Results
Video Archive
https://www.fsw.edu/holocaust/archive
Tribute to the SurvivorsAbe Price (born Abram Piasecki)Jan. 9, 1923 - Feb. 25, 2014Abe Price was born Abram Piasecki, the youngest of five brothers. His parents owned a shoe factory and store in Kielce until the Nazis attacked Poland and occupied his hometown in 1939. He was sent to a concentration camp at the age of 16 jam-packed into a cattle car and branded prisoner B-3266. His family was forced to move into a ghetto. Five years later, in 1944, he and a friend escaped from an Auschwitz-controlled labor camp. "I survived by luck, by faith or by accident, in order to be a witness to the Nazi crimes and to keep alive the memory of the children, my loved ones and my people."When he returned to Kielce, he found that most of his family - including his parents and two of his brothers - had been killed. He eventually moved to a nearby town where he met Sala, who would later become his wife. They were married in two weeks. They eventually emigrated to the United States in 1951 and moved to Naples in the late 1980s, he became a regular speaker in Naples schools and the Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida. He also wrote two books about his experiences: "Memoirs of a Survivor" and "Tamed by an Angel.""He was passionate about sharing with people and teaching them about the horrors of the Holocaust and his experiences, educating people in such a way that hopefully such a thing will never happen again," Dr. Herb Price said of his father. "If there is a word that is more than passionate, I would say he is that.”Alfred "Fred" RosenstrauchSeptember 29, 1924 - August 3, 2015Alfred Rosenstrauch was born in Bopfingen, Germany on September 29, 1924, which happened to be Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.He walked a unique road to notoriety. First a German Jew living under the Nazi regime, then an American soldier fighting on the front lines for his new homeland, then an interrogator during the Nuremberg trials, Rosenstrauch has lived a remarkable American life in the face of adversity.His family was not sent to a concentration camp because his grandparents had a longtime friend who was the leader of the Nazi party in their town. While they weren't arrested, they were told one day that they could not go home. They were given some clothes and papers and left in December 1939 on a train to Naples, Italy. They slept in a barn until they were able to get passage on a ship to the United States on Christmas Eve, at the age of 14. After arriving in the U.S., Fred went to school in Catskill, N.Y. and worked on a farm. He continued his schooling in St. Louis when the family moved there.By age 18, he wanted to join the U.S. Army, but couldn't due to the fact he was not yet a U.S. citizen. He asked the draft board to bump his number up. In October 1943 he was able to join the army. He was sent to England after basic training and was attached to the Second Infantry Division, which landed on Omaha Beach on D Day. He spent 142 days on the front lines until he was wounded and returned to England.When the war ended in Europe, he was sent to officers training school and then to Nuremberg as an interpreter. In 1946, he returned to the United States and married his wife Lore.Anatole "Tony" KurdsjukNovember 2, 1934 - July 26, 2013Born in Mariupol, USSR to Jacob and Olga Kurdsjuk. Anatole and his parents were survivors of the Nazi Labor Camps in Germany during WWII after being liberated by Patton's Third Army. The family emigrated to Bellmore, NY in 1948. Anatole "Tony" attended Duke University before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1955 where he worked as a programmer on the first computer systems. Taking a job with Honeywell after the service, Tony met the love of his life Linda, proposing on their first date and marrying in 1963. He moved their family to West Windsor, NJ in 1969, where they lived until retiring to North Fort Myers in 1997.Once in Florida, Anatole fulfilled the promise he made to his father decades earlier, writing the story of his family's struggles in Stalin's Russia and Hitler's Germany, and of the miracles that allowed them to survive and come to the United States. After "The Long Walk Home, With Miracles Along The Way", was published in 2005, he spoke continuously at schools, universities, clubs and holocaust gatherings, sharing the tales of his family so that future generations would "never forget" the things that happened during those times, until health issues forced him to stop in 2010.Anneliese Salamon, nee RederAugust 9, 1930 - December 11, 2014Anneliese Salamon was born in Vienna, Austria in 1930. When she was a few months old, she and her family returned to the small Czechoslovakian town where her mother had been born and raised. For nine years, they lived a nice and comfortable life, never experiencing any anti-Semitism.But in September of 1939 that peaceful life was interrupted. As the Nazis took over the town, Anneliese and the three other Jewish youngsters in her town were forbidden to attend school. Her family's material possessions were slowly taken from them. In 1940, all Jewish families were forced to move onto one street creating a Jewish Ghetto. In this new "world" not only were they required to wear the Yellow Star of David, but were mandated to follow all restrictions placed upon them. Things such as curfew and the inability to walk and shop where they wished became reality.Without any explanation in August 1941 her parents were taken by the Gestapo. She never saw them again. In May 1942, the remaining Jewish people in town were ordered to report to the high school in the capital city of the region. They were allowed to bring only one suitcase, never being told what was to come. After a stay of three weeks, they were transported by a box car to the town of Bohusovice. From there they marched to the camp Theresienstadt.On May 8, 1945 when Anneliese was liberated by the Russian Army, she was the only member of her family still alive. She returned to her home town to live with her guardians, made up four of the six years of schooling that she had lost and passed an exam which allowed her to enter high school. She graduated from high school and then college. Later, she met and married another survivor. They had two daughters and continued to live in the country until 1968, when they escaped to the United States.Anneliese has continued to keep in contact with her close friends made in Theresienstadt. Of the five original, two have passed away. Through all the hardships encountered in her life she has managed to maintain a positive, productive and healthy outlook. She cherishes the family and friends that now surround her, and remains a happy individual.Ben AlaloufBen and his family made a harrowing journey through Albania. There were near misses along the way where fate intervened. A Nazi patrol stopped by where refugees, including Ben's family, were resting. The leader picked Ben up and referred to him in kind terms never noticing the Star of David that had been embroidered on the shirt under Ben's sweater. Another time, the family made it to a ship that would take them to freedom. Ben was able to take his pet onboard; the donkey that had drawn a cart that Ben rode in. The ship subsequently hit a mine and sank but Ben's family survived.The Alaloufs made it to America as part of the small program that put refugees in a defunct WWI camp in Oswego, New York. Called Fort Ontario it housed the Alaloufs through the remainder of the war. Mrs. Roosevelt made a stop at the camp and even visited the Alalouf barracks. Ben and family decided to stay in America and moved to New York City where Ben grew up, attended college, and embarked on a career in education and administration.Benno BenningaJune 27, 1925 - December 11, 2015Benno Benninga was born in 1925 in Leeuwarden (Friesland) The Netherlands. When he was six years old he moved to Amsterdam with his parents and sister. He graduated from high school in 1942.Shortly after his graduation, he and his family went into hiding to escape the Nazi atrocities during the German occupation (1940-1945). He has written a book: "In Hiding" which describes the mental and physical abuses they endured during their years of hiding. The book is based on a diary his father kept during that time. His family was fortunate. All of them survived.In 1950 Benno married his wife, Carla, who had also survived the war in hiding.In 1951 he graduated from the Amsterdam University with a bachelor's degree in Economics. That same year the couple moved to the United States, where he had been offered a job with a margarine company in Cincinnati, Ohio. While working there, he received an M.B.A. from Xavier University. In 1957 he changed jobs working for a meat company in the same city. A few years later he became Director of Purchasing, a position he kept until his retirement.After his retirement, the Benningas moved to Sanibel Island.They have one son who lives with his wife in Chicago.Carla BenningaCarla Benninga grew up in The Hague, Netherlands and vividly recalls the beginning of the Nazi occupation in 1940 and its impact on her life. After a failed attempt to escape to England by way of the harbor town, Ijmuiden, her family returned to The Hague. She completed seventh and eighth grade at her school; but in 1941, the edicts began including the one that forbade Jews from attending public or private schools. She began the ninth grade in a special school where all of the teachers and students were Jewish. Many of the teachers were college professors, not allowed to teach at the universities any longer.In November 1942, Carla's family, along with all other Jews residing in Holland were forced to move to Amsterdam. Her father had been forced to turn his business over to a Verwalter, a "caretaker." In the spring of 1943, the family moved again into a ghetto within the city. The German SS made their weekly round-ups ringing all doorbells to find out which apartment housed Jewish families and which of those families were on the "exempt" list. While they were initially on an "exempt" list, they knew it was only a matter of time before their luck would run out. It was decided that the family would split up and go into hiding. Carla was placed with a family in the south of Holland. She spent most of her years in hiding with that family, but left when the family's son, who had been in a German work camp, escaped and joined the underground. At that point, she went from house to house sometimes riding her bike in broad daylight and sometimes sneaking out in the middle of the night. In the sixteen months that she was in hiding she stayed in a dozen different places.After the war, Carla Benninga received her B.A. degree, majoring in English, from the University of Amsterdam, married Benno in 1950 and moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1951. Professionally she has been involved in public relations, public affairs, legislative affairs and opinion research. She has also served on numerous boards in Cincinnati and in Sanibel.Cesare FrustaciCesare was born in Napoli, Italy. His Jewish mother, Margit, was a Hungarian ballerina and his Roman Catholic father, Pasquale, was a famous orchestra director and music composer. They baptized Cesare and brought him up as a Catholic. In 1938, the Italian government issued anti-Semitic laws and began expelling foreign Jews from the country. Margit returned to Hungary with two year-old Cesare.Once in Hungary, Cesare and his mother were ultimately forced to live inside a Yellow Star house within a Jewish ghetto. In an effort to save Cesare, Margit sent him out onto the streets with only a piece of bread and his baptismal certificate. They did not know if they would ever be together again. While separated from his mother, Cesare devised clever ways to obtain food and shelter in order to stay alive. However, he was eventually captured and sent in a boxcar to a youth detention camp. During this time, Margit miraculously survived a death march and a series of concentration camps.After liberation, the International Red Cross helped place Cesare in a new home. His brave and determined mother went on foot for over a year looking for Cesare and finally found him, 183 villages later, on a pig farm on the Ukrainian border with an adoptive family. They returned to Budapest, and Margit insisted that Cesare resume his education.Cesare's mother died in Hungary in 1998. Cesare immigrated to the United States in 1982.Erna RosnerErna Rosner was born in Krakow, Poland. She is a survivor of five concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Eventually, she was liberated from Mauthausen. At one point, she was on Schindler's List, but her spot was taken by another. Her future husband was fortunate to remain on Schindler's List. Oscar Schindler himself became their personal friend and attended their wedding.In 1949 the Rosners came to the United States and settled in New York, where they raised their family. Seven years ago Erna moved to Fort Myers to be close to her two sons and their families.Since arriving in Fort Myers, Erna has been a frequent speaker on the Holocaust.Eva BrandtEva was a teenager in Hungary and was deported in March 1944 to Nazi Germany to Auschwitz. She worked 14 hours a day at a Nazi underground airplane factory near Mulhausen. As that operation dwindled, she was transferred in February 1945 to Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp with deplorable conditions where there were corpses laying everywhere.In April 1945, the British Army liberated Brandt's camp and nursed her back to health. Brandt soon learned her sister and father both survived; her mother did not. Brandt illegally crossed the border back into Hungary to see her family, but soon abandoned the country that abandoned her.In February 1946, Brandt landed a job with the United Nations' child search team, working to free children fathered by Nazis in an attempt to boost the Nazi population in Germany. International law, Brandt says, gave these children the nationality of their mothers, often blonde-haired, blue-eyed women from all corners of Europe."We yanked these kids out," Brandt said. "That was a sweet revenge for me. We went from place to place searching for these kids, sending them back to whatever country their mother was from."After emigrating to the U.S. in 1949, Brandt got married and became a social worker in Chicago.Fred FlatauJuly 26, 1931 - January 8, 2010Fred Flatau was born in Berlin in 1931 to an affluent Jewish family. His family was very assimilated and not religious. His father was an entertainment lawyer who fought for Germany in World War I.During Kristallnacht in November of 1938, the Nazis took Fred's father to a concentration camp called Sachsenhausen. Fred's mother used bribery to get her husband released. Ordered to leave Germany, the family fled to Prague (Czechoslovakia), then Italy. They stayed in a luxurious hotel in Italy for five years. They were forced to wear black shirts but did not have problems with anti-Semitism.However, when Hitler allied with Mussolini, Fred's father was sent to a camp called Ferramont for one year. The family moved around for years attempting to escape capture and persecution. When they made it to Rome they used their connections to get an apartment and changed their name to "Ferrucci." Fred became an altar boy and attended Mass.On June 3, 1944, President Roosevelt announced that 1,000 Jewish refugees were able to enter the United States. Fred's family was one of those 1,000. Fred was thirteen years old when they sailed to America and made their way to Oswego, New York. From there they moved to New York City. Fred eventually moved back to Germany and completed his medical education at a prestigious university.Fred RosenstrauchFred Rosenstrauch was born in Bopfingen, Germany on September 29, 1924, which happened to be Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.His family was not sent to a concentration camp because his grandparents had a longtime friend who was the leader of the Nazi party in their town. While they weren't arrested, they were told one day that they could not go home. They were given some clothes and papers and left in December 1939 on a train to Naples, Italy. They slept in a barn until they were able to get passage on a ship to the United States. After arriving in the U.S., Fred went to school in Catskill, N.Y. and worked on a farm. He continued his schooling in St. Louis when the family moved there.In October 1943 Fred joined the army. He was sent to England after basic training and was attached to the Second Infantry Division, which landed on Omaha Beach on D Day. He spent 142 days on the front lines until he was wounded and returned to England.When the war ended in Europe, he was sent to officers training school and then to Nuremberg as an interpreter. In 1946, he returned to the United States and married his wife Lore.Gerda FriedemanMay 4, 1914 - March 26, 2015Gerda Friedeman grew up in Muenster, Germany. She lived there happily with her parents, three brothers and a sister until the Nazi regime came into power in 1933. Lives of the Jews in Germany changed dramatically and they became a persecuted group, many fleeing for their lives.In January 1938, she married Simon Friedeman. The early years of their married life were marred by the threat of World War II. Simon, rabbi of a synagogue in Bielefeld, was arrested on Kristallnacht while rushing to his burning synagogue to rescue some of the ritual items. He was taken to Buchenwald. Eventually he was released and allowed to go to England on a student visa. Gerda spent five months underground in Holland and was on the last boat to leave Holland for New York in April 1940. After three years, her husband was finally able to join her in New York. He officiated as a rabbi for several congregations. His last position was at Temple Beth El, which at the time was located in Cape Coral.Gerda has been very active in the Jewish Community. She has been involved in many different activities related to her experiences during the Holocaust, including being invited to return to Germany to participate in a program whose philosophy is "to remember is the secret to reconciliation."Irene SkolnickOnce a Jew was trapped under Nazi occupation there were only four ways one could hope to survive: with luck one could survive the camps, one could be hidden by a courageous gentile, one could escape and live in the forest with partisans, or one could change one's identity, pretend to be Catholic and blend into the ambient population. This is what mother decided would be our best chance at survival. This was not an easy undertaking. To blend into the Polish community it was essential not to look Jewish; not to sound Jewish; to know a fair amount about Catholicism; and be able to think on your feet when unexpected events occurred. Above all one needed to be lucky. With counterfeit documents we changed our name and moved to Lublin, the site of Majdanek, the second largest concentration camp in Poland. At that time I was five years old and my brother was seven. We had to learn new names and to never reveal our past. No sooner we got settled that members of my father's family descended on us seeking shelter. In a small, primitive house we hid up to eight members of my father's family.Joseph LipshutzNovember 1, 1918 - April 28, 2012Joseph Lipshutz was born in 1918 in Krakow, Poland and attended grammar school and high school there. It was the same school that the Late Pope John Paul II attended until he switched to a Catholic high school after 2 years.Joseph attended technical school until his father's death at which point he learned the family business as a furrier, and worked to help family finances. In 1939 and 1940, Joseph was forced by the Germans to work outdoors cleaning streets from dirt, snow and ice. Late in 1940, he was moved to a labor camp at the Krakow airport, where he worked until the end of 1941. At the airport, he survived by making fur hats, gloves and slippers for the German officers.In 1942 Joseph was moved to Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp where he was assigned to a fur shop to repair coats for the guards. In November 1944 he was placed on a list of prisoners to be moved to Schindler's factory in Czechoslovakia, where he worked as an electrician installing machinery to produce anti-tank weapons.In May 1945, he was liberated from the concentration camp, and moved to a displaced persons camp in Bergen Belsen. He was married in Bergen Belsen and had a baby girl in September 1949. Over forty members of his extended family, including his mother, two brothers and a sister, did not survive the war.The Jewish Federation of Philadelphia assisted in his move to America in December 1949. The Federation found a job for him at Schaevitz Engineering, in New Jersey, where he achieved the position of vice president of operations. He holds patents for components in the aircraft industry and also the space shuttle.He retired in 1980 and moved to Florida, where he was a frequent speaker about the Holocaust.Judit PriceJudit was born March 1, 1944 in Budapest Hungary. She lived in the basement nearly 9 months, of a building made safe by Raoul Wallenberg. That safety did not mean that bombs hit nearby. Her father, meanwhile, had been sent to a slave labor camp. After his usefulness began to wane, he was transported to Auschwitz. Along the way, he managed to jump off of the train and escape. He slept in a barn until someone turned him in. He was returned to the original camp instead of Auschwitz and ultimately survived.Judit recalls when the Soviet Red Army came through and "liberated" Budapest. The violence that they perpetrated on residents was ingrained into her family's consciousness.She went from National Socialism to Communism and recalls standing in breadlines for food. She and her parents miraculously escaped and made it to America.Lore RosenstrauchLore Rosenstrauch was born in Trier, Germany on November 1, 1924. She and her parents lived there until January, 1939. In 1938 the Jewish children in her town were no longer allowed to go to school, so her parents sent her to Düsseldorf to school. She was there until Kristallnacht when the Nazis came to the apartment where she boarded with a family. The Nazis destroyed everything in the house and locked the family and Lore in the bathroom. The next day, her cousin put her on a train to go back home. Her family had received their papers to come to the United States.She met her husband, Fred, when both were in high school and waited for him until he returned from the war. They married in June 1946 and have two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.Paul SimkoPaul Simko was born in May 1927 in Vienna, Austria. In the year 1938, when he was only 11 years old the Germans forcefully annexed Austria and his native country ceased to exist and his life changed dramatically.He was refused entrance into the school he had been attending and was forced to go to a school for Jews. Students were frequently attacked by members of the Hitler Youth organization. Police stood by doing nothing to protect the Jewish children. When Simko himself was attacked, he remembers a policeman standing nearby laughing.Slowly but surely all the rights of Austrian Jews - so natural to every citizen - had been taken from them. On November 9th 1938 the persecution reached an unprecedented level when the Germans burned down most of the synagogues and raided Jewish businesses and homes to take adults to concentration camps for forced labor and looted their belongings. Paul Simko has vivid memories of Kristallnacht.Simko's family had been desperately looking to emigrate anywhere that would accept them. Several countries including the United States turned them down. Finally they were able to get a permit to go to Bolivia. It was in July 1939, forty days before World War II started, that they were fortunate to leave their home and country with just one suitcase and no money to begin their lives anew in one of the most underdeveloped countries in South America.Renee BeddoukRenee Beddouk was born in Paris as Renee Krasnobroda. Her family was Jewish but not very religious. Both of her parents were naturalized French citizens.In 1942, Renee and her parents left Paris for Clermont Ferrand, a "free zone" which was an area that Jews could be safe from German occupation. Renee's grandmother chose to stay in Paris and was arrested and sent to Drancy, an infamous French transit camp. It is not certain if she died there or in a concentration camp.Not long after their arrival in Clermont Ferrand, her parents decided that they must hide Renee in order to ensure her safety. They sent Renee to the farm of a gentile family in the country village of Estandeuil. The family received compensation from her parents. Renee's parents stayed in Clermont Ferrand, which was eventually taken by the Nazis. They were sent to Drancy and then perished in Auschwitz.After the war, Renee returned to Paris and lived with her extended family. Her aunt gave Renee a letter from her mother written while she was in Drancy. Renee's mother reminded Renee that she loved her. She expressed her hope for Renee to become a strong and forgiving woman. Renee's mother asked her sister to watch over Renee.In 1946, twelve year-old Renee and her aunt, uncle, and two cousins immigrated to the United States. Renee completed school and, at the age of nineteen, married George Elie Beddouk.Robert NossenMy parents and brother left Germany in October 1933 for Denmark after my father received an eighteen month permit to work for a subsidiary of his company. In 1935 they moved to Belgium and finally settled in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Holland) in 1936. I was born there in 1938 and my father's parents and other relatives from Germany joined us in 1939. Of our extended family of fifteen, only the four of us survived the war.In May 1940 Holland was invaded. Starting in 1941 ever increasing restrictions were placed on us, including the Jewish star and exclusion from schools and public places. Then, in the fall of 1942, the first deportations to Westerbork, primarily a transit camp, then Auschwitz started. In June 1943 we were sent to Westerbork, but released after three months at the request of my father's company. By then we had received El Salvador citizenship papers through contacts in Switzerland. These papers gave us more freedom and ultimately saved our lives.In September 1944, there was a final roundup of all Jews in occupied Holland except those in mixed marriages. We went first to Westerbork, then to Theresienstadt, a 36 hour ride in a box car. There we lived in barracks and then in one room. Conditions were extremely difficult and my brother contracted tuberculosis. One quarter of the population died in Theresienstadt and most were eventually shipped out to Auschwitz.In May 1945 Russians liberated the camp. We returned to Amsterdam in June and resumed our lives. At that time, conditions in Holland with very difficult and with no family left in Europe, we immigrated to the U.S. in 1948.Rosette GerbosiRosette was born in Paris, France in 1932. Her father owned a fur coat factory, allowing her and the rest of her family a comfortable lifestyle. "Life was very good. We were able to go on vacations, and I was given every type of lesson imaginable: ballet, piano, and even English lessons."When the Germans took control of France, Rosette was still a child in school. She was embarrassed to wear the Star of David on all her clothing. "[The school children] weren't too friendly to us because it was very dangerous to be friendly with Jewish girls."After many arrests of close friends, Rosette's mother and father were convinced that it was time for Rosette to escape occupied France. A deal was made with a non-Jewish friend to take Rosette to live in Piegut, France –a zone relatively free of German occupation. She stayed in Piegut until the war's conclusion, where she was reunited with her older brother, Bernard, the only survivor of her immediate family.Rosette volunteers her time with the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida to share her story.Steen MetzSteen Metz was only eight years old in 1943 when he was arrested, along with his father and mother, and deported from his home in Denmark to the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp, in what was then Czechoslovakia. In 2011 Steen completed his memoirs, which includes A Danish Boy In Theresienstadt, a book about his experiences. Since then, one of his major missions has been to participate in Holocaust education by presenting programs in numerous venues, including colleges, universities, schools, libraries and museums.
