 Members of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) present a $53,000 check to the CFK Foundation. L to R: Dan Adams, Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, Tim Stockwell, Papa 2025, Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, CFK President, Chris Morris, and Fred Zenzen. KEY WEST, FL, September 15, 2025— The Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) presented a $53,000 check to The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Foundation, completing a three-year, $174,000 pledge that expanded their scholarship endowment to $750,000. HLAS has built the largest endowment with the CFK Foundation, solidifying their legacy at CFK and the ability to fund future scholarships for many years to come.
For 26 years, the “Papas” of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society have supported the educational dreams of over 300 CFK students with over $250,000 in scholarships while celebrating the literary legacy of Ernest Hemingway. Their 2023 pledge allowed the organization to increase individual scholarship awards from $1,500 to $2,500. “Philanthropy’s importance cannot be overstated as state and federal resources shrink while the need for the most technologically advanced workforce increases,” said Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, CFK President and CEO. The Hemingway Look-Alike Society and its membership have recognized the importance of both trends and continue to financially support and strengthen the development of a workforce that serves our local and regional economies.” Most recently, in July 2025, HLAS awarded $35,000 in scholarships to 14 students attending CFK, each receiving $2,500 to apply toward tuition and fees. The scholarship is open to degree-seeking students who demonstrate literary talent, are veterans, and/or are pursuing credentials in the fields of nursing, marine science, paramedic services, emergency medicine, law enforcement, or corrections. One scholarship bears the name of Kermit "Shine" Forbes, Hemingway's sparring partner, and is presented to a CFK-bound graduate of Key West High School. For more information about CFK and its scholarship opportunities, visit the College’s website at cfk.edu/paying-for-college. For more information about how to give to the CFK Foundation, contact Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at [email protected] or 305-809-3214.
0 Comments
KEY WEST, FL, August 22, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys’ (CFK) Institute for Public Safety (IPS) held a graduation ceremony for Correctional Officer Training Academy #64 on August 20 at the Key West Campus. Five cadets successfully completed the 420-hour training program and passed the state officer certification exam, certifying them as Florida Correctional Officers.
Through a partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, all graduates have already secured employment. During the ceremony, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay swore in the cadets, inducting them into their new professions. Cathy Torres, CFK Director of the Institute for Public Safety, recognized top performing graduates with accolades. Both the leadership and academic awards were given to McArthur Roselin. The “Top Gun” shooting skills award went to Kevin T. Dorsey, Jr., and Jaeyls Rodriguez-Leal received the Physical Fitness award. The “PIG” award, which recognizes pride, integrity, and guts, went to Jaelys Rodriguez-Leal. CFK’s correctional officer program satisfies the training requirements of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. CFK is currently accepting applications for two upcoming law enforcement training academies:
 Dr. Douglas Mader, local veterinarian and author, will present at CFK’s VIP Series on Thursday, April 17 at 7p.m. in the Tennessee Williams Theater on the Key West Campus. KEY WEST, FL, April 4, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys will conclude its 2025 VIP Series with “Invasive Species in the Florida Keys” on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West Campus. Dr. Douglas Mader, a local veterinarian and author, will explore changes in the Florida Keys’ fauna and flora over recent decades, focusing on the impact of invasive species.
Dr. Mader’s presentation will highlight notable invaders such as Green Iguanas, pythons, Lionfish, Cuban Treefrogs, Haitian Curly-tailed Lizards, Myna Birds, and Monk Parrots. He will also address invasive plants like Australian Pines and Brazilian Pepper trees, which pose significant threats to the region’s ecosystem. Dr. Mader is a triple board-certified veterinary specialist with over three decades of experience. An internationally acclaimed lecturer and reviewer for multiple scientific journals, he has authored medical textbooks and numerous scientific publications. His latest book is The Vet at Noah's Ark: Stories of Survival from an Inner-City Animal Hospital. Dr. Mader serves South Florida’s animal community as a consulting veterinarian for organizations including the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Zoo, Key West Aquarium, Dynasty Marine, the Sea Turtle Hospital, Everglades Alligator Farm, Zoo Miami, and Theater of the Sea. Now in its eleventh season, the College’s VIP Series showcases the views, ideas, and perspectives (VIP) of speakers with local, regional, and national prominence. CFK’s 2025 VIP Series is sponsored by Essential Net Solutions. Tickets are $5 at the door; admission is free for students at CFK and Monroe County schools. For more information, call CFK at 305-296-9081 or visit the College’s website at CFK.edu/VIP. Students with intellectual disabilities, families invited to learn more about unique program at virtual event  Chrisfer Hyppolite, a student in CFK ‘s Project ACCESS program, studies on the Key West Campus. KEY WEST, FL, February 4, 2025—The College of the Florida Keys invites prospective students and their families to learn more about its Project ACCESS program at a virtual information session on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. Project ACCESS is an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. The personalized program includes academics, social activities, employment experience, and independent living. Students can participate in Project ACCESS at CFK’s Key West Campus or Upper Keys Center in Key Largo.
