New College celebrates 50th anniversary

New College of Florida celebrated its 50th anniversary, along with the official ribbon cutting of the Public Archaeology Lab Friday, Oct. 22. The anniversary ceremony was held on Founders’ Circle and included speeches from college President Dr. Gordon E. Michalson; former Sen. Bob Johnson; Chelsea Dye, president of the New College Student Alliance; Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner; Sen. Nancy Detert; Ava Parker, member of the State University System of Florida Board of Governors; Chancellor Frank Brogan; and Thomas R. Todd Jr., who was a member of the first class to graduate from New College in 1964.

All the speakers had stories to tell about their connection to the college and even joked about its lack of a football team, stadium or medical school. Kirschner joked that the opossum would be the perfect mascot for New College’s sports teams — if there ever were any.

After the anniversary ceremony, the crowd made its way to the new Archaeology Lab that is headed by New College professor Dr. Uzi Baram. The lab has already been in operation for a few months but had yet to have its official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting, students, alumni and those in attendance were invited to an al fresco luncheon and encouraged to visit the 50th anniversary history exhibits inside College Hall.

Contact Rachel O'Hara at [email protected].