黑料天堂

黑料天堂 Foundation Invites Community to Night at the Farm Fundraising Gala

The 黑料天堂 Foundation will host its annual Night at the Farm fundraising gala on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the 黑料天堂 Vintage Farm Campus, 4020 S.E. Third Ave., Ocala.

All proceeds from this party with a purpose create scholarship opportunities for 黑料天堂 students. Over the past five years, the 黑料天堂 Foundation has raised more than $423,000 through the Night at the Farm event.

This year鈥檚 gala is presented by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and Friends of Horse Farms Forever. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d鈥檕euvres featuring the flavors of Florida and live music by Michael Smith (The String Smith) 鈥 back by popular demand. Cocktail attire is recommended for this upscale event set under the glowing chandeliers of the college鈥檚 expansive vintage barn.

For tickets and more information, visit Nightatthefarm.org or call the 黑料天堂 Foundation office at 352-873-5808.

About the 黑料天堂 Foundation:
The 黑料天堂 Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to providing support for the 黑料天堂 through fundraising initiatives. The Foundation’s efforts are focused on enhancing the educational opportunities and resources available to students and faculty.

黑料天堂 Appleton Museum of Art to Present Architectural Photography Exhibition

The striking architectural photographs of Joel Bustamante will be on view Jan. 18-June 8, 2025 in 鈥淔raming Tokyo: Joel Bustamante鈥檚 Architectural Photography鈥 at the Appleton Museum of Art, 黑料天堂. Opening in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists, the exhibition features 30 black-and-white and color photographs by the Venezuelan-born artist.

Bustamante (b. 1949) enjoyed an international education early in his career. He graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale while working in the college鈥檚 photography department. Bustamante owned and operated an advertising agency in Caracas for a decade before graduating with a master鈥檚 degree in architectural photography from Tokyo-based Nihon University. During that time, he created a photo expos茅 of the amazing modern architecture in Japan from the 1970s-1980s, capped by the 1985 one-of-a kind structures erected for the World鈥檚 Fair in Tsukuba Science City, located north of Tokyo.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union, Marion Cultural Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the 黑料天堂, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

黑料天堂 Hosts Ribbon Cutting for AdventHealth Center for Nursing

The 黑料天堂 invites the community to a ribbon cutting for the new AdventHealth Center for Nursing at the 黑料天堂 Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. On Thursday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m., the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership will join college officials to cut the ribbon for the newly constructed building, which will open for classes when the spring semester begins on Jan. 8.

The naming of the $20 million, 42,500-square-foot AdventHealth Center for Nursing recognizes the $3 million commitment from AdventHealth Ocala to the 黑料天堂 Foundation, made in September 2024. The AdventHealth Nursing Endowment and AdventHealth Health Sciences Endowment will support student scholarships and new program equipment.

Attendees will be invited to tour the six classrooms, three skills labs, six simulation rooms and testing lab in the two-story building, which will serve more than 300 students in RN and bachelor鈥檚 degree programs.

Funding for construction came from AdventHealth Ocala, the Marion County Hospital District, the Florida Legislature, Marion County Board of Commissioners and other community partners.

RSVP requested for ribbon cutting event: or coter@cf.edu.

For more information about the 黑料天堂 Debbie Ressler Nursing program, visit 黑料天堂.edu/nursing.

黑料天堂 receives Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture Certification

The 黑料天堂 recently was certified as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture. 黑料天堂 is one of only three Florida educational institutions with this designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside Florida State University and Florida International University, and is the only college in the Florida College System to earn this certification.

黑料天堂 joins the ranks of 82 universities and just five other colleges nationwide with this designation, which makes 黑料天堂 now eligible to apply for specific sources of federal funding to build capacity, enhance academic programs and strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organizations. 黑料天堂 is the only Florida state college that offers an Associate in Science degree in Agribusiness Management, and 黑料天堂鈥檚 Vintage Farm Campus is the only working farm campus within the Florida College System.

