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Students in College of Central Florida’s Health Sciences programs will benefit from scholarships and new program equipment, thanks to a $3 million commitment from AdventHealth Ocala to the 91��Ƭ Foundation.

“We are very grateful for AdventHealth’s support and trust in our award-winning programs,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 91��Ƭ president. “This is a game-changing gift that will ensure students now and in the future have the best instruction and opportunities as well as have a lasting impact on our community.”

The irrevocable pledge creates the AdventHealth Nursing Endowment and the AdventHealth Health Sciences Endowment. The nursing endowment will allow 91��Ƭ to apply for the Florida Legislature’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) matching grant – a fund created in 2022 to alleviate the statewide nursing shortage by providing matching funds for nursing education programs that partner with health care providers. The health sciences endowment will support students in high-demand health care fields including Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography and Surgical Services, plus new programs in Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology and Respiratory Care.

“At AdventHealth, we know the quality of instruction 91��Ƭ has, and we are excited to invest in the good work of creating new opportunities for students in these critical areas of need,” said Erika Skula, president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth Ocala.

91��Ƭ Health Sciences students consistently rank above average on career certification exams. This year’s class of Associate Degree Nursing students achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam, and Radiography graduates attained a 100% pass rate on the national radiologic technologist certification exam. For the second year in a row, Surgical Services graduates earned a 100% pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist national exam. For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/health.

The College of Central Florida Dassance Fine Arts Center auditorium is being transformed into a fantastical wizarding world for the four performances of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” presented live on stage by 91��Ƭ Theatre Oct. 24-27. Performances times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

Told from the point of view of members of the lesser-known Puffs house, who congregate in their kitchen-adjacent basement common room, the fast-paced farce evokes familiar stories of a society of sorcery in which young people – dressed in robes and hats – attend a school of witchcraft, battle dark forces, encounter enchanted creatures, and find plenty of mayhem and mischief. The production includes nearly 30 91��Ƭ student performers, with four 91��Ƭ staff members cast as wizard-school faculty and several other 91��Ƭ students taking on roles with set construction, costumes and technical crew.

“This production is pure magic,” said Nonalee Davis, 91��Ƭ assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director. “If you are familiar with the wizarding world, you will laugh from the opening line through the entire show, catching all the inside jokes. If it’s your first foray into the magical universe, you will still find it hilarious. Matt Cox’s script is phenomenal.”

91��Ƭ Theatre Manager Mario Cieri designed and built an elaborate set featuring well-known elements of the castle in which the school of magic is housed, with its myriad staircases and hidden doors and a potions lab where bizarre brews boil and bubble. Preshow music will include original compositions by Erica Morales, a 91��Ƭ student.

“We are growing our performing arts program to offer opportunities to a larger number of students, and increasing the theatre department’s collaborations with other college departments,” Davis said. “We want to give our students a priceless educational opportunity while offering the community an enjoyable experience.”

Theatergoers are encouraged to wear their house colors, wizarding robes or hats, and bring magic wands.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-91��Ƭ students and can be purchased at or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for 91��Ƭ students, faculty and staff with valid I.D.

For more information about 91��Ƭ Visual and Performing Arts events, visit .

The College of Central Florida will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program with a special event on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Carolyn Jones, who created the book and documentary film “The American Nurse,” will present “The American Nurse: Moving the Needle on the Most Important Issues of Our Time” at 6 p.m. at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

“91��Ƭ’s RN to BSN program provides a valuable education for registered nurses who are ready to take their career to the next level,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, vice president of health sciences. “We are celebrating 10 years of supporting nurses who choose to pursue advanced clinical positions and nursing faculty positions as well as meet the need for more primary care nurses in our community.”

The public is invited to learn more about the role of nurses in the U.S. health care system as Jones shares inspiring stories of nurses from across the country who are helping to find nurse-led solutions to the nation’s maternal mortality crisis.

RSVP requested at 91��Ƭ.edu/nurse.

Topics and concepts presented at this event are for discussion purposes only and are not intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel individuals to believe the topics or concepts presented therein. Nor do they constitute endorsement of such topics or concepts by the College of Central Florida, its Board of Trustees, or any of their officers, employees, or agents.

The College of Central Florida, in partnership with the City of Ocala, will host a special naming ceremony dedicating a Humanities and Social Sciences classroom in memory of Ira Holmes. The event will take place Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Ocala Campus, Building 8, 3001 S.W. College Road.

The beloved professor, who passed away on June 9 at age 90, joined the 91��Ƭ faculty in 1962. He started the Ira Holmes International Film Series more than 60 years ago to share his lifelong passion with the community. The newly named Ira Holmes Classroom is the location for series film screenings open to 91��Ƭ students and the community.

Holmes, known for his love of art, travel, lifelong learning and cultural studies, led more than two dozen study tours to Europe. He was one of the first members of the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board, serving more than 40 years and assisting with numerous landmark projects including the Reilly Arts Center and Marion Theatre renovations. Just a few days before his passing, the City of Ocala was preparing a proclamation recognizing Holmes’ years of service.

At the 6 p.m. event, 91��Ƭ President Dr. Jim Henningsen will deliver dedication remarks, and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and Ocala City Manager Pete Lee will present the City of Ocala proclamation. At 6:30 p.m., Ira Holmes International Film Series director Wendy Adams will lead the sharing of memories, and at 7 p.m., the 2024-2025 series will kick off with a screening of “The Seventh Seal.” The 1957 Swedish historical fantasy film was selected by Holmes as “a message of hope for us all.”

RSVP requested at