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Florida Southern a winner in
"Best of Florida Schools" awards
Florida Leader magazine names winners in 13th annual awards issue

LAKELAND, Fla. (April 5, 2002) - Florida Southern College won two awards in the Florida Leader "Best of Florida Schools" awards. The magazine's annual awards issue recognizes innovative collegiate and student achievements throughout Florida.

Florida Leader noted FSC for having the "Best Claim to Fame" for its Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, stating: "Wright said he envisioned the buildings rising 'out of the ground, into the light, and into the sun.' His master plan called for the use of steel for strength, sand because it was native to Florida, and glass to bring God's outdoors into man's indoors."

Florida Southern also received an award in the "Best Seasonal Celebrity" category for the snowman that overlooks the campus during the holiday season. The Leader introduced "Dean Holiday," as the snowman is affectionately known, "a 30-foot tall snowman covered in white awning material and wearing a mortarboard. His six-foot wide smile, attached with Velcro, beams out at the Lakeland community."

In its 19th year, Florida Leader publishes two editions read by the state's college and high school students. The magazine features articles teaching students how to be more effective and ethical leaders. Subscribers include members and leaders of student government, Greek groups, campus clubs, community-service organizations, honor societies and residence hall associations.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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