State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) celebrated the inauguration of its seventh president, Tommy Gregory, J.D., on Feb. 7. The SCF community, President Gregory’s family, friends and colleagues, and SCF President Emerita Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld participated in a ceremony and reception at the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center and Courtyard. The celebration continued at the Avenues to the Future Inauguration Dinner and Gala in the SCF Gymnasium. SCF Foundation hosted 366 guests at the dinner, which raised $177,000 in funding for SCF student scholarships and academic programs. View the festivities on the SCF Facebook page.

The inauguration ceremony featured the SCF Chamber Choir, keynote speaker U.S. Air Force Retired Major General Steven J. Lepper, and President Gregory’s installation and address. President Gregory’s wife, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and two of their three sons, who graduated from SCF Collegiate School, attended. Guests received challenge coins as a symbol of President Gregory’s appreciation and call to challenge him and each other in the pursuit of excellence and serve the college and community proudly.  

President Gregory is a longtime public servant and advocate for the community and country. He served as a former Florida House of Representatives member for three terms, is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and worked as a senior executive for 30 years leading teams, directing operations and counseling on legal matters.

President Gregory thanked his family for their encouragement and support, shared his gratitude for his position and defined his purpose, leadership style, and vision for SCF—honoring excellence and serving proudly in life-changing education and workforce development. He outlined the college’s goals to raise the graduation rate, provide advice, services and flexible schedules for students, listen to the community’s feedback and work with community partners.

“I’m inspired,” President Gregory said. “I’m going to be a relentless advocate. This college exists because leaders in this state set the bar high. When people get an education, it brings them up; it helps them achieve excellence. Together, serving proudly, let’s go higher and faster.”

A reception followed with light food and refreshments, fellowship, music, and a display of chalk art depicting the likeness of President Gregory and his family. Guests at the Avenues to the Future dinner continued celebrating President Gregory’s leadership, student success and the college’s future. They experienced Maverick the Manatee presenting the keys to the college to President Gregory, the SCF Presidential String Quartet, a get-to-know President Gregory video, chef-inspired food by PIER 22 and specially made SCF Manatee sculpture thank-you gifts.     

SCF thanks all sponsors for their generous support of the inauguration celebration. To view the list of sponsors, visit SCF-Foundation.org.