FSW Student & Alumni Success Stories
https://www.fsw.edu/success/student
What's Your FSW Success Story?2020 Success StoriesTrevon Davis Katie Means Lyn Carlson Sherri Zimmerman Respiratory Care Program Class of 2020 Kallen Hopkins Tyrone Humbles Aaliyah Conde Rachel Kipfinger Jenia Badova Tara Gadoury Mariela Chavez Bertha Mendez Henry Lozano Kelly Maguire Chase Lopez Julexia Ellis Shirin Bos Riley Havel2019 Success StoriesBrandon Cardin Brook Sanchez Samaria Rios Jorge Santiago Mike and Jenn Ochocki Stephen W. Buckley Melissa Hernandez Tony Peterson Tapanga Garrett Rafael Columbie Luis MunozSubmit Your FSW Success StoryBack to Success Page2021 Success StoriesSheronia Garcia Sheronia Garcia appreciates the value of water. Growing up on a reservation without running water as a child, Sheronia had to haul water from a watermill, purchase bottled drinking water, and collect rainwater to shower.“Because of my experience, I’ve always been passionate about the water industry.”After hearing about the Florida SouthWestern State College Corporate Training Center’s Drinking Water Class C certification course and the Rapid Credentialing scholarship, Sheronia enrolled in the program.“It’s just me, my husband, and my young daughter, so the evening classes were very accommodating to my schedule. The instructor, Mr. John Thompson, was also understanding and flexible when needed.”Sheronia also received the Rapid Credentialing scholarship, which fully covered the cost of the course and her books.“If not for the scholarship, I probably wouldn’t have been able to enroll in the course. It was at the height of the pandemic, and work was slow. We were focusing on just surviving, so it was instrumental in getting me here.”While she was taking the course, Sheronia was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was hospitalized. Her instructor worked with FSW in order to ensure Sheronia had what she needed to complete the course on time. When she was able, she attended classes through Zoom, and her classmates provided support through email with anything she may have missed during class.“It was an emotional and frightening time, but everyone really supported me in getting through. I was grateful to Mr. Thompson and my classmates for everything they did for me.”At the urging of Professor Thompson, Sheronia applied and was hired as a water operator trainee by the City of Fort Myers before she even completed the course.Sheronia started the job in December after passing her state certification exam. She works the evening shift, checking chemical and water levels, and she is being trained to work in the lab.Sheronia also plans to bring her new knowledge back home.“My dream is to one day return to the reservation and help improve their access to water.”Back to TopRamon Vazquez-MaldonadoRamon Vazquez-Maldonado was encouraged to enroll in the Florida SouthWestern State College Corporate Training Center’s Wastewater and Drinking Water courses when his former boss at the Glades County School District was retiring. He also received the Rapid Credentialing scholarship, which covered the cost of both courses and his books.Vazquez-Maldonado faced his own set of challenges taking the course. “There were times I wanted to give up. I struggled with taking both courses and working a full-time and part-time job at the same time, but instructor John Thompson and my family were very supportive and helped me keep my focus.”Then, after being exposed to COVID-19 at work, Vazquez-Maldonado was forced to quarantine at the same time his final tests were scheduled.“Instructor Thompson helped accommodate me so I could complete the courses on time, and I was able to complete the test at home.”He passed both courses.“It was definitely a challenge taking both courses at the same time, but if I had to do it over again, I would. The two areas go hand-in-hand, so it’s beneficial to understand the full process.” Ramon is currently preparing to take the state exam and will soon begin applying for jobs in the field.Back to TopTiffany Morgan Having faced many physical and health-related challenges on her way to earning her degree, FSW 2021 graduate Tiffany Morgan never gave up when it came to reaching her goal. Here’s her story in her own words:“I have gone through a lot to get to graduate now. I started in the summer of 2016. Since then, I have had many hardships, but I have stuck in and didn’t lose sight of my goals. I was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension in 2013. I fought to where I was healthy and ready to start my next step in life. When I began FSW, I was healthy and happy. Everything was great. I even met some of the two best people in my life, my fiancé and my best friend. It all headed south at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017. I was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, bilateral foot drop, and severe back pain. I was still going to school, even with everything going on, until I just couldn’t. I ended up having brain surgery and had a long recovery (that pain was way worse than any final or report). I eventually was able to come back one class at a time and work my way back.Then, in 2019, I developed five extremely herniated discs and could barely walk without pain. If you ask almost anyone, they will remember me wobbling along going between class and the Academic Support Center. I even got an award from a tutor and the ASC. I was so proud of that and still have the picture.I had to drop the class in Spring 2020 before COVID hit. However, I jumped right back in and have been going since summer.I am now able to graduate with my head held high. I have had so much help to get to where I am. The teachers have all been fantastic. I have met the best teachers I have ever had the privilege to learn under here. I love FSW. It has taught me so much in many different ways. I am stronger because of what I have accomplished with this school. I know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. FSW will always have a massive part of my heart.”Back to Top Jessica Braunig“I’ve been told I’m not enough.”FSW graduate Jessica Braunig has heard those words throughout her life.Growing up, Jessica lived in Section 8 housing. With seven siblings, her family lived paycheck to paycheck, and her household was toxic and abusive.“I always tried to strive for better, and I wanted to go to college,” she said.Jessica was told the only way she could go to college was if she received scholarships, so she worked to earn those scholarships, and as many 18-year-olds do, she enrolled in college courses after high school.But Jessica found herself in one toxic relationship after another, and eventually, she dropped out of college.After continuously repeating the same cycle she had fought so hard to escape, Jessica finally decided she had to do better for herself, and in 2019, she enrolled at FSW’s Collier Campus.“FSW was the only college I knew at the time, and I really liked the college, my professors, and my classmates.”One professor, in particular, encouraged Jessica along the way. “Dr. George Harvey helped me stay on track. He said to me, ‘If you finish, I will shake your hand at graduation’.” Now at 23, Jessica is happily married to a supportive husband and has an 8-month-old daughter. She is currently enrolled in classes and majoring in English at FGCU and plans on becoming either a high school English teacher or a college professor. She will be the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.“I didn’t want to repeat the cycle,” she said. “I want to show my daughter that you can come from a bad background and do good things.”Jessica will receive her A.A. degree during FSW’s commencement ceremony on April 30, and she looks forward to shaking Dr. Harvey’s hand.“I’ve been told I’m not enough, but here I stand to say: I’m more than enough.”Back to TopWhitney Treloar"I want my kids to realize that you can stop and turn and change directions. Stuck is something you decide and you can also decide not to be stuck." For mother of three, Whitney Trelore, being stuck was just a mindset. Pushing 50 years old, she decided to go back to school and take her life back. If you're feeling stuck, listen to her story.Back to TopAyesha AnklesariaAyesha Anklesaria graduated from FSW with an Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree in paralegal studies in 2019. She is now using what she learned at FSW to elevate her experience at the University of Florida. Read how FSW helped Ayesha elevate her opportunities here, in her own words:“My experience at FSW was a memorable one. I cannot put into words how appreciative I am for the moments, conversations, opportunities, and people met throughout my time there. When I moved from Canada to the US with my family back in 2014, I did not know anyone or anything. Attending college in the US was not only something that was not expected, as I was accepted into a university of choice in Canada, but it was intimidating and mind-boggling. I was, however, prepared to have a similar college journey and experience in Canada. After taking some time to settle down and work for a year, things started to change. I did some research, talked, heard, and learned about FSW from friends who attended previously (when it was known as Edison). I then made the decision to attend FSW, and it was a decision that I do not regret! One of the places that I spent the majority of my time at FSW was with the Office of Student Engagement (SE). SE revolves around student involvement and provides students with opportunities to enhance their success, retention, and graduation. Additionally, the office provided students with the various resources and programming needed for them to succeed. During my time with SE, I had the opportunity to serve as a peer mentor in the first-year experience classes, with the Student Government Association (SGA), and in two honor societies. While in SGA, I held the positions of secretary, vice president, and president. I also had the opportunity to work and serve nearly a million students through the Florida College System SGA (FCSSGA) as region 4 coordinator. While in these positions, I worked closely with the SE team. We got to know one another and built close relationships. Based on my experiences, I would say that the SE team elevated my opportunities in numerous ways. For starters, each member of the team taught me something and saw things in me that I did not see. They encouraged and helped me to step out of my comfort zone to try something new. They further helped me to find my voice and develop my passion for leadership. Now, being an alumna, I am currently a student at the University of Florida (UF). I am majoring in sociology and minoring in leadership. The leadership skills learned at FSW are applicable and useful inside and outside of the UF community. Thanks to the FSW SE team, I am more confident when it comes to stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new. Although it is harder and more competitive on the university level, I continue to take risks, research opportunities, and learn more about myself along the way. To this day I remain in touch with each of the members of the SE team letting them know what is going on and how I am doing. They continue to work with me as I go through my journey at UF. It’s as if I’m still there or they’re here with me. Each individual of the SE team has made an impact on me and that I am forever thankful for. They continue to give advice and help put things into perspective. With that said, continuous thanks go out to the SE team for everything they do for the students of FSW and for being there for me. They helped to mold me into the leader and individual I am today. If students want to get involved and take the next steps in leadership, FSW SE is the place to go!”Back to Top2020 Success StoriesTrevon DavisFor many people, teaching is a passion or a calling. FSW graduate Trevon Davis says it’s more than that for him. Yes, he found his calling as a middle school teacher in Lee County, but as a Black, male teacher, which is a rarity, he says it’s his mission to inspire other people of color to become educators.Back to TopKatie MeansHow many times have we heard: “FSW is just a community college for kids who didn’t succeed in high school?” or “FSW is a fall back school.” FSW student Katie Means said that once or twice as well. Now, this former 4.0 high school student is saying FSW is a place she didn’t settle for; it’s an institution where she’s thriving!Back to TopLyn Carlson“After working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) for 39 years, I took my first college class at FSW in 2014 with RN as my goal. After completing my prerequisites, I was accepted into FSW’s Associate in Science degree in Nursing (ASN) program. I was in class with bright, passionate young people who accepted me even though I was older than most of their parents. They taught me the particulars of Canvas and the language of Text, and I laughed with them about my ancient experiences of nursing in the 1970s. This shared journey was intense and our class of 43 grew into a family of sorts, supporting each other through engagements, divorces, deaths and Hurricane Irma.Nursing is more than an education, it's a calling. Before we graduated, all of us were committed to lifelong learning. I completed the prerequisites needed to apply for FSW’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and was thrilled to be accepted and begin the next leg of my education experience.This online program at FSW grooms the graduate nurse into a professional through a deeper study of pathophysiology, an acute understanding of research and evidence-based practice, and a solid recognition of leadership traits and habits. My professors provided inspiration, and I graduated in August 2020. The catalyst for this undertaking involves my husband's encouragement, my colleagues at Lee Health, the patients I care for, and the knowledge that education is the best way for me to influence the health of my community. My role at Lee Health is RN Navigator in Community Care Outreach. Our team of nurses and social workers partners with community organizations for better patient outcomes through patient engagement and care coordination. Especially during this public health crisis, I am grateful for the educational opportunities FSW offers and my own experience there.”Back to TopSherri ZimmermanFor some of us, no matter the struggle, giving up just isn’t in the cards.FSW student Sherri Zimmerman proves this daily. She has been working to earn her college degree for more than 30 years. Zimmerman first enrolled at Edison’s Charlotte “Center” in 1987. Back then, Charlotte’s classes and student services were held in an old strip mall in Port Charlotte. Over the years, she’s watched the Charlotte Campus change with the times.“I really love FSW,” Zimmerman said. “The small campus size was perfect for me, and the faculty and staff are helpful and available if you are struggling. They were always patient with me, and they would go over things with me until I understood them. They truly love what they do, and they made me love learning, too.”With their help, she was even able to overcome her biggest fear – math.That fear led Zimmerman to put off her math courses until the very end, but with the help of tutoring services in the Math Center and professor Kelsea Livingstone, she gained a whole new perspective about the subject.“Because of professor Livingstone, not only did I earn an A in every one of my math courses, but I love math now!” Zimmerman said.It’s no surprise. Zimmerman has always pushed through to reach her goals. As a teenager in New Jersey, she earned her barber apprenticeship license, and at the age of 21 with just $14 in her pocket, opened up her own small barbershop.But years of hospitalizations and multiple mental health misdiagnoses stalled her attempts to earn her college degree. Still, while she was facing challenges that might have led some to just give up, Zimmerman was motivated even more, and she continued taking classes when she could.“I never thought about giving up,” she said.Since receiving an accurate medical diagnosis in 2016, Zimmerman has gone on to host a radio talk show, has written two books about her experiences with mental health, and has patented a board game she hopes will be incorporated into therapies at mental health facilities.She is now living in North Carolina where she hopes to continue her education at Duke University, focusing both on pre-law and clergy studies.“My goal is to help create better laws and regulations in the mental health field,” she said. “Specifically, I want to focus on establishing a law that requires nurses to be in the room when a doctor is with a patient in psychiatric hospitals.”Her advice to those who may find themselves struggling: “Follow your gut feeling and intuition, use the resources that are available to you, and don’t give up.”Back to TopRespiratory Care Class of 2020For the third consecutive year, 100% of the graduates of FSW's Respiratory Care program have passed their certification exams to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. There were 13 graduates in the class of 2020. To earn the credential, graduates must pass two certification exams that must be completed at least three days apart.“This group of graduates faced unusual challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jean Newberry, FSW Respiratory Care program director. “From March through June, they had to complete the program virtually via Zoom. They then had to travel across the state of Florida to find testing locations that were still open to take their two exams. We are always proud of all of our graduates, but this group is a true example of how to overcome challenges to reach your goals.”Back to TopKallen HopkinsA change in perspective led to a change in career for FSW 2020 graduate Kallen Hopkins.After working as a stock supervisor in the retail industry, Hopkins shifted his focus to the restaurant industry where he trained new employees at a popular restaurant chain.“I never felt connected in my retail job, but liked the connections I was building with the new employees in the restaurant,” Hopkins said. “I enjoyed teaching them, and I knew I could do even more.”Hopkins enrolled in FSW’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education program.It was no surprise he felt a connection to teaching. His mom, a single mother, had been a teacher, and Hopkins had many teachers throughout his life that had made a positive impact on him.“Male role models are important,” said Hopkins. “Many kids grow up without fathers. I was one of them, so many of the teachers I had were role models I needed in my life. They helped me through many personal challenges.”Hopkin’s decision to enroll at FSW also wasn’t a surprise.“When I decided to go back to school, I chose FSW because I grew up in Southwest Florida and I was familiar with it, but also because my mom earned her teaching degree from FSW, back when it was Edison College,” said Hopkins. “After she passed away, earning my teaching degree at the same college she did helped me feel closer to her.”While he was enrolled, Hopkins was also working full time and was raising his three-year-old daughter. He found the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic a challenge, but he didn’t give up.“My goal was to do well, stick through it, and show my daughter I could do it,” said Hopkins.Hopkins graduated from the program with honors, and he received the FSW School of Education’s Outstanding Student Award during the program’s Spring 2020 pinning ceremony.“Kallen earned the award because from his very first class in the program he was a stellar student,” said Dr. Joyce Rollins, department chair, FSW School of Education. “He always went above and beyond on his assignments and in his field experiences. He encouraged his peers and often motivated them when they were feeling overwhelmed. During his final internship, he was a natural in the classroom and looked like a tenured teacher as he worked his magic with the fourth graders.”“The program was incredible with amazing faculty,” said Hopkins. “They want you to do well and go out of their way to help you succeed.”Hopkins will begin teaching the fourth grade at Lehigh Elementary School this fall.“I can relate to many of the socio-economic challenges many of these young students are going through, and I look forward to working with them and becoming a positive role model for kids who need it.”Back to TopTyrone HumblesIf you ask Tyrone Humbles, life is all about having the heart to take chances. He’s a man with an eye for business, but the one thing he always wanted was a degree. Back to TopAaliyah CondeFSW 2020 graduate Aaliyah Conde believes in being her truest self, and she doesn’t let anything hold her back from achieving her goals. She even brought this mindset to some of her classmates who were struggling in their biology class.“Aaliyah had a great dedication and attitude toward learning, despite the challenge of studying difficult biology topics, added to the fact that she is a non-native English speaker,” said Dr. Marcela Trevino, FSW biology professor. “She also displayed a very supportive attitude to encourage one of her classmates to not give up on the class.”It was a previous life experience that helped create Conde’s positive frame of mind.“I was in a really bad relationship, and once I was no longer in that relationship, I felt like I could be anyone I wanted without someone holding me back,” Conde said. “If you are experiencing something like this, set yourself free. Your future self will thank you.”Conde discovered a love for biology while in Dr. Trevino’s class. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology from FGCU and then apply for a master’s physician assistant program.She has this message for the Class of 2020:“I am extremely proud of all of us for getting through this. I’d say we are the best class there is considering we made it through even with the Coronavirus interrupting our last semester. If we can get through this, we can get through anything.”Back to TopRachel KipfingerFSW Class of 2020 graduate Rachel Kipfinger embraced the college experience and made the most of her time on the Charlotte Campus.She was a regular participant in campus events including Trivia Tuesdays, Tournament Thursdays, Puppy Palooza, and Pi Day, and she was a member of the FSW Photography Club."FSW is a great college to attend," she said. "The professors really get to know you, and they are very friendly and knowledgeable and willing to help you succeed. Campus life is also tons of fun, and I've met some of my best friends by attending these events."Kipfinger also embraced the help of FSW's Academic Success Center to help her succeed in class."I had trouble understanding content in my Spanish II class," she said. "My grade was mediocre, and it got to the point where I needed more assistance the further I got into the class. I stopped by the Academic Support Center and they set me up with an amazing tutor that helped me understand the lessons and pass the course."Kipfinger earned her A.A. degree from FSW and plans to pursue her bachelor's degree in exercise science at FGCU and transfer to a physical therapy program for her master's degree."I would love to work alongside high-performing athletes and help them reach their physical goals on the court, field and track."Kipfinger was nominated to be a student commencement speaker. She has this message for the Class of 2020:"I know that this wasn't the graduation we had in mind when we started our degree, but we've all made it here despite the challenges we've had to face this last semester. It will be a graduation to remember, and an entertaining story to tell years from now." Back to TopJenia BadovaAfter seeing her children off to college, FSW A.S. in Dental Hygiene program graduate Jenia Badova decided it was her time to earn a college degree as well. At FSW, she found the support, guidance, and resources she needed to return to school."English is my second language and going back to school presented psychological challenges more than anything," Badova said. "The insecurity did not last long, though. I was welcomed, immediately accepted, and soon felt just like any other student focused on academic success regardless of what my background might have been."As an FSW Dental Hygiene program student, Badova participated in Give Kids a Smile Day, an annual event held in the FSW Dental Hygiene Clinic that provides free dental services to children. She also volunteered in various oral health educational programs for organizations including WIC, the Buckingham Exceptional Center, and local VPKs. Badova was also nominated to be a Class of 2020 commencement speaker."My greatest inspiration are my teachers for giving me all the tools of success and showing me with their own steps the professional role models I wanted to emulate in my career," Badova said. "Every one of them is very passionate about giving their students the best education possible, and that sincere effort on their behalf is something I will always consider the greatest gift. To teach someone what it is to really care and the implications of kindness is beyond what knowledge can accomplish alone. It is the real essence and the drive in any healthcare professional's philosophy, and my teachers helped me see it in action."Badova graduated from FSW with her associate's degree in dental hygiene this spring. She plans to continue her education by pursuing her bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene at Tampa University.She has this message for the Class of 2020:"Finally, all these sleepless nights we had to pull, papers we had to write, quizzes we had to take… all of the hard work we had to put in, and all of the sacrifices we made brought us to this unforgettable moment. From now on, with pride in what we do and belief in our capacity to make a difference, let us build a better life for us and our community! As Dalai Lama says: The creation of a more peaceful and happier society has to begin from the level of the individual, and from there it can expand to one's family, to one's neighborhood, to one's community, and so on. Let us be the heroes the world needs so much today." Back to TopTara GadouryFSW graduate Tara Gadoury knows it's never too late to conquer your fears and follow your dreams.Fed up with a life in retail and having been placed on disability, Gadoury decided it was time to earn her college degree. She enrolled at FSW, but as a non-traditional-age student, Gadoury was afraid she wouldn't fit in on campus and only took online classes at first.After being accepted into the FSW Honors Scholar Program, Gadoury found the courage to attend classes on campus, and she took full advantage of everything FSW had to offer.Gadoury participated in FSW's study abroad in Italy program at the Lorenzo de'Medici Institute where she studied the Italian language along with additional FSW classes."The experience was intense but amazing," she said. "The classical world surrounds you, and the art that you've always heard about is right there in front of you. I lived and studied with students who were younger than me, but we all appreciated the shared experience. We all came back as different people."Following her study abroad experience, Gadoury continued to be involved on campus. She presented her research project, "Bronze Slayer: Perseus with the Head of Medusa," during the FSW Fall Research Expo. She served as president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, president of the Italian Language Club, and vice president of fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa. She was team captain of the FSW Brain Bowl Team, and she participated in FSW's Model UN team in which she traveled to Harvard University to participate in its international Model UN event. She was even nominated to be a Class of 2020 commencement speaker."I overcame so many fears during my time at FSW," Gadoury said. "Nobody cares about your age. Everyone is going through it all together. I will forever be grateful to this place, and I do not want to leave even though I know I must."Gadoury has been accepted to Columbia University, the University of South Florida, New College, and Smith College. She has chosen to attend Smith College in Massachusetts in the fall and plans to earn her bachelor's degree in Classics (Greek and Latin languages), followed