$1 million gift will name Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Archive Center

LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2006) — Anne Kerr, president of Florida Southern College, announced today a gift of $1 million from trustee and long-time supporter Dr. Sarah D. McKay to name the Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Archive Center. This addition to Florida Southern’s Roux Library will house archival materials of The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, Bishop for The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, was among the college trustees and other dignitaries in attendance at today’s press announcement of the gift. 

“Dr. Sarah McKay has been one of the College’s staunchest supporters over the years.  She and her family have a deep appreciation for the profound influence of the Methodist Church on the College’s rich heritage,” said Kerr. “We are honored to receive such a generous gift to perpetuate the legacy of the Methodist Church at Florida Southern College.”

The McKay Archive Center will comprise two stories totaling 9,000 square feet of space and will house the historically valuable archival collection of the Florida United Methodist Conference on the main floor. The second floor will house the College’s archival materials, including Frank Lloyd Wright drawings and memorabilia, the Center for Florida History collection, and the Florida Citrus Archives. 

In making the gift, McKay said, “My children and I are happy to be able to make this long anticipated dream a reality.  This new archive center will allow the rich history of the Methodist Church in Florida to be preserved and shared for future generations.”

The groundbreaking for the McKay Archive Center will take place during the College’s Founders Day Celebration on March 19, 2007.  Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington will give the Founders Day address and participate in the groundbreaking ceremonies.

(click here to view an architect's rendering)

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 13:1 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-Bachelor’s institutions 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.