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Eastern Florida State College Celebrates 60th Anniversary as a Leader in Florida Higher Education

By  //  January 15, 2020

The college was founded in 1960 as Brevard Junior College

Eastern Florida State College is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year as a leader in Florida higher education, serving students and the Space Coast community. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA –  Eastern Florida State College is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year as a leader in Florida higher education, serving students and the Space Coast community.

The college will mark the occasion with campus and community events, with the anniversary getting underway this week with students starting the Spring Term.

“The college has been known by several names since 1960 but our mission has remained the same in providing students an excellent education that can lead to great careers,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

“That commitment is shown every day by our faculty and staff who do everything possible to help students succeed and build productive lives.

“We’re honored to serve them and all the residents of the Space Coast. Our celebration is the community’s celebration as well.”

“The college has been known by several names since 1960 but our mission has remained the same in providing students an excellent education that can lead to great careers,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey. (EFSC image)

The college was founded in 1960 as Brevard Junior College with the first students and faculty members meeting in the old Cocoa High School building, since demolished.

A key factor in its inception was the dawn of the Space Age and helping train workers for NASA and the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

Also established in 1960 was Carver Junior College, another two-year institution that provided educational opportunities to African-American residents of Brevard County.

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In 1963, the two schools integrated and moved to 87 acres adjacent to Clear Lake in Cocoa, the present site of the Cocoa Campus.

At the time, the college consisted of one small building located on a former landfill accessed on a dirt road.

The Melbourne Campus opened in 1972, the Titusville Campus in 1973 and the Palm Bay Campus in 1990.

The college was founded in 1960 as Brevard Junior College with the first students and faculty members meeting in the old Cocoa High School building, since demolished. (EFSC image)
A key factor in its inception was the dawn of the Space Age and helping train workers for NASA and the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. (EFSC image)