The Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association, Inc. will bring alumni, golfers and community supporters together on Monday, November 16, 2026, for its 18th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic at Vinoy Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under the theme “Golfing for Scholars,” the event will raise support for scholarships benefiting minority students attending St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs Campus.
The tournament will tee off at 8 a.m. at Vinoy Golf Club, located at 600 Snell Isle Boulevard NE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. Participants can look forward to a day of golf, food and fellowship, followed by a luncheon and awards ceremony.
For the association, the annual tournament is more than a sporting event. It is an opportunity to preserve the legacy of an institution that helped expand higher education access for African Americans in Florida and to invest in students pursuing their own educational goals.
“We are proud of our history and are excited about our future,” said W.H. “Bill” McCloud, president of the Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association, in his message to alumni and friends. He encouraged supporters to participate in the tournament and help keep the institution’s legacy alive through contributions to its scholarship endowment.
A Historic Institution and Its Lasting Impact
Gibbs Junior College opened on September 3, 1957, in St. Petersburg, Florida, as one of 12 Black junior colleges established in the state during the era of racial segregation. Named after Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs, Florida’s first African American Secretary of State and Superintendent of Public Instruction, the college provided educational opportunities to Black students who faced significant barriers to higher education.
Under its founding president, John W. Rembert, the institution developed an academic community that prepared students for careers and leadership in education, public service and other fields. Its influence extended throughout Pinellas County and beyond, serving students determined to pursue their ambitions despite the limitations imposed by segregation.
In 1965, Gibbs Junior College merged with St. Petersburg Junior College, now known as St. Petersburg College. Although the original institution eventually ceased operating as an independent college, its history remains an important part of the region’s educational legacy. The St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus continues to honor that heritage. <Cite refs={[“turn664568search0″,”turn664568search3”]}/>
Scholarships That Continue the Legacy
The alumni association has made scholarship support a central part of its mission. According to McCloud’s tournament message, the organization has awarded more than 75 scholarships to deserving minority students attending the Gibbs Campus of St. Petersburg College.
Through its fundraising efforts, the association seeks to help students meet educational expenses while encouraging future generations to recognize the sacrifices and achievements of those who came before them.
McCloud has long been involved in preserving the institution’s history and supporting students. In 2006, he helped establish the Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students at St. Petersburg College. His commitment reflects a broader effort by alumni to turn remembrance into tangible opportunities for today’s students. <Cite refs={[“turn664568search2″,”turn664568search5”]}/>
The association also has worked to recognize former administrators, educators, coaches and athletes whose contributions helped shape the college. Its Hall of Fame initiative is another way of ensuring that Gibbs Junior College’s achievements remain visible to the community.
Golfing for Scholars
The 18th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic offers alumni and supporters an opportunity to contribute directly to that continuing mission. The tournament committee has worked to organize an event that combines competitive golf with fellowship and community engagement.
The day will conclude with a luncheon and awards presentation, celebrating participants while reinforcing the importance of educational opportunity.
For more information about registration and tournament participation, contact Rufus Lewis, tournament coordinator, at (813) 876-9654.
The Gibbs Junior College Alumni Association is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Additional information is available at GibbsJuniorCollegeAlumni.org.
As the association prepares for another year of fundraising, its message remains clear: preserving the legacy of Gibbs Junior College means continuing to invest in the potential of students and helping them build brighter futures through education.
