The Southeastern Academy of Travel and Tourism was originally opened in Orlando, offering two-year associate’s degree programs in business, computer and other professional fields. It was only temporary as their primary location was being renovated. In 1976, they moved into their new building situated on 31-acres of land, a converted Ramada Inn built in the late-1960s located just off the Florida Turnpike.The school operated until May 31, 2001, when the school was forced to close down due to financial issues.The financial issues the school had stem back to a court hearing, which found them guilty of not filing a closeout audit and not properly accounting federal funds for the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 award years. The judge ordered that Southern College and Southeastern Academy repay to the United States Department of Education the sum of $5,555,682.46 and $5,069,550.00, respectively; in other words, a sum of money the school didn’t have.The building sat vacant for years and it would be around 2008 when the vandalism on the property would begin. Though a fence was erected around the property, officials and neighbors seem to not pay attention to who comes and goes off the property. Chunks of the walls and ceiling litter the floor, the landscape is terribly overgrown, and the graffiti on the walls is what you’d expect from kids. Much of the building has been on fire at some point, including the main lobby and many of the dorm rooms. In October 2009, a storage building located behind the school which contained textbooks, school materials and even a truck was set ablaze. Even though the property is currently on the market for $2.5 million, vandalism there remains an issue.
56 Comments
Donna
10/8/2015 03:50:01 pm
I went to school here in 1985 - How sad that it looks like this now. It was a great time back in the 80's
Kris
10/3/2016 07:41:47 pm
Yes it was! I was there also in 1985 and shared a room with a gal named Donna. Are you her? Where are you from? I'm from MN.
Regina
4/21/2017 07:05:25 am
Hi Kris, I shared a room with a person named Donna, wonder if it's the same person?
Scott
2/10/2020 05:32:36 am
I graduated in May, 1985 and then I was one of the Student Assistants until the end of December, 1985.
Sherry Werley
6/23/2022 04:53:43 pm
I graduated March 1985 and my name was Sherrie Werley, now Sherrie Yastrop. I would love know how my classmates are doing or if anyone is on Facebook. 3/5/2016 07:13:32 am
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Ginger
4/14/2016 12:37:07 pm
I also attended in the 80's. It was beautiful!!!! It's sad to see that it's in this condition. I was searching for classmates. Too bad!!!! :(
Pollyanne Perkins Green
8/28/2016 07:49:28 pm
Hi Ginger,
Carolyn
8/4/2016 12:24:01 pm
I also attended in the early 90's. I totally agree, it is very sad to see it now.
Pollyanne Perkins Green
8/28/2016 07:45:49 pm
Hi Ginger, 3/21/2017 11:11:51 pm
Toronto is Canada's capital and is known for having many immigrants from many parts of the world. Toronto leads in transportation services due to a rewarding business environment, which includes; minimal crime events and a large population. Toronto has a modern car service industry that is thriving. 5/11/2017 04:15:10 am
South Eastern Academy of travel and tourism,I appreciate the information about you which has been share exploring about the ruins of it.Thanks for such an informative post.
Linda
6/21/2017 11:58:38 am
How Said, I went to SEA in 1985. How sad to see what has happened to it.
Shelley Nowlin
3/6/2021 06:14:29 pm
Hi everyone, I went to SEA in 1982 graduation I believe was in November of that year. I had started the course through the mail and then came to Florida for the 6 weeks and graduated. Such great memories. If anyone knows how to obtain transcripts I would truly appreciate if you would let me know. My email is [email protected].
Kammie
10/5/2017 05:27:08 am
I Attended in summer of 1980. I learned the art of a good handshake. Think of SEA every time I shake someone's hand
Hope
11/28/2017 03:16:46 pm
I attended in 1983. I remember friends Heather and Ellen. Sad to see that it's not there anymore.
philippe podvyne
12/4/2017 08:46:31 pm
i attended in 1993. How sad to see what has happened to it. I was searching for classmates. Too bad!!!! :(
Joy
3/28/2018 05:47:15 am
I addended in 1993. I remember the name ? I am from NC. Good luck with your search. I have lost touch with all the wonderful people I met from this school.
philippe podvyne
3/28/2018 10:18:36 am
thank joy for your answer... to bad you lost touch with all the people. i will still continu to search my best friend and roommate from this school. i know he has some family in charlotte, NC. i am sick to see the pictures of the school..too many good memories and times past on this school. see what this school has become, it makes me sick.
Tina
3/21/2019 08:38:02 am
try this website
Mark A Malloy
3/21/2020 08:26:46 am
Hello I am Mark Malloy who attended Southeastern Academy n 93 as well. Phillip Williams and I came to the school together.
Lisa
4/5/2018 06:38:54 pm
It was from a good place I had hoped about many, and, I know for myself to learn. I'm very proud I was part of SEA class of 1995.
