Richard Corcoran

The board saw a big change in January, when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six conservative trustees, who quickly fired the college's then president, and appointed former state education commissioner Richard Corcoran.

The student-led event on Thursday is an additional graduation celebration for New College seniors.

Dr. Scott Atlas was chosen by New College of Florida interim president Richard Corcoran to address seniors at a May 19 graduation ceremony in Sarasota.

Hundreds of protestors, some holding signs reading 'Protect Professors; Resist Fascism' gathered on the New College campus ahead of the meeting.

The 14-member board includes Sarasota County School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler and Sarasota County state Senator Fiona McFarland.

It came amid questions from some Democrats about some of the appointees. They still need to be confirmed by the full Senate.

An email sent to “friends with college-age students” touted New College as “the Hillsdale College of the southeast.”

New College of Florida is known for its progressive approach to education and attracting a liberal student body. Now, the school finds itself caught in the crosshairs of America’s culture war.

Suzanne Sherman is stepping down as Provost at New College of Florida in Sarasota. She was a faculty member at the small liberal arts school for over 30 years.

Hampshire College, a 700-student institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, has offered admission to students at Sarasota's New College and is matching their cost of tuition.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has made the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida's public colleges and universities a legislative priority.

The Republican former state House speaker and education commissioner, who also served on the state Board of Governors that oversees Florida’s university system, was named to the role, in part, by seven new conservative trustees.