Lake–Sumter Community College is a community college

Community college

A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...

 in Central Florida

Central Florida

Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....

, and part of the Florida College System. The college has three campuses in Lake

Lake County, Florida

Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...

 and Sumter

Sumter County, Florida

Sumter County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 . Its county seat is Bushnell, Florida and the largest incorporated municipality is Wildwood, Florida. The Villages,...

 Counties: the Leesburg Campus in Leesburg

Leesburg, Florida

Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....

, the South Lake Campus in Clermont

Clermont, Florida

Clermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States, west of Orlando. The population was 13,100 in 2008. The city is essentially residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and food and beverage establishments, which are tourism oriented. The historic...

, and the Sumter Campus in Sumterville

Sumterville, Florida

Sumterville is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Florida within Central Sumter County, Florida. Like the county in which it resides, Sumterville was named after General Thomas Sumter, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. In fact, the community was the original county seat of...

.

History

The college was established in 1961 by the Florida Legislature

Florida Legislature

The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...

 due to the efforts of Lake and Sumter county citizens. In 1962 it began operating under the state community college system, and classes began September 5 of that year in temporary facilities. On May 18, 1964, ground-breaking began for the college's permanent Leesburg campus. The Sumter campus opened its facilities in 1995, while the South Lake campus opened in 1999.

Lake-Sumter Community College has had five presidents so far. Lake-Sumter Community College's presidents have been:

• Dr. Paul P. Williams (1962-1980)
• Dr. Robert S. Palinchak (1980-1987)
• Dr. Carl C. Andersen (1986-1992)
• Dr. Robert W. Westrick (1993-2002)
• Dr. Charles R. Mojock (2002-present)

Academics

Lake-Sumter Community College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Science degrees, along with vocational certificates and technology diplomas. The college also offers a 2+2 program, allowing graduates to continue their studies at the University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...

 and St. Leo University.

Lake-Sumter Community College also has a partnership with the University of Central Florida titled DirectConnect to UCF. This partnership gives guaranteed admission into UCF to all LSCC graduates with an AA or AS degree. UCF also offers pre-admission academic advising, admissions advising, and financial aid advising for all LSCC students who sign up for DirectConnect to UCF. This partnership is the way that UCF will continue to honor its commitment to offer University access to central Florida residents.http://www.directconnecttoucf.com

Notable Alumni & Attendees

Alum	Notability
Carey Baker Carey Baker Carey Baker is a gun shop owner, active First Sergeant in the Florida Army National Guard, and former Republican State Senator from Florida. He has served as a State Senator from the 20th Senate District since 2004. Before serving as Florida State Senator, Baker served in the Florida House of...	Current member of the Florida Senate Florida Senate The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....