With Push From Polk State, Alumnus Has Built His Life on Music
On any given day, you might find Jordan Burks leading his Auburndale Central Elementary students in a discussion on the future of music. Or tutoring the most musically inclined of those students after school. Or…
Polk Alumna Makes Moments Count for Patients
As Polk State alumna Renee Heacock knows well, a single moment can change everything. For Heacock, “the moment” came on a Fort Myers soccer field and led her to play for Polk. Now, in her…
Polk’s Urbina Overcomes, Sees “Sunrises” in Her Future
Christina Urbina describes the life she led up until a few years ago as standing in the ocean, right where the waves break, and getting knocked down over and over again. She dropped out of…
Rescue Chief Shane Reynolds Eager to ‘Give Back’ to Polk State
It wasn’t that long ago that Shane Reynolds was studying to be an air conditioning technician, a field he didn’t love but that would pay the bills. Today, he’s the recently promoted rescue chief of…
Polk State Student Publishes Book About Childhood Abuse, Forgiveness
With the help of inspiration she found at Polk State, student Kathy Leigh Berkowitz has published a book titled, “The Brighter Side of a Darker Thing” — an apt name for a work that has its beginnings in childhood sexual abuse, but that ends with forgiveness and new happiness.
Polk Pianist Gets “Second Chance,” Pursues Dream at USF
Christy Sallee didn’t take a direct route or follow a conventional timetable in studying music at the university level. But she got there nonetheless, and Polk State helped her along the way. Sallee is Polk…
Polk State Alumnus Named Head of Walt Disney World Resort
Polk State College alumnus George Kalogridis has been named president of Walt Disney World Resort, 42 years after he was hired as a busboy for the then-fledgling amusement park. His ascent to the highest ranks…
For Otis Wilson, Polk State is a ‘Blessing, a Dream Come True’
To sit with him now, as he excitedly chatters about his club involvement and his plans for starting a business, it’s impossible to imagine Otis Wilson as someone who might not have gone to college.…
Polk State Grad Goes from Ph.D. to Judge’s Chambers
It’s a steamy September afternoon, rain dotting the downtown Bartow pavement, when a visitor pulls open the door of Combee Law Firm, expecting the leather-bound, receptionist-guarded austerity so typical of law offices. Instead, the door…
Alumna Started Journey to ‘Dream Job’ at Polk State
For years, Brenda Patterson rose with the sun, tied on her shoes, and set off by foot to what was then Polk Community College. She walked for miles and miles across North Lakeland, watching as…