Flagler College

Flagler College is a private college located in St. Augustine, Florida, founded by Lawrence Lewis Jr. and Abbott Proctor in 1968. The college is situated in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a National Historic Landmark built by Henry Flagler in 1888. The college's architecture is a mix of Spanish Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles, reflecting the city's rich Spanish colonial history, with influences from Alhambra and University of Salamanca. The college's founding was also influenced by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965, which aimed to increase access to higher education for African Americans and other underrepresented groups, such as those attending Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University.

● History

The history of Flagler College dates back to the late 19th century, when Henry Flagler built the Hotel Ponce de Leon as a luxury resort for wealthy Northerners, including John Jacob Astor IV and William Randolph Hearst. The hotel was designed by John Carrère and Thomas Hastings, who also designed the New York Public Library and the United States Senate. During World War II, the hotel was used as a United States Coast Guard training facility, and later as a Jewish community center and a Franciscan monastery. In 1968, the hotel was purchased by Lawrence Lewis Jr. and Abbott Proctor, who founded Flagler College, with the help of Florida Governor Claude Kirk and United States Senator Spessard Holland. The college's early years were marked by a focus on liberal arts education, with a curriculum influenced by Harvard University and Yale University, and a faculty that included Pulitzer Prize winners like Robert Penn Warren and Saul Bellow.

● Campus

The Flagler College campus is located in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida, surrounded by historic landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The campus includes the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, which now serves as the college's main building, featuring a Rotunda and a Dining Hall designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The campus also includes the Proctor Library, which houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by William Shakespeare and Mark Twain. The college's campus is within walking distance of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Anastasia State Park, and is close to other institutions like University of North Florida and Jacksonville University.

● Academics

Flagler College offers a range of academic programs, including majors in Business Administration and Fine Arts, with courses taught by faculty from University of Florida and Florida State University. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The college's academic programs are influenced by the Liberal Arts tradition, with a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving, and are designed to prepare students for careers in fields like Journalism and Public Relations, with alumni working at organizations like The New York Times and National Public Radio. The college also offers study abroad programs in countries like Spain and France, in partnership with institutions like University of Salamanca and Sorbonne University.

● Student Life

Flagler College has a range of student organizations and activities, including the Student Government Association and the Flagler College Gargoyle newspaper, which has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Collegiate Press. The college also has a strong focus on community service, with students participating in programs like Habitat for Humanity and American Red Cross, and volunteering at organizations like St. Augustine Youth Services and Wildlife Rescue of Northeast Florida. The college's campus is also home to the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, which features exhibitions by local and international artists, including works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

● Athletics

Flagler College has a range of athletic teams, including Flagler Saints basketball and soccer teams, which compete in the Peach Belt Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The college's athletic programs are influenced by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Junior College Athletic Association, and have produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, as well as in professional leagues like the National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer. The college's athletic facilities include the Flagler Gymnasium and the Santo Domingo Field, which have hosted events like the NCAA Division II basketball tournament and the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships.

● Notable Alumni

Flagler College has a range of notable alumni, including journalists like Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior, who have worked at organizations like The New York Times and National Public Radio. The college's alumni also include business leaders like Richard Branson and Arianna Huffington, who have founded companies like Virgin Group and The Huffington Post. Other notable alumni include politicians like John Kerry and Nancy Pelosi, who have served in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, and artists like Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who have exhibited their work at museums like the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum. The college's alumni network also includes activists like Martin Luther King III and Gloria Steinem, who have worked with organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the National Organization for Women.