Timeline and Highlights of Mike Michalson’s Presidency at New College

Post Date and Author:

May 16, 2011 — New College of Florida President Gordon E. “Mike” Michalson today announced that he plans to retire as president to return to the classroom, effective July 1, 2012.  Below is a timeline and highlights of Michalson’s tenure as president of Florida’s Honors College for the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

  • Following a national search, Professor Mike Michalson of Oberlin College is named Dean and Warden of New College of USF, placing him as New College’s Chief Administrative Officer.  He serves in this role from 1992-1997. (1992)
  • In addition to being named Dean and Warden, Michalson is also named New College Professor of Humanities, a position he continues to hold today. (1992)
  • New College gains independence from University of South Florida and Michalson is named president of New College of Florida. (2001)
  • President Michalson assigns Special Assistant Suzanne Janney and German Professor Glenn Cuomo to spearhead efforts to enhance New College’s Fulbright Scholarship Program.  Over the next decade New College students receive more than 50 awards, making New College one of the nation’s leading producers of Fulbright Scholars. (2001)
  • Michalson signs campus footprint agreement with University of South Florida, restoring New College’s control over its historic campus and paving the way for the relocation of USF Sarasota-Manatee to the Powell Crosley Estate. (2003)
  • The Wall Street Journal names New College #2 in the nation among public colleges and universities for sending graduates to leading law, medical and business schools. (2003)
  • New College gains independent accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. (2004)
  • New College opens the Ed & Elaine Keating Center to house the New College Foundation, Alumnae/i Association and Library Association. (2004)
  • New College begins a string of seven consecutive years, including 2010-2011, being named a Top 5 Best Value in Public Higher Education by The Princeton Review. (2004)
  • New College embarks on construction of five new residence halls on campus.  The $26 million project, funded by bonds, is the largest in New College history. (2005)
  • U.S. News & World Report ranks New College #3 in the nation among Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Every year since, New College has earned a Top 5 ranking from U.S. News. (2005)
  • USF Sarasota Manatee relocates to the Powell Crosley Estate and New College regains full control of its historic campus. (2006)
  • Michalson leads efforts to develop New College’s first comprehensive Campus Master Plan since 1963.  The plan creates a strategic vision for campus development over the next 50 years. (2006)
  • New College opens five new residence halls on campus, three of which are named for prominent benefactors of the college: Rhoda Pritzker, Ulla Searing, and Bob and Lee Peterson. (2007)
  • Michalson is named president of the Southern University Conference, comprised of university presidents from throughout the region. (2007)
  • Michalson announces the creation of new programs in Chinese and Bioinformatics and plans to develop a Center for International and Area Studies, enhancing the College’s academic program and positioning New College for success in the 21st century. (2008)
  • Michalson is named president of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities. (2008)
    New College receives $11.2 million in state funding to construct a new academic center on campus. (2009)
  • Michalson is named to the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and to the Board of Directors of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. (2009)
  • New College opens its new Public Archaeology Laboratory to explore local, state and regional history. (2010)
  • New College celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a Founders’ Day Celebration, a gala tribute dinner at the Ritz-Carlton and a special bayfront performance by the Sarasota Orchestra.  More than 1,500 alumnae/i return for the events, which also draw more than 2,000 attendees from the local community. (2011)
  • New College completes its new 33,000 square foot academic center and announces a major gift from Beverly and Bob Koski to create the Koski Plaza and bell tower on campus. (2011)