“The mission of Florida Southern College is to prepare graduates for lives of positive consequential impact through dynamic engaged learning in an iconic setting,” said Dr. Jeremy Martin, President of Florida Southern College, on the most recent episode of Allen & Company’s Beyond Dollars & Sense podcast. I host The Long View version of the podcast, and it was my pleasure to be joined by my wife, Kim Elmhorst. I encourage you to listen to this episode here.
A New Chapter Begins
Jeremy is the new President of FSC, following the now legendary Dr. Anne Kerr, who went on a 20-year run of growth, beautification, building, academic excellence, and success. In the first segment, you will hear him explain why he asks everyone to call him Jeremy, and not Dr. Martin. Also, why doesn’t he always wear a tie, and he gives his wife Tia more credit for their quick acceptance into our community. These disarming actions are intentional and endearing.
In the second segment, you will hear about his 14-year term at the esteemed William and Mary University and what led him to uproot his family to be the next President of FSC.
A Shared History with Florida Southern College
Moc nation has been an important part of our lives. Although Kim and I grew up in Lakeland, we had never met until that special day at Frank Loyd Wright’s Child of the Sun on the shores of Lake Hollingsworth. My siblings went there. Our niece went there. Kim worked in admissions and testing after graduation. I was fortunate enough to get my MBA at night from FSC while working. Our daughter, Kelsey, graduated from there a few years ago. We go to all the home basketball games. Many of our closest friends went there or currently work there. It is a special place, and we are forever grateful for the opportunities afforded us due to our affiliation with the school. It’s all recently culminated in Kim being one of the newest members of the FSC Board of Trustees.
Vision, Leadership, and the Future
The third segment of the podcast discusses college athletics and how it is a tool to build character and grit in young people. Jeremy was the fix-it guy at W&M, evidently. The interim Athletic Director position was thrust upon him during the COVID era. Now athletics is one of his direct reports.
“Paying it forward and what the impact on the future is…I think ultimately is the Long View for any family. What legacy do we leave for the education of others?” he asks in the final portion, where we discuss his vision for the future of Florida Southern College.
It’s one of my favorite episodes of the podcast series so far. If you would like to know more about FSC and the new President, please give it a listen.
August 2025
