Today Marks the 55th Anniversary of State College of Florida

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF), the region's first and largest public college, marks its 55th anniversary today.

On Sept. 17, 1957, the State Board of Education established SCF, then Manatee Junior College, as an approved college with the primary mission of providing college training for young people and adults.

In 1959, the first classes were held on the current southwest Manatee County campus with a full-fledged sophomore class and a large freshman class enrolled in university-parallel courses. SCF has grown to include campuses at SCF Venice and SCF Lakewood Ranch.

In March 2009, the State Board of Education approved the College's proposal to deliver a complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. In July 2009, the College changed its name to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota to reflect the institution's new status as a four-year degree-granting state college.

SCF now offers eight bachelor’s degrees while continuing to focus on highly respected associate degrees that prepare graduates for university transfer and professional careers.

SCF serves 30,000 college credit students annually at campuses in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice, and online via eLearning opportunities. The College has graduated nearly 40,000 students since 1960.

The Corporate and Community Development Division annually serves another 25,000 participants in noncredit classes in workforce training, small business development, professional development, personal enrichment and driving safety through workshops, seminars, online classes and on-site training programs at area businesses.