SARASOTA, Fla. — Fortune Magazine has ranked New College of Florida’s Master’s in Applied Data Science program eighth in its 2025 rankings—its highest placement since the program’s inception. This marks the third time in four years that New College has appeared on the prestigious list and the first time it has landed in the top 10.

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to attracting top graduate students and faculty in one of the fastest-growing fields in today’s economy,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “Being the only Florida university on Fortune’s list is an incredible honor and underscores the leadership and excellence of our data science program.”

Students in the Applied Data Science master’s program complete three semesters on campus in small, close-knit cohorts, learning from faculty with both industry and academic expertise. The program culminates in a full-time internship during the final semester, with industry partners spanning banking, insurance, consulting, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agencies.

“The success of our alumni and this top-10 ranking are evidence of the high-quality education students receive here at New College,” said Prof. Bernhard Klingenberg, Director of the Applied Data Science Program. “It also highlights the strong value and real-world relevance of our Applied Data Science curriculum.”

Among a list dominated by large flagship public universities and private engineering schools, New College stands out as a small institution offering one of the most affordable programs. Florida residents can complete the 21-month program for less than $18,000—making it one of the most cost-effective options on Fortune’s list, where it was also ranked 11th for affordability.

View the Rankings

Enrollment for the Master’s in Applied Data Science program is now open for Fall 2025. To learn more about the program, visit ncf.edu/grad-applied-data-science or follow it on LinkedIn.

Famed Legal Scholar to Address Graduates on Free Speech and the Rule of Law

SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida is proud to announce that Alan Dershowitz, one of the nation’s most influential legal scholars and defenders of civil liberties, will deliver the 2025 Commencement Address at Florida’s Honors College in Sarasota.

Dershowitz, a constitutional lawyer, Harvard Law professor emeritus, and best-selling author, has played a pivotal role in some of the most significant legal debates of our time. His career spans more than 50 years on the Harvard Law faculty, the authorship of over 40 books on law, free speech, and constitutional rights, and decades of advocating for justice, due process, and the First Amendment.

“New College is a place for bold ideas and fearless debate,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “We are thrilled to welcome Alan Dershowitz to Sarasota for our 2025 Commencement.”

The New College 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be a landmark event for Sarasota, taking place on May 23, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the scenic Bayfront Lawn of the Historic Ringling Mansion College Hall.

As one of Sarasota’s premier intellectual and cultural events, the New College Commencement draws students, faculty, families, and thought leaders from across Florida and beyond. The ceremony celebrates academic excellence while reinforcing New College’s commitment to free inquiry, rigorous scholarship, and the pursuit of truth.

Dershowitz’s speech marks a defining moment in a year dedicated to exploring free speech and the future of American democracy. As a nationally recognized advocate for civil liberties and legal scholarship, his address will challenge graduates to engage with complex ideas and participate in shaping the nation’s future.

With a growing reputation as a hub for academic and civil discourse, policy debate, and leadership development, New College continues to attract top-tier speakers and scholars, reinforcing its place among the most distinguished liberal arts institutions in the country.

In addition to delivering the 2025 Commencement Address, Dershowitz will also participate in the 2025 Socratic Stage Dialogue Series, a nationally recognized platform for free speech and civil discourse at New College. As part of the series, he will speak on May 22 in a highly anticipated discussion titled: “Justice or Politics? The Weaponization of Law in Modern America.” 

For more information on the Socratic Stage Series, upcoming speakers, and livestream access, visit NCF.edu/SocraticStage. 

For more details on the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, event logistics, and media access, visit: NCF.edu/Commencement. 

About New College of Florida

Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.

The New College Treeleaders were founded in 2023 by a passionate group of students. A passion for cheer and a healthy dose of school spirit led to the creation of the new club.

“I cheered my junior and senior year (in high school), and I really liked it and I wanted to cheer in college,” said Naomi Nerlien, a first-year student. “Gaby Ott in the SAuCE Office helped me find a sponsor and put together the Treeleaders.”

The group has hosted a pair of pep rallies for students, faculty and staff, and attended New College sporting events to cheer on the Mighty Banyans. The pep rallies have been well organized, including games for students and employees to compete and win prize packs, plenty of music, and a choreographed dance routine.

