The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) recently celebrated the graduations of two basic law enforcement (BLE) academies. A ceremony was held on June 10 at the Key West Campus for BLE #77, a Key West-based academy, followed by a ceremony at Coral Shores High School on June 18 for BLE #76, an Upper Keys-based academy. A total of 12 cadets, four from BLE #77 and eight from BLE #76, successfully completed the 770-hour training program.

“As we prepare to usher in the unofficial start of summer with backyard barbecues, boating, and fireworks, I ask the community to join the CFK family to reflect on why this day is important. Memorial Day is a time to honor the memories of those who died for our country. It is a time for heroes, both those who have fallen and those who are still living. We thank our military, as well as law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, and other first responders for working tirelessly to protect American lives.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is among 27 entities designated as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). The CoE designation recognizes colleges and training institutions that prepare students for careers in our nation’s maritime industry. These institutions are located in sixteen states and one U.S. territory. CFK is one of two organizations and the only college in Florida to receive the designation.

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) invites prospective students to learn about its Apprenticeships in Construction Technologies at a virtual information session on Wednesday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. CFK is offering programs throughout the Keys this upcoming fall semester, which begins August 19. Electrical and Carpentry will be offered in Key West, Plumbing and Carpentry will be offered in the middle Keys, and Electrical and HVAC will be offered in the upper Keys.

The College of the Florida Keys held an outdoor ceremony to celebrate the spring graduating Class of 2021 on the Key West Campus on May 7. The event, which featured a jumbotron to display videos and close-ups, was streamed live on the College’s Facebook page to reach family and friends not in attendance. The ceremony featured a Student Address by Nursing graduate Madison Nasser, an Alumnus Address by 2003 Marine Engineering graduate and lower Keys charter captain Andrew Tipler, and Keynote Address by Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron.

Registration is open for The College of the Florida Keys’ Summer Adventure Camps. Designed for seven- to 11-year-old children, the one-week sessions provide opportunities to learn, create, and have fun. CFK Summer Adventure Camps run Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a 45-minute lunch break. Camps will begin June 7 and run each week through July 30. Interested parents can learn more by visiting the College’s website at cfk.edu/summer-camps or by emailing summercamp@cfk.edu.

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is holding several virtual events next week for Monroe County high school students and their parents/ guardians to learn more about its Dual Enrollment and Early College opportunities. Through both programs, high school students can simultaneously earn college and high school credits at no cost to the student. The program provides a head-start to college for students while potentially saving families thousands of dollars. At the virtual events, CFK will discuss the benefits of each program, requirements to participate, and the application process.

The College of the Florida Keys will hold its sixty-second Commencement Exercises for the spring class of 2021 in an outdoor ceremony beside the Gulf of Mexico on the Key West Campus on Friday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. Sixty-nine graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. The College expects to award more than 150 bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates to the spring class of 2021.

There is a new face (and flippers) on the campus: Shel the Tuga! The College of the Florida Keys is proud to introduce its new mascot, the Tugas, an abbreviation of “Tortugas,” the Spanish word for turtle. The fictional sea turtle sports CFK’s colors: an ocean blue body with lateral lightning bolts and a sunset orange shell. The College’s marketing team worked with local graphic designer Seth Mularz to create the design. The Tuga will be the face of CFK athletics and a source of collegiate spirit for students, alumni, employees, and the entire Keys community.

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) invites the community to participate in its second CFK Poetics virtual event of the series on April 29 at 6 p.m. Nationally acclaimed poet Ross Gay will read his work and take questions from the audience. The free event will be primarily virtual. However, limited seating will be available in the CFK Library to view the live stream of the reading.