Lakeland is the charming home of Florida Southern College. True to its name, Lakeland boasts numerous lakes that serve as community focal points and scenic recreational areas. Many of Lakeland’s neighborhoods are built around the 38 named lakes, offering picturesque views and abundant outdoor activities. Downtown Lakeland is a vibrant area with various attractions and activities for both residents and visitors.

Florida Southern College has opportunities across various fields, with the communications program being a notable example. Students in this program face challenging coursework but also benefit from extracurricular experiences that enhance their learning. A prominent opportunity is “The Southern”, the school newspaper, which is an excellent platform for aspiring journalists.

After teaching every grade level Megan O’Neill, a brand new professor of anatomy and physiology at Florida Southern College’s biology department, education is more than just a career; it’s a calling that has guided her through various stages of her academic and professional journey. With a background steeped in animal science and reproductive neuroendocrinology, O’Neil brings a unique blend of passion and expertise to her role, striving to inspire the next generation of students.

One of Florida Southern’s newest clubs has quickly become one of the largest on campus. Established in the spring of 2024, the Florida Southern Snorkel Club has rapidly grown to 250 members and counting. As the most popular outlet for this activity on the campus, it has quickly become a lively environment for snorkelers of all skill levels.

Students who tuned into this season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” might have been shocked to see Florida Southern’s signature letter “S” appear on their TVs.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of traveling up to Gainesville to visit a close friend of mine and past Editor-in-Chief, Emma Poole. We went on a pretty ambitious five mile expedition in search of the illustrious wild bison that live in the Paynes Prairie State Park, the last wild herd in the state of Florida. We were observed by a deer hiding in the shade under some wild oak trees, and were constantly bombarded by swarms of flies, grasshoppers and mysterious buzzing sounds. Our shoes got soaked in mud, and sweat glistened on our faces. Although we did not get the opportunity to see any wild bison or horses, I am still so thankful for being able to explore a Florida State Park. 

Ever since her first album released in 2006, Taylor Swift has consistently stayed in Billboard’s Top 100. And with the Eras Tour, one of the most successful tours of all time, now wrapping up, Taylor has cemented herself as a pop culture icon. However, some people have criticized her over her seemingly convenient releases any time she is slipping from the top of the charts.

Bright lime greens, check. Burry text, check. Electropop, check. Combine all these things and what do we have? Brat summer.

In light of recent years, the American people are no strangers to unprecedented times. From the COVID-19 pandemic, to Black Lives Matter protests, American citizens have experienced unique phenomena.  Political scientists have been documenting high tensions leading up to a presidential election for decades, but this year in particular, interest in elections is at an all time high.

AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have helped make our lives easier by helping creativity flow. With the help of AI, people have been able to correct their mistakes and learn new ideas, which has reshaped the world as we know it. However, has it become too much? Is it really necessary to add AI to social media apps, such as Instagram and X? 

Both Mocs cross country teams took on the Jacksonville State University Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama last Friday, battling against NCAA Division I, II and NAIA programs.

Four alum Mocs competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, being the most from Florida Southern to ever compete in the same year. With all eyes on Dylan Travis '16, Ludovico Viberti '22, Kyle Micallef '24 and Jenson Van Emburgh, the stakes to perform well were high.

With summer in the rear-view mirror and fall in full swing, it is the favorite time of the year for millions of sports fans. Football is back. The NFL season started on Thursday, Sept. 5 with the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

With the start of a new semester comes the start of a new sports season, and that statement couldn’t be more true for the intramural sand volleyball league. This year the league forms 38 teams from different fraternities, sororities, clubs, department, staff and students around campus. 

The Lady Mocs walked away from FSC Volleyball Classic at George Jenkins Field House Sept. 6 with a 2-1 starting streak. They dominated their first match against American International College, winning all three sets.

Florida Southern is ranked No. 15 by the Princeton Review for their outstanding theater department. So don’t miss out on what they have in store for this semester. 

 Natasha Lee Martin has joined Florida Southern’s faculty as the new Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, Acting and Directing. Martin is originally from Providence, Rhode Island, and earned a B.A. in Theater at the University of New Mexico and an M.F.A. in Acting Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

The genre of pop music can be defined in various ways, depending on individual perspectives. While some define it simply as popular music, others associate it with a certain sound or style. However, with the emergence of artists such as Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter in the current music scene, the conventional definition of pop music may be transforming.

The recent adaptation of “It Ends With Us” has sparked a wide range of reactions regarding its faithfulness to the book’s message. Many are concerned that the movie fails to effectively convey the book’s important themes, as it omits key details while focusing on the aspects of domestic violence. Additionally, some feel that leading actress Blake Lively may not fully grasp the significance of the movie’s intended message when she discusses it.

Pop star, Sabrina Carpenter, has become a global sensation over the past couple of years. The former Disney star has worked her way to the top, from opening for Taylor Swift, to performing at Coachella. In preparation for her newest album, “Short n’ Sweet,” she released her single “Espresso” which became the third fastest song to reach one-billion streams in Spotify history. Then, “Please Please Please” became Carpenter’s first ever number one hit on Billboard Hot 100.