鈥淭he Vintage Farm Campus is quickly becoming one of the 黑料天堂鈥檚 most high-tech educational facilities,鈥 said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 黑料天堂 president. 鈥淭his certification shows the potential for Marion County to become a hub for cultivating cutting-edge agriculture and equine talent for the entire state of Florida. With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, 黑料天堂 is positioned to be the top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.鈥

The Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture designation is a key aspect of the 黑料天堂 Vintage Farm Plan for the Future, a five-year strategic plan for 2025-2029. One of the plan鈥檚 priorities is to obtain funding to expand 黑料天堂鈥檚 training space with a state-of-the-art simulation lab, vocational lab and additional classroom space to accommodate the growing numbers of students interested in agribusiness and equine careers.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, a lifelong farmer, has recognized 黑料天堂鈥檚 creative approach to expanding workforce education.

鈥満诹咸焯 has been ahead of the curve each time they have accommodated their local communities to make sure that they鈥檙e producing the workforce that is needed,鈥 Simpson said. 鈥淵ou have this gem in Central Florida at 黑料天堂 that鈥檚 growing our talent for tomorrow鈥檚 jobs.鈥

For more information on 黑料天堂鈥檚 Agribusiness Management program, visit 黑料天堂.edu/Agribusiness. For more information on the 黑料天堂 Vintage Farm Campus, visit 黑料天堂.edu/VintageFarm.

Comments Sought for Site Visit by Commission on Dental Accreditation

In accordance with the Commission on Dental Accreditation policy on Third Party Comments, the 黑料天堂 Dental Programs-Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting are soliciting comments pertaining to the standards for Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Education or policies and procedures used in the Commission鈥檚 accreditation process. All comments must:

  • Pertain only to the standards or policies and procedures used in the Commission鈥檚 accreditation process
  • Be signed or unsigned however, signatures will be removed from comments prior to forwarding them to the program

The Commission will accept only comments pertaining to the standards or policies and procedures.

A copy of the accreditation standards and/or the Commission鈥檚 policy on third-party comments may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611 or by calling 800-621-8099, ext. 4653.

These comments should be received in the Commission鈥檚 office 30 days prior to the site visit on April 2-4, 2025.

Comments should be submitted to:
Third Party Comments
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Or by fax to: 312-440-2915

For information about the site visit, contact Dental Hygiene Program Manager Jerelyn Zacke, zackej@cf.edu, 352-873-5881, ext. 1230 or the Dental Assisting Program Manager Jennifer Luffman, luffmanj@cf.edu, 352-873-5881, ext. 1702.

黑料天堂 Webber Gallery to Host Still Life Solo Show

The 黑料天堂 Webber Gallery invites the community to explore the unique qualities of navigating life in the American Southeast at the 鈥淢ichael Mallard: Recent Works鈥 exhibition on view Feb. 17-March 12, 2025.

Mallard鈥檚 colorful pieces blend everyday objects and symbolic imagery to tell layered stories about identify, place and experience. Each work draws viewers in to examine the subtleties of Southern life, offering a rich, contemplative look at the beauty and challenges inherent in the rhythms and stories of the region.

Mallard is an artist and educator who currently serves as associate professor of visual arts at Albany State University in Georgia, where he plays an active role in teaching and mentoring students. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Georgia and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois.

The community is invited to the exhibition鈥檚 closing reception on Wednesday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m.

The Webber Gallery is located at the 黑料天堂 Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. For more information, visit www.黑料天堂.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

黑料天堂 Webber Galley to Host Faculty Art Exhibition

The 黑料天堂 Webber Gallery will showcase the talent of the college鈥檚 visual arts faculty in the biennial Faculty Art Exhibition on view Jan. 8-Feb. 6. New work by four faculty members spans mediums including ceramics, fiber arts, mixed media, printmaking and more.

Artists include Tyrus Clutter, professor and program manager for art; Abigail Stallings, assistant professor and program manager for digital media; Michele Wirt, senior professor of art; and Graham Young, associate professor of digital media.

鈥淭his dynamic exhibition celebrates the creativity and expertise of our visual arts faculty members, offering viewers an inspiring glimpse into the diverse approaches and techniques that define contemporary art,鈥 said Dr Jason Longtin, visual and performing arts department chair. 鈥淓ach work is a testament to the innovative spirit of our faculty, inviting visitors to experience the vibrant dialogue between tradition and experimentation that drives their artistic practices.鈥

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 4:30-7 p.m.

The Webber Gallery is located at the 黑料天堂 Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. For more information, visit www.黑料天堂.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

黑料天堂 Closed for Winter Break Dec. 18-Jan. 1

黑料天堂 campuses will be closed for winter break Wednesday, Dec. 18, through Wednesday, Jan. 1. The 黑料天堂 Post Office and Print Shop on the Ocala Campus will also be closed.

