Introducing The Last Mile Scholarship:
Each year, a small number of seniors face unforeseen challenges, such as family emergencies, loss of income, or sudden financial strain, that jeopardize their ability to complete their degree or participate in commencement. These students have already invested years of effort, excelled academically, and contributed to the Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise community. The Last Mile Scholarship Fund provides timely, targeted support so that seniors can cross the finish line with confidence.
What the Fund Supports
- Tuition or fees needed to complete final credits
- Outstanding balances preventing graduation clearance
- Emergency financial needs that directly impact a student’s ability to finish their degree
- Support that ensures students can participate fully in commencement
A Testimonial from Skye Lively ‘25, B.S. in Marketing,
“Just weeks before graduation, I was struggling financially and trying to figure out how I was going to make my final payments. It got to a point where I truly didn’t know if I would be able to walk across the stage and receive my degree. After all the hard work I had put in, that possibility was incredibly discouraging, and I felt like I was letting both myself and my family down.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that a friend of mine saw how much I was struggling and reached out to my professors. Because of their support, I was able to walk across the stage. Something that means more to me than I can put into words. I am beyond grateful for the people who supported me during that time. A special thank you to Kyndall Brewer for seeing my struggles and helping me, and to Dr. Harris, Dr. Dapko, Dr. Hardin, and all of the faculty who supported me along the way.
This experience showed me how important it is to lean on your community. The Last Mile Scholarship will exist to help students reach that final stretch, and I’m so thankful for the donors who helped me reach mine.”
To support future students, please click on the button at the top of the page and be sure to select the Last Mile Scholarship as the Designation in the list of options.
Message from Dr. Michael Weber | Dean, Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise 
The Barney Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise continues to advance its mission of delivering transformational, experiential business education grounded in innovation, mentorship, and measurable outcomes.
Your support will further enhance and maintain our measurable success within these initiatives:
- Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise & Dean of Business Excellence Fund: With sustained momentum and measurable outcomes 98.6 - 100% of graduates from the Classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation
- Seed to Scale Fund: Provides entrepreneurial impact at scale with 400+ students engaged in over the past three years, launching 100+ new ventures
- Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship: Supports the growing ecosystem of innovation with student ventures that have raised $275,000+ in capital, secured $150,000+ in competition funding, and generated $4M+ in revenue
- Institute of Accounting Excellence (IAE): Florida Southern ranks in the top four of 26 Florida institutions on CPA Exam Pass rate. Supporting the IAE allows for more student field experiences and increases resources for CPA Exam Preparation.
Thank you for your support of Florida Southern College and our students. We appreciate you participating in Day of Giving and look forward to sharing some more impactful student stories with you soon!
