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The History of LSCC  LSCC was authorized by the 1961 Florida Legislature as the result of efforts of citizens in Lake and Sumter Counties. Dr. Paul P. Williams was appointed in 1962 as the colleges first president. The college began operating as part of the state community college system on January 2, 1962. Classes began September 5, 1962, with 137 day students and 225 evening students. Tuition was $8 per semester hour. After outgrowing temporary facilities in Leesburg, ground breaking for LSCCs permanent campus took place on May 18, 1964, with Governor Farris Bryant, Dr. James Wattenbarger, and local officials in attendance. The first college commencement was held on June 5, 1964, in the Leesburg High School Auditorium with 39 graduates receiving recognition from Doyle Conner, Commissioner of Agriculture.
In 1965, Johnson Junior College merged with Lake-Sumter Junior College and operated as the Johnson Center of Lake-Sumter Junior College. Johnson Junior College was authorized in 1961 to serve the black citizens of Lake and Sumter Counties. Perman Eugene Williams was the president of Johnson Junior College, which served more than 400 students of Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties during its existence. Dr. Robert S. Palinchak served as LSCCs second president from 1980 to 1986. He was followed by Dr. Carl C. Andersen whose tenure was from 1986 to 1992. Dr. Robert W. Westrick became the colleges fourth president in May 1993 and he retired June 30, 2002. On July 1, 2002, Dr. Charles R. Mojock began as LSCCs fifth president. The college continues to grow, meeting personal and community higher education needs with the Sumter Campus which opened in Sumterville in 1995, and the South Lake Campus in Clermont which opened in the fall of 1999. On February 25, 1996, by action of the LSCC District Board of Trustees, permanent recognition was given to those who were linked with the history of Johnson Junior College when the Administration Building on the Leesburg Campus was named the Williams-Johnson Administration Building in honor of Perman E. Williams and John Wesley Johnson. Serving more than 5,000 students annually, LSCC continues to have a major impact on the surrounding region. In addition, qualified high school students are eligible for LSCC dual enrollment thus earning college credits while completing their secondary education. LSCC offers Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees, college credit certificate programs, applied technology diplomas and vocational certificate programs. Non-credit vocational supplemental courses are also offered.
Through irs many partnerships, LSCC has made it possible for students to enroll in 2+2 programs to earn bachelors degrees locally from the University of Central Florida, St. Leo University and National-Louis University. Complementing its academic offerings, LSCC features a variety of athletic, leisure time, personal enrichment and cultural entertainment programs and activities. In addition to ongoing intramural athletic activities, intercollegiate athletics were begun in the fall of 1998. LSCC participates in district and statewide competition in the following sports: womens volleyball, mens baseball, and womens softball. Located near the geographic center of Florida, LSCC campuses are surrounded by rolling hills, marshlands abounding with wildlife, rural pastureland, and fast-growing residential and business areas. With more than 1,400 named lakes, the Lake-Sumter area offers many outdoor recreation areas with suburban-type living. In all ways, the institution strives to fulfill its role and mission as a public, comprehensive college dedicated to the service of its community. Leesburg Campus
Among the major facilities are classrooms and laboratories, a library, Learning Center, the Paul P. William Fine Arts Complex, the Student Services Building, a student center, a Sports Complex, the Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center with a gymnasium and the Magnolia Room banquet/conference facility. In January 2002, the 31,800 sq. ft. Health Sciences Center opened for state-of-the-art health care programs in Nursing, Health Information Management and Dental Assisting. The facility includes classrooms, a nursing skills lab, library and offices as well as a 1500 sq. ft. fitness center, a 100-seat auditorium, and a 40-seat community room.
South Lake Campus
Phase II on the South Lake Campus, a 60,000 sq. ft. joint-use facility with the University of Central Florida, was dedicated on March 1, 2002. The Higher Education Facility, called by students the castle on the hill, houses classrooms; laboratories; faculty, administration, student services, a 100-seat auditorium, and a third floor conference room with panoramic views of the Orlando area. Programs offered at the South Lake Campus include the Associate in Arts (AA) degree, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees in computer science and business administration, and the Associate in Science (AS) degree in nursing and sports and fitness. There are opportunites to enroll in 2+2 programs at eh University of Central Florida, St. Leo University and National-Louis University. LSCC has also forged partnerships with neighboring South Lake Hospital and Wellness Center, and the National Training Center of the United States Triathlon in order to enhance educational opportunities in South Lake County. Non-credit courses are also available to area residents. Many student services are provided in Clermont, including admissions, registration, academic advising, testing, financial aid, fee payment, library, bookstore and student activities. Sumter Campus
Programs offered at the Sumter Campus include the Associate in Arts (AA) degree and the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees in business administration, office administration and computer science. Non-credit courses are offered to meet the needs of the community. Many student services are provided in Sumterville, including admissions, registration, academic advising, testing, financial aid, fee payment, bookstore and student activities. |
The Leesburg Campus began with a 70 acre site on U.S. Highway 441, across from the Leesburg Municipal Airport and bordering on beautiful Silver Lake. With the help and assistance of leading citizens, educators, and political figures, the college rapidly expanded and outgrew this site. In 1992 neighboring property was purchased for future expansion, enlarging the campus to 114 acres.
After several years of offering classes at South Lake High School and to better serve the needs of area residents, funding was obtained in 1998 to build Phase I of the South Lake Campus. Construction was completed and the first classes in the new building were held in the 1999 fall semester.
The LSCC Sumter Campus, located in Sumterville, opened its doors in the summer of 1995. The forty-acre campus includes nine classrooms, a library and administrative offices. The Clark Maxwell, Jr. Library and Student Services Center was opened and dedicated in January 2000. It houses the Sumter County Library System and the only teleconferencing center in the county. The Sumter Campus, a joint-use facility, shares space with the Sumter County School District Adult and Community Education program. In partnership with the Sumter County School District and the University of Central Florida, a training facility for teachers opened in 1999 and is operated by LSCC. St. Leo University offers a 2+2 program on the Sumter Campus leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in education.