State Sen. Simpson to be Honored by Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida

From Saint Leo University:

State Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-18th District, will be honored Monday, July 18, by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). Dr. William J. Lennox, president of Saint Leo University, will present Simpson with an award, recognizing him for being named to ICUF’s first Legislative Honor Roll. Saint Leo is one of 30 ICUF member schools.

A resident of Pasco County, Simpson has served in the Florida Senate since 2012. His district includes Hernando County and parts of Pasco and Sumter counties.

Simpson was named to the Legislative Honor Roll for being a champion of independent higher education during the 2016 legislative session.

“This honor roll salutes legislators who understand the importance of independent higher education in our state and have been dedicated to improving the educational choices of students throughout Florida,” said Dr. Ed Moore, ICUF president.

Simpson, and the other legislators named to the honor roll, supported bills that were important to higher education and ICUF institutions as well as critical funding issues such as the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), a tuition assistance program at eligible nonpublic colleges and universities. Almost 95 percent of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, and ICUF members are grateful for the legislators making FRAG funding a priority.

Dr. Lennox will present the award to Simpson at 9 a.m., Monday, July 18, at his district office, 5612 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey, FL 34652.

Saint Leo University educates students at University Campus, 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, FL 33574. The Adult Education Center also has locations at Pasco-Hernando State College sites: PHSC North Campus, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601; PHSC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654; PHSC Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court, Spring Hill, FL 34606; and PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.

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