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Michelle Sjogren, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Communications, (904) 276-6814


Florida School of the Arts honors graduates
Florida School of the Arts recently bid farewell to graduates now on their way to pursue careers in art galleries, on stage, or behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Many will continue their education at universities before pursuing their niche in the arts. The College honored students who received their associate degrees in the visual and performing arts at the St. Johns River State College Palatka campus.

SJR State honors Adult Education graduates
Students earning their high school diplomas through St. Johns River State College were recently honored during the College’s annual adult education graduation. The ceremony represented more than just the passing of an exam, it represented countless individual achievements, struggles and challenges that are the very fabric of every GED diploma.

SJR State law enforcement cadets recognized
Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal Justice Academy were recently recognized for completing the Florida Law Enforcement Academy program.

Putnam County Commissioners declare Lady Vikings Champions Day
Putnam County Commissioners declared June 11, 2024 as Lady Vikings Champions Day.

FloArts alum Cullen Douglas to address graduates, aspiring actors
Florida School of the Arts announces alumnus Cullen Douglas as the 2024 commencement speaker. The ceremony is set for Friday, June 21 at 5 pm and will honor graduates receiving their associate degrees in the visual and performing arts.

Study Abroad in Ireland connects students with history
St. Johns River State College recently resumed its study abroad program in Ireland to once again immerse students in the culture, literature and history of Ireland – lessons that, until now, only existed in the classroom.

FloArts presents “Pride & Prejudice” – with a modern twist
Based on the Jane Austen classic novel, Kate Hamill’s take on literature’s greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life than it does in this effervescent adaptation. Often labeled as “this isn’t your grandmother’s Austen,” the play’s language may be traditional, but Hamill’s approach is uniquely modern, with select actors playing multiple roles.

Calling SJR State alums - share your experience with us!
If you reside within this community, chances are good that your friends, neighbors and countless local professionals are graduates of St. Johns River State College. Many have forged ahead to become pillars of our community - from sheriffs, judges, legislators and healthcare professionals - to teachers, coaches, and business and community leaders.

Vikings return home after valiant effort
After a valiant effort in their second consecutive attempt at the national championship, the St. Johns River State College baseball team fell against top-seeded LSU Eunice Friday night in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series.

SJR State Softball Team Wins the NJCAA Division II World Series
The St. Johns River State Vikings win the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Championship in Spartanburg, South Carolina. As the #9 seed, they took the tournament in a five-game winning streak.

SJR State Foundation, donor surprise students with scholarships
Equipped with balloons, collegiate apparel and college mascot Viktor the Viking, Foundation board member Joyce Oliver and the SJR State Prize Patrol recently paid a visit to local high schools to personally award four seniors with scholarships to attend St. Johns River State College this fall.

SJR State softball, baseball teams head to world series
For the first time in St. Johns River State College history, the Viking softball AND baseball teams have claimed the NJCAA DII South Regional championships, with both teams clinching a spot in the world series later this month.

SJR State, hospital partnership invests in local nursing students
HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital continues its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a contribution toward 15 nursing scholarships.

FloArts visual arts graduates to showcase work May 16
Florida School of the Arts presents its final Graduate Exhibition May 16 at 5:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Vikings win back-to-back state championships
For the second year in a row, the St. Johns River State College Vikings are Region 8 Division II junior college baseball state champs!

SJR State celebrates spring graduates
In total, 350 of the College’s 570 graduates participated in the spring commencement held on the Orange Park Campus.

SJR State celebrates nursing graduates
St. Johns River State College recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) students. A continued tradition of Florence Nightingale, the pinning ceremony symbolizes the rite of passage into the nursing profession and the care and devotion nurses provide.

Vikings end softball season with accolades
Student-athletes from the St. Johns River State College softball team ended their regular season with notable honors. The Sun-Lakes Conference champions Vikings softball team are celebrating eight student-athletes named to the all-conference teams.

SJR State softball head coach Joe Pound named FCSAA Coach of the Year
After winning the team’s first-ever Sun-Lakes Conference and FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 Championship, softball head coach Joe Pound has been named FCSAA DII Coach of the Year.

SJR State holds radiologic technology pinning ceremony
St. Johns River State College faculty, administration and staff recently held a pinning ceremony to honor Radiologic Technology graduates. The students were each presented with a special pin during the ceremony, recognizing their accomplishments in completing the program and becoming eligible to join the profession of radiologic technologists.

The Rotary Club of Orange Park supports SJR State students through Random Acts of Kindness
Fulfilling its mission to serve the community, the Rotary Club of Orange Park presented a check to St. Johns River State College Foundation and President Joe Pickens to support college students in need through the Foundation’s Random Acts of Kindness and emergency stipends programs.

Florida School of the Arts presents “It’s Time to Dance!”
The Florida School of the Arts Musical Theatre Vocal Company will present a concert on Sunday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. This performance will feature songs from blockbuster musicals such as “Pippin,” “Wicked” “The Music Man” and “The Prom.”

SJR State to honor graduates May 3
St. Johns River State College will celebrate its spring commencement on May 3. The College will acknowledge the associate and baccalaureate degree candidates, as well as its certificate candidates, from the Orange Park, Palatka and St. Augustine campuses.