CFK offers an array of support for students in Project ACCESS including academic and peer mentors, success coaches, and academic advisors. Project ACCESS is a federally- approved Comprehensive Transition Program, meaning eligible students may receive Pell grants and apply to participate in work-study programs. Additionally, the College was awarded enhancement grants through the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities in 2017, 2020, and 2023 and is an approved Florida Post-Secondary Comprehensive Transition Program. Because of this funding, eligible students are awarded scholarships annually to offset tuition, fees, housing, and other costs. CFK recently earned national recognition for its work with Project ACCESS students. The NRF Foundation named CFK their 2025 RISE Up Partner of the Year for the successful incorporation of RISE Up retail training in the Project ACCESS program. Attendees of the virtual information session on February 19 will receive a code to waive the $30 application fee. Visit the College’s website at CFK.edu/ProjectACCESS to learn more and to connect to the virtual event. For more information, contact Nicole Gerrard, CFK Executive Director of Student Success Services, via email at [email protected] or phone at 305-809-3262. Learn more on February 5 or February 20  CFK Academy’s first classes of students sit in the stairwell of the new building in August 2023. KEY WEST, FL, February 3, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys has added another date option for middle and high school students and their family members to learn about the CFK Academy. The two Prospective Student Events will be on Wednesday, February 5 and Thursday, February 20, both at 5:30 p.m. at the CFK Academy on the College’s Key West Campus. Key information will be presented about the A-rated, tuition-free public charter high school. Attendees will be able to meet the CFK Academy’s principal, teachers, staff, and students and tour the school.
The CFK Academy focuses on college and career readiness with curriculum centered on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE). Teachers use a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, which provides students with hands-on engagement in the learning process beyond the traditional classroom. In the process, they further develop critical-thinking and communication skills. CFK Academy students are encouraged to earn college and high school credit simultaneously through the College’s Dual Enrollment program. College classes are conveniently located on the same campus as the high school. Motivated students can graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate degree, certificate, and/or industry certification. There is no cost to attend the CFK Academy, including the college level classes, potentially saving families tens of thousands of dollars. The CFK Academy earned an “A” grade from the Department of Education (FDOE) for the 2023-24 school year. FDOE’s school grading system pulls from various student success metrics, including student achievement, learning gains, graduation rates, acceleration success, and focus on students who need the most support. Applications are open for grades nine through 12 for the 2025- 26 school year and can be found online at CFK.edu/CFKAcademy. Space is limited. Applications are due by February 25 and a lottery will be conducted on February 27. Applications now open for 2025-26 school year  KEY WEST, FL, January 15, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys invites middle and high school students and their family members to the CFK Academy Prospective Student Event on Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the CFK Academy on the College’s Key West Campus. Key information will be presented about the A-rated, tuition-free public charter high school. Attendees will be able to meet the CFK Academy’s principal, teachers, staff, and students and tour the school.
The CFK Academy focuses on college and career readiness with curriculum centered on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE). Teachers use a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, which provides students hands-on engagement in the learning process beyond the traditional classroom. In the process, they further develop critical-thinking and communication skills. CFK Academy students are encouraged to earn college and high school credit simultaneously through the College’s Dual Enrollment program. College classes are conveniently located on the same campus as the high school. Motivated students can graduate with their high school diploma as well as an associate degree, certificate, and/or industry certification. There is no cost to attend the CFK Academy, including the college level classes, potentially saving families tens of thousands of dollars. The CFK Academy earned an “A” grade from the Department of Education (FDOE) for the 2023-24 school year. FDOE’s school grading system pulls from various student success metrics, including student achievement, learning gains, graduation rates, acceleration success, and focus on students who need the most support. Applications are now open for grades nine through 12 for the 2025- 26 school year and can be found online at CFK.edu/CFKAcademy. Space is limited. Applications are due by February 25 and a lottery will be conducted on February 27.  KEY WEST, FL, January 2, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys is teaming up with the Key West Chamber of Commerce to help local high school students, their families, mentors, and guidance counselors through processes related to college applications, decisions, requirements, and deadlines. The free workshop, entitled “Ready, Set, COLLEGE!” will be held on Wednesday, January 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the library on the College’s Key West Campus.
