The 1967 founding of Valencia College was ranked No. 89 in the 100 Historic Icons of Orlando contest, held by the Orlando Remembered Committee of the Historical Society of Central Florida. An “icon,” as defined by the contest’s organizers, is a person, place, event or object associated with the Orlando metropolitan area from 1960 to 1985. The winners—chosen by community vote—are on display at the Orange County Regional History Center through the end of the year. Other icons include Ronnie’s Restaurant, the Merita Bread Factory, and Lake Eola fountain and park, which earned the top spot on the list. Artifacts and photos from the college’s early days can be seen at the exhibit, including a photo of former student and actress Delta Burke in her heyday as Miss Florida, at the groundbreaking ceremony for Valencia’s East Campus. Leaders from law enforcement, fire services and corrections, as well as elected officials, came together to celebrate the opening of the School of Public Safety in April. Guests saw in action the interactive simulator used to train law enforcement officers in active shooter scenarios, implemented in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The new school will offer students interdisciplinary training, expanded courses and programs, more opportunities for career advancement, and dedicated career program advising and student services staff. For the third straight year, Valencia’s computer programming students won the team programming competition at the Fifth Annual Intercollegiate Programming Competition. The event included students from Valencia, Eastern Florida State College, St. Johns River State College, and Seminole State College, competing for both team and individual prizes. Valencia won the team trophy, and in the individual competition, Valencia students won the top two awards, with student Ricky Lagow placing first, Frank Nkosi Dean coming in second, and Seminole State student Taylor Gratzer placing third.Valencia Makes History Center’s List of ‘100 Historic Icons of Orlando’
School of Public Safety Opens With a Bang
U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster
Computer Programming Students Score Big Win—Again
Photograph courtesy of Colin Archibald
