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The College of Central Florida has launched a new Fire Science Technology program, offering current firefighters, fire officers or fire protection professionals the opportunity to advance in their career.

The fully online Fire Science Technology Associate in Science degree is designed to give students a scientific understanding of fire and emergency hazards, with an emphasis on effective prevention, control and management. The program will prepare students for employment in firefighting and prevention supervision, to supervise or manage firefighters who control and extinguish fires, protect life and property, and conduct rescue efforts.

“We’re proud to offer our Fire Science Technology program and look forward to preparing both current and future fire service professionals for an expanded managing fire officer role,” said Daniel Garcia, Fire Science Technology program manager. The program includes a curriculum tailored to certifications in Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Safety Inspector I and Fire Instructor II.

For prospective students interested in learning more about the program, 91��Ƭ is hosting virtual information sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Viewers will meet with Garcia, as well as an academic advisor, to learn details about the degree and program goals.

To register for the information sessions, please visit /events/category/health-sciences/list/. To learn more about this new program, visit .

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents “Water’s Margins: Paintings of Florida’s Springs by Margaret Ross Tolbert,” on view Jan. 27-June 2, 2024.

Over the last four decades, Gainesville-based multimedia artist Margaret Ross Tolbert has traveled extensively throughout areas of Florida and many international destinations that boast exceptional springs, waterways and caves. “Water’s Margins” brings together a selection of Tolbert’s paintings created following visits and plunges into these waters, including some in Marion, Levy and Citrus counties. The idea of the margins between humans and water reflects the interactive fluidity of the crystal-clear waters that flow from the Floridan aquifer.

From large-scale paintings to more intimate works created underwater on pieces of slate, Tolbert uses an array of kaleidoscopic blues and earth tones to express her passion for and understanding of these unique subaquatic environments.

Tolbert earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts in painting at the University of Florida and shortly thereafter began exploring the springs. She said, “The paradisiacal Springs of North Florida are my paintings’ subject and metaphor. The springs paintings begin onsite at the water’s edge and often in the water. I swim in the springs; I sketch underwater; I am inspired to write when I am beside them.”

Since the 1980s, Tolbert’s springs paintings have been featured in exhibits and collections in the U.S., Europe and Turkey. Appleton Director Jason Steuber, a longtime appreciator of Tolbert’s work, said, “Water is key to our existence and inspires awe and wonder. Margaret literally submerges herself in her work and her paintings offer us a new appreciation of Florida’s natural resources available at parks and springs that bubble up across the Sunshine State.”

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program.

Events with the Artist

Director’s Circle Reception

Saturday, Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Appleton Director’s Circle members are invited to celebrate the opening of “Water’s Margins” with hors d’oeuvres and wine in the café, and a meet-and-greet with artist Margaret Ross Tolbert. RSVP is required to Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Gallery Tours with Margaret Ross Tolbert

Saturday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Take a tour of “Water’s Margins” with artist Margaret Ross Tolbert. Learn more about the work directly from the artist with opportunity to ask questions. Tours will meet in the first-floor Edith-Marie gallery and are free as part of Free First Saturday. Free First Saturdays are sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit

91��Ƭ alumnus and current Engineering Technology Instructional Assistant Chris Kromke was recognized by the National Science Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges at the 30^th National ATE Principal Investigators Conference in Washington, D.C., in October. Kromke received the nationally recognized 2023 Advanced Technological Education Award of Excellence for a series of projects he developed during his time as both a student and employee at the college.

According to the AACC, the conference brings together more than 850 NSF ATE grantees and their project partners to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Conference participants represent community colleges, business and industry, secondary school systems, and four-year colleges covering projects in a wide variety of areas, such as information technology, engineering technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and others.

Kromke received his Associate of Science in Engineering Technology with a specialization in Advanced Manufacturing from 91��Ƭ, and is currently attending Daytona State College, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

The College of Central Florida was recognized by Statista, in a collaboration with Newsweek, as one of America’s Top Online Colleges 2024. In a ranking that highlighted only 200 top colleges in the nation based on institutional indicators and student feedback, the outstanding achievement was a result of over 9,000 individuals who were surveyed about their online college experience.

Respondents were asked to indicate their satisfaction with the organization through which they obtained an online degree, including hybrid programs, and to what extent they would recommend the organization to others. The title serves to reinforce 91��Ƭ’s standing as an online college that provides great value and excellent opportunities to its students on a national level.

