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FSC vice president named to
Florida Independent College Fund board of directors

LAKELAND, Fla. (June 28, 2004) - Dr. Robert H. Tate, vice president for advancement at Florida Southern College, has been named to the board of directors of the Florida Independent College Fund (FICF). 

The FICF, founded in 1956, is the private, non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. The Fund develops programs and funding for joint and collaborative initiatives, scholarships and general support for its 27 member and associate private colleges and universities throughout Florida. 

Tate earned his Ph.D. in American literature at The Florida State University and is an honors graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va., where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in English. A member of the FSC English department since 1982, he joined the development office staff in 1998 and was named vice president for advancement in 2000.

In addition to the FICF board, Tate is a member of the board of directors of Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE), the advisory board for Peace River Center, the community advisory board for the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, the Lakeland Margarita Society, and the board of governors for the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club. Tate is a frequent speaker for companies, civic organizations, and book clubs. 


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 24 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. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

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