Florida Southern’s annual Legacy Luncheon, a popular Move-In Day tradition, served as an introduction to incoming students who are related to alumni or employees as well as a mini-reunion for family members revisiting their alma mater with the new freshmen.
Kayla Whisenant of Oviedo, who plans to study exercise science, and her brother Andrew, a junior, came to FSC as fourth-generation members of their family contingent. They shared a large table at the luncheon with a number of family members with legacy stories to tell, including their mother, Lesli Powell Whisenant ’94, and their grandparents, Janey Woods Powell ’71, a former FSC admissions counselor, and Larry Powell, who retired as the College’s director of recreation services.
“I wasn’t pressured to come here,” Kayla said. “I came to Scholars Weekend and I fell in love with the campus.” Her brother admitted he hadn’t even known the depth of the family’s legacy ties when he arrived at FSC.
Incoming freshman Lawrence Citarelli III of Remsenburg, N.Y., said his father’s legacy status was a factor in his decision to attend FSC. “He wanted to know my background,” said Lawrence Citarelli, Jr. ’90. “He looked at schools all over the Northeast and Southeast, and when he came here, he felt it was the most comfortable.”
According to Elizabeth Parker of Naples, who chose to study flute performance at FSC, “having a legacy definitely put it on the radar for me.” She appreciated how her mother, Kelly Hardman Parker M.B.A. ’88, was able to show her around the College. “I could make the connection of her being a student here, and not just a parent.”
Conversations flowed easily at the Aug. 17 luncheon in the Charles T. Thrift Building, from the moment Florida Southern’s beloved mascot, Mocsie, greeted the incoming students and their visiting family members. Many alumni marveled at the evolution and growth of FSC, and the care with which the College has preserved the cultural feel and architectural integrity of the campus.
FSC President Dr. Anne Kerr welcomed the incoming students to the Moc Nation, pointing out that about 10 percent of each new freshman class has a family connection to one or more legacy alumni.
“Let us know if we can help you in any way,” Dr. Kerr said. “I hope this is the start to one of the best years of your life!”