“Recognition by Statista and Newsweek reinforces the strength of 91��Ƭ’s online programs,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 91��Ƭ president. “Whether a student chooses to attend in person, online or in combination, we know that they are receiving a quality education at an affordable price. This award is testament to the satisfaction of their experience.”

91��Ƭ offers fully online courses, degrees and certificates, as well as hybrid programs, allowing students to obtain a high-quality education on a flexible schedule. To learn more about 91��Ƭ’s Online Learning, visit .

College of Central Florida alumna Mary Sue Rich was recognized with the LeRoy Collins “Hometown Hero” Distinguished Alumni Award at the Association of Florida Colleges Annual Conference held in Orlando. The award was conferred to Rich at the conference’s Presidential Gala Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Mary Sue Rich is a graduate of Central Florida Community College (now the College of Central Florida) and the University of Central Florida. Born and raised in Ocala, Rich was the first African-American woman elected to the Ocala City Council and served for 24 years. In 2019, the “Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place” was named after Rich and community activist Ruth Reed, honoring their community service. Throughout the years, Rich has received many honors, including the 91��Ƭ Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001.

“We are so proud that the Association of Florida Colleges recognized the outstanding qualities, service and leadership Mrs. Rich possesses with this statewide recognition,” stated Chris Knife, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the 91��Ƭ Foundation. “She truly exemplifies what it means to be a 91��Ƭ alumna.”

Named in honor of former Governor LeRoy Collins, a champion of the state’s college system, the LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni Awards are held every two years to give the Florida College System the opportunity to recognize those that inspire and excel in our communities.  Each college is eligible to submit one nominee, but only four alumni across Florida receive the distinction of being a LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni. Award recipients must have achieved success within their college service district and demonstrated notable community involvement.

For more information about the Association of Florida Colleges, visit .

College of Central Florida Communications Professor Lori Witkowich was honored with the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by the Florida Association for Student Success. The award was presented to Witkowich at the FASS annual conference on Oct. 20.

“I am very appreciative to FASS for this great honor and it is truly an honor, but I think the greatest honor for all of us is when our students succeed,” said Witkowich. “It is amazing to help our students achieve their highest potential, and I am grateful to be able to help them.”

Each year, the FASS Outstanding Educator award is granted to someone who demonstrates excellence in teaching and exemplifies the philosophy of service and support for student success.

Witkowich has been teaching English and reading courses at the College of Central Florida since 2011.

The College of Central Florida will present the 27^th annual “Trains at the Holidays” exhibit Dec. 16-29 at the 91��Ƭ Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala.

The exhibit will feature model trains by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society and is a family favorite, with moving train displays featuring holiday themes and local landmarks.

“The 91��Ƭ express has been chugging along for 27 years,” said Jim DeLawter, president of the model railroad organization, adding that the “Ocala holiday tradition is a fun time for all ages.”

The exhibition will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, through Friday, Dec. 29, with the exception of Christmas day, Dec. 25. On Christmas Eve, the exhibit will be open noon to 3 p.m.

For additional information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone interested in pursuing a college education to attend an open house at 91��Ƭ’s Ocala or Citrus campus on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Ocala open house will be held at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road. The Citrus open house will be held at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus Charles S. Dean Sr. Educational Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

Future students are encouraged to tour the campuses and learn about more than 170 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Attendees can receive assistance with the application process, financial aid, placement testing, academic advising and registration for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 8.

The $30 application fee will be waived for anyone who completes an admissions application at the event, and applicants will be entered to win free tuition for a 3-credit-hour class.

For those unable to attend the in-person campus events, 91��Ƭ will also host a virtual open house on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1-2:30 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to register at . For more information, call 352-873-5800.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone interested in pursuing a college education to attend an open house on Thursday, Nov. 30, from noon-4 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Prospective students are encouraged to tour the campus and learn about more than 170 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Attendees can receive assistance with the application process, financial aid, placement testing, academic advising and registration for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 8.

The $30 application fee will be waived for anyone who completes an admissions application at the event, and applicants will be entered to win free tuition for a 3-credit-hour class.

Attendees are encouraged to register at . For more information, call 352-658-4077, ext. 2118.

The College of Central Florida Ira Holmes International Film Series will feature the Sundance award-winning film “Honeyland” on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

In Macedonia, the last native beekeeper relies upon traditional methods to harvest honey deep in the mountains. However, her livelihood is jeopardized when a nomadic farming family attempts to infringe on her beekeeping and competes with her for resources, all the while ignoring her beekeeping knowledge.

A screening will begin at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and is free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. A second screening will begin at 7 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110. The screening at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus is free and open to the public.

For more details, visit