
Polk State Chain of Lakes Alumna Tells Graduating Seniors That to Help Others, They Must Put Themselves First

A Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School alumna and benefactor, who says the school helped her gain life-changing confidence, returned to campus Friday to address graduating seniors. “I’m going to tell the graduates…

Polk State Chain of Lakes Graduate Returns to Campus to Warn Current Students About Dangers of Drunken Driving

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School graduate Garrett Putnam, whose life changed forever when a drunken driver slammed into his car in 2013, recently visited campus to share words of caution — and inspiration…

From Polk State to Harvard? Recent Grad Proves It Is Possible

A recent Polk State grad will continue his college education at Harvard University. Josh Burgin, who graduated with his Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree in December, has been accepted to Harvard’s…

For Polk Respiratory Care Alumna, A Cough Inspired a New Career

Terri Dixon remembers the exact moment — or rather, the exact cough — that changed the course of her whole life. She was working as a phlebotomist, performing another routine blood draw, when a patient suddenly started…

Polk Radiography Alumnus: “If You’re Afraid to Go to School, Don’t Shortchange Yourself. You Can Do It.”

Rosevelt Nheik enrolled at Polk State College figuring he had nothing to lose. As it turned out, he gained more than he could ever have imagined. “I just really wanted to do more, to be…

Member of Polk State’s First Baseball Squad Throws Ceremonial First Pitch

Fifty years ago, Jim Selph pitched for Polk State’s first baseball team. On Saturday, as the College continues its 50th anniversary celebration, he returned to the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to…

Annual Golf Tournament Benefits Polk State Students

More than 90 golfers teed off in the Polk State College Foundation‘s 23rd annual William N. Ryan Memorial Golf Classic, presented by A.D. Morgan Corp. in partnership with MidAmerica Administrative and Retirement Solutions, Inc. Jan.…

Polk State College Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications

The Polk State College Foundation will accept scholarship applications from Feb. 1 through March 15. This year, the Foundation will award more than $600,000 in endowed scholarships. Scholarships are available for students already attending the…

Visual Arts Alumnus: “Polk State Was a Beginning, and Without It, I Wouldn’t Be Where I am Today”

In the 50-year history of Polk State College, there are thousands of stories of alumni who have achieved success in the health sciences or public safety or business. More rare are stories like that of Sam Romero,…

Respiratory Care Alumna Says Program Allowed Her to Start a Career and Family on Her Terms

Ammany Shihaibar knew where she wanted to end up in life, and with help from Polk State, she got there, right on time. “If it hadn’t been for Polk State and the Respiratory Care program,”…