AVON PARK, Fla. – Sept. 25, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) has been awarded a $1,000 grant to bolster faculty professional development opportunities that will, ultimately, nurture student academic success. This grant comes from the Avon Park Walmart store #3887 through the Walmart Foundation’s Spark Good program.
“These funds from Walmart will strengthen SFSC’s investment in faculty development and innovation,” said Carleigh Okwali, director of the Center for Innovative Teaching. “With this support, we can provide targeted training, tools, and resources that directly enhance our instructors’ professional growth and teaching strategies. By equipping our faculty with meaningful development opportunities, we continue to uphold our commitment to academic excellence and student success. We are deeply appreciative of Walmart’s partnership in this important work.”
As part of its commitment to faculty professional development and student success, the College recently created its Center for Innovative Teaching (CIT) on the Highlands Campus in Avon Park. Through the CIT, faculty can explore new technologies in teaching and innovation in course design to achieve greater student engagement.
For more information about the CIT at SFSC, contact Okwali at Carleigh.okwali@southflorida.edu or 863-784-7018.
Lake Placid Center 100 Building Today
LAKE PLACID, Fla. – Sept. 18, 2025 – South Florida State College (SFSC) invites members of the community to join in “Celebrating a Century of Learning: 100 Years at the 100 Building,” on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the SFSC Lake Placid Center, 500 E. Interlake Blvd., in Lake Placid.
The 100 Building at SFSC’s Lake Placid Center originated as the Lake Placid School in 1925 to serve as the main educational center for local children in grades 1 through 12. Although it has experienced several expansions and its purpose has evolved over the years, the building has remained an institution of learning.
“The centennial celebration is a tribute to the generations of students, educators, and families who have walked the halls of the 100 Building,” said Dina Capuano, SFSC off-campus instructional sites coordinator and organizer of the celebration. “For 100 years, it’s been a cornerstone of our community, a place where memories were made, futures were shaped, and students have continued to be inspired. Celebrating its legacy is a way of saying thank you and of remembering just how much a place can matter.”
Lake Placid School, 1925
During the celebration, guests are invited to wander the halls of the 100 Building, see SFSC’s current classrooms, and reminisce or imagine hearing the voices of teachers and their pupils from long ago. A video that documents the history of the building through the words of former students will be continuously on view in Room 124. The video was created by Mike Brown, SFSC adjunct instructor of Speech Communications, and narrated by Randy Paeplow, former director of the Lake Placid Center and a graduate of the Lake Placid School.
Children and adults can participate in games inside the building or outside on the lawn. On offer will be a giant Connect 4, large-block Jenga, corn hole, and a race to complete a puzzle of SFSC mascot, Pete the Panther. Clowns from Toby’s Clown School will perform walk-around comedy and do face painting. Guests can win one of several door prizes, such as an SFSC gift basket or an enlarged poster photo of the town of Lake Placid (circa 1950). A complimentary hot dog lunch will be available.
Visitors will have an opportunity to preview the College’s upcoming Art Lab 27, which will house a variety of formal community education art classes.
For more information about “Celebrating a Century of Learning: 100 Years at the 100 Building,” contact Capuano at 863-784-7081.
