Graduating seniors, FSC President Anne Kerr, and College Trustees had a special opportunity swim in the campus' internationally renowned Water Dome.

See more photos of the "Water Dome Splash" on Flickr »

LAKELAND, Fla. (Apr. 29, 2011) – For the first time in College history, Florida Southern students had an opportunity to swim and splash in the campus' internationally renowned Water Dome.  Today, FSC gave its 2011 graduating class the chance to make memories and history by cooling off in the famous fountain.

The Water Dome, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as part of the "Child of the Sun" campus, spent years as an unrealized plan when its original construction did not function correctly.  After many attempted renovations, the fountain was fully and correctly restored to its original design in 2007. 
As the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed structures in the world, Florida Southern College proudly hosts tens of thousands of visitors annually. 

For most of FSC's graduating seniors, the Water Dome became operational during their first year of college.   

Since 2007, students and student organizations at FSC have repeatedly asked for permission to take a "splash" in the Water Dome. This year, College administrators granted that permission and allowed its seniors a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to create a unique and irreplaceable memory of graduation.  

Students were able to enjoy their afternoon in the Water Dome with food, drinks, and music provided by the College. 

Normally, entering the Water Dome is strictly prohibited in order to protect the unique structure from damage and to protect College visitors and students from injury.  The jets are exceptionally powerful, shooting water 45 feet into the air at the top of the "dome."  The water's force can easily cause injury to anyone stepping in front of the jets.  For today's "splash," a designated entrance and exit was constructed for the students and exposed equipment was covered and protected.  A life-guard was also on duty for the afternoon.

Florida Southern College administrators hope to turn the event into an annual rite of passage for graduating seniors, giving them an exciting and unusual way to end their time on this beautiful and historic campus.

Commencement will be held at the Lakeland Center at 1:30 pm, Saturday, April 30.  The featured speaker will be Mr. Duncan L Niederauer, CEO of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Euronext, Inc. | Read more