The first part of the workshop will focus on writing. Students will receive tips for writing effective essays for both college admissions and scholarship applications. The session will also help parents, mentors, and guidance counselors learn how to better evaluate student essays and suggest improvements. The second half of the workshop will be dedicated to learning about different ways to pay for college through federal grants and loans, scholarships, and payment plans. CFK financial aid staff will provide hands-on guidance through completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step required for federal and many other financial aid opportunities. For additional information about “Ready, Set, COLLEGE!,” contact CFK at 305-296-9081. Marine scientist, author, and CFK alumnus to present in Upper Keys and Key West  KEY WEST, FL, January 2, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys will open its 2025 VIP Series with back-to-back presentations on Wednesday, January 15 at 7 p.m. at CFK’s Upper Keys Center in Key Largo and on Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m. in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West Campus. Marine scientist, author, and CFK alumnus Dr. Jack Stein Grove will present “Galapagos Fishes, From the Shore to the Abyss and From Darwin to DNA.”
Drawing from 50 years of research and adventures in the Galapagos Islands, Dr. Grove will discuss the natural history and diverse wildlife of the famous archipelago. Dr. Grove graduated from CFK in 1972 before setting sail on his first expedition to the Galapagos in 1975 as an undergraduate of the University of West Florida. Since then, his research has been published in numerous scientific and popular articles. He authored "Fishes of the Galapagos Islands," published by Stanford University in 1997, which included a foreword by Jean Michele Cousteau. His new comprehensive book about the fishes of the Galapagos is scheduled to be released, open access, in 2025. In its eleventh season, the College’s VIP Series features the views, ideas, and perspectives (VIP) of speakers of local, regional, and national prominence. CFK’s 2025 VIP Series is sponsored by Essential Net Solutions. Tickets for each event are $5 at the door. Admission is free for students at CFK and Monroe County schools. For more information, call CFK at 305-296-9081 or visit the College’s website at CFK.edu/VIP. $100 Kick-Starter Scholarships; Application fees waive  KEY WEST, FL, November 14, 2024— The College of the Florida Keys will hold “Fast Track to Spring” events on Wednesday, November 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Key West Campus and at the Upper Keys Center in Key Largo at to help prospective students quickly get on a path toward their academic and career training goals this spring semester. New student applications are due December 1 and classes begin January 10. New students who participate in “Fast Track to Spring” will have their application fee waived, a savings of $30, and receive a $100 Kick-Starter Scholarship.
Future students and their families will be able to connect directly with knowledgeable CFK staff to receive information about degree and certificate options as well as financial aid, payment plans, and scholarships. Personalized guidance through the application process will also be available. Prospective students are encouraged to bring the following items, if readily available, to expedite the admissions process:
For more information about the opportunities available at CFK, visit the College’s website at cfk.edu or contact Marissa Owens, CFK Manager of Recruitment, at [email protected] or call 305-809-3207.  KEY WEST, FL, November 1, 2024— The College of the Florida Keys invites the community to a Movie Night fundraiser at the Tropic Cinema on Sunday, November 10, at 6 p.m. to support the men’s and women’s swim teams. The feature film will be the biographical sports drama “The Swimmers." Tickets are $15 and can be purchased either at the door or online on the Tropic Cinema website at www.tropiccinema.com
All proceeds from the event will support the athletes’ travel expenses to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Swimming and Diving Championships in Buffalo, New York in March 2025. Donations to support the team can be made to the CFK Foundation on the College’s website at www.cfk.edu/give. |
Submit Your StoriesChamber members send us your press releases on your organizations accomplishments, staff awards and/or major happenings. We will post them for free. Archives
November 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
|
Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
510 Greene St., First Floor | Key West, FL 33040 [email protected] | sitemap |
|