LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2006) – Dr. Anne B. Kerr, president of Florida Southern College, announced Friday a $2,000,000 gift to the College from Trustee Dr. Marcene H. Christoverson. The gift will enable the College to construct the Dr. Marcene H. and Robert E. Christoverson Humanities Building, which will house primarily the College’s languages and literatures departments.

“Dr. Marcene Christoverson is a constant inspiration to me and is one of Florida Southern’s most ardent supporters,” said Dr. Kerr. “Through her generous funding of a new humanities building on our campus, Dr. Christoverson is making a wonderful investment in the disciplines that are fundamental components of the College’s liberal arts core. The study of languages and literatures is part of our founding heritage and continues to support our mission of preparing students to make positive and important contributions to society.” Dr. Kerr continued, “The Dr. Marcene H. and Robert E. Christoverson Humanities Building will be a lasting tribute to a woman who pursues excellence in every facet of her business and civic leadership endeavors and memorializes the importance of education that she and her husband shared.”

The 15,000 square foot classroom building, located on Lake Hollingsworth Drive and bordered by Johnson and Mississippi Avenues will be built within a two-year time frame, coordinated with the timing of the addition of the new residence life center, also located on Lake Hollingsworth Drive. The architect will be selected after a national search.

The Dr. Marcene H. and Robert E. Christoverson Humanities Building will provide technologically advanced classrooms, study rooms, commons areas for students and faculty, and a film studies center. At the heart of the facility will be a state-of-the-art language center.

“I am so pleased to be able to support Dr. Kerr’s efforts as she leads an important plan to advance Florida Southern to national prominence,” said Dr. Christoverson.  “I was first introduced to Florida Southern through my friendship with Florida Southern College alumna and trustee Dr. Sarah Layton. Florida Southern reminds me of colleges I knew when I was growing up in the Midwest.  I remain impressed by its small size, the quality of its professors, and the attention on the individual that makes this school such an excellent choice for students. In examining the College’s strategic plan, I saw that the need for a new humanities building was an integral part of our pursuit of educational excellence. I am happy to play a role in the College’s transformation.”

Dr. Christoverson served in the Navy during World War II and began her career in the accounting division of St. John Associates, Inc., a letter shop service and direct mail advertising company in Bronx, New York, over fifty years ago. Less than thirty years later she was serving as president, CEO, and the company’s sole share holder. She now lives in Jupiter, Fla. and serves as the company’s chairman, commuting monthly to New York. She has earned several awards, including the Bridges to Success Award for leading New York City companies and the Women of the Year award from the Mail Advertising Service Association.

Dr. Christoverson has served on the Board of Trustees of Florida Southern College for six years, is a member of the Spivey Society, and has established The Marcene H. Christoverson Entrepreneurial Scholarship for Women in Business. In 2004, Florida Southern bestowed the honorary doctorate of business upon Dr. Christoverson.
 
Her husband, the late Robert Christoverson, served as a marine engineer for his 32-year career. “He was truly interested in young people and in education,” said Dr. Christoverson. Although unable to visit the College due to health concerns, he saw photos of the campus and was impressed by its architecture. The Robert E. Christoverson Memorial Garden on campus was donated by Dr. Marcene H. Christoverson in memory of her husband.

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About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.