed TROY alumni and fans
everywhere a chance to participate.
As a part of the yearlong celebration, the University
has launched a special website, www.
troy.edu/troy125, which includes a history of
the University with an interactive timeline,
information on upcoming events related to
the anniversary, and an opportunity to make
a gift to TROY online. Visitors to the site can
also share how Troy University has touched
their lives by submitting personal stories,
photos and videos.
“It is an exciting time in the life of Troy University,”
said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chan-
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