7 Florida United Methodist Review Online

News at a Glance

Florida Southern ranks among best Christian colleges

LAKELAND — United Methodist-related Florida Southern College (FSC) was recently recognized as one of the best Christian colleges in the nation.

That designation was given by "America’s Best Christian Colleges: 2000," a report compiled and published by Institutional Research and Evaluation, an independent research and consulting organization in Gainesville, Ga., that specializes in recruiting and retention of students of higher education institutions.

From a total of 1,537 colleges and universities surveyed for the report, 92 were singled out as having the highest academic standards. Of those, 10 were United Methodist-affiliated.

The report profiles Christian colleges and provides a list of athletic scholarship programs for men and women. To be considered for the publication, a school must meet certain residency, financial aid and academic requirements, as well as be affiliated with a recognized Christian denomination.

Orlando Program expands on new campus

In addition to recognition for its academic excellence, FSC is also seeing increased interest in its Orlando program, according to its director, Sandra Brown.

She says the program’s move to a new campus in south Orlando’s Pine Castle area will allow it to offer more courses within its existing curriculum.

Brown said FSC is also offering community groups the opportunity to use classroom space not in use by the college.

B-CC makes multi-cultural honor rolls

DAYTONA BEACH — Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC), a United Methodist-affiliated college with a culturally diverse population of more than 2,500 students, was recently recognized for the excellence of its academic program by both the African-American and Hispanic communities.

"Hispanic Outlook" magazine listed B-CC in its "Hot Picks" list as one of the best colleges for Hispanic students. B-CC was also listed in the Templeton Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges and Universities and among the Top 50 Best Colleges for African-American students in a survey conducted by "Black Enterprise" magazine and DayStar research services.