FSC to Build $1.5M Tech Center

LAKELAND | The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation has donated millions of dollars to a number of small colleges throughout Florida.

Now, it's Florida Southern College's turn.

On Thursday, John Rinker, president of the West Palm Beach-based foundation, was at a ground-breaking ceremony for a sleek new $1.5 million technology center off Ingraham Avenue equipped with dozens of computers, smart boards and laboratories.

Construction of the single-story, 4,000-square-foot building will begin this summer after workers demolish Columbia Hall, a residential hall turned computer lab that was built in 1948 just across the street from the FSC bandshell.

"This will create new technologies to enhance learning," said Ann Kerr, president of Florida Southern. "The new Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Technology Center will be the nucleus for learning on our campus, providing all students with the latest technology for individual, group and classroom learning opportunities as they use a variety of state-of-the-art software, hardware and Internet materials to develop programs and presentations for their classes and their careers."

The Rinker Foundation began in 1988 after the Rinkers sold Rinker Materials Corp., the nation's largest supplier of concrete at the time.

The foundation has donated money throughout Florida. Palm Beach Atlantic University, Stetson University, and Rollins College all have received millions of dollars from the Rinkers.

The only link Rinker has to Florida Southern is Kerr. She was vice president at Rollins in the 1980s when Rinker donated money for a new admissions center.

Kerr left an impression on Rinker.

"She's candid, honest and a bulldog when it comes to getting things done," Rinker said.

Kerr called Linker last year about the donation. She traveled to West Palm and provided details to Rinker about her plans for the technology center.

Months later, Rinker agreed to the donation.

"I was so excited," Kerr said. "I thanked him repeatedly."

The building is the first addition to a restructuring project off Ingraham Avenue that includes an expanded bookstore and health center, Kerr said.

The ground-breaking comes a week before the dedication of Wesley Hall, a residence hall on Lake Hollingsworth.

[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]