LAKELAND, Fla. (June 1, 2006) — Carrie Ogilvie, RN, of Lakeland, Fla. became the first graduate of Florida Southern College’s master of science in nursing program on April 29. FSC began the master of science in nursing program in 2004 and now offers a track for clinical nurse specialists and nurse educators. Upon graduation as a clinical nurse specialist, Ogilvie was promoted to director of nursing for critical care at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Fla., where she has worked since 1987. She also earned her bachelor of science in nursing at FSC in 1996.

“We are very proud of Carrie,” said Mavra Kear, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., chair and associate professor of nursing at FSC. “She is an outstanding graduate. Her commitment and compassion are a testament to Lakeland Regional Medical Center’s ‘Caring Hands, Educated Minds’ vision for nursing, and a testament to the college’s new master of science in nursing program.”

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.