March 27, 2024
TCC Will Become Tallahassee State College on July 1
Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 522 into law, renaming Tallahassee Community College as Tallahassee State College. The governor signed the bill at an event at the Capitol, joined by Senator Corey Simon, Tallahassee Community College (TCC) President Jim Murdaugh, TCC Trustees Eugene Lamb, Jr., Frank Messersmith, Karen B. Moore, Monte Stevens, and Charlie Ward, Jr., and TCC Student Body President Jullion Griffin.
“This college does an outstanding job preparing students for success, and Florida is proud to be home to the nation’s finest education system,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
TCC opened as Tallahassee Junior College in 1966. The name was changed to Tallahassee Community College in 1970 to reflect its community orientation and involvement. Now in its 57th year, the College is one of the top-ranked two-year institutions in the nation, having earned prestigious recognitions from organizations like the Aspen Institute, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Achieving the Dream. The College is recognized as the top transfer institution to both Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
We are so grateful to the governor for taking the time to mark this significant occasion with us,” said Dr. Jim Murdaugh. “The new name reflects who we are as an institution, better recognizing our institutional status and impact. We look forward to moving into the future together as Tallahassee State College.”
The College hired Pace Branding and Marketing (Boca Raton and New York) for consulting services to rebrand the institution. After conducting focus groups, town hall meetings, individual interviews, and online surveys of students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members, Pace recommended three options for a new name to the District Board of Trustees (DBOT) in November 2023. DBOT members unanimously selected Tallahassee State College. Senator Corey Simon (R-District 3) filed SB 522 on November 17, 2023, and Representative Jason Shoaf (R-District 7) filed the companion bill, HB 501, in the House, allowing for the name change. The name change will become effective July 1.