 

You can find the Treeleaders online via NovoConnect: novoconnect.ncf.edu/organization/ncftreeleaders

SARASOTA, Fla. — New College President Richard Corcoran proudly announces that esteemed entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Ricketts will be the commencement speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2024. Ricketts will deliver his address to a valued assembly of graduates and their families amidst the serene backdrop of the Sarasota Bayfront, adjacent to College Hall and the Historic Ringling Mansion.

A titan in the business realm, Ricketts boasts over 35 years of experience in building one of the largest brokerage firms, TD Ameritrade, recently sold to Charles Schwab. His visionary approach to recognizing market opportunities in the deregulated discount securities market, coupled with innovative technologies and distinctive marketing strategies, propelled TD Ameritrade into a global financial juggernaut after its inception as First Omaha Securities in 1975.

Beyond his illustrious business achievements, Ricketts is also celebrated for his family’s ownership of the Chicago Cubs, culminating in the end of the franchise’s century-long title drought with a historic World Series win in 2016. However, his impact extends far beyond the financial sector and realm of sports, as evidenced by his dedication to philanthropy and entrepreneurship.

Earlier this year, Ricketts embarked on a groundbreaking venture in Sarasota, announcing New College as the first institution in the nation to adopt a distance-learning curriculum from Ricketts Great Books College. This innovative initiative enables students worldwide to access a rigorous liberal arts education, with many eligible for scholarships that will allow them to graduate with little to no debt, thanks to Ricketts’ generous philanthropy.

“Joe Ricketts believes in the kind of education we hold dear at New College, a liberal arts education exploring the good, the true, and the beautiful,” Corcoran said. “Graduates of New College leave with the indelible lessons of how to think critically for themselves and not what to think by others. It has been a marvelous experience working with Joe over the last several months to provide a platform for students everywhere to learn timeless lessons from some of history’s greatest thinkers. We are honored to have him address our graduates this May.”

Some of Ricketts’s other notable ventures in entrepreneurship and philanthropy include Opportunity Education Foundation and Quest Forward Learning, The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation, Straight Arrow News, Village PieMaker, High Plains Bison, The Ricketts Conservation Foundation, and The Ricketts Art Foundation.

Ricketts is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and a graduate of Creighton University. He resides in Little Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with his wife of 60 years, Marlene.

New College’s commencement ceremony remains an exclusive affair, reserved for graduates and their invited guests.

For further insights into the transformative collaboration between New College and Ricketts Great Books College, please visit NCF.edu/Worldwide.

SARASOTA, Fla. — New College of Florida will host a Socratic Stage Dialogue Series Event: “Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Political Expression” on Wednesday, April 10, 6-7:30 p.m. at Sainer Auditorium, 5313 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. New College Trustee Dr. Mark Bauerlein will interview Presidential Scholar in Residence Dr. Stanley Fish on timely questions relating to academic freedom and political expression on college campuses. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Online registration is now open.

Among the important questions that will be discussed include:

“Mark Bauerlein and Stanley Fish are giants in the field of academia, and their conversation will be a can’t miss event within our community,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “Dr. Bauerlein’s leadership on our Board of Trustees over the last year and Dr. Fish’s presence in the classroom this spring have been great assets for advancing New College on the path to being America’s number one liberal arts college.”

Dr. Mark Bauerlein is Professor Emeritus of English at Emory University and an editor at First Things magazine. In 2003–‘05, he served as the Director, Office of Research and Analysis, at the National Endowment for the Arts. He is the author or editor of 11 books, including Negrophobia: A Race Riot in Atlanta, 1906 (2001) and The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (2008). His essays have appeared in Yale Review, Partisan Review, Wilson Quarterly, PMLA, and Philosophy and Literature. Apart from his scholarly work, Dr. Bauerlein publishes in popular periodicals such as New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, TLS, and Chronicle of Higher Education. He has been interviewed by media outlets more than 500 times, including spots on CNN, Fox News, NPR, BBC World Today, CBS News, Nightline, PBS Frontline, and 20/20. Bauerlein earned his doctorate in English from UCLA.

