SPC Celebrates 98 Years of Academic Excellence at SPC Day on the Tarpon Springs Campus

8/27/2025

St. Petersburg College (SPC), Florida’s pioneering two-year institution and the first state college to offer bachelor’s degrees, is thrilled to mark its 98th anniversary with the fourth annual SPC Day. The celebration will take place on Sept. 12 at the Tarpon Springs Campus.

Nearly a century ago, in September 1927, residents in St. Petersburg founded St. Petersburg Junior College to deliver affordable, local access to higher education. Today, SPC stands as a beacon of academic opportunity and community transformation across Pinellas County.

SPC Day will be presented by Suncoast Credit Union, whose sponsorship underscores the school’s enduring mission to honor its rich heritage while forging brighter futures for students and surrounding communities.

“Celebrating 98 years is more than marking a date. It is honoring a legacy,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of SPC. “From our beginnings in a high school wing to our expansion countywide and online, SPC has proudly stood for academic excellence for all, innovation, and community impact. SPC Day reminds us of how far the College has come as we invest in the future.”

Suncoast Credit Union shared its perspective on the College’s impact and ongoing commitment to students and the community.

“SPC Day is very special, primarily because it speaks to the very core of our mission, in an environment where we were literally created — by and for educators,” said Bob Hyde, Vice President of Community Engagement at Suncoast. “Working with St Pete College is natural because our values of aligning with our community to create a stronger, better educated and healthier culture is something we are both committed to doing. We look forward to a rich and constructive future together,” he added.

Hosted at SPC’s Tarpon Springs Campus

Rod Davis, Provost of the Tarpon Springs Campus, said the campus is one of many examples of SPC’s commitment to excellence. “Our campus has always been a place where creativity, culture, and education intersect. SPC Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students, faculty, and community partners who continue to make this campus a hub of learning and innovation.”

The Tarpon Springs Campus, which opened in 1975, serves as a vital cultural and educational hub, reflecting the city’s deep-rooted Greek heritage. The campus is home to the prestigious Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. It also boasts the Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub, which serves as a central location for manufacturing, creativity, and collaboration not only for SPC but also for the community at large.

SPC Day Details:

When: Friday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tarpon Springs Campus, 600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs, FL
More information: Visit the SPC Day website

Join SPC as it celebrates nearly 100 years of academic leadership and community engagement at its uniquely historic and artistic Tarpon Springs Campus.