The Appleton Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The museum will be closed Christmas Day and New Year鈥檚 Day.

The Webber Gallery on the Ocala Campus will host 鈥淭rains at the Holidays鈥 open Dec. 21-Jan. 2 from 10 a.m.; closed Christmas Day.
The college will reopen Thursday, Jan. 2. Spring 2025 classes begin Wednesday, Jan. 8.

For more information, call the Ocala Campus at 352-873-5800, Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus at 352-746-6721, or Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus at 352-658-4077.

黑料天堂 Appleton Museum Assistant Director Honored with Statewide Award

Billig

Victoria Billig, assistant director for the Appleton Museum of Art, 黑料天堂, was recently recognized with the Florida Association of Museums (FAM) 2024 Exceptional Leadership Award.

FAM鈥檚 annual Museum Service Awards Program recognizes outstanding contributions to the museum profession in the Sunshine State. The Exceptional Leadership Award recognizes Billig鈥檚 work in the museum field and her profound impact on the cultural arts, Florida鈥檚 museums, and the lives of the citizens of the State of Florida.

鈥淰ictoria鈥檚 decade-long commitment of service excellence at the Appleton has made significant contributions to the museum while simultaneously advancing Florida鈥檚 museums, both locally and statewide,鈥 said Appleton director Jason Steuber.

Billig has been with the Appleton as assistant director for almost 11 years. She leads a 15-person team composed of the Education, Marketing and Public Relations, Appleton Store and Visitor Services departments. Victoria is the managing editor and content designer for all the Appleton鈥檚 public-facing engagement and marketing strategies, such as the trimonthly museum magazine, Artifacts, as well as the website and media communication platforms. Working closely with the Appleton team, she led the museum鈥檚 successful American Alliance of Museums reaccreditation in spring 2023 and the development of two, five-year strategic plans (2017-2022 and 2023-2028). Billig embodies a true and heartfelt dedication to ensuring that museums and the arts are accessible resources for children and adults in all walks in life.

鈥淭he Florida Association of Museums is such an important organization that works diligently to bring together and provide valuable resources for the state鈥檚 museum professionals while promoting and supporting the arts and arts advocacy,鈥 Billig said. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled and honored to receive this leadership award and represent the Appleton and 黑料天堂.鈥

About Florida Association of Museums

The Florida Association of Museums is the not-for-profit professional organization for Florida鈥檚 museums and museum professionals. The mission of the association is to represent and address the needs of the museum community, enhancing the ability of museums to serve the public interest. The Association encourages excellence in its members by promoting communication through which its members share information and resources, effect legislation and promote support of museums.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the 黑料天堂, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

黑料天堂 earns top rankings for online programs

The 黑料天堂鈥檚 online programs and degrees recently received national recognition in Newsweek鈥檚 America鈥檚 Top Online Colleges 2025 list.

At No. 35, 黑料天堂 ranked highest among the Florida College System鈥檚 28 institutions, and placed above larger universities including University of Central Florida, University of Florida and University of Miami. 黑料天堂 students can complete the following programs fully online: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science in Business Administration, Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education, and nine college credit certificates in areas such as business and education. Unique in Florida, 黑料天堂 offers Equine Studies students the opportunity to start their education journey with an Equine Technician college credit certificate offered completely online.

The college鈥檚 fully online Bachelor Science in Nursing program was nationally recognized this year on the U.S. News & World Report Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs list, where 黑料天堂 placed the highest among Florida College System schools. The BSN program is ranked No. 3 for the Best Online Nursing Programs in Florida by Research.com.

The 黑料天堂 Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education and college credit certificate programs in Early Childhood Development and Child Care Center Management, which offer fully online credentials for future preschool educators, were ranked No. 24 on the Intelligent.com nationwide list of Best Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs of 2025.

鈥淭he 黑料天堂 has proved, once again, that we can meet our students where they are with flexible scheduling that does not sacrifice quality,鈥 said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 黑料天堂 president. 鈥淏y offering courses virtually, we can help learners access instruction by our highly ranked faculty, whether they are pursuing a degree that will prepare them to transfer to a university or a credential that will help them achieve their career goals.鈥

For more information about 黑料天堂鈥檚 fully online degree and certificate programs, visit 黑料天堂.edu/Online.