by her master's degree and Ph.D.She has this message for the class of 2020:"This semester has been full of unprecedented challenges. We're sick of hearing that. If you're like me, you laughed, cried, and then just tried to finish your classes. Well, congrats! We made it! The world we will face in the future is uncertain, but from what I know of my fellow graduates, we are certainly up for the challenge! Keep your head up, and we will change the world!" Back to TopMariela ChavezHello, my name is Mariela Chavez, and I am a proud dental hygiene student here at Florida SouthWestern State College. I am graduating this spring semester with my A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene, Class of 2020!During the program, my class and I have participated in many community service events to educate the public about oral health and provide dental hygiene services to members of the community. Being part of this program has opened the door to greater opportunities, unique experiences, and most importantly, growth and success.While in the program, I had to overcome many challenges with my personal life as a single mother, working when not in school, and dedicating long hours to studying in between my schedule. I had to sacrifice much time away from my daughter, but I continued to push forward in spite of what life threw at me.My daughter is my biggest motivation for all my efforts, and I would not be who I am if it were not for her. I only hope to be the role model that every parent wishes to be for their child and that this journey was well worth the fight.I am also currently dual-enrolled at St. Petersburg College to earn my Bachelor's in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene and anticipate graduating by next year.What I want to express to future college students is that FSW is very dedicated to helping students succeed academically and offers many resources for students to reach their long-term academic goals. I am very grateful for the FSW instructors, campus resources, and student services in helping me achieve this milestone of becoming a health care professional.I would like to congratulate my fellow FSW graduates and colleagues on this extraordinary accomplishment! Our hard work has finally paid off, and we are now welcomed into the workforce to improve the overall health of the community.I want to give a special thank you to Dental Hygiene Program Director Karen Molumby and the dental hygiene instructors that have supported us throughout the entire program. I deeply appreciate your kindness, encouragement, dedication, and commitment to making bright and successful dental hygienists. Back to TopBertha MendezFor FSW Class of 2020 graduate Bertha Mendez, choosing to earn her A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education was a no-brainer."I absolutely love children and all the joys and challenges that come with educating them," said Mendez.For nearly 12 years, she has taught preschool to three- and four-year-olds, spending the last five years at the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee."The children who come through the program are so eager to learn, and they do so through play," she said. "The great thing about childcare is that we allow the children to lead, and we use their interests to create activities that allow them to build on skills they already have. We model great behavior, and we problem solve when obstacles occur. I have 19 little children that I work with every day, and every day I look forward to seeing all 19 of them."But Mendez didn't think she would be able to attend college."College is costly, and I couldn't afford it," said Mendez. "Then, I received a scholarship from a program called T.E.A.C.H that works with my childcare center to help teachers receive an education.""I chose to attend FSW because they offered a plethora of online classes and had local tutors if I needed more help," she said.Mendez plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education."My motivation for getting a degree would have to be the children I work with," Mendez said. "Having a degree just gives me the encouragement that what I am doing is right." Back to TopHenry LozanoFSW student Henry Lozano will earn his A.S. degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology this spring. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Henry has worked in the construction field since 2006."I chose the construction industry in the U.S. because the field continues to grow more and more each day with new software and technologies."He enrolled at FSW to continue expanding his career. "Education is very important to me. If you have a good education, you will have better opportunities for better jobs and better pay."Henry embraced his time at FSW. He worked as a peer mentor, and he was nominated to be a student commencement speaker."To the Class of 2020, I'd say enjoy the experience, and thank you for all of the good moments we shared. Go Bucs!"Back to TopKelly MaguireFSW student Kelly Maguire has a college resume that even some ivy league students couldn't claim.She's a member of the FSW Honors Scholar Program, the FSW Leadership Academy, the FSW Campus Activities Board, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the National Society for Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), and she is a founder and president of FSW's chapter of the Active Minds club, a nationally-known mental health organization. She was also named a 2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and was nominated to be a student speaker for FSW's 2020 commencement ceremony.With a list of accomplishments this long, you'd likely be surprised to learn the challenges she's had to overcome in just two short years. But if you know Kelly, you won't be surprised to learn that these challenges have only proven to inspire her even more.During her first year at FSW, Maguire struggled severely with mental health issues, and she found it difficult just to show up to class many days. She was in such a state of crisis that she had to take a two-month leave of absence from school during her 2019 spring semester to attend a residential mental health treatment center. But while she attended therapy sessions for eight hours every day, she also continued to work on her academics."The work was exhausting, and I could not have stayed on track academically if it were not for my honors advisors, professors, and the counseling department at FSW," said Maguire. "I overcame this hurdle by turning my pain into power, and I found a new motivation in my goal of returning to school by fall."Maguire finished that spring semester with a 4.0 GPA and made it back to FSW in time for the start of the new school year. She also felt extremely driven to make sure that other students did not have to go through the mental health struggles she experienced, so she used all of the pain she still carried and focused on helping to establish an Active Minds chapter at FSW while continuing her work with the Mental Health Matters committee.Then, while she was preparing to return from winter break for the Spring 2020 semester, Maguire suffered a traumatic accident, which left her with a broken back. She was put on bed rest, and she was once again unable to come to campus for class. However, she continued to write agendas for the Active Minds meetings and worked virtually with faculty and staff, keeping up with her classes online. After just five weeks, she was able to return to campus, but only for a short time."The three weeks before spring break were incredible," Maguire said. "We flew to the National Active Minds conference, and we had big plans to host our first annual MindCon: Half Day Mental Health Conference."Then the world changed for everyone. COVID-19 forced FSW to move all spring classes and activities to an online, virtual format, and Maguire found herself forced to leave campus once again."I have unexpectedly been forced to take a leave from school three times in the last year," she said.Despite all of the challenges, she has maintained her 4.0 GPA, maintained her status in the Honors Program, continued contact with faculty and staff, and she will always keep advocating for her greatest passion – mental health.Maguire will transfer to FGCU this fall to pursue her bachelor's degree in psychology. She plans to stay involved with the Active Minds chapter at FGCU and collaborate with FSW to create a cohesive, positive mental health culture in Southwest Florida. She also plans on volunteering at FSW to continue the work she started here."Since I was 13 years old, I have aspired to become a child psychologist," Maguire said. "After living with mental illness, I found that my greatest passion was to help others who may be suffering just as I once was. My ultimate career goal is to make a large impact on many people's lives and to help children and adults alike feel like they are not alone and that recovery is possible. There is so much stigma surrounding mental health, and at the end of the day, I know my purpose is to smash the stigma and help those in need."There is no school I would rather be graduating from than FSW," Maguire said. "I cannot express in words how much this school has helped save me, put me on the right track, and helped shape me into the person I am today. FSW will challenge you to take initiative, stand up and be a leader for the things you are most passionate about, and give you opportunities I don't think you can find anywhere else."She has this message for the Class of 2020:"There is no other group of students I have met full of such resiliency, grit, and determination. Ten years from now, we will look back on this day and remember ourselves as courageous, strong, and compassionate. As Bucs, we have formed a close community that will stand together no matter what storm hits us. We have all gone through great challenges to stand where we are today. To continue studying virtually while being separated from those we love, and to face every day with uncertainty, yet continue to be there for others, is true strength. Class of 2020, we will never be forgotten. I want to send you all virtual hugs, handshakes, and congratulations because even without this pandemic, you have all overcome great strides to get where you are today. It has been an honor to be a part of your class, and I will forever cherish the memories made with so many of you. I want to leave you with this quote: ‘Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.'- Alice Walker."Back to TopChase Lopez Back to TopJulexiua EllisBack to TopShirin Bos Back to TopRiley Havel Back to Top2019 Success StoriesBrandon Cardin Back to TopBrook Sanchez"I started my journey at FSW (it was Edison State College when I began) in high school as a full-time dual enrollment student. I graduated with my associate degree a few weeks before I graduated with my high school diploma in 2013. During my senior year of high school, I applied and was accepted into the University of Central Florida. I planned on attending there and pursuing my degree in dental hygiene. However, at only 17 years old, I found out I was pregnant. Due to this unforeseen, life-changing event, I decided to stay local and continue my journey at FSW. Talk about a blessing in disguise! I couldn't have made a better decision than to stay at FSW. I began my prerequisites as a pre-dental hygiene student. During this time, I had a change of heart and knew my calling was in education. The FSW advisors were so helpful in allowing me to switch my major. I delivered my daughter in January 2014 via c-section and began my prerequisites for elementary education at FSW that same semester. The professors were so understanding and worked with me every step of the way as I was learning how to cope with being a new mother along with working full time and attending college. After my prerequisites, I was accepted into the elementary education program. These professors are like no other! They genuinely care about your success along with your personal life. In November of 2015, I had my second daughter (also a c-section) and the professors went above and beyond to work with me during this time. I started my final internship in January 2016 at River Hall Elementary and then graduated in May 2016 with my bachelor's in elementary education. I was hired by the Lee County School District as a teacher for the 2016-2017 school year at River Hall. In 2017, I decided to work toward my master's degree in elementary reading with Grand Canyon University. I graduated from there in September 2018 and that same month, I had my third child (finally a BOY). Three kids, three degrees, three years of teaching… It definitely was not easy, but it was so worth it.I give a huge amount of credit to the professors at FSW as they never ceased to believe in me. I was the youngest student in the program, yet the professors never let that be a hindrance. The confidence that they instilled in me continues to remain. I have learned that regardless of any circumstance, do not give up on your dreams. Most likely, there will be bumps along the way. It might change your path slightly, but do not lose sight of your end goal. Looking back, I never thought I'd be where I am now. Every event played a special part in my journey, and I will be forever grateful."Back to TopSamaria Rios Back to TopJorge Santiago Back to TopMike and Jenn OchockiFor FSW students Mike and Jenn Ochocki, it's never too late to earn a college degree.Mike, an Army veteran and first-generation college student, dropped out of high school in his junior year. He took some classes while he was on active duty, and then again after he completed his service, but still never finished his degree. "I didn't really understand college or what an education could do for me."Eventually, Mike wanted a career change and enrolled at the FSW Charlotte Campus. The first year was a challenge, but Mike's wife, Jenn, was the support he needed to get through."I struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and I had a hard time in my math class," Mike said. "But she let me know that my test grades did not define me as a person. Her support helped me overcome my self-doubt."After watching Mike go through his first year of college, Jenn decided it was her time to go to college, too. Having been a stay at home mom for several years, Jenn wanted to earn her degree to better her job prospects once her kids were grown."It takes a lot of humility as a non-traditional student to sit in classrooms with younger students," Jenn said. "They are much sharper at some things, and though you're older, you're starting at the same place."As non-traditional students, both Mike and Jenn have faced challenges that younger students might not experience, but through the support of each other and the FSW Charlotte Campus faculty, they have been able to overcome those challenges."Being in it together helps a lot," Jenn said. "We share experiences and know what each other needs. We are a team. We cheer each other on and bring each other up. And the support from faculty is so much more than I expected. They are understanding about where we are in our life stage because that's where they are too.""The faculty are mentors, encouraging and knowledgeable, and the Academic Support Center (ASC) is helpful when I need the extra learning support," Mike said.Both Mike and Jenn are now tutors at the ASC. In fact, while Mike struggled with math at first, he is now a math tutor and wants to become a college math professor."I'm glad FSW is here," Jenn said. "I am able to learn and grow. The classes are small, and it's a great environment for interaction with others. The professors are accessible and available, and they are just as good as a university.""Who knows where I would be without FSW," said Mike. Back to TopStephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firmStephen W. Buckley never intended to stay in Florida after his grandparents offered to pay for his college at the "new" Edison College (now Florida SouthWestern State College). His planned to get his education in Florida and move back to Connecticut where he grew up.His grandparents had been vacationing on the other coast and moved to Fort Myers in the 1950s. "None of the kids or grandkids were close by, so they asked me if I would come down and start my college and they would help with expenses."He transferred to University of Florida for his undergraduate degree in journalism and then Florida State University for his law degree. "One of the kids in the class asked the assistant dean where he would go to practice law, and he said Fort Myers," Buckley said. "I had ties in Fort Myers."He said he always knew he wanted to be a lawyer. His father and grand parents were in real estate. "I grew up with real estate law," he said.Now he assists clients with wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, real estate and real property law cases. Buckley is a top-rated lawyer under the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating system.After graduating from law school in 1969, he moved to Florida and joined the firm, then seven years old and located in downtown Fort Myers in its present location at the corner of Main Street and Broadway.Fort Myers was a different place when he started. Area Bar meetings were held in a corner of the former Snack House restaurant. Edison Mall had just opened, pulling Sears and J.C. Penney's from downtown. When he started, he said there were five men's stores downtown. "Attorneys wore suits more then than they do now," he said, "Everyone dressed to the hilt."Buckley has seen tremendous change in the law through the years. "I think today there are more judges than attorneys," he said. "When I started there were two circuit judges and one county judge."He remembers one of his first cases was to get a woman in real estate the right to sell property she owned without consent of her husband, which was the rule at the time. Shortly after he was able to make her a "free dealer," the rule was abolished. He also remembers a case where he worked with the Coast Guard to have a man declared dead who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle on a flight to Bimini. Without a body, it would have taken five years for his spouse to get a death certificate. He said the investigation determined how much fuel the plane had and every place the plane could have landed. The plane, the man and his passenger were never found.He enjoys spending time vacationing at his home in Maine, but Buckley says he has no intention of retiring. "I enjoy what I'm doing," he said. "I don't play golf. I don't play tennis. I don't fish. I'll just keep doing it while I can, and the clients want to work with me. My wife would have a long honey-do list if I did retire."He and his wife, Bonnie, who he met in Fort Myers at a roller-skating rink, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August. Back to TopMelissa Hernandez: From a Dream to a DegreeMelissa Hernandez didn't think college was an option for her.Born in Toluca, Mexico, Hernandez's parents brought her to the United States when she was just four years old. They made their home in Naples and have remained ever since.Being so young, the transition to life in the U.S. was not too challenging for Hernandez, and she attended ESOL classes when she began elementary school."I would speak Spanish at home and English at school," said Hernandez. "As I became more fluent, I was able to help translate for my parents. I noticed as I got older that my English became better than my Spanish."With her dad working in construction and her mom staying home to raise her and her younger siblings, Hernandez always just assumed that once she graduated from high school, she would go directly to work.At the urging of her eighth grade English teacher, Hernandez applied to Lorenzo Walker Technical High School. Originally, she was interested in cosmetology, but her teacher encouraged her to look into nursing."Nursing requires patience and caring, and he saw that in me and thought it would be a good fit."Then in 2012, everything changed. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, allowing some people who arrived in the United States as children to apply for deferred action every two years and also make them eligible for work authorization."DACA meant I could go to college," Hernandez said.While at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School, Hernandez earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and though she had the opportunity to sit for her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) exam, she decided to continue on to earn her degree."I knew I wasn't ready just yet to sit for the licensing exam or make the commitment," she said.She applied for DACA status and began exploring colleges. Ultimately, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) fit everything she was looking for."The classes are small, and FSW's faculty want you to succeed and they are willing to help," she said. "It's not as intimidating as some of the larger universities."As a DACA student, Hernandez is not eligible for federal financial aid, and she pays for school on her own."FSW is affordable," she said. "My dad helps me with some of the costs, and I have to work part-time, but the Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) at FSW really helps make paying for my tuition manageable."To pay for her tuition, Hernandez applied for a work permit, and FSW helped her find a job on the Collier Campus working as a student assistant at the reception desk, answering student questions and providing college information to visitors. A workforce training program through CareerSource also helps her with the costs associated with earning her nursing degree.But Hernandez also found something even greater at FSW. Acceptance."It's scary to tell people about your immigration status," Hernandez said. "At first, I was terrified to tell anyone I was a dreamer, but at FSW, I never felt judged. FSW accepts you like family."Hernandez earned her Associate in Arts degree in 2018, and the skills and knowledge she developed while working as a student assistant at the reception desk gave her the confidence she needed to apply for a part-time, professional position in FSW's admissions office. She got the job, and now she assists other students finding their way through their first college steps."As a first-generation college student I didn't have the knowledge or guidance about college that many students have from their families," Hernandez said. "Through my experience, I can now help guide other students and my younger siblings' on their path to college."Hernandez has to reapply for her DACA status every two years."It's expensive and stressful because you never know if they are going to accept your application, but it is worth it."Hernandez will graduate from the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program at FSW this December. She plans to continue on to earn her Bachelors in Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at FSW, and then possibly continue on to her earn master's degree."My parents always told me my education comes first, no matter the cost," she said. "They came to the U.S. to give me a better future. My goal is to continue to make them proud." Back to TopTony PetersonLucky for most of us, the paths we travel are not set in stone. When FSW alumnus Tony Peterson decided to change his path, he had no idea how far it would lead him.Originally a high school dropout, Tony decided to earn his GED after a gunshot wound dramatically altered his life."I wasn't doing right," said Tony. "I needed to choose a different path than the one that led me to this chair."Tony found the support he needed at then Edison State College to continue on to earn his college degree."It was a great campus and atmosphere," he said. "The campus is small and that helped make the transition to college easier for me.""The people were also a great help," he said. "Angie Hartsell in Adaptive Services is so passionate about what she does. She sticks up for her office and her clients. She will get you anything you want, but she makes sure you do the work for it. She doesn't give handouts to anybody. Dr. Christine Davis helped me when I struggled with conflicts. She took the time to listen to me and to understand me. From the cafeteria staff, to the professors, to the administration, the people just made it so easy to be here."Tony graduated debt-free from FSW (Edison) in 2012 with his associates degree and a 3.9 GPA."I was a high school dropout, and when they handed me my honors cord at graduation, I never thought I would ever have something like that," he said.Tony went on to continue his education, and in December 2018, he graduated with his master's degree in social work from Barry University."I never thought going back for my GED would lead to a graduate degree, but when I start something, I want to complete it."Tony is now on the job hunt and hopes to one day open his own practice. He offered some advice to new and current FSW students."Become involved in activities and get to know the campus," Tony said. "Learn about the resources the college has to offer, whether educational, administrative or career-based, and use them to the fullest. And most importantly, come in with great expectations, set your bar high, stick to it, and enjoy the ride." Back to TopTapanga GarrettThey say there are two types of people in life, dreamers and doers. FSW student Tapanga Garrett is definitely a doer."I have always made up stories in my head," Garrett said, but it was after reading a short story her mom wrote that Garrett felt confident to put a story onto paper.With her mom's encouragement, Garrett wanted to expand the short story into a full-length book. After more than a year of writing, she had completed the 300-page manuscript and titled it "Unnaturals.""Unnaturals" tells the story of private detective, Izaboe Campos, who is on the hunt to find a murderer. The book has all the makings of a fun, fantasy tale including vampires, werewolves and gargoyles. Izaboe even has a supernatural secret of her own.But then came the hard part…how to get the book published. The answer came through Garrett's Cornerstone Experience class at the FSW Charlotte Campus.Cornerstone Professor April Ring invited self-published author, S.E. Smith, to speak to the class about careers in writing, and following that class, Garrett reached out to Smith."She showed me how to get started and helped me through the steps to publish on my own," Garrett said. "If it wasn't for that Cornerstone class, I would still be waiting for an agent.""Unnaturals" published on Amazon in January, and Garrett is now working on the sequel.Garrett has some advice for anyone who is hesitant to give their dream a chance."You might as well try," she said. "The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work out, but it's better to try and fail than to not try and always wonder what would have happened if you had." Back to TopRafael Columbie Sees Success through Honors Scholar ProgramMy name is Rafael Alejandro Columbie, I am a 23-year-old husband and freshly minted father who, after dropping out of college at the age of 18, got the crazy idea to go back to school to become a neurosurgeon; as if this would somehow be easier with a child, a wife, and a mortgage. My passion for healing others was awakened just over a year ago when I lost my right leg in a motorcycle accident. That night I surely thought my life would come to an end, but by some odd twist of fate, the gentleman who had struck me with his vehicle was a doctor. With his help and that of the group of medical professionals that saw to my wounds, I was able to continue my young life. While I was in the ICU there were two other young men (both approximately twenty years of age) who had also been brought in for motorcycle accidents; one lost both his legs, while the other lost his life. I consider myself fortunate. Thus, from that moment on, I felt compelled to devote my life to save that of others; for the memory of those of us who weren't so fortunate. But, sobering tragedy aside, I devote what time I have left outside of school and my family to martial arts, Jiu-Jitsu in particular; there is something oddly satisfying about besting my fellow two-legged humans in hand to hand combat (on the rare occasions that I do).Has your involvement in the FSW Honors Scholar Program (HSP) made a difference in your overall educational experience here?Although I was apprehensive of joining HSP at first, by virtue of my age (silly I know, I am only 23), it has enriched my educational experience far beyond my greatest hopes. FSW's HSP is a stellar example of excellence and passion, the likes of which I had not before seen. After only a few months into my first semester as an FSW honors student, I was granted the opportunity to present at the Florida Collegiate Honors Conference, all graciously sponsored by the college. The experience was enriching beyond any-thing I could've hoped for. I, a former college dropout, now have a 4.00 GPA and a reignited passion for education and for what the future may hold. A future that seems exceedingly bright may I add, because only a few days ago I received a letter in the mail from Columbia University, inviting me to apply. This could not have been possible had it not been for the resources, support, and genuine encouragement so generously provided by FSW's HSP.To all FSW students, keep moving forward. See your educational endeavors through to the end, and be the change that you want to see in the world.Has your involvement in HSP made a difference in your overall educational experience here?HSP has been extremely beneficial to my education. It gave me a second chance at taking my education seriously, something I didn't do in high school. It gave me opportunities like going to conferences, smaller classes, and better access to grants and scholarships. Most importantly, HSP has given me confidence that I could go anywhere after FSW and every possibly is within reach.What advice would you offer to all FSW students?School provides more than homework and diplomas and more than academic resources. The chance to network on a college campus is better than most other places; you can easily find someone that knows something you don't, someone that's further along with the career you both share, and definitely potential friends. Back to TopLuis MunozBAS, Supervision and Management - 2018FSW graduate Luis Munoz redefines the idea that our graduates fly high. A third generation Human Cannonball, he earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Supervision and Management in 2018. Luis completed his degree online while living in Spain and managing his own business. Back to Top
