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About Eckerd

Mission Statement

The mission of Eckerd College is to provide excellent, innovative undergraduate liberal arts education and lifelong learning programs in the unique Florida environment, within the context of a covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Approved by the Board of Trustees
May 21, 2016

Eckerd History

Through the years

The history of Eckerd College is the story of a visionary church, a courageous Board of Trustees, a highly committed faculty and staff, adventurous students, and thousands of friends who turned an idea into a reality. Here are some of the highlights.

1950s-60s

May 20, 1958

The Florida Synod of the Presbyterian Church, USA, votes to establish Florida Presbyterian College.

June 17, 1958

The Florida Legislature grants the charter for the Florida Presbyterian College, and the Presbyterian synods appoint a board of trustees.

September 1958

Black and white photo of man dressed in formal attire and wearing black-rimmed glasses

The United Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church together name William H. Kadel, Ph.D., the first president of Florida Presbyterian College.

April 22, 1959

William H. Kadel, Congressman William Cramer of St. Petersburg, and Philip J. Lee (the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees) meet with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington D.C. to enroll President Eisenhower as the first charter alumnus of Florida Presbyterian College.

Fall 1960

At the opening convocation of Florida Presbyterian College, the Honorable Leroy Collins, Governor of Florida from 1955-1961, gives a warm welcome and predicts a “long and outstanding career of service” for the college..

September 6, 1960

The first day of classes is held, with 155 freshman and 22 faculty in temporary quarters on Bayboro Harbor in downtown St. Petersburg.

November 1960

Chalk drawing of mythological character with long hair, crown, fish tail and trident

The Florida Presbyterian College Bulletin announces that, by vote of the Founding Freshman class, the college’s mascot would be the Triton, a mythological creature with the torso of a man and tail of a fish who calmed the seas with a conch-shell trumpet.

December 14, 1960

The first issue of the student newspaper, The Trident, is released. The issue includes opinion columns about the proper way to launder clothing, the quality of the cafeteria’s food and how the size of the campus is not proportional to the dazzling school spirit the students possess. Also included: a reflection of the required course for all freshmen now known as “The Human Experience.”

September 24, 1961

Groundbreaking of Eckerd College 1961

The Florida Presbyterian College Bulletin announces that, by vote of the Founding Freshman class, the college’s mascot would be the Triton, a mythological creature with the torso of a man and tail of a fish who calmed the seas with a conch-shell trumpet.

December 29, 1961

The first Winter Term program takes 30 students to Mexico, led by Sociology Professor Clark Bouwman, a founding professor. The course was “An Introduction to the Fields of Anthropology and Archeology in Mexico.” The cost was $275.

June 1962

All but two faculty members submit their resignations to the Board of Trustees to protest decision not to admit first Black student. In October, the Board reverses position. That young student, Howard Kennedy, later becomes a member of the Board of Trustees.

September 1963

The first semester that all classes and students were located on the new campus along Boca Ciega Bay.

June 1, 1964

Black and white photo of a church with an old car parked out front

Commencement of the first graduating class takes place at Pasadena Community Church.

November 30, 1966

Florida Presbyterian College receives full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

May 8, 1968

Billy O. Wireman, a founding faculty member, is named second president, the youngest college president in the country at that time.

September 1, 1968

Black and white photo of chapel along the water

Wireman Chapel (formerly Griffin Chapel) holds its first service with its purpose—as expressed in the first dedication service on March 9, 1969—to develop the spirit of love, understanding and forgiveness.

1970s-80s

September 1971

FPC Search, Rescue and Safety Team (providing services to the public since 1977 as Eckerd College Search and Rescue), the only volunteer student rescue group recently recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, is established.

October 20, 1971

Two dozen Black students hold a sit-in at Brown Hall to protest treatment of Black students on campus and to encourage greater diversity among students, faculty and staff.

July 1, 1972

Black and white photo of man on a ladder adding the letter "e" to a sign that says "Eckerd College founded as Florida Presbyterian College"

After Board of Trustees member Jack Eckerd gives $10 million to Florida Presbyterian College—the College’s single largest gift at the time—the name of Florida Presbyterian College is changed to Eckerd College.

