Edison State College - Edison History

History of Edison Community College

CHRONOLOGY

1961

Florida Legislature established Edison Junior College and appropriated funding for a permanent campus.

1962

Edison Junior College opened in temporary quarters at the Andrew Gwynne Institute, with a second center at Dunbar High School.
Dr. Charles E. Rollins inaugurated
Dr. David G. Robinson appointed as the college's first Academic Dean.

1963

EJC's first athletic team, men's basketball, took the floor under the guidance of EJC's first coach, Tom Garcia.
Donald Lee McDaniel, who was a

1964

EJC's first formal commencement ceremonies were held for a graduating class of 67 students.

1965

New campus of Edison Junior College opened on an 80-acre site off Cypress Lake Drive, with Building B (Leonhardt Hall), Building C (Robisnon Hall, and a maintenance building that contained showers and locker rooms for physical education and athletics.
Dr. David G. Robinson inaugurated

1967

Building E (Learning Resources, Doris Corbin Auditorium, Auditorium Gallery) completed.

1968

First District Board of Trustees appointed by Governor; Travis A. Gresham, Jr. elected first chairman.
Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gave $50,000 to establish a nursing program at EJC.
Edison Junior College Endowment Corporation formed.

1970

First nursing class graduated from Edison Junior College.

1971

Health and Physical Education Building completed.

1972

Name of college changed to Edison Community College to reflect more comprehensive mission.

1974

First credit courses offered by ECC via television.
Centers of the college opened in Charlotte County and Collier County.

1975

Building A (Applied Sciences) completed.
ECC Endowment Corporation, with a minimal balance of $34.25, reactivated to assist in development of private

1976

Edison Community College faculty elected to organize for collective negotiations.

1979

Building F (Humanities) completed.

1980

Art Annex (sculpture building) added.
Groundbreaking held for USF branch

1982

Dedication of USF campus and establishment of ECC/USF Learning Resources Center and other cooperative arrangements between

1984

Edmund Kulakowski Observatory established and named for former ECC astronomy and geology professor, Edmund A. Kulakowski.
ECC Retirees Association formed.

1986

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall opened.

1987

Building G (Hendry Hall) completed.

1990

Charlotte Center moved to new interim location in Punta Gorda.
Foundation for the Performing Arts Hall established as advisory and fundraising entity for the Barbara B. Mann
Charlotte County government donated 80 acres on a long-term lease to the college for the construction of a permanent campus in Charlotte County.

1991

Construction began on new Collier Campus at Lely on a 50-acre site near Naples.
Dr. David G. Robinson retired from
District Board of Trustees named Dr. Kenneth P. Walker as the third President of Edison Community College.
District Board of Trustees contracted with Professional Facilities Management (PFM) for professional management of the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
District Board of Trustees adopted resolution to build a permanent campus of Edison Community College in Charlotte County.

1992

Dr. Kenneth P. Walker inaugurated as the third President of Edison Community College.
Share the Vision Councils formed throughout the college district to provide input into a long-range plan for the 2002 Edison adopted as Mater Action Plan for the next decade.
Collier Campus at Lely opened in Naples.

1993

Project HOPE, an early intervention program for at-risk

1997

Charlotte County Campus opened on a 204-acre site on Airport Road in Punta Gorda.

1999

Edison University Center opened on Lee County Campus through collaborative partnerships with colleges and universities to provide enhanced access to upper division studies for Edison graduates.

2000

Kenneth P. Walker Health Science Hall opened on Lee County Campus.
Florida Legislature enacted legislation that grants authority to community colleges to offer limited baccalaureate degrees.

2001

Child Care Center opened on Lee County Campus.

2002

New Strategic Plan, The Decade of Promise, launched
Madeleine R. Taeni Student Services Hall opened

2004

Bob Rauschenberg Gallery named at Lee Campus
Collier Campus Conference Center completed
Florida State Legislature changes Edison Community College name to Edison College
1,000 people participate in Share the Vision Councils

2005

The Florida State Board of Education authorizes first baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management
Edison State receives accreditation as a baccalaureate degree granting institution
The U.S. Department of Labor grants $1.99 million for expansion of nursing program
2005 graduates of the College’s accredited Radiologic Technology Program achieve a 100% pass rate on all national certification examinations.
President Kenneth P. Walker receives the Business Building Leadership Award from the Chamber of Southwest Florida in recognition of his personal and organizational leadership, management and advocacy resulting in a positive contribution to the region and its economy.