Villa Cornaro Restoration
https://www.fsw.edu/cultural/rushlibrary/palladiorestoration
Our Purchase and Restoration of the Villa Cornaro by Richard H. & Julia RushWe started collecting old master paintings in 1955. By 1959, we decided to make the rounds of museums and dealers in Europe to sharpen our eye and to try to find (and purchase) some fine old master paintings. We did this with a list of special recommendations from the late Dr. William E. Suida, Curator of the Kress Collection. We then visited Europe almost every year buying at least a few paintings on each trip - particularly the trips during the 1960s and 1970s when prices were still reasonable and discoveries possible. By 1968, we felt we knew Europe pretty well, and we thought that maybe we should own a home there. This would give us an anchor in Europe and it would be a second home which we could occupy for two or three months of each year - particularly in the summertime. We looked in England and we looked in France, with particular emphasis on various chateaux near Paris, but we soon found that the chateaux near Paris were out of the question - as they were either too expensive or not near Paris. In 1959-1961, when we first looked in England, prices were very low for beautiful manor houses, and, in fact, we were looking when J. Paul Getty purchased "Sutton Place" Guildford, Surrey for a few hundred thousand dollars. We had been collecting Italian art and antiques As we had become particularly interested in Italian paintings and Italian antique furniture, we thought of Italy as a possibility. We had heard from Dr. Suida's son-in-law, Robert Manning, that there was a possibility of buying villas from the Italian government. On our visit to Italy in July 1968, we were entertained on our arrival in Venice at a dinner party, in a private dining room at the Gritti Palace, by the Countess Kathleen Balbi-Valier. We had met Kathleen and her husband, Count Balbi, in the early 1960s through mutual friends. We had published the Claude Monet painting of the Balbi-Valier palace on the Grand Canal, Venice ("Palazzo da Mula"), in my 1961 book, "Art as an Investment." This had pleased the Count, a member of one of the oldest and most aristocratic families of Venice.At the small elegant dinner, we met the Director of the Museum of Modern Art of Venice, and the Director of the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, as well as Peggy Guggenheim, Queen Aspesia of Greece, Princess Eristavi, and Mr. Tissot, designer of Tiffany glass creations, and several other collectors. I was seated next to Peggy Guggenheim, the advocate and proponent of Modern Art, whose museum in Venice is a landmark palace on the Grand Canal. During the course of the conversation at dinner, I remarked to Peggy that we had failed to locate any suitable house to purchase in England or in France. Peggy suggested that we get in touch with L'Ente Per Le Ville Venete. She said, "There is a government organization here in Venice whose job it is to buy up rundown or endangered architectural treasures and restore them with funds supplied by the government in Rome.." She went on to say that this project had worked well for a time, but that now they might sell a property or two, as very few funds were forthcoming from Rome. "The organization here in Venice is called the Council of the Villas of the Veneto [L'Ente per le Ville Venete] and its head is the Marchese Giussepi Roi. Why don't you pay him a visit?" she said. Thursday, July 4th, 1968, we took the advice of Peggy Guggenheim and we visited the offices in the Piazza San Marco of "L‘Ente per le Ville Venete". We spoke to the Marchese Roi. It was suggested that we hire a taxi and visit some of the villas which were owned by L'Ente per le Ville Venete and were under their jurisdiction to restore. Marietta Guetta, Director of the US Pavilion of the Biennale, whom we had just met at the dinner party, went with us and acted as a translator. We looked at the list of palazzos and villas "in restoration" - which might be available for purchase. Friday, July 5th, we hired a car to see the palazzos and villas "in restoration" - as arranged - and Marietta Guetta came with us again to act as an interpreter. She had asked to come, and we were pleased to have her along. It was a wonderful day and we looked at several villas which were listed for us and we indicated each location on a map along with the asking price. In the center of the little town of Piombino Dese, just 18 miles northwest of Venice, we found what we felt was the villa - the extraordinary Villa Cornaro, built in the year 1553 by the great architect, Andrea Palladio. A Villa by Andrea Palladio in need of someone to restore it and maintain it. We might indicate what the villa actually looks like. The front features the projecting six columned two-story portico - the design so copied in America and throughout the world. There are 14 major rooms and four minor ones plus the cantina and the attic - but what rooms! On entering, the space opens up to one of the most beautiful four-columned classic rooms in the world. Symmetry was the keynote of the architecture of Andrea Palladio. On each of the two main floors there is a center main hall - roughly 35 feet by 35 feet and the height of the main center rooms is about the same. On the main floor - the piano nobile - there are four very tall ionic columns which stand on the antique terra cotta tile floor and support the ceiling cross beams and the floor above. Surrounding these there are six niches in the walls with the oversize portrait statues of the Cornaro family members. There are four interior doorways from the center hall which are magnificently framed. The six (over eight foot high) niches hold the six over life-size stucco statues (portraits of famous family members such as the Queen of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, and a Doge Marco Cornaro, and the builder of the villa, Admiral Giorgio Cornaro), done by sculptor Camillo Mariani in the late sixteenth century (circa 1590). Some pieces of the plasterwork and small bits on the sculptures (such as a few fingers) were broken off but on the whole the statues were remarkably untouched. Mattia Bortoloni a young Venetian, created the over 100 frescoes commissioned in 1717. These frescoes, some quite large, on walls and ceilings and over doors, depict the Old Testament on the first floor and the new testament in two rooms on the second floor. The frescoes with a few exceptions appeared in excellent condition. The plasterwork, done at the same time by Bartolo Cabianca is typical of the best of the early eighteenth century Venetian plasterwork - featuring frames on over-mantle frescoes and putti ( winged cupids) holding the over-door frescoes with stucco drapery. The walls surrounding the frescoes show fine plasterwork - including scrolled leaf and floral designs, a Cornaro family crest, a doge's cap, and a few stucco portrait heads. To my wife, Julie, and myself, the villa was overwhelming. And we could not believe that a Palladian villa - a magnificent and historic villa built by Andrea Palladio himself - could be available to purchase. It was about 150 feet long and perhaps 18,000 square feet - or thereabout, with attic and cantina, - but most of the windows were cracked or were missing pieces. There were leaded glass windows throughout the villa with the exception of the west wall where a bomb had blown out the glass and the replacement had been with plain glass within the wooden frames. All windows were shuttered (the shutters swung outward) and the leaded glass windows opened from the center and swung inward. The iron gates were rusted and partially broken. There were large and small paper advertisement posters plastered on the antique brick garden wall facing the street. Throughout the house there was visible wiring for rudimentary electricity. In some cases, only a bulb hung from the ceiling. There was one large antique metal and glass chandelier in the center hall, but there was no furniture other than an old (not antique) table in the center hall - and everywhere there was dust and dirt. A little bat (good fortune to the Chinese) flew onto my necktie while several other bats perched on a high window sill in the great center hall. The high unshuttered portico window was broken and they could easily fly in and out. The bathrooms were out of date and tiles and fixtures needed replacing There was an old stove for cooking in the kitchen and a little sink in the pantry. There was a large stove for heating in the living room. There was no visible heating other than that. But there were magnificent original marble framed fireplaces in all of the major rooms. And in the living room the fireplace was lined with antique tiles. Mirrors in plaster frames are over the fireplaces. The chimney walls downstairs are decorated with elaborately stucco-framed, symbolic figure frescoes. The villa had been purchased by the local Catholic Church and was used as a school for little children before the Council (L'Ente per le Ville Venete) purchased it to save it from further damage by the use for a school. For example, one wall had been cut through at a spot where there had been a window on the stairwell and an ugly plain metal door was placed there to allow the children to go out and use toilets in a row of outhouses, which had been made for their use in the garden next to the villa. And although many things had been done without regard for the importance of the villa, it had withstood the treatment well and was intact - with rare original terra cotta tile floors on the first floor in the center hall and west wing and there were the beautiful frescoes and marvelous plasterwork including the magnificent six sculptures in niches. As for the outside of the house, it had not been recently cleaned or restored and although the southern side of the villa (away from view from the street) which did not get the northern winds and strong rains was in remarkable and almost untouched original condition, (the proof of which was seventeenth century graffiti on the walls of the south portico dating some major family events.) . There were some exceptions such as cracks and a piece of plaster which had broken off over the south portico. However, the front, (the north side) was darkened by black mold which is common on the north side of buildings. It was also worn by north winds and rain, and a piece of the marble ionic column top was broken off as well as some of the plaster detail. There was also some damage from vines (vines damage the surface if not removed.) Old restorations had changed color and darkened more than surrounding areas. What was our reaction to this house The next day, July 6th, we returned alone to Piombino Dese and revisited the villa. We had lunch at the caffe in the Albergo Palladio across the street from the villa, sitting outside after lunch for several hours - just looking and thinking. At that point we knew that we would try to purchase the villa and restore it to its original beauty if we could - and we already had the Italian antiques which we had been collecting and these would be most suitable in the villa. We also thought that some of our Italian paintings would find a home there. We made a bid on the house We got in touch with the office of L'Ente Per Le Ville Venete and discussed the possibility of buying the villa and expressed our desire to do so. We made an offer somewhat below the asking price, and, as the Marchese Giussepi Roi was in Rome, we headed to Rome and the Marchese Roi visited us at our hotel there. He told us that there was another prospective buyer, an Italian, who had offered exactly the same price as we had - and that the Council had turned down both bids. We wanted the villa and tried to think how we could buy it when there was also the interested Italian. We had some time to think about this while we were in Rome for a few days. The next day we made an appointment to see Paul Getty's villa which was not far from Rome. We had promised Paul that we would take a look at it and see how things were progressing on the restoration. He hadn't visited Italy in two years and was anxious for first hand reports. Mario, Paul Getty's chauffeur, arrived at our hotel to pick us up and take us to the villa on the coast in Paolo. The day was hot - 104 at least - in mid July, but when we arrived at the villa, no fewer than eighty workmen were busy at work on a complete rebuilding of the interior - with great care to preserve an "antique" appearance. Paul supervised carefully all of the details from England. He had a very good and expert foreman. We estimated that this complete rebuilding of the interior and restoration costs might be in the millions. Fortunately, we would not have to do this much to the Palladian villa at Piombino Dese, as structurally everything was intact. Wednesday the 17th of July, we went to Vicenza by train and visited the museum there and walked through the town to study in detail the many important buildings by Palladio. From Vicenza, we returned to Piombino Dese in the afternoon to look at the Villa Cornaro again. We went to Venice on the 18th to visit the L'Ente per Le Ville Venete and to discuss the purchase of the villa again and to raise our bid. We raised our bid We offered more than we had previously bid - and more than had been asked by the Ente originally. We thought we would then be approved for buying the villa. Not so! We had to be approved by the entire Council of the Villas of the Veneto, the Consiglio Superiore, the Minister of Culture of Rome and the Superintendent of Monuments in Venice. Approval with letters of sponsorship To secure approvals of the purchase we had to submit a detailed report on what we proposed to do to the villa (although they did not specifically require that we do anything) and we had to have three sponsors. We secured letters from three very good sponsors: These were J. Paul Getty, who was himself restoring his villa in Italy at the time, and the then Secretary of Commerce in the United States, C. R. Smith, and our Florentine friend, Count Giorgio Geddes da Filicaia. In fact, the Count Geddes kindly made a translation into Italian of our request to purchase the villa together with our background and plans for restoring and maintaining the villa. It was perhaps the Count who had long been a good friend with a common interest in Italian sports cars, and Ferraris in particular, who gave us a special desire to live in Italy. In the 1960s, we had visited his family palace "Cerreto" of 250 rooms and his apartment in another family palace in the Piazza d'Azeglio, Florence July 31st, 1968, we returned to London and visited with Paul Getty at Sutton Place the following Sunday. We told him all about the restoration of his villa at Paolo. We told him about the Palladian Villa we wanted to buy and he joked a bit (were we foolish that we were both buying and restoring villas in Italy?) but he agreed to write a letter for us to the Council. It took a year before it was ours We had to wait a year to get the permission to actually buy the villa. It became ours on July 3, 1969. I went to Mestre (just outside of Venice) for the signing of the papers for the purchase of the Villa Cornaro. The bank draft had arrived from America (U.S. American Security & Trust, Washington, D.C.) for L'Ente per le Ville Venete. The Council also gave us a mortgage for part of the payment at a very low 3% rate. And a few selected notes from Julie's 1969 Travel Diary: July 3rd "IT WAS SIGNED - AND SO THE PALLADIO AT PIOMBINO DESE IS OURS" "We then went for a celebration of "Cocktails at Marietta Guetta's and dinner with our good friend, Kathleen, the Countess Balbi." . July 4th, Venice, Friday. "Although it is the fourth of July in America, here in Italy it is another work day. Visited the office of the head of the monuments of the Venete (Soprintendente . dei Monumenti del Veneto) Mr. Padoan- and then Richard visited the office of L'Ente Per Le Ville Venete from which the villa has been purchased, to discuss arrangements for the restoration of the Palladio at Piombino Dese. (Scheduled a meeting for Friday next with the head officials.)" 'We took a plane from Venice to FLORENCE at 4:45 P.M. and checked in at the Lungarno Hotel. July 7th, Florence. "Monday, all morning and afternoon we visited dealers and bought fine antique furniture for the Villa Cornaro. "We bought four Louis XVI classic side chairs, a beautiful, large, green painted, carved and decorated Venetian center table, a very large palace size poltrona (armchair) silvered, and upholstered in cut velvet, a large armadio (closet - cupboard) painted and decorated, and a Louis XVI side table, carved and gilded. All of these pieces are Italian antiques of the 18th century and will be beautiful for the villa. They were purchased from the President of the Antique Dealers Association of Florence.". July 11th, Piombino Dese. "We went to Piombino Dese where Mr. Padoan, head of all monuments in the Veneto, was to meet us at the villa at 3:30 We arrived at noon and were there to go over the details with him concerning restoration and what we were allowed to do and what we were not allowed to do. The rules are very strict concerning the restoration of national monuments and certain things cannot be done and not much of anything can be done without permission (usually in writing).". Supervision of the restoration project by the Superintendent We could visualize the end result and took to the project with enthusiasm, refusing to be discouraged when red tape and permission problems seemed to slow us down, on some occasions, to a standstill . It was done (the restoration) under the supervision - with special written permissions usually required - of the Superintendent of Monuments. The workmen were for the most part our local muratori (bricklayers) and gardeners, metal workers, and, in the case of the glass replacement - neighboring experts from a town nearby - Bassano. What belonged to the villa and what had been sold to others The local church had purchased the villa furnished and also purchased with the villa the adjacent two hundred foot building (barchese) designed by Scamozzi in the 1590s and some surrounding land. In order to immediately raise the funds to pay for the purchase of the Villa Cornaro and its surrounding property, the adjacent building was divided and sold by the church to various local people for offices and stores as was all of the villa furniture and the entire heating system. Thus in the barchese of the villa we had a grocery store (alimentari), a jewelry shop, a hairdresser, a fruit and vegetable shop, a hardware store, and a bank. The land ( a number of acres of farmland) beyond the park south of the villa (and on the other side of the stream and south of the original brick seven-arched Palladian bridge) was sold by the church to, among others, the family of Ilario Mariotto. Fortunately, the bridge and stream were retained for the villa as were the back gate and gate posts. After the villa was purchased from the local church by the Ente per Le Ville Venete, the church and village priest built a new school for little children and a building for offices. The few acres of land immediately south of the villa's barchese and to the south-west of the villa were sold to the town which created a public playing field, and soccer games were held regularly. Occasionally a ball would come over the fence and we would throw it back. Access for a car or truck or tractor from the street was through an arch in the center of the villa's barchese and this was retained for the villa as an entrance from the main street (Via Roma, a Roman highway when the villa was built and still existing today.) . Cleaning the villa First we had to clean the house. There were piles of dust and dirt in every room from cantina to attic. The villa had been empty for a number of years. It took a week to clean (and this was done by the Marulli family while we were away at a cost of the equivalent $450 at $1.00 per hour.) Mr. Marulli was the custodian, (paid $35 a month by L'Ente) but it had not been his job to keep the house clean, but only to see that no damage was inflicted and that the grass was mowed. He had it cut at no charge by a hand scythe wielded by a local farmer - when the grass was long enough to be worthwhile to the farmer to cut and haul away with his cart and donkey -( to use as feed for his livestock.). Repairing the broken glass in the windows One of the first of the major things to be done were the windows. We counted 163 windows in the villa - on the ground floor, the first floor and the second floor, the stairways, mezzanines, and attic and some of these were really magnificent windows, many with over 100 small leaded glass panes. What we did was cart these windows, one or two at a time, to the special glazier in the town of Bassano, some twelve miles to the north of the villa. It required two years to replace the missing panes and repair the leaded parts which were broken, and the cost was several thousand dollars - although we did have to pay this amount twice, as we paid the estimated price in advance and then had to pay it again when things were recalculated at the end. Mr. Marulli painted, varnished and oiled the wooden frames. Electrical work on the villa The electric restoration was a major work. What the villa had in the way of electrical circuitry was almost nonexistent. The Beggiora firm, father and two sons, was retained essentially to rewire the entire villa. They started on the 13th of August. 1969. But here we met with severe limitations on how the new system could be installed. The walls which were original, should not be touched, but we got permission (and a recommendation) from Superintendent Padoan to install the wires in the walls as the appearance of the wires on top of the plastered walls was distracting - and unlike it would have been at the time the villa was built. The preparation for the electrical work was done while we were away for a while in London. I got on a plane one day and flew to Venice and went to the Villa to see how the electrical work was progressing. The wires were to be placed in tubes and the tubes sunk in the walls. Why were the wires inserted in tubes? If there was a break, the electrician could simply open a tube and pull out a defective wire and install a new one. Also additional wires could be added for an internal telephone system, or whatever, as needed. Now Mr. Beggiora had given me a labor charge of $1.00 an hour. When my bill for the electrical work arrived, I saw that he had charged me $1.25 an hour. When I asked him why the $1.25 an hour rate, he replied, "It was more work than I had anticipated." So everything was made clear to me!. Along with the three electricians, there were three plaster and stonemasons - the Ilario Mariotto family. This group of six worked for over six months installing not only electric lines for lighting but also heavy-duty electric lines for electric heating plus lines for an internal telephone system. The telephone system had call stations in all major rooms throughout the villa so that to summon anyone, all you needed to do was to push one of the buttons. In the kitchen (as in the great houses which had servants) there was the box which indicated where the call was coming from. We contracted directly with the laborers (keeping always in mind the permissions granted by the Superintendent) and as a rule did not work through a general contractor. Had we worked through a general contractor, our cost of restoration would have been double the amount we had to pay, I feel certain. As for chandeliers, we were able to buy antique chandeliers in Florence. We were fortunate to find an eighteenth century Venetian chandelier of colorless glass in Florence. We arranged for the chandelier to be delivered and installed in the great hall. Another antique Venetian (Murano) glass chandelier was purchased in Rome and when it arrived, it took two men eight hours to install it. We were able to buy several other very fine antique Venetian chandeliers with colored glass and flowers - and two antique metal lanterns for ceilings and two on posts for the entrance hall. We also bought new "antique style" ceramic chandeliers in Venice and in Bassano. As we bought antique chandeliers, we would put the new ceramic ones (or other new glass or crystal ones) in the attic - hanging these on a beam - and perhaps some are still there. There was one antique chandelier in the villa - in the great hall - and when we replaced it with the large antique Venetian glass chandelier, we put it in the upstairs hall and put the one in the upstairs hall on the front portico of the villa. We set up an automatic light - on at dusk and off at dawn - for this front portico light. We did the same for portico lighting on the back of the villa. We also installed two large spotlights to shine from the garden wall onto the front. Incidentally, the electrician, Mr. Beggiora, put no fewer than 17 electrical outlets in the main downstairs and hall. (This was done in the event we wished to use electric baseboard heaters - or any special electrical items. ) He really did, although when I got his bill, I thought he might be exaggerating a bit, until I counted. And these are not ordinary outlets, They are special - "magic" outlets throughout the villa. When plugging into an outlet, there is no way that you can touch any wire or any metal part. (This requires a special plug for the appliance cord as well.). We were required to install the new "magic" outlets, which are much better than the type we have always had in our houses in America and which are a danger to children whose fingers seem to find their way into the outlets. The on/off switches installed throughout the villa were also of a more modern design which at the time had not been used in our American homes. They were a flat type and are now used in modern homes, including ours, today. Restoration of the bathrooms Before we even started to work on the restoration, I had in mind that we wanted to use marble everywhere that I could, and we particularly wanted the green