By Ariel Li | TCCTalon Co-Executive Editor
What’s in a name?
A name is a symbol.
First founded in 1966 by the Florida Legislature, the name Tallahassee Community College was adopted in 1970 by the institution and TCC has been a staple amongst the Florida college system for 58 years.
A name is a purpose.
TCC was ranked No.1 in the U.S. for Associate Degrees in 2021 by Intelligent magazine for its “curriculum quality, graduation rates, reputation and post-graduate employment.” The Aspire Program is the No. 1 transfer program to Florida State University, and the Ignite Program is the No. 1 transfer program to Florida A&M University. Both help many aspiring students reach their goals and dreams.
A name is a promise.
Even though TCC is changing its name to Tallahassee State College, the college’s mission stays the same.
“This is not about changing who we are,” President Jim Murdaugh said during his state of the college address in August 2023. “It’s about defining who we are and where we are going.”
To commemorate the most recent name change, Talon’s editors decided to issue this special edition of TCCTalon Tunes titled “TCCTalon Tunes: TCC to TSC—What’s in a Name?” The playlist consists of 58 uplifting songs about identity, perseverance, and hope, representing 58 (and counting) exciting years since TCC’s birth.
Just like Diana Ross said in her song “I’m Coming Out,” which is included in the playlist, there is a “new me” emerging from TCC, but the values this college holds dear will not change.
“ ‘I’m Coming Out’ in all its iterations lasts as a celebration of believing in oneself and taking pride in one’s identity,” said uDiscoverMusic.com, a music fansite run by Universal Music Group.
Another musical hit in the playlist, Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb,” also reflects the message behind TCC’s name change – no matter the outcome, excelsior will remain a TCC belief.
Americansongwriter.com said that “The Climb” had anchored Cyrus’s new start as a pop star while retiring her Hannah Montana TV persona.
Hopefully, TCC will prosper the same way as Cyrus did after climbing to a new height.
As we bear witness to this historical moment of TCC’s rebirth, please enjoy this Spotify playlist curated by the Talon’s editors. Go Eagles!
Playlist Name: TCC to TSC—What’s in a Name?
- Adventure of A Lifetime – Coldplay
- After the Storm – Kali Uchis (Ft. Tyler, The Creator, Bootsy Collins)
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
- All I Do Is Win – DJ Khaled
- Almost There – Anika Noni Rose
- Beautiful Day – U2
- Believer – Imagine Dragons
- Breaking Free – Troy, Gabriella Montez, Disney
- Can’t Hold Us Down – Christina Aguilera (Ft. ‘Lil Kim)
- Can’t Stop Me Now – Queen
- Celebration – Kool & the Gang
- Changes – David Bowie
- Confident – Demi Lovato
- Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel
- Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
- Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
- Feel This Moment – Pitbull, Christina Aguilera
- Fighter – Christina Aguilera
- Find My Way – Khai Dreams
- Firework – Katy Perry
- Flashing Lights – Kanye West
- Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti
- Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
- I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty
- I’m a Believer – Smash Mouth
- I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
- I’m Still Standing – Elton John
- I’m the Best – Nicki Minaj
- Let It Happen – Tame Impala
- Let’s Get it Started – Black Eyed Peas
- Life Will change – Lyn
- Lift Off – Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce
- Live Your Life – T.I., Rihanna
- Look Up – Joy Oladokun
- Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
- Move on Up – Curtis Mayfield
- My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) – Fall Out Boy
- My Way – Frank Sinatra
- One Foot – WALK THE MOON
- Rise Up – Andra Day
- Roar – Katy Perry
- Started from the Bottom – Drake
- Still Feel – Half Alive
- Stronger – Kanye West
- Stronger – Brittney Spears
- The Climb – Miley Cyrus
- The Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga
- The Greatest – Sia, Kendrick Lamar
- This is Me – Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley, The Wailers
- Tomorrow – Aileen Quinn
- Touch the Sky – Kanye West
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- Voulez-Vous – ABBA
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
- We Are the Champions – Queen
- We Will Rock You – Queen
- You Get What You Give – New Radicals