2006

A $2.3 million gift establishes Richard H. Rush library at Lee Campus
Edison College Foundation, Inc. holds assets of $42 million
Student enrollment approaches 16,000
A $750,000 gift from Alice W. Lockmiller funds an endowed chair for the Early Childhood Education Program
The Richard D. Yarger Science Hall is dedicated in recognition of Dr. Yarger’s service to the Charlotte Campus as founding Provost from 1984-2002.

2007

Gained District Board approval to name the Charlotte Campus Student Services and Administration Building the Hugo and Wallie Spatz Hall
Launched the Decade of Promise Strategic Plan with associated Vission, Values, and Mission
Named the Lee Campus facilities building the Ronald W. White Hall, honoring the College's district director of facilities, planning and management .
Received a $150,000 SUCCEED Florida continuation grant from the Florida Department of Education to help address the critical teacher shortage throughout the region.
Edison State’s program for dental assistants and dental hygienists received accreditation with commendation by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation - CODA - with no recommendations for improvements.
Students presented the prestigious Bob Graham Award to Holland T. Salley of Naples. The honor is awarded each year by the Florida Junior Community College Student Government Association [FJCCSGA] to one person in Florida chosen as the best community supporter of student government activities.
Edison State collaborated with the Edison & Ford Estates to bring the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival to Fort Myers for the first time since the festival began touring nationally in 1981.
To celebrate the profound and enduring impact of Mina Miller Edison on Southwest Florida, the College’s Foundation established the Mina Edison Society, endowing a scholarship fund in Mrs. Edison’s name.
As part of its regular accreditation review, Edison State’s Respiratory Care Program received a commendation for quality from the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

2008

Awarded 21 Bachelor’s degrees since graduating the first class of baccalaureate students.
Changed the name to Edison State College, reflecting the institution’s advanced status as a baccalaureate-granting state college.
Unveiled a new College logo to reflect the College’s expanded mission.
Expanded opportunities for Southwest Florida students through an agreement to share the Charlotte Campus with Florida Gulf Coast University.
Installed a $75,000 grant-funded Emergency Notification System to alert students, faculty and staff of a campus crisis.
Staged "Operation Suspicious Package," a Bomb Squad Drill on the Lee Campus, and participated in a practice domestic terrorist attack at the Charlotte Campus, co-sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Department of Homeland Security.
Recognized successful alumni and cultivated their participation through publication of Changing Lives magazine.
Received Region 24 Workforce Development Board's "Champion Award" for Edison’s Career Academies "Summer ESCAPE" camp.
Hosted the Bob Rauschenberg Memorial Service in the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, following the artist’s death in May.
Completed extensive remodeling across the district, including a $7 million renovation of the Richard H. Rush Library at the Lee Campus, dedicated in January of 2009.
Graduated 1,417 students who received degrees or certificates in academic year 2008-09.