Dr. Stanley Fish brings more than 60 years of scholarship with him to New College, where he serves as a Presidential Scholar in Residence. His incredible career has included teaching stops at Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Cal Berkeley. There is a dedicated library archive of his work at the University of California, Irvine. He has held the title of Davidson-Kahn Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law, Florida International University since 2005, and Dean Emeritus of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Chicago Tribune named Fish was Chicagoan of the Year for Culture in 2003. In the past thirty years, there have been some two hundred articles, books, parts of books, dissertations, review articles, etc., devoted to his work. Fish earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania and his master’s and Ph.D. at Yale. Professor Fish has published more than 20 books. His latest is Law at the Movies, Oxford 2024.

For more information, visit New College Office of Public Policy Events webpage.

SARASOTA, Fla. — The inaugural New College Athletics Gala will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, 5:30 p.m. at College Hall, 351 College Drive, Sarasota. New College added intercollegiate sports in 2023 and is preparing to enter the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the prestigious Sun Conference this fall. Funds raised at the Gala will support scholarships to allow New College to recruit top scholar-athletes from across America and internationally. Tickets cost $100 and are available online by visiting GoMightyBanyans.com.

“The addition of intercollegiate athletics has impacted New College in numerous ways, increasing enrollment, improving the vibrancy of student life, and emerging as a shared source of pride for students, faculty and staff,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “Athletics will continue to play a vital role in fulfilling our vision to be the best liberal arts college in America.”

The evening’s setting is on the New College Bayfront, featuring majestic views of Sarasota Bay. Wear cocktail attire and prepare to enjoy a relaxed evening featuring casino-style games. Tickets include play money to be used at gaming tables throughout the night. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still being offered.

New College began its athletics program with six teams in 2023-2024, including baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s soccer. Next year the Mighty Banyans will compete in a dozen sports, with ambitious expansion plans for the next several years.

“The New College Athletics Gala is an important event for creating scholar-athlete scholarships that will allow our athletics program to continue its rapid growth,” said Mariano Jimenez, Jr., Vice President, Athletics and Recruitment.

For more information, email [email protected], call 941-487-4105, or visit GoMightyBanyans.com.

 

SARASOTA, Fla. — New College of Florida and the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA)  on behalf of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) have reached an agreement on initial terms of purchase and sale of 30.94 acres previously leased by the College. The New College Board of Trustees voted for initial approval of the agreement to purchase the property for $11.5 million at Monday’s meeting. If the deal is approved by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration, and funding is appropriated by the Florida Legislature, the Board of Trustees will vote on a final purchase and sale agreement in 2024.

“Securing New College’s future by resolving the leases and acquiring this land has been a top priority since I arrived in February,” said New College President Richard Corcoran. “SRQ is a great neighbor, and the deal we’ve set in motion will benefit both organizations, which in turn elevates our entire region.”

“President Corcoran’s eagerness to engage in good-faith negotiations to end the uncertainty caused by these lease agreements was essential to getting the framework of this deal in place,” said Rick Piccolo, President and C.E.O. of the SMAA. “This deal supports the immediate and long term needs of SRQ and provides future stability for New College, one of our community’s most special assets.”

SMAA is the current landlord and New College is the current tenant pursuant to a collection of leases and assignments originally entered into on October 2 1957 and June 23, 1966. The leases would run until 2056 without a deal for early termination. After welcoming in a record enrollment class in Fall 2023, the College is establishing a new master plan that includes reimagining what roles the East Campus will fulfill in the future. Purchasing the land clears one hurdle needed to initiate strategic redevelopment initiatives.

SRQ is undergoing a $200 million expansion that includes the construction of a new five-gate terminal. The project is slated to conclude in December 2024 and drastically expand the capacity of one of America’s fastest growing airports. The airport has more than tripled its number of annual passengers since 2018 and could host as many as seven million per year in less than a decade.

A parcel of land on the north side of General Dougher Place that was leased by New College will revert back to SMAA when the lease is terminated, contributing to the airport’s capacity for continued growth.

New College will continue refining its proposed master plan with a public hearing on Monday, January 22, 5:30 –7:00 p.m.

