News

Earlier this semester, there was some doubt as to whether the Morning Grind would open again after its official debut in the spring semester of 2024. Despite that, they overcame all speculation and re-opened a few weeks into the school year. 

When looking for a college education, Charlie Fanning knew he wanted to study history in a small community that offered hands-on experience. In 2006, he found just that at Florida Southern College. With a Master of Latin American Studies from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Maryland, Fanning is no stranger to academia. Yet, he still holds a strong amount of appreciation for his time spent in Lakeland. Studying both history and spanish at Florida Southern, Fanning recalls many fond memories: from his time as an undergraduate, from working in the McKay Archives to meeting his now wife and fellow Florida Southern alum– Adrienne Twinem, during, freshman orientation.

Poets and Quants awarded two Florida Southern College students the title of 2024’s Best and Brightest Business Majors. Each year, this prestigious award honors one hundred accomplished college seniors majoring in business administration, marketing and finance. Poets and Quants reaches out to schools with the highest ranking undergraduate business programs, and asks them to nominate two seniors in the field of business.  This year, two of Florida Southern’s very own students, Allison Pascarella and Happyson Kaunda Jr., were graced with the title of Best and Brightest Majors by Poets & Qaunts. Both students are extremely involved and dedicated to the field of business in their own unique way.

On Oct. 8, Tesla held their “We, Robot” conference, where they revealed the latest addition to their car catalog, the Cybercab. CEO Elon Musk arrived at the event in their brand new vehicle which was shown to have no pedals, steering wheel or mirrors.  Musk envisions this as the future of mass-transit, highlighting its cost-effectiveness.

As cocoa prices continue to rise, shoppers this Halloween season saw jump-scare-worthy prices for chocolate candy. Numerous poor crop seasons have reduced the supply of cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolate, increasing the price of chocolate and other confectionery manufacturing by 45% from January through September.  The shortage of chocolate for retailers stems from extreme weather in West Africa, which grows the majority of the world’s cacao beans. The combination of intense rains and massive dry spells led to harsh conditions for growing conditions for cocoa including pests and disease.

On Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a category three hurricane along Florida’s Gulf Coast and central cities. Due to the evacuation order by the college, Florida Southern students were ordered to leave campus by Oct. 8 to avoid direct impact from the hurricane. However, those students who live in the central Florida area still felt the brutal impact of Milton.

After a historic election year, Donald J. Trump will become the fourty-seventh president of the United States.  Facing off Kamala Harris, Trump swept seven battleground states, managing to earn an advantage in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada.  In a particularily unique circumstance, Trump is the second president elect that will serve two nonconsecutive terms, the first being Grover Cleveland in 1885 and 1897. Following his inaguaration on Jan. 20, Trump has expressed plans to increase border control, cut taxes‑along with making tips tax-free and abolishing taxes on social security-increase tariffs, and make abortion a decision to be made individually by the states.

Kyla Brunk, a junior from Vero Beach, Florida, recently competed in the National American Miss Florida State Pageant in Orlando. After a pageant she signed up for in high school was canceled, she was anonymously recommended to compete in a National American Miss state pageant. 

In a political showdown that captured the nation’s attention, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in a highly anticipated debate. 

Student Convocation has been a biannual event held to bring in guest speakers to talk to students, promote campus involvement, and recognize notable faculty and FSC alumni.