marble and the red Veronese marble, especially for the bathrooms. But we had to clear everything with the Superintendent and he gave us a quick answer, "Nothing doing." We were allowed to use tile only in the bathrooms (terra cotta for the floors and a white tile with discreet edge for the walls.) The tub and sink and toilet and bidet were also white and we found a classic fluted column-and-shell design, which fitted the classic style of the villa perfectly, and is still popular today. Concerning marble, I asked a local marble dealer in our town about using marble. He replied quickly, "No, marble is ugly. [Brutto]. You should never use it in the interior of a house. It is for ladies' and men's public bathrooms." . We had received permission to replace the plumbing in the bathrooms as well as the tile on the walls and the floors of the bathrooms- but we were not allowed to use marble. The interior of the house may measure 20,000 feet (my estimate) but we modernized or installed only three major bathrooms - (actually four if one considers the simple bathroom we installed in the basement cantina). We selected the bath fixtures for the three main baths from a major supply house in Padua and we selected the finest gold plated fixtures we could find. On completion of our selection, we asked the salesman whether we could pay in dollars. He agreed and then converted the lire into dollars. "You owe $100, " he told us. Our computation was somewhat different; and, in any event, no one could expect to buy gold-plated fixtures for $100. "One thousand dollars" we told him. He calculated again and repeated, "One hundred dollars." An argument ensued and we asked him to again make the calculation. Otherwise we were going to walk out of the store. Finally, his calculation agreed with ours. We gave him $1,000 and not $100. The baths had to be hooked up to water lines, and this hooking up was done by Ilario Mariotto and family. A hot water system was installed (circulating hot water throughout the villa) with an oil burner in the cantina. Ilario and Sylvano redug and rebuilt the entire drainage system under the south park. The kitchen They also connected the water lines elsewhere, including the kitchen, which kitchen had to be done over radically. Although we were given permission by the Superintendent to install wooden cabinets and other kitchen fixtures, we decided to just put a kitchen sink in the small room off the kitchen (a pantry) which had a water line in place, and to buy refrigerators (with a wood finish) and a stove (with matching wood finish) and put them against the wall as furniture. We then added later an American (circa 1800) sideboard , which had been accidentally sent along with the Italian antiques we shipped from our collection in America to the villa. For cabinets, (to store china and serving dishes, etc.) we purchased a very large French eighteenth century armoire, in Florence. The armoire was fitted with shelves and was put against the north wall of the kitchen. It looked elegant and was a lovely antique. There was a small cupboard already there on the east wall with a door (screened) and we left that as it was for use to place items needed - glasses, cups, and napkins. We later added a dishwasher and a combination washing machine and drier to the pantry sink area. We had a large Renaissance-style dining table made for the center of the kitchen by a local furniture maker and we ordered many rush-seated chairs. The floors The tiles were mostly original on the main floor (piano nobile) of the villa. The villa was over 400 years old at the time we purchased it (1553 - 1969) and one might expect the floors to be well worn, at least in part replaced, as the years passed. This was the case in the kitchen and the room at the opposite end of the villa and on the eastern side of the villa downstairs, on the ground floor (Piano Nobile). The terra cotta tiles were replaced in the two end rooms and in the living room to the east and adjacent rooms to the east. We took a look under the wood floor replacement in the living room (which, by the way, is most attractive and in the eighteenth century parquet style) and under this we found a partial covering of original terra cotta floor tiles and the pink sand which is what the tiles in 1553 were set in. Apparently, many of these original tiles were used to repair the tile floors in the floor of the west side of the villa - as the west side appears to be completely original as does the great center hall. On the second floor, on the east side, we found a more recent wooden floor, which apparently was put in to keep the feet of the children warm in the winter months. We took a chance and started to remove the wood, and underneath was the same fine original Venetian terrazzo pavement that the rest of the second floor featured. Some of the second floor rooms had the terrazzo floors painted over with a dark brown stain. We arranged for a floor-polishing specialist to come and remove the paint and polish the floors on the second floor and they came out magnificently. All of the floors were original and in excellent condition. On the balconies it was necessary to make some repairs to the floors but they were mainly still original as well. It was also necessary to reset stones and blocks of marble in the wide front and back stairways , which slope, to the gardens.Walls and ceilings, frescoes and plasterwork Fortunately the walls and the ceilings were, for the most part, intact. They were covered with frescoes done by Mattia Bortoloni - over 100 frescoes including overdoors, of which only three were in substandard condition, but we were able to obtain expert restorers to bring them back. The rest may have been restored almost to perfection by the Council of the Villas of the Veneto when they owned the villa. We did not touch the Renaissance ceiling over the main hall of the Piano Nobile for many years. The ceiling was very high - as mentioned - about 30 feet up. It appeared to be in excellent condition - with original painted beams - elaborately decorated with a stencil design - and sometimes this type of decoration is called a "Sansovino ceiling" - popular in the sixteenth century. The higher ceiling in the great hall above was identical. We also had similar ceilings (with other colors predominant) in the second floor bedrooms These ceiling beams appear to be solid, but they are actually boxed, as can be seen from the attic window overlooking the second-floor center hall. We had an expert do some restoration on this ceiling. We did some restoration on portico ceilings where needed. Another major item for restoration was the peeling gray paint on the walls of the great halls. This was carefully removed to reveal the original light finish - on the walls and the four great ionic columns in the large center hall of the Piano Nobile as well.Doors were made where they were missing There were no outside heavy wooden doors on the second floor - just paned glass and part wood doors - with insets surrounding the doors of colored glass (probably added in the nineteenth century) This was on the second floor of the villa leading to the balconies to the north and to the south. On the south side there was also a door missing to the second-floor east side stairway to the south rooms and the two balconies - leaving an open staircase where a second-story-man could enter the house with ease. We had these large doors made and the special "antique" metal work created for them. Upstairs, we took several antique bedroom doors to Florence to repaint and decorate. Downstairs, the beautiful antique doors were refinished and repaired where necessary. We were told that the roof had been worked on - beams in the attic supporting the roof had been checked and repaired by the Council (Ente) and replaced where necessary and the shutters had been repaired as they had been worn and broken as happens over the years. However, after fifteen years, we again restored the shutters. Mr. Marulli took them down and repaired them individually and put them back and painted them. Souvenirs of World War II The exterior, the parts outside of the villa itself was something else. First I noticed deep bullet marks on the plaster of the large pillar-posts by the wall and gates in front of the villa. I inquired as to whether these bullets had come from German planes during the war. I was told that no, that American planes were responsible for the damage to the posts and also for the blowing out of the windows on the west side of the villa. I immediately ordered that all of the damaged plaster on the posts be removed, leaving only the bricks showing. I hoped that the townspeople had forgotten all about the war, Only later, I found that when the Americans finally arrived they gave food to the citizens, which was much appreciated. One man told me that he would have starved but for the Americans. We were told that the German major who was occupying the villa during the war, left on foot - walking west toward Castelfranco as the Americans approached. German soldiers also occupied the barchese along the street beside the villa during the war, but we are told that they did not harm the villa. The Mariotto family lived in part of the building next to the villa and Ilario's mother cleaned the villa for the German major. Ilario was born and raised in an apartment on the second floor of that barchese. A central location. Advantages of having the villa in the town Even when we completed much of the restoration and were in residence, we would go across the street to the Albergo and Caffe Palladio for meals - and quite often, Sylvana Miolo (who with her husband owned the caffe) would bring the meals to us at the villa if we had company. It was a perfect arrangement - all the advantages of living in the villa with the service of the hotel. The custodian, Epifanio Marulli, and his wife, Elena, also lived nearby - a block away - and could easily and conveniently come to the villa each day as often as needed. Elena also made the curtains, and full-length table covers for side tables as well as pillow covers, seat cushions, and over-bed draperies. The florist (Luigina Squizzato-now married to Fabio Scapinello) was in the piazza across from the villa, and floral arrangements were easily made - including dried flowers arranged for decoration throughout the villa. (The florist still sends flowers for us to our Piombino Dese friends). The land outside of the villa occupies only a few acres. This wouldn't be much for a well-to-do owner of a villa - and originally there were hundreds of acres of farmland to the south of the villa. The Cornaro family owned the villa until 1807 and the coming of Napoleon - at which time it was sold and an inventory was made of everything in the villa. Dr. Douglas Lewis discovered this inventory in his research on the villa along with many boxes of letters and documents concerning the history of the Villa Cornaro housed in a library in Venice. The villa is well recorded down to minute details. Fortunately for us, the villa is almost in the center of the small town of Piombino Dese. This was perfect for us, as those who helped us, (the custodian, and the various specialists and workers), all were within a few minutes walk of the villa and could come quickly if there was a problem. It rarely took longer than fifteen minutes for someone to arrive and fix a problem. We had no phone for years, but we could walk to the hotel across the street to call - or could walk to the Marulli house a block away to phone or ask them to help with some special emergency. Another advantage, the train, eastbound to Venice or westbound to Bassano, was about a block away from the villa. It took us less than half an hour to get from the villa to Venice and to be on a boat on the Grand Canal. Being in the center of the town had many advantages. Owners of great villas situated in the countryside amid acres of farmland at this time, with more people going to work in factories, did (and do) have difficulty in getting help - while we had little or no difficulty as it was not necessary to get people to live at the villa as their homes were nearby. When we did have to arrange for the Venetian specialist workers to live near the villa for a few months to do the cleaning and repair to the front of the villa, this could easily be arranged at the little hotel - the Albergo Palladio across the street. Actually, as it turned out, our local workmen were better able to do this resurfacing repair work, and they continued doing it after the Venetian specialists left. Restoration of the gates and security Another major piece of restoration was the restoration of the gates. These were ornamental as well as massive. In front of the villa were three pairs of elaborate wrought iron gates, the center crowned with a stemma (family crest) which Julie got up on a ladder and restored. Beside the villa was a West gate to use when entering through the barchese; and at the south end of the park on the other side of the bridge was a gate and gate posts (one of which was inclined like the Tower of Pisa.) The major front gates weighed at least 1,000 pounds. The gates were badly rusted and parts were broken. Some tips of the spear-like finials were missing completely. These gates were taken to the metal repair shop. Mr. Bartolozzi lived (and had his workshop) not a block away on the Viale Stazione. He was used to handling (and making) large metal fences and gates that people felt they needed to keep housebreakers out. Because he specialized in big metal work, he was set up to handle our repairs and replacements and to do the work rapidly and at a very reasonable cost. Mr. Marulli then lacquered and oiled the gates each year with his special formula. Later, when we had break-ins at the villa, we added an alarm system and Mr. Bartolozzi made the bars for the windows which secure the shutters. He created a clever design, strong but unobtrusive and out of sight when the windows and shutters are open. Stones, brick walls, and uncovering a fountain There was a lot of work to be done on the brick walls all around the villa, and Ilario Mariotto handled this work. He started by taking off the posters and billboards on the front brick wall, and Mr. Marulli ordered a sign (a type of special license we paid for) which prohibits the placing of billboards on the property. In addition, when we were not in residence in the villa, Ilario got the idea that a stone sidewalk should be built around the entire villa as was the custom before gutters were used. (We also added new gutters where they seemed needed.) The stone walk would catch the rain from the roof and keep the basement (cantina) dry. He used smooth rounded river rocks in the antique manner and it looked very good. I couldn't do much about it, since when we arrived at the villa the work had already been completed. Fine!. Along this same line, he did rockwork in a fountain that was uncovered. On the grounds there was a lot of "uncovering" to do. First the walk from the front gate to the front stairs of the villa. This apparently was fashioned with large square cut marble stones, but it had become covered with grass. To Ilario Mariotto, this seemed not to be right for an important villa. So he started to remove some of the grass to see what lay beneath. He was exactly right. Under the grass was a cut marble stone walk, a fine part of the entrance to the front of the villa. For further "uncoverings," we went around to the back of the villa as a small portion of the grass in the center seemed to be different from the rest of the grass in the south park. of the villa What emerged was a large circular fountain of carved stone. We traced the water line and discovered that there was a well and so we had it professionally deepened enough so that a steady fountain of fresh water came out of the artesian well. (We would fill pitchers of cool fresh water daily for the house from the fountain.) Ilario created a stone pavement in the "antique" Roman style for the bottom of the pool surrounding the fountain using the smooth rounded stones and creating a geometric pattern. We planted flowers around the stone rim of the fountain pool and this made a pretty center for the south park of the villa. A well that served the house was deepened, filling the water tank.The park and front garden We added two rows of six evergreen trees along the center of the park - and these grew to be very impressive until lightening struck one or two after we left, and so they were removed, but for twenty years, they were impressive. When we bought the villa, there were many fruit trees growing all over the park and these were cut down under the order of Dr. Douglas Lewis so he could get a good photograph of the south side of the villa for his book. Actually, this made a pretty expanse of green lawn and a good view of the villa, and we added the evergreen trees. The bridge is an added bonus and we, at one time, believed that Palladio also designed it. At one time the stream had been wider and the villa owner and guests would put their boats out and row around a bit, but the stream had become lower over the years (except on the rare occasion of a very large and heavy rain storm). We asked Ilario Mariotto to repair the bridge, and this he did quite expertly, using antique bricks (of which he had gathered a large supply for us from neighboring houses that had been torn down) and he also created a stairway. From an old photograph, it was seen that there was a stone stairway down to a landing so that boaters could board the boats in the little lake. So Ilario reconstructed the stairway and the platform exactly as the photograph showed it - with the oval river rock stones and antique bricks. Ilario also did the restoration of the window on the west stairwell where the metal door had been put, going out to the children's wooden shed outhouse toilets. He also removed the toilets and he restored and rebuilt the garden wall beside these and removed a large ugly bird aviary. He also put a "new" (antique tile) roof on the lavanderia (laundry house) outside the villa by the west gate. As for the front garden, Mr. Marulli replaced the boxwood bushes where they had died and the oval floral gardens, edged with boxwood, were planted each Spring with red flowers. Large terra cotta pots were purchased for the front and back stone stairways, and flowers were placed in these seasonally (pansies in the spring and begonias and geraniums thrived in the summer and fall). The walls on the outside of the villa and graffiti on the south portico and in the attic For the repairs and restorations, we had to get permission from the Superintendent, as mentioned earlier. Until we secured these permissions, and usually these were in writing, we could do nothing. The law dealing with national monuments is very strict in Italy. For violations, one might even be sent to jail, and certainly fined. Not that we wanted to remove them, but if we had wanted to, we could not. The graffiti on the south side of the villa (and in the attic) were quite old. Written on the south portico walls in red chalk crayon were some dates of family births and special events - dating from the 1600s. There is also a lot of graffiti in the attic - some of it, I am told, written by servants, and some later bits are written by soldiers. There is a large seventeenth or early eighteenth century line drawing of a gentleman with a tall hat and wearing high heeled boots and this is partially covered over by a later strip of smooth polished plaster put on the wall in the eighteenth century to discourage the mice from climbing the wall and reaching the ceiling rafters. The very large rafters and the ceiling and roof flat terra cotta tiles (under the curved roof tiles) are exposed underneath and can be clearly seen from the attic rooms. The late Jeane Dixon, whose prophesies are well known, was a good friend and although she never came to the villa, she described it to us and also told of the attic rooms where some of the servants lived and how they would look below (through inside attic windows to the great second floor hall) to see what the people were doing below. She also told us that the riding horses and carriage horses many years ago, before the age of the motor car, would drink water drawn from a well at the front of the villa . (and there are wells by the steps at the front of the villa which we actually never reopened.) . Now as to the outside of the villa, Palladio placed the villa so that the long side (center block and wings) would face the north and most of the tall windows are on the north. On the southern side, which much of the time faces the sun, it is hot in the summer and there are few windows. Windows are in the large original worn brick circular stairwells - which act as a buffer against the heat of the southern exposure. On the southern side, the double level columned portico is recessed so that the tall windows in the portico (upstairs and downstairs) are shaded. The sun reaches the north side of the villa only slightly in mid-summer. On a late fall or winter day, or early spring day, the sun comes quite far into the great halls from the four tall windows on the south porticos and is a beautiful sight. Little did we realize that it would be almost all but impossible to repair, clean and restore the north side of the villa. For years we were denied permission to clean it. We could only do some obviously necessary restoration including filling of broken areas and the recarving of a missing piece of the capital. Fortunately, after about ten years, a new Superintendent of Monuments was appointed, Arch. Gabriella Gabrielli Pross, and she was a great friend of the villa and of us and saw no reason that the villa could not be restored on the front. She did, however, require that we get specialists from Venice to come and do this the way that it was originally done. We retained a team of three plaster experts to mix the special formula (specialists in marmarino and antique surfaces) to come from Venice and stay and do the work. Arrangements were made for them to stay and have their meals at our expense at the little hotel (Albergo Palladio) across from the villa. First, however, the villa was pressure steam cleaned and a solution to cut into the mold and remove it was added to the steam. We learned a lot about Andrea Palladio's special mixture as well as his use of brick dust under the plaster formula - which kept the plaster dry. However, at first the experts put too much brick dust on, in our opinion, as the pink brick dust showed through the plaster finish slightly (particularly when wet). The plaster formula included sand, marble dust, very small pieces of marble, brick dust, calcio (chalky plaster) and a binding material like cement. We put the experts up as boarders at the Albergo Palladio and supplied their weekly paychecks (which were considerably higher than we had been paying for our local labor.) But the change was magnificent. The villa looked cream colored and breathtakingly beautiful when the work was finished. However, the superintendent would not let us put a thick coating of marmorino on the top surface and so it will not last as long as it would have if we had been allowed to used the marmorino (which is strong - and smooth - like a coat of marble.) . We were amused (and a little jealous) that the owner of the Villa Rotunda went ahead and restored the Villa Rotunda while we were restoring the Villa Cornaro and did it his way - with the use of a thick marmorino finish - and he refused to go along with orders. The story made the newspapers. They nearly fined him and almost put him in jail, but he is an important person and said that he was paying for this himself - not asking for funds from the government - and he would do it the way he wanted to! . In our case, we did suggest to the experts that they use less of the brick dust and we assisted our local specialist, Angelo, with the mixture. Mario Formentin acted as our local general contractor for this and did a good job. The front of the villa was covered with scaffolding while the work was being done. The Superintendent did have someone come from her office to see what we were doing. The representative apparently felt that our work passed muster, and we were not stopped. We also did restoration on the east and west side of the villa where the plaster had been damaged or chipped off. We had an earthquake and then we restored the small cracks on the south side of the villa. The villa was not much damaged (just a few cracks) because it sits on a virtual lake of subterranean water and when the earthquake came, the villa just moved easily back and forth and did not shake. Dr. Douglas Lewis and Mr. Marulli were in the villa when one of the earthquakes struck. The big door to the south portico on the second floor opened and the floor started to tilt. They ran down the stairwell and outside to the south park - and looked - and watched in horror as the villa rocked back and forth. Collecting antique furniture for the villa Next, the antique furniture. We started to collect antique furniture of the eighteenth century in 1955, long before we purchased the villa in 1969. We particularly chose painted Italian furniture and we collected as much of it as we could find - where we lived in Washington, D.C. and in New York. Much was bought privately as well as at auctions, particularly the smaller auctions in New York. We also purchased from dealers - particularly after buying the villa, when we purchased a good number of pieces (virtually a truckload at a time) in Florence, and we continued to buy antiques in Florence over the years. Some was stolen in break-ins. We also bought antiques in Venice, and we were fortunate to have found some sixteenth century pieces in Washington, New York and Boston. One Renaissance bed was purchased from a dealer in Boston who had obtained it from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. We sent many antiques to the villa from the United States. We did send some back when antiques were stolen, but then we purchased additional antiques in Italy. The end of our ownership of the Villa Cornaro To go back for a moment to the purchase of the villa. When we bid on the villa, we thought we were offering a fair price. The Council (Ente) rejected our bid, But then we were determined to make the villa our European home and we felt that the villa needed us as well, and that we were uniquely suited to appreciate it and restore it and furnish it. Thus we bid more than the asking price. We finally got the O.K. to buy the villa - signing the papers a year later (July 3, 1969). Originally we had thought that it would not take a long time to get the final Italian government approval - from all of the necessary authorities. So now how about selling it? And why did we want to sell it? Actually, we had not planned to sell it, but when we ran into problems with the local mayor and council (Sindaco and Consiglio) who wanted to expropriate it from us and make it into a town civic center, we realized that we needed to get it into a higher price category. We had not paid a great deal for the villa, and the town council saw this low figure and thought that they could expropriate it. However, the Superintendent of Monuments in Venice and the Minister of Culture in Rome did not want to have the villa in the hands of the town. The town had a reputation for allowing their properties (such as their town hall and their library) to run down and then they would ask large sums from the government for restoration - something like a "cash cow.". We fought the town for eight years, (and have large boxes of papers, reports, and letters to show for it) and finally (with the help of the Minister in Rome and Superintendent of Monuments in Venice and the American Ambassador) got the matter under temporary control, but were afraid it would pop up again and unless the price were higher, the town might find it easy to expropriate. The town would have to pay (by law) as much as the last sale price and, thus, in an expropriation could not pay less than the latest owner had paid. So we advertised the villa for sale and were not flooded with offers, but did get a few. The most excitement came from the town Mayor (Sindaco) who said we were putting it up for auction. We were not putting it up for auction, but asked Sotheby's to handle the sale through their international real estate division. We had given them a price, but said