Sarah D. McKay, chair of the Florida Southern College Board of Trustees, announced recently that Dr. Anne B. Kerr has been selected as the 17th president of Florida Southern College.

Dr. Kerr will succeed Dr. Thomas L. Reuschling, who will retire at the end of this academic year, after serving the college for ten years. A nationwide search for a successor began following Dr. Reuschling’s retirement announcement last February. Dr. Kerr currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the University of Richmond. Her term of office at Florida Southern College will begin June 1, 2004.

“It is a great honor to be chosen as president of one of the nation’s flagship United Methodist colleges,” stated Dr. Kerr. “Florida Southern College is blessed with many superior attributes: an exemplary faculty; outstanding students; enlightened leadership from dedicated trustees; a committed staff; and a campus with world-renowned architecture in a vibrant community. The institution is poised for greatness, and I look forward to leading its continuing evolution.”

Dr. Kerr comes to FSC from the University of Richmond where she serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Previously, she had a long and distinguished career at Rollins College where she served most recently as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. She served as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Central Florida and was an educational analyst for the Office of the Board of Regents, State of Florida.

Dr. Kerr earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from The Florida State University and her B.A. degree from Mercer University, in Macon, GA.

“We were fortunate to have an excellent pool of candidates looking to lead Florida Southern. We are excited to know that FSC will be in great hands with Dr. Kerr,” said McKay.

Dr. Kerr is married to Roy Kerr, who is on the faculty at the University of Richmond. They have one son, Eddie (10). Her hobbies include swimming, Little League spectator, ballet, and reading.

Florida Southern is a private, baccalaureate, co-educational college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. FSC serves a culturally diverse student body, providing a curriculum that blends academic disciplines and professional programs focusing on lifelong learning. With special attention to student/faculty relationships, Florida Southern maintains small classes and provides personal counseling in a caring, familial environment. Florida Southern has embodied excellence for well over 100 years. Its strength began and continues as a commitment to academic excellence with its focus on a strong values-based education.

Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jacob Stuart adds his congratulations on behalf of the Chamber and the Orlando business community.

"It's great to have Dr. Kerr back in the Central Florida region. As a graduate of Leadership Orlando and a former Chamber Board Member, Dr. Kerr has great ties throughout the region and will, I'm sure bring a unifying voice for education to Central Florida."