Under the leadership of Dr. Ludd M. Spivey from 1925 until 1957, Southern College began putting itself on the map, overcoming financial difficulties in its first 10 years in Lakeland. In 1935, it met accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of Dr. Spivey�s earliest dreams for the institution. More buildings began being erected on the orange grove campus from 1935-36. It was in 1936 that the college adopted the official name Florida Southern College.

Knowing that the college needed to grow and that there was a need for a �true American college,� Dr. Spivey began a relationship in 1938 that would shape the look of the campus forever. He sent American architect Frank Lloyd Wright a telegram saying he wanted to speak to him about �building a great education temple in Florida.� The master architect accepted and designed 12 structures that became the west campus — The Child of the Sun. The collection not only put the campus on the map back then, but continues to do so years later, attracting thousands of visitors who come to admire the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.