SARASOTA, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis was joined by Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Taylor Hatch and New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran to recognize October as Disability Employment Awareness Month and highlight new job opportunities available through Hope Florida – A Pathway to Possibilities. Through this initiative, New College of Florida is providing employment opportunities for individuals with unique abilities, including positions at libraries and food-service locations on campus. As the first educational institution to partner with Hope Florida, New College announced scholarships specifically for Floridians served by Hope Florida, including Floridians with unique abilities.

“Two months ago, we announced that Hope Florida will now serve individuals with unique abilities,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “In that time, Hope Navigators have already begun serving more than 100 Floridians with unique abilities. Each family’s needs vary– from building paths towards economic self-sufficiency to creating deeper community connections. Ultimately, our success is helping these individuals meet their goals and God-given potential, and we are now able to offer not only employment but scholarship opportunities to Hope Florida participants.”

New College’s new Hope Florida scholarships include two full-tuition, room and board scholarships which will be awarded annually to two Hope Florida participants, as well as additional assistance opportunities, such as book stipends. Following the event, Chancellor of the State University System Ray Rodrigues and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. sent a letter to all Florida colleges and universities asking them to join these efforts. Click here to view the letter.

“New College of Florida is proud to partner with First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida initiative through employment and educational opportunities,” said President of New College Richard Corcoran. “During Disability Employment Awareness Month, we are thrilled that this initiative connects us with Floridians served by Hope Florida including those with unique abilities who are looking for job opportunities and scholarship assistance.”

Ensuring there are employment opportunities for participants is a key component of Hope Florida. New College of Florida is partnering with the initiative to specifically provide jobs and educational scholarships for people with unique abilities and other Floridians served by Hope Florida. October is a key month for the developmental disability community and holds significant importance in raising awareness and promoting the employment and empowerment of individuals with these unique abilities.

“We are incredibly grateful to First Lady Casey DeSantis for her leadership and continued commitment to Floridians of all abilities, and for convening today’s event to celebrate and highlight the achievements of Floridians with unique abilities,” said Taylor Hatch, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. “Through the launch of First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida – A Pathway to Possibilities, individuals with unique abilities and their caregivers are now bringing their talents and passion to their local community through volunteerism and greater community involvement.”

Hope Florida – A Pathway to Possibilities, led by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, utilizes Hope Navigators to serve as a connector for individuals with unique abilities to local-community-based providers including nonprofits, faith-based organizations, peer supports and private sector business partners.

As a part of the event, First Lady DeSantis also recognized Aladdin Equipment Company, Inc. as an Exceptional Employer for their continued commitment to employing this population.

“On behalf of myself and Aladdin, we are beyond grateful to receive this award,” said Carrie Collins, the Owner and Vice President of Aladdin Equipment Company. “Hiring people with unique abilities has been a special part of Aladdin for decades because the pursuit to maintain manufacturing in the United States is our goal. Recently, working with The Haven Academy students has set the standard for Aladdin and we hope other businesses in our area. Providing opportunities for employment to these amazing individuals is important to us because they bring unique perspectives, talents and strengths to our business. We hope that in receiving this award other businesses will recognize the value in hiring such incredible individuals and will follow suit.”

“Florida recognizes that each and every one of us is a gift, and we work to ensure that every Floridian can thrive in the Sunshine State,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. “Thankfully, under the leadership of Governor and First Lady DeSantis, Florida continues to promote awareness and honor the lives of individuals with special needs and disabilities.”

Hope Florida, created by First Lady Casey DeSantis and implemented by a number of state agencies, was first launched in 2021. Since its inception, the initiative has served more than 74,000 people, helping over 8,500 Hope Florida participants to reduce or eliminate reliance on public assistance to meet food or cash needs. Over a 10-year period, participant reduction of public assistance will save taxpayers almost $190 million.

SARASOTA, Fla. — New College of Florida (NCF) will celebrate its 44th annual Clambake fundraising event Soiree on the Bay, hosted by the New College of Florida Foundation on Thursday, November 2, at 6 p.m. Local philanthropists Elizabeth Moore and Don Patterson are co-chairing the event. Held on NCF’s scenic bayfront campus in Sarasota, the Clambake will raise money to support three new master’s degree programs slated to launch in 2024.

