Did you know SEU wasn’t always located in Lakeland? | Photos provided by Southeastern University
Pop quiz: Which Lakeland school has students worldwide, 100+ customizable degree paths, thousands of local alumni, and is among the top 1% of fastest-growing private universities in the US?
If you answered Southeastern University, you’d be correct — but these stats haven’t always been the case.
Let’s roll back the clock and take a look at how SEU grew from a small Bible college to a thriving, purpose-driven university and one of our area’s leading educational institutions.
1935: SEU was founded in New Brockton, Alabama as Alabama Shield of Faith Institute. As of the 2020 census, the town of New Brockton still has less than 1,500 residents.
1937: The Alabama Shield of Faith Institute celebrated its first graduating class.
1952:The school moved to its forever home on Longfellow Boulevard in Lakeland, between Lake Bonny and Lake Holloway. Shortly after, it was renamed to Southeastern Bible College.
1986:SEU received accreditation (read: recognized as providing a high-quality education) from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
2001:Construction began on three new residence halls as enrollment continued to grow.
2005: The school was renamed to Southeastern University, changing its branding but maintaining its faith-forward values.
2014: The SEU Fire won its inaugural football game 31-7 at the newly-opened Victory Field.
2025: SEU now celebrates global reach with 250 partner site locations and 12,000+ students worldwide, continuing its mission to offer Christianity-centered education across diverse communities.
SEU has expanded to include initiatives like Pathways School of Excellence, a school dedicated to middle and high school students with disabilities. The university also boasts study abroad opportunities, cutting-edge tech for hands-on career prep, and 25+ graduate programs, including multiple doctoral degrees.
Handprint Walk-In Event | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $28 | Make your mark with a handprint plate that will be perfect for gifting.
2025 Annual Career Expo | 4-6 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center | Free | Learn about LRH careers + benefits like tuition reimbursement at this annual expo open to aspiring healthcare workers, high school seniors, and college students.*
Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders | 6 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | $23+ | Skip the peanuts and feast on an all-you-can-eat menu of sweet + savory bites as Lakeland shows Bradenton who’s the real baseball boss.
Thursday, April 24
Lakeland Book Crawl | Thursday, April 24-Saturday, April 26 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Locations vary | Free+ | Stop by one of Lakeland’s seven independent bookstores for daily specials, pop-ups, and events, culminating in a finale social on Saturday at Crash Bookshop.
Salsa, Sips, & Succulents | 7-8:30 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $65 | Indulge in build-your-own tacos and refreshing drinks while learning to craft a succulent arrangement.
Winter Haven Lakes Kayak EcoTour | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Shipp Park, Winter Haven | Free | See the Chain of Lakes from a new perspective — sign up for a free single or double kayak rental, or bring your own.
Hakucho is now open on Main Street in downtown Lakeland. Stop by Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m. to try Japanese pub-style bites + bevs. Our faves from our first visit were the fried chicken karaage, tart mocktail, and just-spicy-enough shishito peppers.
Development
Florida’s first dedicated wildlife overpass is now under construction in Lakeland near State Road 33 and I-4. The overpass will help animals safely access the Tenoroc Public Use Area, and the design also allows for a possible future rail line in the I-4 median. (The Ledger)
Lakelander
Lakeland’s swan flock has grown, thanks in part to Mike Araldi, pilot + President of Quest Air Services. After hearing that the city was facing a high cost to transport the birds, Araldi flew them from Chicago to Lakeland at his own expense. The six swans arrived safely on Monday.
Edu
Southeastern University’s next students will be much younger than usual. The school received city approval to build an Early Childhood Center for around 160 children on South Crystal Lake Drive, which will offer hands-on experience for its School of Education students. (The Ledger)
Biz
Community partnerships, business credit, AI — it’s all on the agenda for the Central Florida Diversity Business Council’s Black Business Expo on Friday, June 6 at The Well. The day starts at 8 a.m. with a VIP breakfast, expo, luncheon, and afternoon vendor market. (The Ledger)
Award
The Mr. George Community Service Award is one of the highest honors given to Publix associates, with two Lakelanders earning one this year. New winners include Liz Plemons + Cindy Roberts, whose passions include helping local orgs like United Way, Polk County Bully Project, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. (The Shelby Report)
Community
All are invited to the 37th Annual Polk County Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Thursday, May 1. Head to the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial in Lakeland’s Veterans Memorial Park at 10 a.m. for a service in honor of 37 local officers who have died in the line of duty.
Cause
READ Lakeland’s annual Kiss the Pig fundraiser is underway, with competitors raising money for a chance to — you guessed it — kiss a real pig. Each dollar donated by Thursday, May 8 equals one vote and goes toward adult literacy efforts. Join the finale to see who wins.
Festival
Bonnet Springs Park’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Celebration returns on Saturday, May 10. Find performers + vendors representing Japan, Hawaii, India, New Zealand, and more on the Lawn from 6 to 9 p.m. — no ticket required.
Featured Deal
Psst — This week, spend $55+ online at Clinique and get a free eight-piece kit with code GIFT. We’re eyeing: a new Almost Lipstick and best-selling mascara.*
Shop
These cannabis gummies keep selling out — just one can get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.†*
Category
Eat
🍫 Where to buy a taste of Dubai
We’re fans of this flavor combo after trying it at Rogue Coffee. | Photo by LALtoday
It’s been trending around the world since last summer, and now the Dubai chocolate craze has reached the 863.
If you haven’t heard of this trendy treat, it’s a chocolate bar with a pistachio and knafeh (pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in a sugar-based syrup) filling. Here’s where you can find it around Lakeland:
Rogue Coffee | Bars flown in from the United Arab Emirates are flying off the shelves at this cafe. Try them filled with pistachio, lotus, or peanut butter + caramel.
Choco Berries | Find this booth at downtown events and the farmers market for Belgian chocolate-covered strawberries topped with pistachios and knafeh.
Pour Bear Coffee | Get yours in drink form with the Dubai Chocolate Cold Brew, topped with a layer of creamy cold foam.
Crave Cookies | This new shop will soon introduce strawberry cups layered with pistachio cream, crushed dough, and crumbled chocolate chip cookies.
The Buy
A 100% leak-proof tumbler. The Hydracy Soulmate boasts a sleek design (read: it’s cup holder-friendly), three layers of insulation to keep your drink cold for 24 hours, and is dishwasher safe.
Lucky me — I ran into artist Samara Ash when I visited her new work at the RP Funding Center on Saturday, and she explained how the different shapes in the composition represent nature + development. Then she showed me the perfect place to take it all in: near the entrance to the Hyatt Place hotel parking lot.
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