that the sale was subject to the approval of the buyer - our approval of the buyer. We were offering our Titian at auction through Sotheby's at that time, but not the villa. As it turned out, Sotheby's sold both in 1969 for about the same price - the Titian, however, brought a bit more than the villa. Over the twenty years that we owned the villa, we had fitted into the life of our little town of Piombino Dese. In fact, I counted at least 159 people I called by the first name. Several little girls were named Giulia for my wife, Julia, and several little boys were named for me - Riccardo. We were invited to our neighbors' homes for elaborate five course meals and we entertained about 125 neighbors at a reception at the villa each year when we came to stay at the villa. It was an easy thing to do, as the Miolos brought everything to the villa from the Caffe Palladio across the street. Their two sons, Leonardo and Riccardo, would serve - as did Sylvana, who prepared everything. At any rate, we got significant offers. One was from an Italian lady who wanted the villa for her son. However, she thought the villa looked too much like a museum and wanted to furnish it more casually. Unfortunately, her son was killed in an automobile accident. A second important prospective purchaser was an American woman with a large business involved mainly (as it seemed) in company takeovers and advice on such. She had several large homes - Palm Beach and Connecticut and New York (Tuxedo Park), but we felt that she really did not have the time to keep track of the villa and manage the problems that would come up. The third prospect was a publisher of an important architectural magazine in Germany. We wanted to be sure that the German buyer would be welcomed into the town, and so we spoke to a good friend, perhaps the most admired woman in the town, and asked her advice. She felt that there might be some antagonism to a German buyer, and so we went on to the next prospective buyer, and this buyer was actually two people (or so it seemed). One was a Central European couple and the other was a native of Hong Kong. They offered a handsome price and seemed most determined to buy, but we felt that this buyer (or these buyers) would not fit into the town and that they would therefore never be happy in the town - and also their interest was more in the Art Deco period. They didn't want the Italian antiques and we were not even sure that they would open the villa to the public. We never signed anything with the Italian government that said we would have to regularly open the villa to the public, but we did, and we enjoyed doing it, and we wanted this to continue to be the practice - as the villa is such a masterpiece (and the design is so copied, worldwide). The buyer, Carl Gable of Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife Sally So then we moved on to our final prospective buyer, a couple from Atlanta Georgia, a prominent corporate lawyer and his wife. We felt after various discussions and get togethers that these were the ones who would be best for the villa and for the town and would, in all likelihood, carry on things as we had. In fact, we wanted them to be the buyers, whether or not they would reach the offer of the European and Hong Kong prospects. They didn't offer that much, but we induced them to buy by including most all of the furniture in the house. (They could move in with just their suitcases and tooth brushes). We thought that selling the villa would be easy - certainly easier than buying it. It was easier, but not much. For us to buy the house, the Minister of Finance, Columbo -(later Prime Minister Columbo) had to sign two orders. One order was to sell the villa and the other to authorize the government's selling it to us. Now to sell the villa to our prospective buyers, the Minister of Culture had to approve. But it was not simply to "approve". If the Minister wanted to, he could purchase the villa for the same amount of money as our prospective buyer (Carl Gable) had offered. Everyone held his breath waiting for the Minister's decision. He had much material to go over, detailed background of the buyers, including their education, culture and financial standing. We pointed out to the Minister that the Gables had a son who was a student of architecture and who was particularly interested in having his parents buy the villa. A daughter was a lawyer. They also had a second son who was, as I recall, studying to be an engineer. The whole family seemed to want the villa. In the end, after some weeks, the Minister of Culture decided to permit Carl Gable to buy the Villa Cornaro. We felt that Sally and Carl were the best buyers and we feel even more that this is true today. We were there to greet them when they came in late October 1969, after signing the papers, to receive the keys and we stayed with them for a few days to show them everything. We also gave them a party - to introduce them to their neighbors - inviting the townspeople to come and also we invited a harpist to play in the great hall. The guests brought many bouquets of flowers and these were decorating the reception rooms when we left. They have maintained the villa beautifully - opened it to the public, sponsored benefits, entertained neighbors, and recently did major replacement work on the roof and expertly restored the family portrait statues to reveal the original marmarino finish. The Gables have established an excellent set of web pages for Palladian villas and Carl Gable has written a book on Murano Glass. The maintenance of the villa over the years What about the maintenance of the villa over the years? Fortunately, we were able to secure (inherit actually) a good custodian, Epifanio Marulli, whose reputation in the town was excellent. He could repair almost anything from electrical problems to plumbing, could do carpentry, and could do gardening and use the power mower which we purchased for him to use. He would polish the wooden floors to a brilliant shine with wax and buff the floors with our electric buffer. He would wash the tile floors and paint and varnish the wood frames on the windows. repaint and restore shutters as needed, oil and varnish the gates, and white wash the cantina (almost annually) repairing the walls where occasionally, with the dampness, plaster fell off. Mrs. Marulli (Elena) would help him clean the house, and would wash the curtains and she and Mr. Marulli would rehang them on the rods and rings that Mr. Marulli had selected and put up. She also made these curtains for the villa and made many special things for us like the Italian flag we always put out on the flagpole (attached to the second floor front balcony) on special occasions. The flag was made (and first displayed) the year that the Italians won the International Soccer Championship. She would dust and polish the furniture, cut flowers from the garden, and water the geraniums in the pots on the villa steps - front and back. If we had a party, she and Mr. Marulli would see that everything was spotlessly clean afterwards. When we were to arrive at the villa, the Marulli family would have the villa open, the shutters and windows open, flowers on the center hall table, everything clean and polished and the beds freshly made. Mr. Marulli would meet us at the airport in Venice - or at the train if were coming from Milan - and act as our chauffeur for whatever reason we might require a chauffeur. The Marullis were like our family and would invite us to their home on special occasions and to family weddings. (We still keep in touch.). Mr. Marulli (Epifanio) could set the burglar alarm, and managed to keep the housebreakers away all year long. He and Mrs. Marulli kept a set of keys to the villa and when we were not there, they kept everything in order and managed any emergencies. They also opened the villa to visitors during the afternoon on the weekends, May to September, and to groups by special appointments. Later, the Miolos (Giocomo and Sylvana, Leonardo and Riccardo) took over this, but for most of the years we were in residence, the Marulli family would come and open the villa shutters in the morning and come and close up the villa in the evening and open the villa to visitors. The villa is an Italian national treasure, There were no property taxes on it. We could have borrowed money from the government to restore the house ( and at a low rate) and we have heard of many villa owners who received an amount of at least 20% of what they had borrowed after making the last repayment - and in some cases an outright gift of funds necessary to restore a national monument. We were absolutely required to have fire insurance and in 1969 it cost $13 a year! We did add insurance for visitors and antiques and liability for employees, etc., and the insurance did go up very considerably - but at first it was $13. At $1.00 to $1.25 per hour for restoration, and even with some pay rises for restoration done over the years, our total outlay was far less than it would have been if restoration was started twenty years later - when we sold the villa in 1989. On that date, the plumbers, woodworkers, electricians, etc., were up to $22.00 and hour. So at the rate of $22 an hour, what would our restoration costs have been in total? Somewhere between $2,000,000 and $2,500,000. What it would cost today to do what we did, one can only guess, and few could or would afford it?. As a postscript, the amount of funds we received from the sale of the Villa Cornaro was put into a charitable remainder unitrust, which will benefit various charities and colleges and universities, including the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Harvard University, The American University, Washington University, George Washington University, and CCNY - The City College of New York founded by my great Uncle, Townsend Harris when he was President of the New York Board of Education.
Security
https://www.fsw.edu/technology/security
Table of Contents: Virus Protection Passwords Storing Sensitive Data Spyware and Adware Email Hoaxes and Urban Legends Desktop Security Phishing Scareware Firewalls File Sharing and Copyright Information Security is Everyone’s Concern You are the key to successful information security. An unprotected computer can be infected with a virus, worm, or Trojan in less than five minutes after being placed on a network. IT Security awareness means understanding the various threats that exist in one's environment and taking reasonable steps to guard against them. Studies show that most breaches of computer security are the result of something a computer user did or failed to do. This training site will provide you with valuable information about best practices, policies, and procedures for ensuring secure information systems at Florida SouthWestern State College, so you can enjoy a safe computing environment. Be sure to take the time to read all of the materials on this site carefully. Virus Protection Worms and Trojans are the most common forms of infection and/or compromise. They depend on computer systems that have not been protected with the most current security updates, or patches, released by operating system and security application vendors. Neglected applications and operating systems provide easy targets for hackers to take advantage of the computer user for their criminal activity. Some viruses prey on uninformed computer users by embedding attachments in appealing looking e-mails hoping to trick the user into activating the virus, worm, or Trojan. Viruses can also be transmitted during file sharing using Instant Messaging services. Users should not open attachments unless they know and trust the sender. Viruses can come from a friend or relative as easily as from a stranger. A common indicator that a virus is attached to an email is the presence of inadequate or misspelled text or short phrases like, "Attention!!!" or "Your file is attached." in the body of the message. Be suspicious of all attachments and shared files, even those from a known or trusted source. All Florida SouthWestern State College owned desktop computers and laptops are protected with ESET Endpoint Antivirus software. The software is set to download updates and patches automatically when they are made available from the application vendor. Updates will download when College staff are logged into the Florida SouthWestern State College network or when they are accessing the Internet through another network (e.g., when traveling or working from home). If you suspect you have a problem, contact the Help Desk at x11202 or 239-489-9202. Passwords Passwords are an important part of your IT security. Poor, weak passwords can result in the compromise of an entire network or sensitive data. Everyone should be aware of how to select a strong, secure password. Secure passwords include at least three of the following characteristics and should be at least 8 characters long. Numeric character (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) Special character (!,#,#,$,%,^,&,*,=,etc.) Lower case character (a,b,c,d,e,f,g,etc.) Upper case character (A,B,C,D,E,G,F,G,etc.) Other aspects of a strong password are: A good password is of strong construction and is a password that is not shared by anyone. A good password is not posted, emailed or written down. A good password does not contain your username or any part of your name. A good password does not contain information about family, friends or pets. A mnemonic can make a good password easier to remember. You can base your password on a song, phrase or book. Additionally, you can substitute special characters for letters and numbers. For example “One for the Money” becomes !4tM()nE. Storing Sensitive Data Identity theft can happen to you. Advances in technology have provided criminals with new ways to obtain your personal information. These criminals, or hackers, can enter your computer through the internet and access the personal information you have stored there. Because the goal is to obtain your personal information, it’s extremely important that you make this as difficult as possible. You can help protect yourself, your family and your friends by making sure that: Your computer is protected with a strong password(s) Your application and operating system software is patched. When entering your personal information on a website, make sure that the website is encrypted. Look in the browser window for an object that looks like a lock. When the lock is depicted as closed, it indicates that the website is encrypted. Check the address line in the browser window for an address that starts with https://. This is another indication that the web site is secured. Practice smart internet habits when conducting financial transactions on line. Be selective of the sites you visit and check for the security level (the lock) of web pages that require you to enter personal information. Following these steps will help you in your efforts to secure the sensitive information stored on your computer. For additional information review the section on Phishing. Spyware and Adware Spyware is software installed on your computer without your knowledge or consent. These programs can collect various types of personal information and interfere with control of your computer functions. It can also hijack your browser and direct it elsewhere. Spyware, by design, takes advantage of you for commercial gain. The term adware refers to software that displays advertisements whether or not the computer user has consented. Most adware is also spyware because it displays advertisements based on information it has collected about you. Often this results in many pop up advertisements while you are visiting web pages on the Internet. Most spyware is installed without your knowledge. Spyware can be bundled in shareware or other downloadable software as well as music CDs. Spyware developers also try to trick people into installing their software by emulating a standard Windows dialog box. The resulting popup box will contain a message such as “Would you like to optimize the performance of your computer?” or “Registry Cleaner Recommended” with buttons that say Yes and No. No matter which button the user clicks, the result is the same – the software is downloaded to your computer. Never click on unwanted popups. Shut them down by clicking on the red X in the upper right hand corner of the box. To protect your system from Spyware: Enable the security features in your browser. Download programs, software and files only from trusted sites. Install anti-spyware software, keep it updated and schedule it to run regularly. There are several applications that are free which do a terrific job protecting your computer. Email Hoaxes and Urban Legends Everyone has received email with an attached petition, warning or an opportunity to win millions. Unsolicited email is also known as SPAM. Clicking on links in these messages can expose the user to a computer virus. Before you forward the message or respond to the request, check the validity of it. There are many web sites available where you can check to see whether the email you received is a hoax, scam, virus or urban legend. An urban legend is basically a story. It can be funny, terrible or horrifying. Sometimes they are even true. Typically these messages end by asking the user to forward the message to everyone they know or to a specific demographic group. Scam email messages typically promise that the receiver will collect large sums of money in return for a small investment. Often this type of scam cites a foreign lottery, or an inheritance that the sender cannot collect without your help. Do not attempt to contact the sender of these messages! They are ruthless and violent criminals. Using the links below, you can check to see if the message you have received is a known hoax, scam, urban legend or chain letter before you hit the forward button. Desktop Security There are many levels of information technology security. If a computer is not protected at the personal level, it could allow someone to obtain access to the information stored there or cause you to lose your network access. You can protect yourself from the average desktop hacker. Desktop hackers often watch what you are doing by looking over your shoulder. If your computer is positioned such that someone can see what keys you are pressing on the keyboard, place a small mirror on your monitor so that you know when someone is standing behind you. If you know you are going to be away from your desk for an extended period of time during the work day; a good alternative to shutting down your system is to log off the system. Additionally, it is good practice to log out of your email application, the FSW portal and the Banner system when you are finished using those applications. Being aware of who is around you is the first line of defense for desktop computer users. By combining awareness, good password practices, and secure applications, users will have a security formula that makes them less likely to be hacked. To request assistance, please contact the Help Desk at x11202 or 239-489-9202. Phishing Phishing is an attempt to fool people into providing personal information such as credit card or banking numbers. Typically, the phishing scammers send an email disguised as a request for information from a well known company. They also create fake websites designed to closely resemble the company's official site. The fake website will appear almost identical to the official site. Recipients of the phishing email are typically asked to click on a hyperlink to correct, confirm or provide information. Clicking the link triggers a phony website to open in the browser. Typically a web form is found that asks for private information such as credit card and banking numbers and other information such as a home address and phone number. Sometimes the user is asked to login with their username and password. Virtually all of the information entered into this phony website can later be collected and used at will by the criminals conducting the phishing scam. Sometimes this form is embedded within the email with instructions to provide details such as a password and bank account number. Users are then instructed to return the email to the sender. An alternative method attempts to trick recipients into installing a Trojan virus on their computer by opening an email attachment or downloading the Trojan virus from a website. The Trojan is then used to collect information from the user’s computer. These emails are mass-mailed to many thousands of people with the hope that some of the recipients will be customers of the targeted institution. The scammers also hope that people will be unaware and believe the email to be a legitimate request. Cyber thieves also use official-looking e-mails to lure you to fake websites and trick you into revealing your personal information. It’s also an example of an even more mischievous type of phishing known as “spear phishing”—a rising cyber threat that you need to know about. Instead of casting out thousands of e-mails randomly hoping a few victims will bite, spear phishers target select groups of people with something in common—they work at the same company, bank at the same financial institution, attend the same college, order merchandise from the same website, etc. The e-mails are ostensibly sent from organizations or individuals the potential victims would normally get e-mails from, making them even more deceptive. How spear phishing works. First, criminals need some inside information on their targets to convince them the e-mails are legitimate. They often obtain it by hacking into an organization’s computer network (which is what happened in the above case) or sometimes by combing through other websites, blogs, and social networking sites. Then, they send e-mails that look like the real thing to targeted victims, offering all sorts of urgent and legitimate-sounding explanations as to why they need your personal data. Finally, the victims are asked to click on a link inside the e-mail that takes them to a phony but realistic-looking website, where they are asked to provide passwords, account numbers, user IDs, access codes, PINs, etc. Criminal gain, your loss. Once criminals have your personal data, they can access your bank account, use your credit cards, and create a whole new identity using your information. Spear phishing can also trick you into downloading malicious codes or malware after you click on a link embedded in the e-mail…an especially useful tool in crimes like economic espionage where sensitive internal communications can be accessed and trade secrets stolen. Malware can also hijack your computer, and hijacked computers can be organized into enormous networks called botnets that can be used for denial of service attacks. How to avoid becoming a spear phishing victim. Law enforcement takes this kind of crime seriously, and we in the FBI work cyber investigations with our partners, including the U.S. Secret Service and investigative agencies within the Department of Defense. But what can you do to make sure you don’t end up a victim in one of our cases? Keep in mind that most companies, banks, agencies, etc., don’t request personal information via e-mail. If in doubt, give them a call (but don’t use the phone number contained in the e-mail—that’s usually phony as well). Use a phishing filter…many of the latest web browsers have them built in or offer them as plug-ins. Never follow a link to a secure site from an e-mail—always enter the URL manually. Don't be fooled (especially today) by the latest scams. Visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and for tips and information. Scareware-Protect Your Computer While surfing the Internet, you may have seen a pop-up message telling you your computer is infected with a virus. The message goes on to explain that you should order the antivirus software advertised in the pop-up. Before you click on the link to the offer consider the following: Most internet security companies will not use ads to tell you your computer’s been infected with a virus. Most of these pop-ups are scams. According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center it is one of the fastest growing types of Internet fraud. The scam, known as “scareware”, attempts to convince you to purchase their “antivirus” software. This software actually installs malicious software (malware) into your system. Additionally, many of these criminals operate outside the U.S., making investigations difficult and complex for law enforcement. How to spot a “scareware” scam: These pop-ups typically use icons that do not work like a typical button or link. To build authenticity into their software, “scareware” will show a list of reputable icons, like well known software companies or security publications. However, there are no links to the sites so that you can see the actual reviews or recommendations. The pop-up is hard to close. “Scareware” pop-ups employ aggressive techniques. They will not close easily after clicking the “close” or “X” button. Cyber criminals often use easy-to-remember names like Virus Shield, Antivirus, or Virus Remover. How to protect yourself: Make sure your computer is fully protected by legitimate, up-to-date antivirus software. To report a fraud or scam contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line at 239-477-1242. Firewalls Whether at work or at home, you have probably heard the term firewall. A firewall is a software or hardware device that is configured to filter information in order to keep destructive data from entering the FSW network—in other words, it provides access control by defining what information is permitted to enter the network as well as your computer. In essence it is not a wall but a door that allows trusted Internet traffic in and out of your network. More specifically, firewalls can be configured to: Block ports that viruses, worms, and Trojans use to communicate with other machines on the Internet. Prevent unwanted sharing of your files and computer devices such as printers. Prevent applications on your computer from connecting to the Internet if they don't need to. Make it difficult for hackers to access and take advantage of un-patched network applications and services on your computer. Firewalls are designed to create a secure barrier between your internal network and your computer and the outside world. File Sharing and Copyright Click here to read the File Sharing Procedure of Florida SouthWestern State College. Copyright is a form of protection given to authors and creators of intellectual work including, music, drama, art, literature, and more. The author of the work is the only person who has the right to do or let anyone else do the following: Make copies of the work Distribute the work Display the work Perform the work Make derivative works “Derivative works” refers to making modifications to the original work, adapting the original work, and translating the original work to another media. Public domain works refer to those works that are not copyright protected and freely available for anyone’s use. This includes work for which the term of copyright expired; works where the author did not comply with statutory procedures to obtain the copyright or it is the work of the U.S. Government. Most of the recordings and videos found on the Internet today are protected by copyright. To obtain a work that is not in the public domain, you must get permission from the owner of the copyright. A safe way to assure you are obtaining legal copies of a published work is to pay the appropriate fee at a legal download site. Services such as Napster, Apple iTunes, and Musicmatch provide download permission based on a signed agreement with the owner of the work. Although file sharing is a legal technology with legal uses, many users use it to download and upload copyrighted materials without permission. Accusations of illegal file sharing typically come from either the music or movie industries, in the form of a The Digital Millennium Copyright Act Complaint (DMCA). The DMCA was passed by Congress in 1998 to bring copyright laws in line with digital technology. It defines penalties such as hefty fines for individuals found guilty of illegally circulating copyrighted works. Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys' fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ's at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.
