A National Leader in the Arts and Sciences
As the State of Florida's legislatively designated "Honors College for the Liberal Arts," New College occupies a unique position among colleges and universities within our state and across the country. Like other top tier public colleges and universities, we offer outstanding value both to in-state as well as out-of-state students. But similar to the country's leading private liberal arts colleges, we also offer the type of intimate setting and personalized approach to education that enables academically talented students to thrive.
The history of New College began in the late 1950s, when a group of Sarasota and Bradenton civic leaders came to the conclusion that their community was an ideal site for a college. In 1960, with assistance from the national Congregational and Christian Church, those civic leaders created the framework for a small liberal arts college whose students would come from all parts of the nation and whose faculty and curriculum would reflect the highest standards of academic excellence.
With this in mind, a board of trustees was organized and the charter for the college was created. It was to be named New College--as new as the future, yet based on timeless values.
During the next four years, a president was selected, the essential fund-raising was carried out, land for the campus was acquired, and a faculty was assembled. In the fall of 1964 New College opened with a first class of 101 students.
