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History

  • Located in Lakeland, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state
  • Affiliated with the United Methodist Church since its founding in 1883 in Orlando, Florida, as South Florida Institute
  • Moved to Leesburg in 1885 under the sponsorship of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and was open to both male and female students (unusual for the times)
  • Moved to Sutherland (now Palm Harbor) in 1901 and in 1906 was renamed Southern College
  • Due to fires in the early 20s, temporarily relocated to Clearwater Beach, and moved to Lakeland in 1922
  • Renamed to Florida Southern College in 1935 by the Trustees
  • United Methodist-affiliated comprehensive college with a liberal arts core
  • Long-standing relationship with the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
  • Campus comprises of some 50 buildings on 100 acres of land
  • Campus features largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world
  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places