Moore has been a civic activist notably in environmental initiatives such as Mote Marine Aquarium and Research, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Lemur Conservation Foundation, Tree Foundation, Southface Institute, Climate Adaptation Center, Gulf Shellfish Institute and, recently, Roger Williams College President’s Taskforce on the Blue Economy. She owns Triangle Ranch in Myakka, Florida, and is also a member of the Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association. In addition to hosting many community events at her ranch, she also runs an Airbnb to showcase her “Florida Cracker” cottages and land conservation initiative. In 2021, Elizabeth was featured as “The Woman Who Wants to Save Florida” in Sarasota Magazine. An avid tennis fan, Moore is the title sponsor of the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open.

Patterson spent 40 years in the communications industry, culminating in his role as co-founder and CEO of Ascend Wireless Networks, taking the business from startup to acquisition by a private equity firm in less than 10 years. Passionate about helping the underserved, Don has held numerous high-level roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast. He led the creation of “Stay Safe” in partnership with the Salvation Army, an initiative that serves as an emergency alternative for women victims of abuse as a result of being homeless. He was invited to attend the first conference by the Department of Justice to address the emerging Human Trafficking crisis, and “Stay Safe” continues to work in Sarasota to this day. As a community leader, he funded the creation of the “Thursday Night Market” in the Rosemary District, reviving traffic flow to businesses in the area post-pandemic. He is also an accomplished Marathoner and Ironman.

“Don and Elizabeth are pillars of the community and wonderful friends of New College and our Foundation, and I know we can expect to celebrate our most successful Clambake yet,” said Richard Corcoran, interim president of New College.

NCF recently revealed plans to add three new master’s degree programs, including the nation’s first Master’s of Marine Mammal Science. This new research-intensive program will be complemented by the establishment of the Florida Institute of Marine Mammal Science (FIMMS). Additionally, NCF will establish programs to offer a Master’s of Environmental Economics and a Master’s of Educational Leadership. Funds raised will support the necessary financial aid for student recruitment, faculty hiring, and facility improvements that will launch these programs successfully.

Event sponsorships are now available. For more information, visit ncf.edu/clambake, call 941-487-4800 or email [email protected].

Sarasota, Fla. – New College of Florida recently unveiled its new mascot, the “Mighty Banyan.” The mascot, is a fierce-looking, flexing banyan tree, based on a design by first-year student Anna Lazzara.

As the college progresses toward being the best liberal arts college in the country, a student- designed mascot, inspired by the many banyan trees on campus, will be the new face of the college.

The banyan tree is known for its aerial roots, which sprout from branches and eventually reach the soil, and its ability to live for centuries. They are also considered the world’s biggest trees in terms of the area they cover. In a way, the entanglements of the roots and branches all under the vast canopy echoes the interweaving of the past, present, and the future.

“The updated mascot symbolizes the future vision of New College and what we are all working so hard toward,” said Interim President Richard Corcoran. “From strength, growth and longevity, to many branches working as one, the Mighty Banyan is the perfect representation of who we are here at New College, as well who we are aiming to become.”

“When I heard the news that the college was seeking a new mascot, I began to think about what the New College spirit means to me,” said Lazzara. “After much thought, I realized that the New College spirit is the combination of a supportive community and a stunning natural landscape. Both of these things, I believe, are perfectly represented in the form of a mighty Banyan tree.”

“As with every decision made thus far, we think about the students first, and we are proud that this mascot was born from one of our student’s designs,” continued Interim President Corcoran. “We are excited about this development for New College, but we are also looking forward to the many new projects happening around campus that will undoubtedly enhance and improve the experience for current and future students of New College of Florida.”

Founded in Sarasota in 1960, New College of Florida was named the No. 5 Public National Liberal Arts College from U.S. News & World Report in 2023 and is the Honors College of Florida. New College provides students with a highly individualized education that combines academic excellence with career preparation experiences. New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors in arts, humanities and sciences; a master’s degree program in applied data science; and certificates in technology, finance, and business skills.