Florida Southern College Chooses New President: Jeremy P. Martin

Florida Southern College has chosen its next president. Jeremy P. Martin, 44, will assume the role on Aug. 1, succeeding Anne Kerr who is retiring after 20 years.

Martin most recently served as vice president for strategy and innovation at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where he earned a Ph.D. in 2012 and an M.B.A. in 2017. During his tenure, he launched several key initiatives that improved student retention and academic performance.

Before that, he served as associate provost and chief of staff at William & Mary and also taught courses in higher education, finance and data.

The announcement: The college announced Martin’s appointment as its 18th president Friday afternoon at the Jenkins Field House before an audience decked out in the school’s signature red color. The 6-foot-5 former college basketball player and one-time athletic director sported a red tie for the occasion.

The search: Robert Fryer Jr., chairman of the board of trustees, said the college’s search committee considered 151 candidates, narrowed the field to 15, and then flew them all in for interviews at the Marriott near the Tampa airport.

“We interviewed nine the first day and six the next day, then chose the group to come to campus and Lakeland,” Fryer said. “They were here the 25th and 26th of May.”

Fryer said the 13-member search committee unanimously recommended Martin. “I presented it to the board this morning, and it again was unanimous,” he said.

Anne Kerr’s legacy: Kerr, 70, became the college’s 17th president on June 1, 2004. Under her leadership, FSC added 22 new buildings and expanded or restored 20 others, including many designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The enrollment and national stature of Florida Southern grew immensely. The college announced last month that it is adding a school of architecture, which will welcome its first students next year.

“Dr. Kerr’s dedication and vision have left an indelible mark on Florida Southern College,” Fryer said. “The board of trustees cannot adequately express our gratitude for transforming our college.”

Kerr is an avid equestrian with four horses. She said she plans to stay in Lakeland and looks forward to spending more time riding and competing.

Strong support: Martin will have lots of support when he steps into his new role. Fryer announced that after a brief sabbatical, Kerr will become president emerita with a contract and an undisclosed salary. Her role will be “to support the president and be a fountain of information.” And Fryer, who has been chairman of the board for 20 years, said he will stay on for at least two more years “to try and make sure we have an orderly transition.”

“This is a college on the rise. And to continue that trajectory is the first and foremost task I’ve got.”
Dr. Jeremy P. Martin

Steady course: Martin thanked the board for trusting him to care for and lead the college. “This is an incredible place — not merely because of its incomparable setting, but because of the caliber of people who call it home,” he said.

Asked about his first priorities, Martin said they will be “to get to know the community, to better understand the college and to steward the work that Anne has begun.”

He pointed out that applications to Florida Southern have increased from roughly 6,000 to 11,000 in five years. “This is a college on the rise. And to continue that trajectory is the first and foremost task I’ve got.”

Ties to Lakeland: Martin said although he and his wife Tia had not been to Lakeland in many years, “this is something of a homecoming for me.” He used to visit his maternal grandparents, who retired here, until they passed away.

“My grandfather taught me how to play golf at Cleveland Heights, though I haven’t improved much since his early lessons,” he said. “Tia and I have already felt the
warm embrace of the college and look forward to our family becoming part of the Lakeland community.”

The couple has two school-age children. Martin said they hope to find a house and move over the summer.