Dean Larry Dennis hosted College of Information alumni, friends and donors at the inaugural Florida Literary Awards Banquet honoring the lifetime contributions of three beloved icons to Floridas heritage and literature: Jack Hunter, Stetson Kennedy and Patrick Smith.

Jack Hunter, whose first novel, The Blue Max, was a million copy best seller and became a major motion picture that is still popular to this day. Stetson Kennedy, whose book, Palmetto Country, was written as part of the American Folkways Series and was edited by Erskine Caldwell. Kennedy headed the Depression-era Florida Writers Project, and his book offered a unique look at Florida Folklore. Patrick Smith is best remembered for his A Land Remembered, listed as the Best Florida Book of All Time which deals with 110 years of Florida pioneer life. It shows Florida history through the eyes of several generations and is an epic portrayal of Florida’s pioneer spirit and rugged landscape. Smith has written several books and been nominated six times for the Nobel Prize for Literature and three times for the Pulitzer Prize. He was selected as The Greatest Living Floridian by the Florida Historical Society, been inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame and awarded the highest literary prize by The Southern Academy of Letters, Arts and Science.

The Honorable Kurt Browning, Florida Secretary of State presented the awards to its very first three recipients and in his speech, underscored the importance of preserving Floridas cultural heritage. He commended the three men for their dedication to literary excellence.

Alumni and friends in attendance were Ms. Mary Jane Little, (Chair of the CI Leadership Board), Dr. Elizabeth Mann, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie & Karen Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Sol & Beverly Hirsch, Mr. Harold George, Mr. & Mrs. Royce & Jae Bass, Mrs. Elaine Dennis, Mr. & Mrs. Allan & Lori Stamm, and Dr. Marilyn Wiles. Maf Brooks, CIs Director of Development and Tessa Smith, Annual Giving Development Officer also joined the group.

Prior to the special event, a group gathering was held at the Royal Melbourne Room of the World Golf Village where everyone had the opportunity to meet and catch up with each other. Dean Larry Dennis welcomed everyone and gave an update about the College. Mr. Charles Rasberry, President of the FSU Foundation also gave a short talk about the FSU Foundation and thanked our alumni, friends and donors for their continued support of the College.