Give to the Michael Holmes Endowed Scholarship

A Florida native, Michael Holmes lived his entire life in central Florida. Born in 1953 in Sanford, he moved with his family to Lake Mary, where he resided until he drew his last breath after a battle with melanoma cancer. He crossed over into eternity on June 1, 2010.

Mike graduated from Seminole High School in 1972 and from there went on to attend Seminole Junior College, as it was called back then, graduating with an Associate in Arts degree. He then attended Florida Technological University (UCF), majoring in psychology , and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1976. He had become increasingly interested in computers during this time and expanded his knowledge by going back to school at SJC to take more computer classes. It wasn't long before Mike had graduated with a master's degree in computer education from Nova University in 1983. He became employed at the very place that gave him his beginning shortly after graduation and was one of the first two employees in the College's Computing and Telecommunications Services Department. The next 32 years of his life were spent in service to Seminole State College where he eventually became the director of Academic Computing and software specialist. Michael supervised and maintained the first PC lab at the College. He was also instrumental in designing and installing the first computer network with servers and distributed access using PCs. 

He loved his job, loved his computers, and loved the people he worked with. That close-knit group of friends and colleagues became a whole other family for Michael.

Not only did he love his job and those who surrounded him there, but Mike had a deep love for his mother, Rebecca, of whom he was caretaker. He devoted his life to her care and saw that all her needs were met. Though Michael never married and had no children of his own, there were three children in his life that he adored. His sister's children became like his own. They were the light of his life, so much so that even his coworkers could call them all by name.

Michael continued his long successful career at the College for many years to come, responsible for instructional computing services and the College’s entire network. He finished his tenure at the College as director of user support services and network when he sadly passed away in 2010.

Spare time for Mike was spent working in the yard, going to car shows and boat shows, window shopping and remembering days gone by. He had been an avid water skier back in the day and much of his youth was spent on Lake Mary behind a boat.

As a member of Markham Woods Presbyterian Church, Mike loved his church family and his pastor. He served in whatever capacity they needed. He drew great strength from his faith and that faith was his anchor in the storm during his fight against cancer. He held tight to the promises of God and never waivered. He was quite an exemplary display of courage.

To honor Michael's legacy and dedication to the College, his mother made a gift to the Foundation for Seminole State College to establish the Michael Holmes Computing Data Center and the Michael Holmes Endowed Scholarship, which will benefit computer science and information technology students. Nothing would make Mike more proud or happy than to know someone else would be following in his footsteps and that he made a difference in someone else's life.

Seminole State students pursuing a degree in computer science or information technology, enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours), and possessing a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply.