It is Official - Okaloosa Walton Community College is Growing

This is a great move by the local area and will be a great plus for the area. With this addition in Niceville and the expansion in Crestview, Okaloosa County will be a great attraction for hire education. Stay tuned. There is more to come.



Crist to sign bill at OWC
State college legislation gives schools more leeway to develop bachelor’s programs
By RACHEL KYLER rachelk@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE — Okaloosa-Walton College is one step closer to becoming a state college. Following an invitation from state Rep. Ray Sansom, Gov. Charlie Crist is scheduled to sign the State College Bill on June 12 at the Mattie Kelley Fine Arts Center in Niceville. The new legislation will make OWC part of the new Florida College System, which comprises post-secondary schools that provide career education and associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. “We’re really excited that the governor would come over and sign such an important bill,” Sansom said. “It’s a major step forward for our state.” As the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in Florida falls, community colleges have been adding bachelor’s programs to address local shortages, such as in nursing and teaching. Schools deemed state colleges will have more leeway to develop additional bachelor’s degree programs. State colleges are unique in the variety of programs that they can offer at a reduced cost, Sansom said. In the university system, it costs about $6,000 per student per year versus $3,600 at a community college. The public is welcome to attend the signing at 10:30 a.m. OWC officials ask that people arrive by about 10:15 a.m. OWC President Dr. Bob Richburg said the school‘s district board of trustees will begin discussing a new name for the college at its meeting Tuesday. He expects to adopt a name by September. “It’s a wonderful testament to both the college and the local legislative delegation,” Richburg said. “We’re just excited to host this statewide event on our college campus and look forward to the transition to a state college.” Daily News Staff Writer Rachel Kyler can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1440.