LAKELAND, Fla. (May 15, 2006) — Florida Southern College will hold dedication ceremonies for two new campus gardens Thursday, May 18 at 12:45 p.m. in the plaza between Joseph-Reynolds and Allan Spivey Halls on campus. 

“These gardens already have made a tremendous impact on the quality of life for our students and the campus experience for our visitors,” said college president Anne B. Kerr. “Dr. Mishalanie Layton and Dr. Christoverson’s generous donations are helping the campus reach its potential as one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant in the nation.” 

The Robert E. Christoverson Memorial Garden has been donated by Dr. Marcene H. Christoverson, a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, in memory of her husband Robert Edward Christoverson. The garden, located to the north of Joseph Reynolds and Allan Spivey Halls, forms the central campus corridor and plaza featuring a walkway of trees and flowering plants, a fountain at its eastern edge, and the FSC Honor Walk. 

“I am glad to make a contribution that will directly improve the lives of students and make the campus more beautiful to all its visitors,” said Christoverson. “When students pass through this garden on their walks across campus, it will be a true tribute to my husband.” 

Christoverson, who also recently donated funds to name FSC’s new humanities building on Lake Hollingsworth, served as president and CEO of St. John Associates, Inc., a letter shop service and direct mail advertising company in Bronx, N.Y. She has moved to Jupiter, Fla. and serves as the company’s chairman. Her awards include the Bridges to Success Award for leading New York City companies and the Woman of the Year Award from the Mail Advertising Service Association. Christoverson has been an FSC Board of Trustees member for six years, established FSC’s Marcene H. Christoverson Entrepreneurial Scholarship for Women in Business, and received an honorary doctorate of business degree from the college in 2004. 

The Mishalanie-Layton Garden Plaza has been donated by Dr. Sarah Mishalanie Layton, a 1967 graduate of FSC and current member of the college’s Board of Trustees, in loving tribute to her parents Philip G. and Marian J. Mishalanie. The plaza is located between the college’s original residence halls, Joseph-Reynolds and Allan Spivey Halls, and features new trees, flowering plants, comfortable benches and a central fountain. 

“FSC’s campus should be a place where students want to linger and that inspires visitors,” said Layton. “I want this garden to honor my parents by serving as a peaceful haven for all who enter.” 

Layton is the founding managing partner of Corporate Strategy Institute, Inc., a strategic management consulting firm based in Orlando, Fla. She has served as national director for the Institute of Management Consultants USA and as director of the Junior Achievement of Central Florida Foundation, has written books and articles on strategic management, and is the former host of Time Warner’s Central Florida Business Review. Layton has been an FSC Board of Trustee member for 11 years. Her many awards include the President’s Award for Service from the National Speaker’s Association and an Alumni Achievement Award from FSC.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.