BUC Perks
https://www.fsw.edu/employeeservices/discounts
We are in the process of contacting businesses that would like to extend a special discount or opportunity to FSW employees. In turn, we will include them on our BUC Perks page which is visited by our many FSW employees.If you are an FSW employee and you have had great service at a business or are impressed by their great products, please let us know! Perhaps we can contact them to see if they would like to extend an offer on the BUCS Perks site! You can email the name of the business, a phone number or contact, email address and a short line or two on what you think they can offer our FSW employees. At the end of the year, we will put the names of the individuals that have suggested BUC Perk possibilities that turned out to be a great plus for our employees into a hat and the winner will be recognized and receive a gift for the wonderful BUC Perk contribution! Email those businesses and information to: Benefits@fsw.edu. Accommodations Banking Childcare Counseling/Legal Services Entertainment Health, Wellness, Fitness Centers Household Products/Services Insurance Miscellaneous Tax Preparation Transportation/Travel Wholesale Warehouses Wireless AccommodationsHilton Garden Inn Fort MyersThe Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers is proud to extend a special offer to all FSW employees:Please contact the hotel at (239) 938-2901 for personalized reservation requests and to receive the FSW Special RateComplimentary Wi-Fi in each guest roomComplimentary shuttle to and from the FSW Campus and within a 5 mile radius of the hotelOnsite restaurant available for breakfast and dinner daily with full service barThe Crowne PlazaThe Crowne Plaza at the Bell Tower Shops is pleased to extend a Corporate rate to all employees. Contact the hotel directly at (239) 482-2900 and ask for the Florida SouthWestern State College corporate rate.Hampton Inn & Suites - Fort Myers-Estero/FGCUThe Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers-Estero/FGCU appreciates your business. They would like to provide you with exceptional value and service. Simply call (239) 947-5566 to book your travel needs or visit the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers-Estero/FGCU homepage.Hyatt Place – Coconut PointConveniently located, between Fort Myers and Naples, in the Coconut Point Mall, with over 120 shops and restaurants within walking distance. Low season corporate rate is $99.00 (July 1 to Sep 30. High season is $135.00 (Jan 1 to March 30). All other times $105.00. Click Here For FSW Hyatt Place – Coconut Point Discounted Reservations.Residence Inn Fort Myers/SanibelResidence Inn Fort Myers/Sanibel is located just 5 miles from the Florida SouthWestern State College, the gateway into Sanibel/Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach and is 16 miles from Southwest Florida International Airport. Our convenient location is minutes to restaurants, golf courses, local attractions, hospitals, movie theatres and museums; and is within walking distance to Tanger Outlets Shopping Center, Kayak Launch Sites and a Publix Grocery Store.BankingSuncoast Credit UnionStudents, faculty and staff of Florida SouthWestern State College can join Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union --- Where smart people keep their money! Take advantage of free checking, free online banking and bill pay and even mobile banking. Suncoast offers low rate car loans, mortgages and Visa credit cards with no annual fees. We invite you to open your account online and visit the Suncoast Credit Union website for more information.ChildcareCollier Child Care ResourcesCollier Child Care Resources, Inc., (CCCR), is a private, non-profit child care agency that has been serving children, families, and early learning professionals in Southwest Florida for over forty years.For further information, please contact Niccole Howard at (239) 643-3908 or visit our Collier Child Care Resources website.Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.Child care facilities are operated by Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. Visit the Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. website for more information.Counseling/Legal ServicesLifeWorks Employee Assistance ProgramEAP Call Center Telephone Line: 844-880-9142Florida SouthWestern State College is introducing a new benefit for faculty and staff — LifeWorks’s Employee Assistance Program. You will receive a range of services to help with everyday stress and challenges. Many employees contact the EAP for help with:Stress at home and workRelationshipsParenting questionsGriefDepression and anxietyLifeWorks is FSW’s new, free, confidential employee assistance program (EAP) and an exciting and innovative wellbeing solution that we will all love to use, and it’s now live for all FSW employees! LifeWorks is available 24/7/365 to help you:Connect to news and updates through the platform’s News FeedAccess a wealth of online resources and information to support your mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing Get expert guidance from professional advisors, any time, about any issue, either work-related or in your personal lifeSpeak to a counselor if you have a problem that’s bigger than you, or connect with other specialists including financial and legal professionalsThe EAP offers you additional valuable services:Legal ReferralsA free 30-minute telephone consultation with an attorney. If you need a referral to an attorney for a face to face meeting, LifeWorks can refer you to one at a 25% discount off the attorney’s hourly rate.Financial ReferralsA 30-minute telephone consultation is available through the EAP. After the consultation, you can be referred to local resources. The referrals can be made for any financial issue (debt consolidation, budgeting, taxes, investments, etc.)WebsiteGet started using LifeWorks now with our easy instructions. Go to login.lifeworks.com OR download the mobile app. Username: FSWPassword: FSWLegalShield (formerly Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.)Florida SouthWestern State College Faculty, Staff and their families NOW have available:a “Life Events Legal Plan” that provides Protection, Security and Peace of Mind at a discounted group rate. And…the enrollment fee has been waived.The Plan covers You, Your Spouse or Significant Other & Your Children to the age of 21 (23 if college student). Protect your family for an investment as low as just $15.95 per month, with no long-term contract. That’s just $3.68 a week.We also provide Kroll Background America’s “Identity Theft Shield”.For further information, contact Jim & Andrea Carroll, Independent Associates, LegalShield, Toll Free 1-866-614-1770, Local (941) 235-1770. For further information, visit Jim & Andrea Carroll's LegalShield website.EntertainmentBarbara B. MannFSW employees receive discounts on tickets to select shows at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Please take your Buc Card to the ticket window to find out if the show you’re interested in offers discounted tickets.Tickets at WorkFlorida SouthWestern State College has access to TicketsatWork, the leading Employee Perks & Discount program in the Nation! Whether you’re taking a trip, planning a staycation, or having fun at home with family and friends, TicketsatWork has something for everyone!We want to make sure you are familiar with all the latest brands, services, and savings you have access to. TicketsatWork is your one-stop shop for savings on products, services, and experiences, with new deals added weekly.It's free and simple to enroll. Just visit TicketsatWork and use our company code FSWBUCS to start saving on: How to EnrollWork From Home EssentialsStreaming Services: Disney+, Showtime and moreAttractions, Shows, Sporting Events, and ConcertsHotels and rental carsSam’s Club Memberships – over 40% offEducation & Enrichment: Language Learning, Audiobooks and moreHealth & WellnessHome Office: Electronics, Laptops and moreInsurance, Home Security and Protection ServicesFood & WineOnline Shopping: Walmart, Walgreens, Macy’sFinancial ServicesPet SuppliesEntertainmentAnd so much more!Health, Wellness, Fitness CentersQuit Smoking Now (AHEC-Lee, Collier)The “Quit Smoking Now“ program is a successful and effective six week program that meets once a week for an hour and assists individuals dealing with addiction to Nicotine. The program is FREE and people participating in the program may also receive FREE patches, gum and/or lozenges while in the program. The program is open to anyone interested in assistance in stopping the use of tobacco products.For more information regarding groups held on an ongoing basis at convenient locations throughout both Lee and Collier counties please contact Eliseo Rangel at (239) 989-9809. For further information visit the Everglades Area Health Education Tobacco Program.All FSW faculty and staff have access to the 3 fitness centers located on Lee, Collier, and Charlotte campuses. Each campus has its own unique set of exercise equipment that includes cardio and strength training pieces. Hours vary at each facility. Learn more about your campuses’ fitness center and their locations here.Weight WatchersWith a minimum enrollment, Weight Watchers offers to have a meeting brought directly to employees and students of Florida SouthWestern State College. Our meetings will be conveniently located on campus which makes it easier to attend. To find out if a Weight Watchers meeting is currently being held, express interest in attending, or for further information please contact: Kimberly Barber or Cami Sue Price at (239) 298-2481.Medi-Weightloss ClinicsFlorida SouthWestern State College Faculty, Staff and Students will receive a 25% discount on their Initial Visit and 10% off revisits when they become a patient of the Medi-Weightloss Clinics. For further information including a location near you please contact Bonnie Anderson at (239) 333-3340 or visit our Medi-Weightloss website.Results! Weight LossResults Weight Loss is more than a diet; it’s a program designed to teach you how to lose the weight and keep it off forever. There are two ways we can work with you to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Depending upon your personal needs and lifestyle, we offer you the option of choosing either the Results In-Center or Results@Home program.Results! Weight Loss is offering Florida SouthWestern State College staff and faculty 20% off of all program services on a weight loss program.To join with your discount please contact Caroline Thomas at (239) 789-8578 and let us give you the customized tools you need to successfully lose the weight once and for all.Anytime FitnessAt Anytime Fitness, we fit your busy schedule and on-the-go lifestyle. With an Anytime Fitness membership, you can workout anytime of the day or night! Our clubs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Talk about no more excuses!Anytime Fitness offers a 10% discounts to Florida SouthWestern State College employees. Locations in Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Bring your business card or ID to the location nearest you.Location (A) – Fort Myers 12901 McGregor Blvd, Suite 1B Fort Myers, FL 33919. Phone: (239) 481-2237Location (B) – Cape Coral 1315 Cape Coral Parkway Cape Coral, FL 33904. Phone: (239) 549-3488Eye Centers of FloridaEye Centers of Florida provides Eye Care Advantage: A no-fee, vision discount program for Florida SouthWestern State College employees, spouses and dependent children.Designer Eye Wear 25% off, Sunglasses, LASIK and Contact Lens fitting, all 20% off.Eye Care Advantage Discount Cards and Program Description is Available in the HR office.Household Products/ServicesAll American AlarmAssuring your peace of mind with state of the art equipment, red carpet service, and lightning fast response, Because We Care!With the purchase of a complete security system ($850), installation($295) and activation($99) Florida SouthWestern State College staff and faculty will be eligible for 2 additional contacts for their security system ($190.00 value). For further information please contact Janet Beddoe at (239) 464-5834 or visit the All American Alarm website.Clean Water AmericaClean Water America is a full service home water systems company.We are experts from the well or city hook-up to the faucets.We have been a local company in SW Florida for over 24 years. Honesty and integrity is important to us in all of our dealings.Florida SouthWestern State College employees can call with any water questions and /or have a rep. come out to analyze their water and/or systems with no cost or obligations. They may also come to either of our two showrooms in Ft. Myers or Lehigh Acres.The amount of discount will vary based on what is purchased. We have systems starting at $500 and going to $8,000.We have many flexible billing options including all major credit cards, 90 days same as cash, rent to own or just rent.Please have your associates identify themselves as employees of Florida SouthWestern State College when calling or visiting a showroom.Bill Welch / Eric. Phone: 239-489-4766PRR Computer, LLCComputer Repair Services50% off our normal shop ratesReceive 50% off our normal shop rates for Florida SouthWestern State College Staff and Faculty. Equipment must be delivered to our premises in Estero and picked up from same to qualify.To redeem this discount please provide a valid, current Florida SouthWestern State College ID at first contact. Click here for further PRR Computer discount details on this offer.9180 Estero Park Commons Blvd, Unit #6, Estero, FL 33928. Phone: (239) 244-1579. Email: phil@prrcomputers.com.InsuranceAARPIndividuals who are 50 and older can join benefiting from a number of services from driver safety classes to auto and health insurance. The AARP membership card is recognized for many discounts by restaurants, hotels, etc., but AARP isn’t about discounts-AARP is about what counts in our lives as seniors. For membership information, please contact our St. Petersburg office, toll-free at 1-866-595-7678 or visit our Florida AARP website.Liberty MutualLiberty Mutual offers a 5% discount off the annual premium on our auto insurance to the employees of Florida SouthWestern State College. We also offer life insurance products as well as annuities. For further information contact William "Bill" Scott at 1-800-282-6741, extension 57384 or his Liberty Mutual website for a free no-obligation quote and receive a $5 gas card.Veterinary Pet InsurancePlease look at the Veterinary Pet Insurance brochure (PDF) for information on the programs they offer.Three easy ways to enroll:Go here (easiest).Visit petinsurance.com/company-search and then enter Florida SouthWestern State College. You will be directed to the dedicated page.Or call 877-PETS-VPI (877-738-7874) Mention that you are an employee of Florida SouthWestern State College and you will receive a discount on your policy.MiscellaneousPensXpressPensXpress Personalized pens offer the greatest value for the money to promote your product or service, or to commemorate a special event. Whether it's for a trade show, to give out to your customers at your place of business, or to promote your club's annual gathering, our custom pens will spread your message far and wide. 10% off any order use code: cp4ed10 at checkout!HerocareHerocare provides free membership cards and online directory of professionals and businesses that give members discounts. For further information regarding our services, please contact: Maxine Gonzalez, Helpline Director at 877-437-6411 x0, or at the Herocare website.Florida SouthWestern State College BookstoreReceive discounts on books and special order custom gifts. For books visit the FSW Bookstore. For special order custom gifts login at: Florida SouthWestern State College Custom Gifts The password is: bookstore.Appliance Repair Specialist of TampaAppliance Repair Specialist of Tampa, a leading provider of appliance repair services is offering Florida Southwestern State College faculty & employees a 10% discount off any in-home appliance repair.All you need to do is reference this code to receive the discount: Excel10. Contact Kevin Harbour at (678) 282-7521 or reoking@gmail.com.Tax PreparationFree Tax PreparationThe United Way once again will be offering free tax preparation for people who meet certain criteria. To view the criteria, please visit https://www.myfreetaxes.com/.To schedule an in-person appointment, call 1-800-906-9887Free Tax Preparation Flyer (PDF)Locations (PDF)Payroll Inserts (PDF)Transportation/TravelAAA Auto Club South”The Most Trusted Auto Club in America”Click here for the AAA Valentine Special Offer!AAA offers its members roadside assistance, travel assistance, and discounts on various types of insurance.AAA offers Florida SouthWestern State College employees a discount on Auto Club membership and Travel as well as an opportunity for savings on Auto and Homeowners Insurance.For further information, please contact Bruce Smedberg, Sales Representative (239) 939-7591 or visit the AAA website.T-MOBILE T-MOBILE offers State and Local Government employees 15% off on Magenta MAX and get premium UNLIMITED Talk, Text and Data!FDOT Commuter Services Commuter Services, a FREE program by the Florida Department of Transportation is here to help you solve your traffic and travel woes in the Southwest Florida Region. The first step is to realize you don't have to sit in traffic every day – increasing your travel costs as well as your stress. You can carpool, vanpool, and take transit. Or get on your way toward a healthier lifestyle by biking, walking or using another option - even occasionally. Commuter Services, offers FREE help and provides information on carpooling and vanpooling, including online ride-matching, getting started and traffic information; biking and walking safety, tips, health information, local organizations and initiatives; public transit (LeeTran) routes, schedules, bike on bus program, and even free bus passes. We also provide information on Trip Tracking rewards program. Call or visit us online: 1-866-585-RIDE (7433).Enterprise Rent-A-CarReceive discounted Rates for both business and personal use.Visit Enterprise Rent-A-Car discount site.Wholesale WarehousesBJ’s WholesaleFor the best deals on purchasing or renewing your BJ’s membership, please contact Scott Hawley at shawley@bjs.com or (239) 333-6953.Costco Wholesale – Naples & Fort MyersJoin Today! Become a New Costco Member and receive up to a $20 Costco Cash Card.Receive a $20 Costco Cash Card when you join as a NEW Executive Member. OR, Receive a $10 Costco Cash Card when you join as a NEW Gold Star Member.Please call the Costco Marketing Dept to enroll and receive your Florida SouthWestern State College Cash Card Benefit.Costco Naples Marketing Dept. Phone: (239) 596-6437.Costco Ft. Myers Marketing Dept Phone: (239) 415-6003.**This offer will not be available at the in-store customer service/enrollment desk. You must enroll by calling the marketing department in order to receive this benefit.**Locations:6275 Naples Blvd, Naples, FL7171 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL10088 Gulf Center Drive (Gulf Coast Town Center), Fort Myers, FLSam's Club–Port Charlotte & Fort MyersClick here for your Sam's Club Membership Certificate (PDF). Bring this certificate along with proof of employment to the Membership Services Desk of your local Club. Upon payment for a Plus Membership, you will receive a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card. Upon payment for an Advantage Membership, you will receive a $10 Sam's Club Gift Card.For a Club near you, visit Sam's Club or call 1-800-881-9180. Locations:Fort Myers – 5170 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907.Port Charlotte – 17700 Murdock Cir, Port Charlotte, FL 33948Also…we have coupons in Human Resources for 20% off Lunch or Dinner at the Luna Rossa Restaurant at the Miromar Outlet Mall Phone: (239) 948-3766.Over 140 Top Designer and Brand Name Outlets!AT&TAs an Employee of Florida SouthWestern State College you could be saving 17% on your wireless bill with AT&T along with WAIVED Activation and Upgrade fees. Additional savings are also available if you are a DIRECTV customer as well. If you are looking for new service or have existing service and want to register for your discounts feel free to stop into one of our local AT&T Retail locations and mention FAN # 2641506 or visit FSW’s customized AT&T discount site.If you have questions you can also reach out to your dedicated AT&T Employee Discount Program representative Deirdre Bischoff @ (239) 848-8998 or db3374@att.com.AT&T FSW Employee Discount Flyer (PDF)AT&T FSW Student Discount Flyer(PDF)Sprint WirelessPlease note that not all plans will qualify for the discount.Go to Sprint and enter your phone numberOn the right side of the screen click the link titled, “Please click here”On the next screen click, “Fax or upload your verification”Complete the steps listed and be sure to include proof of your employment with FSW! (This can just be a copy of your BUC Card)
How to Use the Academic & Career Pathways
https://www.fsw.edu/pathways/howto
Think about your skills and interests. Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Maybe you enjoy helping others? Do you love to write? Does working with technology interest you? Whatever you’re interested in, FSW can help you turn your interests into a career. Think about the things you like to do. What are you good at? Not sure? Take a free interest inventory, Career Coach, to help you identify interests to explore.Explore the pathway that matches your interests.Which Academic and Career Pathways match your skills and interests? Find out more about the courses, faculty, degrees, and career opportunities by exploring the resources on the pathway’s webpage. Check out Academic & Career Pathways events to meet with faculty and staff who are passionate about their pathway and sharing their expertise to help you find the degree that is right for you. It will be easy to spot the events related to your pathway – just look for your pathway’s symbol. You can explore one pathway or two or three if you have interests in multiple areas. Choose a degree or certificate program and career goal in your pathway.Meet with your Student Success Advisor to choose the degree in your pathway that meets your transfer and/or career goals. Your advisor will also review your Program Map with you and help you navigate your educational journey. Follow your Program Map to finish your degree or certificate.Your Program Map is your step-by-step guide to finishing your degree in a timely manner. For the Associate in Arts (AA) degree, Program Maps list the courses you need to complete to earn your AA and be ready to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. For Associate in Science (AS), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees and certificate programs, Program Maps list the courses you need to complete to earn the degree and be ready to enter the workforce. Start your career or transfer into a bachelor's degree at FSW or a university!Completing your degree means you are ready to enter the workforce in your chosen field or to continue your education. Use our Career Services along the way to help you further explore career opportunities and find a job. Work with your Student Success Advisor to explore your transfer degree options and navigate enrollment processes. Return to Full Academic & Career Pathways List
Black Maria Film Festival Celebrates 36th Anniversary with Screening at FSW
https://www.fsw.edu/news/detail/2643
Black Maria Film Festival Celebrates 36th Anniversary with Screening at FSW Sep 27, 2017 SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) welcomes the Black Maria Film Festival back to the college for its 36th anniversary tour at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, Rush Library Auditorium, Building J, Room 103. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for members of the Edison/Ford Estates, $5 for FSW staff and faculty, and free for FSW students with an ID. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Edison/Ford Estates or at the door. Tickets purchased at the door must be paid for in cash. Founded in New Jersey in 1981 to honor Thomas Edison’s pioneering spirit in cinema, this festival celebrates the creative vision of contemporary independent directors by showcasing an eclectic variety of bold short films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes the Black Maria as an Academy Award qualifying festival. Its annual collection of cutting-edge films travels across the nation to universities, museums and other venues. Festival organizers work directly with the host institution to select a variety of short narrative, experimental, animation and documentary films that are tailored to their particular audience. FSW has partnered with the Edison/Ford Estates to bring the Black Maria for eight years. In the past, the Estates hosted an outdoor screening on the river one night while the college hosted a screening of different films on campus the following night. However, due to damage caused by Hurricane Irma, this year’s screening at the Estates has been postponed until the spring. They will be showing a selection of films from the 2018 Black Maria collection. “The films we will screen at the college this year were chosen by students in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars,” said Dr. Wendy Chase, coordinator, FSW Honors Scholar Program. “They selected these particular films in hopes that they will provide a platform to engage in meaningful and civil conversations about pressing issues of social justice. The students will facilitate a discussion following the screening.” Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the RCMA Immokalee Community School to aid low-income families who lost wages or property because of Hurricane Irma. Headquartered in Immokalee, RCMA provides quality child care to Florida’s rural poor. RCMA operates 66 child-care centers, three charter schools and some 25 family child-care homes. The child-care homes and six child-care centers are located in Immokalee, as is an elementary-level charter school. RCMA operates another child-care center in Bonita Springs. This year’s films are: “Mr. Sand” - Animation 8 min. by Soetkin Verstegen, Leuven, Belgium A dreamy tale about early cinema, told as an ironic bedtime story. A mix of techniques brings to life the atmosphere of this dangerous new medium. In the back of the story moves Mr. Sand, a mysterious character that might be real or imagined. “Ja Passou (Everything’s OK)” - Narrative 15 min. by Sebastião Salgado and Pedro Patrocinio, Lisbon, Portugal The story of a father’s journey to save his son and how he is affected by indifference and social inequality. “How Do You Raise a Black Child?” - Narrative 4 min. by Seyi Peter-Thomas, South Orange, N.J. This short film adaptation of Cortney Lamar Charleston’s poem “How Do You Raise a Black Child?” paints an important portrait of everyday life for a young black man growing up in America. It is an impressionistic piece that explores the delicate balance parents must strike as they steer their children toward adulthood. “Decision” – Animation 3 min. by Mary Jo Zefeldt, Chicago, Ill. A short animated film that explores one woman’s experience with anxiety and how she handles a perceived false choice. “We Regret to Inform You” – Documentary 11 min. by Eva Colmers and Heidi Janz, Quebec, Canada Why does our society divide people into neatly-defined categories? Are “disabled” and “productive” mutually exclusive identities? Where do you place somebody with a strong mind and a weak body? Dr. Heidi Janz, a writer and an academic, is acutely aware of the limitations posed by her uncooperative body, but every day she navigates the world in her wheelchair and works very hard to make her impaired speech comprehensible to others. This film documents Heidi’s daily regime, and quietly questions our ideas around “either/or.” “More Dangerous Than a Thousand Rioters” – Experimental 6 min. by Kelly Gallagher, Chester Springs, Pa. An experimental animated documentary exploring the life of revolutionary Lucy Parsons, the wife of Haymarket anarchist Albert Parsons. She was an organizer first and foremost and led an inspiring life engaged in the struggle against capitalism. As a woman of color who was married to a famous white male anarchist, she is often unfairly and frustratingly overlooked in many labor histories. Parsons went on to become one of the most powerful voices in the labor movement, helping to found the legendary Industrial Workers of the World. She dedicated her entire life to fighting for the rights of the disenfranchised. “All it Takes” – Documentary 17 min. by Geoff Pingree, Drew Dickler, and Jake Hochendoner, Oberlin, Ohio With the ever-growing prescription and use of opiate pain medication, heroin addiction has spread across traditional barriers of class, race, gender, and age and become common in all segments of society. While the path to addiction is distressingly easy, the way out is unimaginably difficult. “All it Takes” explores the opiate epidemic in Lorain County, Ohio from the point of view of addicts and through the efforts of those who work to help them recover their lives and their dignity. “Exquisite Corps” - Experimental 6 min. by Mitchell Rose, Worthington, Ohio 42 Contemporary American choreographers link together in a chain love letter in celebration of dance. “Boomerang” – Animation 5 min. by Steven Vander Meer, Arcata, Calif. Inspired by the song “Boomerang” by the Absynth Quintet, the workings of nature and the universe are mystically and whimsically illustrated in this fast paced, gorgeously hand-drawn film. Great music and a quirky sense of humor define the beauty of it all, and it's no coincidence when it happens this way. “The Day Truffaut Died” – Animation 4 min. by John Akre, Minneapolis, Minn. This animated short is about the loss of a mentor hero, even if he was one that I never met.” Musician Andy Stermer, wrote and performed a music track that perfectly evokes the films of Truffaut, and the quirky character of the filmmaker’s story. “Chateau au Go Go” – Animation 4 min. by Steve Gentile, Boston, Mass. A kinetic romp that investigates the images imprinted onto wine corks. This animated, macro-photographed film becomes a sort of frenetic history lesson that alludes to the human impulse to tame nature. For more information, contact Dr. Chase at Wendy.Chase@fsw.edu or (239) 489-9470, or visit www.blackmariafilmfestival.org. #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: September 27, 2017 Back to News Archives
Florida Prepaid
https://www.fsw.edu/cashier/prepaid
FSW is a Florida Prepaid college and using your Florida Prepaid benefits is fast and easy!Here’s what you need to know about using Florida Prepaid colleges benefits:You do not need to provide any proof of benefits to FSW. You are matched to the Florida Prepaid database and the benefits of your Florida prepaid plan are applied upon registration.You can register for classes online. Benefits will apply overnight and your Student Portal will be updated to reflect any remaining amounts due immediately.The Florida Prepaid college program does not cover all fees due to the College. If you do not pay the remaining amount due, you will be dropped from registered classes.If you have other forms of aid, loans or other financial aid, Florida Prepaid will be billed the maximum amount first. Financial aid will disburse directly to you once tuition amount is satisfied and term refunds are processed.Occasionally, Florida Prepaid refuses to pay the invoiced amount. If this happens, you will be billed for the amount Florida Prepaid did not pay.If Florida Prepaid overpays, a refund will be generated to the student.If you do not want to use your benefits at FSW, you must submit the Florida Prepaid Opt Out Form to Cashiers@fsw.edu each term prior to first day of classes.
