State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota has named a hub for student studies and socialization, community partnerships, and collaboration in honor of recently retired SCF President Carol F. Probstfeld.
The Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld Library & Learning Center was dedicated at a brief ceremony on June 25 at the Atrium at the Center, Building 3, at SCF Bradenton. The dedication featured Probstfeld’s portrait and name sign display, an unveiling of renderings of the outdoor signage to be installed and remarks from the president.
Probstfeld was instrumental in overseeing the development of the award-winning center, which opened in 2018.
“This is an exciting and exceptional event that happens rarely at the college,” said Rod Thompson, SCF Board of Trustees chair since 2016. “In recognition of her immense contributions, we are proud to announce the naming of this center as the Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld Library & Learning Center, a testament to her enduring legacy.”
Probstfeld shared the personal meaning of the center, including memories of her childhood library visits with her family. Her mother, a first female Marines service member during World War II, and her father, a Navy service member injured in Pacific Theater during World War II, taught her about the value of learning and education. She recalled exploring the public and law libraries, courthouse and college situated in a beautiful triad in her community, getting her first library card at age 6 and the smell of books in the library buildings.
“I think spending that time in a library when I was a child made all the difference and gave me the tools that I needed to be able to pursue a career that I wanted,” Probstfeld said.
In January 2013, Probstfeld became the sixth president of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, established in 1957. SCF is the area’s oldest and largest public college with more than 50,000 graduates and campuses in Bradenton, Venice and Lakewood Ranch and an online presence.
Regarding her 22 years of service to SCF, Probstfeld said, “It’s just overwhelming, and breathtaking and humbling. I can’t begin to say thank you enough.”
SCF’s District Board of Trustees announced on April 5 that Tommy Gregory would be the seventh President of the college after a six-month national search. Gregory took over on July 1.
The 64,000-square-foot Probstfeld Library & Learning Center received the Learning By Design Outstanding Project award in 2018. The Florida Legislature provided budgetary funding for the building construction while SCF Foundation raised community funding for equipment and furnishings.
For more information, visit SCF-Foundation.org.
Submitted by Ebony Smith
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