2009

Increased enrollment from 16,000 credit students in 2004 to 20,000 in 2009, with a growth rate of 53% over the last three years.
Admitted 492 new degree-seeking students to one of Edison State College’s six baccalaureate programs.
Created the Edison State College Department of Public Safety. Two officers were sworn in at the May 2009 meeting of the District Board of Trustees.
Opened the Edison Collegiate High School on the Charlotte Campus, and gained Board approval to create a charter high school on the Lee Campus.
Initiated planning for the Edison Education System, which will provide stronger Pre-K through Baccalaureate learning opportunities and career pathways for area students. Initiated charter high schools at the Charlotte and Lee campuses.
In partnership with area hospitals, expanded the evening and weekend Nursing (RN) program, elevating the potential graduation capacity to nearly 300 students annually.
Established the Rapid Recovery Program with region 24 Southwest Florida Workforce Board to provide immediate job training, academic counseling and financial aid to displaced workers across the district.
Partnered with the North Naples Fire and Rescue Department to create a Fire Academy Certificate Program in Collier County.
Staged an annual symposium on Architecturally Green Design and Development.
Added two new programs of study in the areas of Firefighter and Health Information Technology/Management.
Named 41st in the nation in delivery of associate degrees in Health Professions, and among the top 20 producers of associate degrees in nursing by Community College Week.
Maintained a 14-year record of 100% pass rates on national board examinations for the Dental Hygiene Program, which typically ranks within the top 10% in the nation.
Established the Edison State College Financing Corporation to provide direct-support funds for Edison State College.
Successfully advanced to Level II accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, achieving approval to offer baccalaureate degrees.
Successfully completed reaccreditation visits for the Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Care programs.
Expanded high quality facilities for teaching and learning as outlined in the Educational Plant Survey and Facilities Master Plan. The square footage of Edison-owned buildings since 2005 has grown from 908,388 in 2005 to 1,030,526 in 2009, and the number of acres from 363 to 412.
Constructed and dedicated the University of Florida Pediatric Dental Clinic and the Early Childhood Development Center on the Collier Campus, the first Gold Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED certified building in Collier County.
Dedicated the Dr. Hugo D. and Wallie Spatz Hall, the Richard D. Yarger Science Hall and the JJ Jones Health Science Hall on the Charlotte Campus.
Won a bronze Telly Award for outstanding achievement, for “There’s a Little Bit of Genius in Everybody” campaign.
Based on priority needs communicated from the Edison State College Board of Trustees,
- Received $20,902,025 in new gifts, and $10,322,958 in state matching gifts.
- Awarded $7,572,303 to Edison State College students for scholarships.
- Provided $4,907,842 for academic and instructional support.
Launched five new baccalaureate programs, in Secondary Education Biology, Secondary Education Mathematics, Elementary Education and Supervision and Management.
Designated the Lee Campus Cultural Resources Center to include a fine art museum with a permanent collection.
Linked all four campuses via two-way video technology to reduce travel time for students.
Added needed Internet and computer projection technology to over 40 classrooms.
Implemented wireless internet access at all campuses.
Reduced paper through implementation of electronic forms.
Served over 17,000 Edison ‘myPortal’ web site users.
Experienced a 32% increase in number of visits to the www.edison.edu web site.
Supported over 2,300 computers in labs, classrooms and offices at Edison State.
Created Edison Online, with offerings that encompass the entire Associate in Arts degree, supported by appropriate student and technology services.
Recorded a 50% increase in number of students enrolled in online courses.
Acquired a 19-acre site in La Belle to develop a fourth campus.

2010-2011

Graduated more than 1,600 students in the Fall Commencement ceremony, including the first class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. Diploma breakdown by degree program:
            Bachelor Degree: 126
            Associate in Arts Degree: 974
            Associate in Science Degree: 367
            Certificate Programs: 167
Partnering with local community parks and recreation, Edison began offering intramurals, club sports, and fitness programs.
Attained reaffirmation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in conjunction with the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Submitted the ten-year Compliance Report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
On the Lee Campus, began construction of the College’s first student housing project, a four- story, 405-bed residence hall.
Completed the Lee Campus Nursing Building and Museum of Medical History
Completed construction for a Lee Campus Classroom Building
Began construction of the Collier Campus Student Services building and the Allied Health Building
Received a $1.5 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue Edison’s highly successful Student Support Services (SSS) TRIO Program
The National Council for Marketing and Public Relations awards Edison the silver medal in the “Brochure/Flyer " category.
Named the new Collier Allied Health Building for Allen and Marla Weiss in recognition of a $1 million gift
Provided more than 800 students with $1.2 million in private scholarship aid
Enhanced online opportunities for baccalaureate students
Implemented four new baccalaureate programs:

Cardiopulmonary Sciences BAS
Middle Grades Language Arts Education
Middle Grades Mathematics Education
Middle Grades Science Education

Thanks to a community bequest, the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery received new track lighting, flooring and an air control system
Opened new Lee Campus Collegiate High School with showcase technology
Opened new Nursing Student simulation labs