August 27, 1973

The first day of classes for the first ever Autumn Term program, which was part of “Project ’73.” Project ’73 establishes the Autumn Term program, the Collegium structure, and the role of faculty members as mentors.

March 21, 1977

Board of Trustees Chairman Jack M. Eckerd named interim president

July 1977

The Board of Trustees selects Peter H. Armacost to become Eckerd College’s third president.

November 30, 1977

The establishment of the Program for Experienced Learners is  approved by the college’s faculty. First classes were offered in January 1978. The accredited program was open to degree-seeking adults and offered some college credit for documented life experience.

Fall 1980

The Leadership Development Institute is formed.

October 31, 1982

The Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College is officially inaugurated with 14 charter members.

1990s-2000s

November 20, 1991

Two men and a woman in formal attire use shovels to break ground next to sign that reads Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory

Groundbreaking of the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory. Photo: Then-President Armacost (left) breaks ground with Rosemary and John Galbraith

April 15, 1993

Aerial view of marine science building

Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory (GMSL) is dedicated, reinforcing the marine science major (established in 1982) as one of the finest and most unique in the country. The GMSL was made possible primarily by a gift of $2.9 million from John and Rosemary Galbraith.

June 30, 2000

Lloyd W. Chapin, faculty dean and vice president for academic affairs, is named acting president.

September 1, 2000

Eugene Hotchkiss III, President Emeritus of Lake Forest College, is named to a one-year term as interim president.

July 1, 2001

Donald R. Eastman III becomes the College’s fourth President.

December 10, 2002

Chairman of the Board Miles Collier, Peter Armacost, Jack and Ruth Eckerd, student body president Angela Guyadeen, President Donald R. Eastman III

Groundbreaking ceremony held for the Armacost Library took place on Tuesday, December 10, 2002. The site was thoughtfully chosen to place the library at the physical intersection of the academic and residential precincts of campus. The official dedication of the library was on Friday, February 18, 2005. The library houses a permanent art collection featuring representative works from the College’s founding visual arts faculty. The Thomas Dreier Grand Reading Room honors a St. Petersburg resident and philanthropist who made a very public contribution to the College in 1965 after Eckerd faculty participated in the civil rights march in Selma, Alabama.

August 9, 2003

The Phi Beta Kappa Society awards the Zeta Chapter of Florida to Eckerd College at the 40th Council.

2010s-2020s

November 20, 1991

James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences at Eckerd College

Grand opening of the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences

June 2015

James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences earns LEED Platinum designation.

October 27, 2016

Aerial view of Doyle Sailing Center

Dedication ceremony held for the Doyle Sailing Center.

February 9, 2018

Nielsen Center for Visual Arts at Eckerd College

Grand opening held for The Helmar and Enole Nielsen Center for Visual Arts.

July 1, 2020

The “Eastman Era” ends; Damián J. Fernández becomes the College’s fifth president.

October 15, 2021

The Board of Trustees adopts a five-year strategic plan, “Onward: Strategy in Action 2021–2026.”

October 15, 2021

Aerial view of a simple farm surrounded by banana plants

Groundbreaking held for Eckerd College Community Farm.

August 2, 2022

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students James J. Annarelli is named interim president.

February 10, 2023

Five people stand side by side, four dressed in academic regalia, one holding a mace

Eckerd College trustees name James J. Annarelli the school’s sixth president.

March 2, 2024

Large group of athletes and others pose on the sand in front of a sign that reads BEACH VOLLEYBALL COMPLEX

Ribbon-cutting ceremony and inaugural serve held for Jon Baker ’91 Beach Volleyball Complex.

August 2024

Aerial view of students walking along raised shoreline

Faculty, staff, students and partners join together to replace 400 feet of old seawall with a living shoreline. The effort successfully replaces a long portion of the seawall near the Omega residence hall with a gradually sloping coastline and tiered native plantings.

October 9, 2025

Crowd gathered below open-air pavilion as sun sets behind it

Dedication ceremony held for Tim Scovanner ’11 Pavilion.