Posted: November 27, 2007: 3:20 pm
If you could help a student become 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs … would you do it? Consider for a moment a young person who meets with a mentor is…
– 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol
– 52% less likely to skip school
– 33% less likely to engage in a fight
The Chamber Education Committee is asking you to consider becoming a mentor for a student who needs guidance and a caring adult in his or her life. You can partner with an associate which will allow a child to have the commitment of meeting with either you or your partner each week. Support of mentoring is a primary Chamber goal.
Learn more …
Sign up to take mentoring training on December 5, 2007 from 8 – 10 a.m. at State Farm Insurance on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. (Bring a photo ID to enter.)
Interested? Contact Jan Rooney at jan.rooney.hu2n@statefarm.com or phone 863-318-3339.
Some lucky student is depending on you.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Education, General Announcements, Perspective, Success Stories
Posted: October 30, 2007: 9:34 am
Construction is set to being in January 2008 on this 45,000 square foot $4.8 million Health and Science complex at the Ridge Career Center on Lucerne Park Road (SR 544). The two-story facility will include classrooms and other meeting space designed to serve the school’s growing health and science professional sector.
The new facilities should be ready for occupancy by fall 2008.
| See other posts filed in: Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: October 22, 2007: 3:36 pm
Rex R. Yentes, President of Webber International University in Babson Park, today announced his intention to retire. In his seventeen year tenure, Yentes changed the face of the quiet lakeside campus, offering its first MBA degree and more than doubling the size of its student body. Celebrating its 80th year of operation, the University was the first private college chartered as a not-for-profit school under Florida’s then new educational and charitable laws. A women’s college until 1971, the University now boasts men and women from some 37 different countries.
When Yentes took over the University in 1990, it had only 219 students and was struggling. Yentes added men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, baseball, softball, and football to recruit students and enhance student activities and development. He also added an MBA program, added three major scholarship programs, and built most of the campus’ major buildings.
Yentes will remain the University’s President through October 31st, 2008. This will allow him to oversee the completion of the University’s two new student housing buildings as well as to launch the largest capital campaign in the University’s history. Both in honor of his contributions to the University and their desire for a smooth transition, the Board of Trustees has asked Yentes, and he has consented, to assume the position of President Emeritus after his retirement.
Yentes said the search for a successor would begin immediately. He did not provide further details about this process but stated that information regarding the search would appear on the University’s web site (www.webber.edu) by the end of the week.
In addition to his role as president of Webber International, Yentes was involved in economic development activities as well as serving on the Tourist Development Council of the Central Florida Development Council.
| See other posts filed in: Education, General Announcements, Success Stories
Posted: September 27, 2007: 1:52 pm
This morning in Tallahassee the State University System’s Board of Governors approved the SUS PECO list including $35 million for the campus on I-4 in Lakeland.
The action fulfills the only stipulation in the $5 million gift the university received this week from the Central Florida Development Council following County Commission action. This will clear the way for the university’s application for a $5 million matching grant from the state.
Big news and big week for Polk’s new USF Campus. Congratulations!
| See other posts filed in: Education, General Announcements, Success Stories
Posted: September 18, 2007: 7:49 am
Polk Community College was recognized with the George W. Harris Jr. Award for promoting free enterprise, community service, economic stability and quality growth. PCC President Dr. Eileen Holden accepted the award crediting it to the college faculty and staff.
PCC was recognized for its impact on the local economy (estimated at $120 million in the past year). David Touchton, chairman of the NCT Group, CPAs noted that “Economic Development starts with education.” He also noted the school has received a $12 million gift in addition to 20 acres that will help PCC create a Center for Advanced Global Manufacturing Technology College in Bartow.
Florida Southern College received the Dick Pope Sr Award for tourism in recognition of the tourists, educators and students of architecture that visit its unique collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Accepting the Award from Fantasy of Flight’s Jessie Douthit, a surprised FSC President Ann Kerr said the award was totally unexpected.
The CFDC Annual Meeting was held in Sykes Hall at the Lakeland Center. More than 300 people from across Polk County attended the event.
| See other posts filed in: Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Success Stories, Tourism
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