Eckerd College Newsroom

Eckerd College’s Theatre Department is back on-stage with its first production after its fall season was impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Firebringer, directed by sophomore Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre student Elle Lily, ran March 6–9, marking a major return for the Theatre Program.

Written and read by Emmi Elmaleh '27

Eckerd College junior Clara Oxford grew up near a heavily wooded portion of northeast Pennsylvania, and thanks to her parents’ love of the outdoors, she always felt drawn to explore nature—especially the ocean. But there were hurdles.

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Brennan Coleman '28

For the past three years, Eckerd College faculty have attended the annual Gulf Scholars Conference for the purpose of sharing ideas, learning, and building the Gulf Scholars community. The conference includes presentations and discussions from representatives of 24 colleges and universities in the Gulf region.

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Brennan Coleman '28

It was just last January that Eckerd College senior Guadalupe Obayi relished meeting a Moroccan grandmother and her family for a cooking class during a Winter Term study abroad program. In June, she’ll head back as a recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship.

Written by Robbyn Hopewell, read by Brennan Coleman '28

Assistant Dean of Faculty Kat Robinson, Ph.D., kept her footsteps light as she paced through the wings and lobby of the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences on March 26. Tasked with informing the winners of the 18th Annual Eckerd College Research Symposium of their achievements, she naturally went with the surprise method.

Written by Robbyn Hopewell and read by Brennan Coleman '28

Lily Schwartz, a senior political science student at Eckerd College, couldn’t quite process the Peace Corps acceptance email as she was leaving the dentist.

Written by Robbyn Hopewell, read by Brennan Coleman '28

Eckerd College senior Haven Henry watched what Alzheimer’s did to her grandfather and then learned, just as she began her first year at Eckerd, that her aunt had been diagnosed with an early onset case of the same disease.

Written by Robbyn Hopewell, read by Brennan Coleman '28

Politics can be overwhelming.

Written and read by Madison DeVore '25

“I try to live out love” is the motto of Eckerd College alumna LaRuby May ’97, J.D.

Written and read by Madison DeVore '25

“It’s been so invigorating to be here year after year, both with him and without him,” says Avraham “Alan” Rosen, Ph.D., referring to Dr. Elie Wiesel.

Written and read by Madison DeVore '25

Eckerd students and alumni alike are excited about the College’s new Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies, which places greater emphasis on natural sciences, mathematics and computer science than the Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies does.

Written and read by Madison DeVore '25

Five Eckerd College students will be packing their bags and setting off to Boston for an internship at the Center for Genomic Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School this summer.

Written and read by Madison DeVore '25

“The market for jobs in the AI sector has surged in the last two years, according to a recent analysis from the University of Maryland and job-tracking firm LinkUp—the latest in a slew of studies indicating AI skills are in high demand.”
—Matthew Kaufman, CNN, Feb. 27, 2025

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Brennan Coleman '27.

Eckerd College junior Carly Harshbarger couldn’t help but be impressed.

Written by Robbyn Hopewell and read by Brennan Coleman '27.

The St. Petersburg City Council passed an ordinance in 2018 that banned single-use plastic straws, starting in 2020. The ban remains in effect today, but one company was able to get around the rule by using a different type of plastic, one the company claims has been certified as biodegradable.

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Brennan Coleman '27.

Empathetic. Activist. Open-minded.

Written and read by Madison DeVore ’25.

Going elbow to elbow with people in the London marketplace and gaining a sense of the business community are now being filtered into one Eckerd College study abroad course in August.

Written and read by Madison DeVore ’25.

With the temperature stuck around 38 degrees, Myrtle the babirusa reluctantly emerged from her barn and began to forage in her habitat at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. A threatened species also known as a deer-pig, the babirusa is a member of the swine family and native to several decidedly warmer Indonesian islands.

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Nicole Vogler '26.

Eckerd College sophomore Gillian Smith is returning to the Florida Keys this summer to perform research that could help save coral reefs, preserve the marine environment, and safeguard the multibillion-dollar fishing and tourist industries.

Written by Tom Zucco and read by Nicole Vogler '26.