Eckerd College - Definition and Overview

Eckerd College, formerly Florida Presbyterian College, is a private 4-year liberal arts college at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Tampa Bay. It serves roughly 1600 traditional students, as well as a similar quantity of non-traditional students through its Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) program.

Florida Presbyterian College was founded after World War II as part of the growth of post-secondary education in response to returning GIs seeking college education. The United Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Prebysterian Church (US) worked together to found the college, getting a charter granted by the Florida legislature in 1958 and opening in 1960.

In 1971, Jack Eckerd donated $12.5 million to the college, the largest gift the college had received to date. Mr. Eckerd's contribution ensured the survival of college. In 1972, the board of trustees changed the name of the college to Eckerd College in recognition and gratitude of Mr. Eckerd's support.

Eckerd College hosts a significant international student population in its traditional program as well as short-term English-immersion courses, and it maintains a healthy study-abroad program. Eckerd is best known for its Marine Science and International Studies majors, but provides a full spectrum of major and minor course offerings, including design-your-own-major opportunities. A student group, EC-SAR (Eckerd College Search and Rescue) supplements the U.S. Coast Guard in rescue operations throughout the Tampa Bay area, and the Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC) offers students insight and experiences from distinguished retired members of many industrial and academic fields.

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