“If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” Returning to her alma mater as Polk State College’s April 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, Debbie Harsh stood before graduates not simply as a retired banking executive, but as someone who had lived the kind of life she now urged them to build. Harsh’s story is, in
Distinguished Alum Debbie Harsh shares message of resilience at Polk State commencement Read More »
Local businesswoman and Polk State alum leaves a legacy that will ensure student success for years to come The Polk State College Foundation has received a $115,000 legacy gift from the Cynthia A. Price Revocable Trust to support students pursuing an associate degree at Polk State College. Steve Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and
New Future Eagle Award Scholarship The Polk State College Foundation has introduced the Future Eagle Award, a transformative new scholarship that will cover a full year of tuition and books for one graduating senior from every public, private and charter high school in Polk County. This initiative represents an estimated $70,000 annual investment in local
In an evening more than four decades in the making, the Polk State College Foundation brought together generations of its Distinguished Alumni for the first time at a special dinner held inside Winter Haven Fine Arts (WFA). The event, hosted by the Foundation and the Alumni Association, marked a historic moment for Polk State College
Distinguished Alumni gather for first‑ever Polk State celebration Read More »
The Polk State College Foundation’s application for scholarships for the 2026-2027 Academic Year is now open through February 28. The Foundation awards approximately $1.2 million in scholarships annually. Students can visit polk.academicworks.com to create or update their scholarship account. Additional information about available scholarships and instructions to complete the scholarship application process will be posted on the
Apply for Polk State Foundation scholarships February 1 – 28 Read More »
Criminal Justice student ShiAnn Griffin stood before a crowd of alumni at the Polk State College Foundation’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Thursday evening to share her story, defined by resilience, rediscovery and a growing commitment to serving her community. Griffin, a mother of two, began her time at Polk State pursuing an Associate in
Polk State student and mother of two awarded Alumni Association scholarship Read More »
Polk State College has awarded the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship to Rachelle Scarbor, a Radiography student who is turning perseverance into purpose and education into community impact. Scarbor has a clarity forged by experience and a vow she refuses to abandon. “I am a 55‑year‑old student on a transformative journey to fulfill
MLK scholarship empowers Polk State student’s dream Read More »
From patrolling Polk County roads to leading one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits, Larry G. Williams, Jr. has spent his life answering the call to serve. This December, Polk State College celebrated Williams as its Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, honoring a career that began right here at Polk Community College. “When I walked the
Distinguished Alumni Spotlight: Larry G. Williams, Jr. Read More »
Polk State honors two faculty with Endowed Teaching Chair distinction Polk State College has named two faculty members as recipients of its prestigious Endowed Teaching Chair, a distinction that recognizes excellence in instruction and innovation in the classroom. This year’s honorees are Maggie Chaffin, Professor of Nursing, and Dr. Austin Zekeri, Professor of Accounting and
Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney, a local business owner, community activist and Polk State College Alumni Association board member, received the Banker’s Cup Citizens of the Year Award at this year’s Celebrate Winter Haven gala. Dewdney’s list of accomplishments is long. She is a Polk State Distinguished Alumni, is active in her church, participates in prison ministry
Distinguished Alumni honored with top Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce award Read More »