Florida State University Panama City announced a new scholarship program today that will provide tuition free education for qualified Northwest Florida students with combined family and student income of $50,000 or less or are eligible for Pell Grants.

Dean Randy Hanna will be honoring Bay county community leaders Jimmy Patronis and Jerry Smithwick and presenting scholarships to the seven siblings adopted by the Olds family of Marianna during a faculty/staff symposium to be held 12:30 p.m. Thursday, August 17 in the Holley Academic Center lectureship. Also in attendance will be FSU Provost, Sally McRorie.

For additional information please call Becky Kelly at 850/814-5955.

Because of a recent gift totaling almost $1 million, FSU Panama City will be able to award at least 20 new $2,000 scholarships in fall 2018. The $932,000 estate of Earldine Ankiewicz will fund the Alex Alfred Ankiewicz and Lucy Elizabeth Ankiewicz Scholarship Endowment, benefitting enrolled in majors within the College of Business or College of Education.

Innovations Federal Credit Union is sparking change for FSU Panama City students. The credit union recently committed $32,500 for student scholarships. “Our corporate philosophy emphasizes giving back to the community because this community supports Innovations,” President and CEO David Southall said.

The two-year journey to a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program was completed this summer. After passing a thorough and costly accreditation and approval process, which was funded by the Endowment for the College of Applied Studies, the campus will welcome the first cohort of students Aug. 24.