We have an outstanding group of students, faculty and staff who continue to shape the College into an institution that is nationally recognized for its transformative education and experiences.
Academically, this was a year for some fabulous firsts. The College was named number one in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News and World Report for its category in the south. We also concurrently welcomed one of our largest and most academically prepared classes in the fall and graduated our largest class ever this spring.
More importantly, the College developed its newly imagined signature general education program – the Core Curriculum. It is our most ambitious update to the courses students take during their first two years of coursework. This is a one-of-a-kind program that will set us apart from any other academic experience in the country. The culminating event of this program is the Flagler Sophomore High Impact Practice (FlagSHIP), which launched in January and had additional offerings in May.
As we continue to aspire for that next level of greatness, the College has embarked on its most comprehensive improvement plan, the Five Star Plan, with a focus in four critical areas - facilities, technology, campus enhancements and the student experience. You’ll have an opportunity to read more in-depth about the project in the pages of this magazine, but the overall goal is to create the best possible college experience for our students.
Finally, I’m excited to announce the College’s largest and most transformational gift in its history from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. This $12 million gift will result in an additional $36 million that will make it possible for the College to address issues critical to the student experience, including, increased student financial aid and scholarships for FlagSHIP, academic program enhancements such as the new CORE curriculum, technological infrastructure, and through the Five Star Plan the restoration, preservation, and better utilization of the campus’s historic buildings, specifically the former Hotel Ponce de Leon.
This is an exciting time for the College and I look forward to seeing what the next academic year holds for us.
Sincerely,
President John Delaney
