To learn more about 'Spirit' and the garden, see Lynn's Garden brochure.

LAKELAND (Oct. 30, 2008) -- Florida Southern College today dedicated Lynns Garden, the campuss first fully sustainable garden, named after alumna Lynn Hollis and given by her family.

The centerpiece of the ecofriendly space is a marble sculpture, "Spirit," which was created by Mark Hollis, past president and former vice chairman of the board of Publix Super Markets.

He said he surprised his wife at a family dinner Wednesday night by telling her that he had named the garden after her. "I was going to do it today," Mr. Hollis said, smiling at his wife at the dedication ceremony, "but someone suggested that would not be fair."

The Florida Southern campus has long been recognized for its idyllic views of Lake Hollingsworth. Lynn's Garden adds yet another spectacular view of Lakeland's popular lake. Designed by Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Inc., the garden is fully sustainable, comprising exclusively recycled materials and plants native to Florida. The three-tiered garden features a canopy of existing trees and a meandering path of Florida fieldstone that connects it all. Mr. Holliss sculpture sits in the corner closest to the lake.

"This forever self-sustaining design will set the standard for further green spaces to be created on our campus," said Robert L. Fryer, Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees and a 1970 graduate of FSC.

FSC president Dr. Anne B. Kerr said a garden was an especially appropriate tribute to Lynn Hollis. "Lynn nurtures her family's dreams in much the way a master gardener tends his plants," Dr. Kerr said.

Dr. Kerr said she had wondered many times over the past year just what form Mark Hollis sculpture would take. "But nothing," she said, "could have prepared me for the joyous wonder of 'Spirit.'"