Catrina Williams
6/22/2021 07:23:26 am
Hi, I was too.
JENNIFER
8/1/2018 10:45:42 am
Does anyone know how to obtain records for employment purposes from 1978?
Billy from PA
9/4/2019 08:36:50 pm
Hi SEA fellow travelers:
Tina Anderson
3/21/2019 08:33:20 am
I am looking for records also. So sad this beautiful school is gone. I was there in 1991 and loved it.
Chandra Downey
7/8/2019 09:16:03 pm
I went there in 1991 graduated 03/1991 I'm sad to here this. My name was Chandra King then my roomate was Trudy Johnston we were the only women in the mens area due to our shower heaf busting and flooding are room
Alice Dawson
7/9/2020 08:49:19 am
Hi Tina,
Amanda Woodrow
6/5/2019 07:48:41 am
Hi there. I am looking for where I can get records from the 80's for a verification. Is there an alum email or group who can help me? I'd greatly appreciate it.
Bill July 1980
9/4/2019 08:44:23 pm
If you find an alumni group, would you post it here?? Thank you from Beverly Hills. [email protected]
Dana Chisolm
11/10/2019 07:04:38 am
I attended in 1989. Someone should create a Facebook page!
Dawn Lynch
12/9/2019 03:28:27 pm
Attended SEA fall of 1990.
Chris Smith
11/23/2022 06:24:17 am
Who were your roommates?
Angela
4/3/2020 10:58:26 pm
I went here back in 99 or 2000 I will like to see the people I use to hang out with
Jasmine
9/2/2020 11:53:50 am
Hi Angela, I went there during that time as well, but since have changed my name.
Suzette
10/8/2020 03:35:36 pm
Hello Angela and Jasmine. I attended February 1999. I was part of group F and G.
Jasmine
10/11/2020 12:00:15 pm
My name when I attended (1999) was Sharesha. I can't remember the group I was in, but weirdly I only remember Bradford Leonard
Miracle
10/28/2021 09:31:53 am
Hey I was there in 99
Heather HamiltonRoy
10/19/2022 06:58:13 pm
I attended Summer August 1998-Dec 1999
Lavonda
9/14/2023 06:41:32 pm
I went to SEA 1999- 2000 I wish I could remember some of the names. I met some great people there, it was a experience
Bruce LIpford
5/12/2020 07:04:36 am
I went there in the late 80s. I cannot believe what has happened to the school. I had a great time while attending.
Terry Gilbert
8/18/2020 11:49:07 am
I graduated December 1980. No contact with any classmates. I have lots of wonderful memories. I used the placement program up thru the 90's. Remained in the industry since graduation.
Jasmine
9/2/2020 11:56:46 am
Hello fellow SEA Grads! I went in 1999 through 2000 and lost my transcript and certificate. Does anyone know who should be contacted in order to retrieve?
Regina Portee
9/27/2020 03:17:42 pm
Hi Jasmine, I graduated from SEA in 1986 and have lost my transcript and diploma too. I've contacted the FL dept. of Edu. for assistance, I have not heard back yet. Here is the link:
Jasmine R Green
9/28/2020 03:54:54 pm
Hi Regina,
Edwin Jones
10/19/2020 11:36:37 pm
I graduated in 1993... I came down with Jamal and Maurice, we all were from North Carolina. We enjoyed all of the 3 months we were there.
Bill roberts
5/30/2021 08:07:27 pm
Went to school there in1983, remember going across the turnpike to the Holiday Inn. To the swivels lounge to drink and dance every friday and saturday nights, my room mates were Brian Erwin and Roger Stanfill
Sherry Werley
6/23/2022 04:57:26 pm
I graduated in March 85. If anyone roomed with me I would love to catch up. You can email me or find me on Facebook. My married name is Sherrie Yastrop and I currently live in Northampton, PA. 😍
Mary Mocera Earley
6/26/2022 11:20:18 am
I went there in 1977. Is anyone around from that time?
James
7/16/2022 09:28:46 am
For anyone still looking for transcript help - I just used this this morning, hopefully it will work.
Carole Robbins
6/17/2023 08:06:09 pm
Sad to see SEA like that now! I went there back in 1985. Which I graduated November 1985!
Roy Evans
7/10/2023 04:19:42 pm
Sad to see that school go
Stacia Lanway
1/7/2024 08:33:57 am
I went SEA in Jan 1999. I'd love to catch up with some other classmates from that time. So sad to see what happed to the shool.
Suzan (Takesian ) Heron
3/14/2024 10:44:13 am
Hi All, I attended southeastern Academy in 1985 or 86. It was such a wonderful school then. I learned so much and utilized those skills for about 10 years once I left the school. I then change career paths. I often think of those days and wonder what happened to all of my classmates. so sad to see what the school has become. Heartbreaking. Like a piece of our past is gone. Leave a Reply. |