The St. Joe Community Foundation is set to provide $194,212 in funding to support three programs at Florida State University Panama City. The official check presentation will take place on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Holley Academic Center.
The largest portion of the funds, $148,968, will go to ASCENT (Advancing Science and Career Education in New Technologies). These resources will help leverage matching funds from a Triumph Gulf Coast grant and support 18 Integrated Technology Clubs and leadership programs across Bay County’s K-12 schools. Additionally, the grant will launch iCamps in Walton County and expand IT clubs there for students interested in Career Technical Education.
“FSU PC is committed to improving the quality of life in the Panhandle, specifically focused on increasing employment and other opportunities in computing and IT professions throughout the region,” said Suzanne Remedies, assistant director of ASCENT. “We are creating and offering new training opportunities for certifications in cybersecurity and data science, as well as increasing the number of CTE certifications throughout our region.”
The St. Andrews and St. Joseph Bays Estuary Program will receive $26,789 to fund materials for its Vertical Oyster Gardens project. This includes long-term monitoring efforts and an oyster shell recycling program.
“The project aims to enhance the health of the St. Andrew Bay watershed through innovative citizen science initiatives that focus on restoring native vegetation and increasing oyster populations that will have an overall increase in resilience,” said Jessica Graham, Ph.D., executive director for the Estuary. “By combining ecological restoration with public engagement, the project will not only improve habitat quality and biodiversity in St. Andrew Bay, but also empower local residents—particularly youth—to actively participate in conserving their environment and instilling a sense of pride in place.”
The Advanced Science Diving Program at FSU Panama City has been allocated $18,455 to cover expenses such as dive boats, fuel, SCUBA gear rentals, and technology needed for three bottom surveys supporting Army Corps of Engineers projects related to artificial reef deployment.
“Bay County is adding more artificial reefs to improve marine habitats, boost fish populations, and enhance recreational opportunities,” said Mike Davis, FSU PC’s director of dive operations and a retired U.S. Navy captain. “These reefs provide hard structure for fish to thrive in an area with primarily soft, sandy sea floors. They also serve as a fisheries conservation tool, dispersing fishing pressure and promoting healthy fish stocks. Additionally, they can help protect coastlines from erosion and contribute to the local economy by attracting divers and anglers.”
Established separately from its parent company in 1999, The St. Joe Community Foundation awards grants supporting education initiatives as well as environmental stewardship projects among other community-focused activities.