Lady Vikings clinch conference championship
For the first time in program's 30-year fastpitch history, the St. Johns River State College softball team has clinched the Sun-Lakes Conference and NJCAA Region 8 Championship, following a 3-game sweep against Lake Sumter on Saturday. The Vikings' latest win total in history stands at 39-13, improving to 21-3 in the conference.

Simulator scenarios give SJR State cadets realistic training
Students training for careers in criminal justice at St. Johns River State College are gaining a competitive edge when it comes to cognitive processing and proficiency. Basic recruit cadets at the Criminal Justice Academy can now experience realistic scenarios using the Academy’s latest technology – a simulation training lab.

Solar Eclipse Watch Party
More than 200 students and community members gathered for the Solar Eclipse Watch Party held on each St. Johns River State College campus.

SJR State to host Solar Eclipse Watch Party
For thousands of years, solar eclipses have been considered a phenomenon that has influenced generations - from religions and scientists to scholars and poets. St. Johns River State College will host a Solar Eclipse Watch Party on Monday, April 8, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

FloArts presents An Evening of Dance
Florida School of the Arts presents “An Evening of Dance.” The show runs April 12 – 14, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday on the main stage theatre at the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus.

FloArts visual arts graduates to showcase work April 11
Florida School of the Arts presents its Graduate Exhibition April 11 at 5:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

SJR State law enforcement cadets recognized
Cadets from the St. Johns River State College Criminal Justice Academy were recently recognized for completing the Florida Law Enforcement Academy program.

FloArts presents “Film Festival 2024”
Florida School of the Art’s latest storytelling experience, “Film Festival 2024,” continues with its third year of student-produced short films. The Festival runs March 29 & 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the main stage theatre at the St. Johns River State College Palatka Campus.

SJR State announces five new programs this fall
St. Johns River State College will roll out five new degree programs this fall, including two bachelor’s degrees, answering a district-wide need for intelligence-based, tech-savvy skill sets in today’s evolving workforce.

Florida School of the Arts presents student, alumni exhibit
Florida School of the Arts presents the Student and Alumni Invitational, opening with a reception on March 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the main gallery. The event is free and open to the public.

Omigod You Guys… Florida School of the Arts presents “Legally Blonde The Musical”
Florida School of the Arts presents “Legally Blonde The Musical,” February 23-25 in the mainstage theatre.

SJR State dedicates the Joyce A. Oliver Softball Batting Cage
St. Johns River State College has dedicated a new softball batting cage to a long-time supporter of SJR State students and athletics, Joyce Oliver.

SJR State accelerated manufacturing program begins Feb. 26
St. Johns River State College wants you to be job-ready in four months with the Manufacturing Prep Accelerated Program (MPAP). This short-term training program connects participants with local firms and quickly increases their employability for manufacturing production and quality assurance positions.

SJR State, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital partnership brings $14K in scholarships
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital continues its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a $14,000 contribution toward scholarships.

Forge ahead, Viking! VB player commits to Northwestern Ohio
From Viking to Racer! St. Johns River State College student-athlete Gianna San Filippo will continue her academic and volleyball paths at the university level with the University of Northwestern Ohio this fall, where she will pursue a degree in sports management.

Day of giving, community service at SJR State
St. Johns River State College celebrated its largest Vikings Day of Service to date in partnership with the St. Johns County Trash Bash and 300 volunteers. The day also included the addition of three Live Oak trees on each campus in recognition of Arbor Day.

SJR State to offer criminal justice bachelor’s degree in intelligence analysis
Technology is rapidly changing the law enforcement and security professions. Today, this work relies heavily on intelligence gathering and analysis of digital assets. In response to these changes, St. Johns River State College has worked closely with local law enforcement agencies to develop a unique degree program to prevent and combat crime and assess threats in Northeast Florida.

SJR State Humanities professor shares divine, ancient knowledge
A Viking shoutout to OPC Humanities Professor Jason Whitmarsh for published articles in Ancient History and Ancient Egypt magazines.

SJR State holds spring FAFSA Frenzy events
St. Johns River State College will present “FASFA Frenzy,” at three locations this spring, beginning with its Palatka Campus on February 12. The event will provide pertinent information to families interested in applying for college financial aid.

AI in Higher Education: Possibilities and Perils
Don’t miss SJR State President Joe Pickens in Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Community Town Hall on January 31, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., and learn more about the possibilities and perils of Artificial Intelligence in higher education.

Florida School of the Arts presents paintings by Laura Colomb
Florida School of the Arts presents paintings by Jacksonville Beach artist Laura Colomb. The exhibit opens with a reception on Thursday, January 25 at 5:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

SJR State springs into service for St. Johns County Trash Bash 2024
St. Johns River State College is excited to partner with St. Johns County Solid Waste Division for the 2024 Trash Bash.

SJR State Viking Tripp Davis awarded scholarship
St. Johns River State College baseball catcher Tripp Davis was recently awarded a “deserving walk-on scholarship.” According to head baseball coach Ross Jones, it was an easy decision.

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