LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2008) –Florida Southern College is pleased to announce a $100,000 gift to the College from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in support of the new Joe K. and Alberta Blanton Nursing Building. The gift will be used for the building and purchase of equipment.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s significant investment enables us to further enhance the quality of nursing education at Florida Southern and recruit the most capable and dedicated students to our nursing program,” said Dr. Anne Kerr, president of the College. “Once they are here, these students will receive the technologically advanced education required of nursing professionals today that will prepare them to deliver the highest quality patient care.”

The new facility will provide the most up-to-date equipment to prepare Florida Southern students for successful nursing careers. Nursing students will learn in technologically advanced wireless classrooms and practice new skills on fully automated human patient simulators.

“There is tremendous community support for Florida Southern’s nursing programs and the generous support from BCBSF is greatly appreciated,” said Dr. Mavra Kear, chair of FSC’s health sciences division. “Their significant contribution will help us deliver a high quality program to educate new registered nurses.”