Location
https://www.fsw.edu/housing/location
The Beauty of On-Campus Living!Located on College Parkway and Summerlin Boulevard, Florida SouthWestern State College is a convenient location to live and study. Restaurants, shopping, dining and banking are all available within walking distance, and even more options are convenient by car or public transportation. Multiple LeeTran stops are available on campus.What's Nearby...A short walk from campus, students find Publix Supermarket, Il Primo Pizza, University Grill, a college bookstore, multiple banks with ATMs and more. A little further down the road, students enjoy easy access to Regal Cinema, Bell Tower Shops, Target, WalMart, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Bealls and Bealls Outlet, Office Depot and more shopping and dining. Beaches and other area attractions are nearby.For Directions, click here.About Lee CampusLocated in beautiful Southwest Florida, Florida SouthWestern State College students love where they live and learn. More than 10,000 students choose the Lee Campus each year and now students have the opportunity to live on campus! FSW offers a wide variety of academic programs and support services to ensure our students receive the attention they need to succeed, including:Academic Programs Online classes through FSW Online School of Arts and Sciences School of Business and Technology School of Education School of Health Professions College Tutoring Services Student Engagement Clubs and Activities FSW WorkforceLearn More About Us – Check Out These Resources!On-Campus AmenitiesAdmissionsTake a Tour – In Person or OnlineHelpful LinksArea MapCampus MapAdmissionsGulf Coast Town CenterBell TowerCoconut PointLakes ParkArt WalkBlu SushiPublixLee County Visitor CenterFort Myers and Sanibel Beaches
Florida SouthWestern State College Consumer Information
https://www.fsw.edu/consumerinformation
Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008*At the direction of the U.S. Department of Education, Florida SouthWestern State College is required to disclose certain information to consumers – current and prospective students, employees, and the public. The College developed this website to provide a convenient and easy-to-use portal to access this information.General Institution InformationAcademic ProgramsCampus MapsDirectoryAcademic AssessmentAccreditationCareer Connection CenterComplaint ProceduresAcademic and Non-Academic Grievance ProceduresFlorida Department of Education Complaints (Florida College System) Consumer Information on College NavigatorTransfer of Credit PoliciesTextbook Information (current/future terms)Textbook Information (past terms)Student ActivitiesPrivacy of Student Records - FERPANet Price CalculatorCollege Financing PlanFacilities and Services Available to Students with DisabilitiesEqual Opportunity StatementCost of AttendanceCopyright Infringement Policies and SanctionsStudy Abroad ProgramFinancial AidCode of Ethics for College Staff Regarding Financial AidContact Information Regarding Institutional or Financial AidRefund PolicyStudent Financial AidWithdrawal & Return of Title IV Financial Aid Student OutcomesCompletion/Graduation & Transfer-Out RatesRetention RatesStudent Body Diversity Health and SafetyAnnual Security Report (Campus Safety Guide) Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Weapons & Sexual Assault PoliciesCrime StatisticsFire SafetyMissing Person Policy Vaccination Policy (Florida Statute Section 1006.69)Athletics2024-2025 EADA Report (PDF)2023-2024 EADA Report (PDF)2022-2023 EADA Report (PDF)2021-2022 EADA Report (PDF)2020-2021 EADA Report (PDF)2019-2020 EADA Report (PDF)2018-2019 EADA Report (PDF)2017-2018 EADA Report (PDF)2016-2017 EADA Report (PDF)2015-2016 EADA Report (PDF)Teacher Preparation2020-2021 Title II ITP Report (PDF)2019-2020 Title II ITP Report (PDF)2018-2019 Title II ITP Report (PDF)2017-2018 Title II ITP Report (PDF)2016-2017 Title II ITP Report (PDF)Economic Security Reports2025 FL Economic Security Report (PDF)2024 FL Economic Security Report (PDF)2022 FL Economic Security Report (PDF)2021 FL Economic Security Report (PDF)2020 FL Economic Security Report (PDF)2019 FL Economic Security Report (PDF) Voter RegistrationCharlotte County Supervisor of ElectionsCollier County Supervisor of ElectionsGlades County Supervisor of ElectionsHendry County Supervisor of ElectionsLee County Supervisor of ElectionsConstitution DayThe federal government requires each school that receives federal funding to hold an annual educational program and/or activities for Constitution Day on September 17th. Please note, if the 17th falls on a weekend, then the program will be held the following week.Visit the College Calendar of Events for more information.*The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315)(HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008, and reauthorizes the Higher Education of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Wellness Network
https://www.fsw.edu/employeeservices/wellness
At Florida SouthWestern State College we are committed to promoting and enhancing the physical, emotional and interpersonal wellness of our employees. The Wellness Network was created to offer a variety of resources, activities, and programs to assist employees in maximizing their potential by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Results from prior Florida SouthWestern State College Wellness Fairs suggest that we at Florida SouthWestern State College need to make nutritional food choices and have more active lifestyles to help reduce our stress and cholesterol levels. We all lead hectic lives and it is not always easy to make healthy choices. In an effort to address these issues, we are implementing programs to encourage our employees to eat healthier and get active.FSW Wellness FairWellness Resources
Cashier
https://www.fsw.edu/cashier
The Cashier's office is where you come to pay for your college expenses.This is the money due that is not covered by any scholarships, grants or financial aid.How To View FSW Student Financial Account Details and Pay OnlineHow do I find my bill?All billing is available online through your FSW Student Portal. Electronic billing is more efficient and more accurate than paper statements since your FSW account statement will update if you change your class schedule and after you receive a financial aid disbursement.FSW does not mail bills.How can I pay my bill?You can pay using cash, a check, or a credit card.Pay online with a major credit card or personal check.Major Credit Cards - Visa, MC, Discover & AmexElectronic Check/ACH Payment (using bank routing/account number from your checkbook)Easy Payment Plan - TIP - More infoAt FSW, we make tuition payment easy and convenient by offering online payment through your FSW Portal with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express credit or debit card. To access the online payment, select the FSW College Portal under Cash, Check or Credit. Please be aware that a 2.75% non-refundable convenience fee will apply to domestic credit/debit card transactions. For international credit/debit transactions, there will be a 4.25% convenience fee assessed. This is a processing fee that does not go to FSW State College, but to the Transact payment system, and therefore will not appear on your student account. If you do not wish to pay online, you can make cash, check, or money order payments with the cashier on the Lee campus, or utilize a payment kiosk available on each campus. In addition, you may also make e-check payments online without a fee. The Cashier’s Office is located at 8099 College Parkway, Ft Myers, FL 33919 on the first floor of Building S. Where do I go to pay?Log into your secure FSW College Portalhttps://www.fsw.edu > Log into MyFSWUnder "Student Financials", click Pay Now or View AccountFollow the steps to complete your paymentTuition payment must be received by the tuition payment deadline or you may be dropped from class! All Tuition Waivers, Vouchers, Third-Party Payment Agreements, and Deferments, including students receiving financial aid, must be received by the due date.Pay at your preferred campus location with cash, check, or credit card.You can also mail checks, cashier checks, or money orders to:Florida SouthWestern State College Attn: Bursar’s Office 8099 College Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919When is my payment due?Your classes will be dropped if payment is not received by the following dates:• Summer 2025 Standard Term: 5/6/25 • Summer 2025 Compact A Term: 5/6/25 • Summer 2025 Compact B Term: 6/17/25• Fall 2025 Standard Term: 8/7/25 • Fall 2025 Compact A Term: 8/7/25 • Fall 2025 Express Term: 8/7/25 • Fall 2025 Compact B Term: 10/16/25• Spring 2026 Standard Term: 1/7/26 • Spring 2026 Compact A Term: 1/7/26 • Spring 2026 Express Term: 1/21/26 • Spring 2026 Compact B Term: 3/2/26• Summer 2026 Standard Term: 5/4/26 • Summer 2026 Compact A Term: 5/4/26 • Summer 2026 Compact B Term: 6/24/26Need Help? Live Chat Click the aqua circle at the bottom right to launch chat. Click to use the QLESS app to get in line for in-person service.
Headed to The U
https://www.fsw.edu/news/detail/2053
Headed to The U | Baseball’s Rios Signs With The Hurricanes Nov 11, 2015 Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) sophomore Willie Rios, who was named the New England Collegiate Baseball League’s (NECBL) Top Pro Prospect for the 2015 season in August, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Miami. Rios will compete for the Bucs in 2016 and will be eligible to compete for the Hurricanes for the 2016-17 academic year. The Hurricanes finished the 2015 season with a 50-17 overall record, secured their second straight ACC Coastal Division title and 24th College World Series trip in program history. Miami returns a number of key contributors from its 2015 College World Series bullpen that had an ERA of 3.15 and held opposing hitters to a .238 batting average. “Willie is extremely driven and will do a great job for Miami,” said FSW head baseball coach Jamie Corr. “We are fortunate that our location provides easy access for all of the major universities to recruit our athletes.” A sophomore that transferred to FSW from the University of Maryland, Rios – who also was a 26th-round draft selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 – enjoyed an excellent summer on the mound for the Mystic Schooners, finishing the regular season undefeated with a sub-2.00 ERA. He headlined the league’s best pitching staff (2.61 team ERA) and helped the Schooners franchise reach the NECBL Championship Series for the first time in over 20 years. Rios posted a 4-0 record and a 1.80 ERA, which ranked fifth in the league. In seven starts and 35 innings, the lefty fanned 41 and held the opposition to just a .202 batting average against him all year. The Waterford, Conn. native also played five games at first base, finishing with two hits in 14 at-bats to help the cause. Rios made nine appearances as a true freshman at Maryland last season. In 19-2/3 innings for the Terrapins, he struck out 21 and walked only eight for a Maryland squad that won 42 games in its second season in the Big Ten Conference. Before his season at Maryland, Rios was a four-year letterwinner for St. Bernard School and helped lead the club to three Eastern Connecticut Conference championships. A Perfect Game USA second team All-American and a 2013 Under Armour All-American, Rios was rated as the second-best player in Connecticut in the class of 2014 and the 104th-best player in the country. For more information on Buccaneer Athletics follow @FSWBucs on Twitter or log on to FSWBucs.com. Last Updated: November 16, 2015 Back to News Archives
FSW to Open Fifth Location, Corporate Training Center in Bonita Springs
https://www.fsw.edu/news/detail/2895
FSW to Open Fifth Location, Corporate Training Center in Bonita Springs Sep 10, 2018 SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – This fall, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) will open the doors to its fifth location now in Bonita Springs. FSW’s Corporate Training Center, located in the Riverview Corporate Center on US 41 and just north of Bonita Beach Road, will provide a centralized location for FSW’s corporate training initiative, the Florida Flex grant, and will be the focal point for FSW’s customized business training programs. Established through a partnership with and administered by FSW, the Florida Flex grant serves private businesses and employee expansion by incentivizing the creation of new, high wage jobs. With a majority of businesses the grant serves being located within 20-30 miles of Bonita Springs, the new location will provide easy access to meeting space in a corporate setting. Presently, FSW partnerships span the region with nearby Hertz and HERC, Arthrex to the south, and Cheney Brothers in the north. FSW is the largest facilitator of the Florida Flex Program and has provided training funds to local businesses in excess of $13 million for over 7,000 new employees. “There has been a growing need in the business community to more easily engage with the college,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten, president, FSW. “This new initiative brings us closer to businesses and enhances our ability to respond to our business community’s needs.” “We are thrilled to welcome FSW to the Bonita Springs community,” said Tiffany Esposito, president, Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. “While we have benefited from a regional partnership with FSW for many years, this new, central location will give the business community access to unique education and training opportunities. The corporate training center adds to the economic development incentives we offer in the region and will allow us to continue to grow and strengthen the business community throughout Southwest Florida.” The office suite will also serve as a hub for the FSW Economic Development and External Affairs office which includes FSW’s Communications and Public Information, Government Affairs, and Corporate Training departments. Along with six offices, the suite will also have a conference room space for meetings with businesses, faculty and staff. Renovations to the space are underway and expected to be completed in mid-November. For more information on the FSW Corporate Training Center, located at 27400 Riverview Center Blvd., Bldg #8, Suite 200, Bonita Springs, contact Dr. Robert R. Jones, vice president for Economic Development and External Affairs, at Robert.Jones@fsw.edu or 239-732-3720. #### Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: September 10, 2018 Back to News Archives
A Grand Slam: Brown & Brown Support FSW Baseball with $50,000 Gift
https://www.fsw.edu/news/detail/1933
A Grand Slam: Brown & Brown Support FSW Baseball with $50,000 Gift Aug 31, 2015 When Florida SouthWestern State College’s baseball team takes the diamond at City of Palms Park to compete in Spring 2016, they will have more than fan support. The Fort Myers and Naples offices of Brown & Brown Insurance are supporting FSW baseball with $50,000. “Florida SouthWestern has something really special with City of Palms Park for college athletics,” said Jason Cloar, Executive Vice President, Brown & Brown Fort Myers. “It was easy to get on board and support a reputable institution and a worthy cause.” Cloar played baseball for Rollins College, then for the Montreal Expos minor league system. “I remember how the D1 athletes would get all the attention; I played for a D2 team,” he added. “I also remember how much it meant when money raised went to help our team with scholarships and equipment.” Tom Ellis, Senior Vice President, Brown & Brown Naples has watched the region, and the college, grow over the years. “As a longtime resident, I’ve seen the college continue to grow and develop. One of our key executives, Rich Freebourn, was a student at then Edison and played baseball there,” he said. Freebourn was named the college’s Most Outstanding Male Scholar Athlete in 1989 and again in 1990. “We’re excited to be part of baseball at FSW,” Ellis added. “We appreciate how important the college is to this community.” “We are very excited to have such a fine company as Brown and Brown form a long term partnership with FSW athletics,” said FSW Director of Athletics Carl McAloose. “Jason and Tom understand the value of athletics on a college campus and how it can add to the overall college experience of a student at FSW. We believe this will turn into an outstanding relationship.” Brown & Brown, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers a broad range of insurance products and related services. Additionally, certain Brown & Brown subsidiaries offer a variety of risk management, third-party administration, and other services. Serving business, public entity, individual, trade and professional association clients nationwide, the Company is ranked by Business Insurance magazine as the United States' sixth largest independent insurance intermediary. The Company's Web address is www.bbinsurance.com. Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information. Last Updated: August 31, 2015 Back to News Archives
Retirement Accounts
https://www.fsw.edu/payroll/retirement
There are many options for saving for your retirement and we highly encourage all employees to become familiar with the programs offered at Florida SouthWestern State College. TSA Consulting Group, Inc.TSA - More InformationTSA is our third party administrator for our 403b and 457 voluntary retirement plans. 403(b) and 457 plans serve to supplement employer sponsored pension plans. Contributions to these plans are taken via a pre-tax payroll deduction.We have included the website specifically designed for Florida SouthWestern State College employees. Here you can find a wealth of information relating to the available retirement plans, plan documentation, approved providers list, an employee educational video, and the forms necessary to complete actions such as distributions or hardship withdrawals.403(b) 457 Annual Notice ART System What Is Art? | Art HelpART is an online transaction and recordkeeping system developed by TSA Consulting for participants to use when requesting loans, rollovers, distributions, and contract exchanges from 403(b) accounts. This system is known as the ART system (Aggregated Records & Transactions) and will expedite the time required to process transaction requests. BENCOR Alternate Social Security Bencor PlansThe FICA Alternative Plan is a defined contribution plan authorized under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. BENCOR, Inc. is the plan administrator for Florida SouthWestern State College. In lieu of paying 6.2% of your wages for Social Security taxes, you will now contribute 7.5% of your pre-tax wages into an investment account in your name. Medicare contributions at 1.45% will continue to be withheld from your paychecks. Participation in this plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. You will be automatically enrolled or un-enrolled by the College as your salary plan status changes during your employment with Florida SouthWestern State College.Easy Access Information Alternative Social Security Easy Access Flyer 401(a) Special Pay Out Easy Access FlyerFlorida Retirement System (FRS) MyFRS HomeThe FRS is an employee and employer contributory retirement plan. The rules surrounding FRS including the contribution rates are determined by the Florida Legislature and are reviewed yearly. One of the requirements of the State is that all full time and part time regular employees must participate in the FRS. Additional information regarding FRS can be viewed on the Human Resources website or on the FRS website, above.New Employee FRS Booklet
Handshake
https://www.fsw.edu/careers/handshake
Your Career Journey Starts with a HandshakeHandshake serves as your personal career hub, connecting you directly with employers actively seeking to hire talented FSW students and recent graduates. FSW students have a handshake account upon acceptance to the college. Activate your FREE Handshake account today to search for job and internship opportunities, schedule an appointment with our career team, register for FSW career events and workshops, and build connections with local and national employers. Did you know that once you fill out your profile, Handshake will curate a feed of jobs, internships, and events that match your interests and skills? Let Handshake do the job searching for you! Ready to Get Started? Login Handshake Blog Handshake How-To Videos Email Careers@fsw.edu Why Should You Use Handshake?Get Connected — Connect with employers, alumni, and the FSW’s C3 Career Center through both virtual and in-person events you can register for on the platform. Get Discovered — Get messaged by employers that want to hire you by completing your profile.Get Expert Advice — Learn from employers, alumni, and FSW’s C3 Career Center staff through blogs, workshops, informational interviews, panels, networking events, and more.Get Hired — Discover and land jobs and internship opportunities.Get Started — Check out these helpful tutorials or visit FSW’s C3 -Career Connection Center to make the most of your time in Handshake.Getting Started with HandshakeHandshake How-To: Searching for JobsHandshake How-To: First five days on Handshake3 Must-haves on Your Handshake ProfileLet Handshake do the searching for you by curating a feed of jobs, internships, and events that match your interests and skills. Employers are actively searching for students based on their career interests, including:Job Type — Do you want an internship, part-time job, or full-time job?Location — Which cities do you want to work in?Job Roles — Select the types of jobs you want, like Business Management Analyst, Digital Marketing Specialist.EmployersHandshake is a comprehensive career platform that streamlines the recruitment process by providing direct access to our student body. Through this platform, you can post job and internship opportunities while targeting candidates with the specific skills and qualifications you need. Signing up is easy and takes less than 5 minutes.Benefits for Your Organization:Quality CandidatesStreamlined ProcessTargeted RecruitmentGetting Started is Easy:Create your employer accountComplete your company profile to showcase your organizationPost your first job or internship opportunityStart connecting with FSW students Our Career Connection Center team is here to support you throughout this transition. We can assist with setting up your account, optimizing your job postings, and connecting you with students who match your hiring needs.FSW students represent a diverse pool of motivated individuals across various programs, including accounting, business, computer science, digital arts, education, health professions, public service, and more. They bring fresh perspectives and the practical skills that employers’ value.We would love to schedule a brief Zoom call to walk you through the platform and discuss how we can best support your recruitment goals. Email us at Careers@fsw.edu to set up a convenient time or visit Handshake's Employer Help Center for assistance.