Lakeland just got a little more sweeter by adding the Dirty Dawg Pop Shop that just opened on Aug. 1. They are located inside the Lakeland Ice Cream Company. Dirty Soda and Dirty Popcorn are all under the brand Dirty Dawg Pop Shop. The address is located off of 2972 Lakeland Highlands Rd. The name of the shop comes after their dogs’ names which they have special dirty sodas named after.

Florida Southern prides itself on engaged learning and its newest professors are already embodying that mission. Whether it’s through analyzing real-world business cases, or by discovering the power of journalism, these two new faculty members share a common goal: helping students find meaning in what they learn and preparing them for life beyond campus.

The study of dentistry is a uniquely combined science of service and artistry. It requires a deep understanding of medical knowledge, a commitment to helping others, and the creative skill to restore both function and confidence through a smile. The Pre-Dental Society serves as a community for students interested in dentistry, offering opportunities to learn, network, and get involved. 

Enactus is an entrepreneurial organization that focuses on environmental and sustainability needs on and off of campus. They had been present at FSC for 13 years but had some set-backs because of Covid-19. This year Mikaela Rizzi, a senior International Business Administration major, is leading as president and will be sharing what Enactus’s goal is for the school year, what people will get out of it and all the exciting things they have in store for the FSC community. 

Professor Mike Nabors teaches at FSC about the world of sports media, an industry he’s been a part of for more than 30 years. Recently, he’s released his second book, entitled “Don’t Quit Pivot,” which aims to drive others to chase their dreams and pursue their passions.  In the book, Nabors writes, “The goal [of this book] is to pass on the idea that the ability to move from one career to something better for you is attainable for everyone.”

In May of this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cease federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In June, the House approved a rescission package to reclaim $1.1 million of federal funding that CPB received this year. Both the Public Broadcasting Service and the National Public Radio will be losing funding at the end of the fiscal year, as they are both funded by CPB. 

President Donald Trump has moved to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for alleged mortgage fraud. Cook, one of seven governors of the country’s central bank and a member of the eleven-man Federal Open Market Committee, is the latest person caught in the President’s crosshairs as he pushes for the central bank to cut interest rates.

Celebrity marketing collabs have been taking over recently. Everywhere you look, there’s another “unexpected” pairing: Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle, KATSEYE x Gap, Benson Boone x Google Maps (yes, I’m shocked too), Taylor Swift’s engagement conveniently lining up with the NFL season and her album rollout and even e.l.f. cosmetics teaming up with comedian Matt Rife.

On Aug. 19, famous country rustic style restaurant Cracker Barrel became another casualty in the trend of minimalist logo redesigns. Minimalist logos, despite being the current fad for logos in recent years, are just bland and boring, especially when you compare them to their older counterparts that have more elaborate details and life. 

A typical senior goodbye from an editor of The Southern usually involves them saying how they never expected to write until they stepped foot on campus, took a communications class, or read a copy of the paper. This is not that type of goodbye.

Expectations have always surrounded senior Donovan Smith, but he’s learned to harness the attention and turn it into success. Over the summer, a documentary directed by Leo Kloos titled "West$ide" was created about Smith’s basketball journey. 

Freshman Christina Nordlander was welcomed with open arms to the Florida Southern women’s golf team, bringing international experience from her hometown of Malmö, Sweden, as well as time in Spain. As a sports marketing and communication major, she is beginning her collegiate career with high hopes both on and off of course.

The 2025 SSC Preseason Coaches Poll was recently released, listing FSC as the team to beat. After back-to-back years at the top, coaches around the conference believe they have what it takes to repeat again. FSC received 81 points in the voting, along with nine first-place votes.  Having high expectations is great, but the team isn’t putting much stock in these polls.

Florida Southern College’s e-sports program is entering a new era with the addition of a Marvel Rivals team. The game features various objectives, including pushing a convoy, capturing points, and holding an area for the longest time to win. 

Have reality TV dating shows gone too far? I am sure we have all seen at least one reality TV dating show. From “The Bachelor” to “Love Island,” ‘Perfect Match,” etc. These types of shows tend to have high audience ratings. The question is why? Gen-Z loves these types of shows because they keep them on their toes and it allows them to be actively engaged in how the show will end.

After the outstanding reviews that came out of  last season’s theatre productions, the Florida Southern community can’t wait to see what the talented performers of our Theatre and Dance department have in store for us. In the next couple of months, audiences will be able to enjoy some familiar and classic productions for the start of the new semester. 

At Florida Southern College, the magic of theatre doesn’t just unfold under the spotlight; it’s forged behind the scenes, in the paint fumes of the scenic shop, the quiet hum of light boards, and the creative, sometimes frantic, energy that pulses through the costume shop.  Here, a select group of students are mastering the unsung art of technical theatre and design through FSC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Design program, a hands-on, deeply immersive experience that transforms behind-the-scenes enthusiasts into creative powerhouses.

“The Little Dog Laughed” is a play written by Doug Carter Beane in 2006. It centers around two lovers navigating a world that challenges their ability to keep their passion alive for each other. Despite its intriguing title, the play itself unfortunately does not involve a dog. Its focus lies elsewhere, exploring human connections and societal pressures. The story revolves around Mitchell Green, a prominent movie star on the verge of landing his big breakthrough role. However, his sexuality poses a challenge to his career with social norms surrounding the Hollywood scene.