
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,”…

Polk Nursing Alum Delivers “I Actually Do Care” to Patients at LRMC’s Emergency Department

When Greg Baisden thinks about the difference he gets to make for patients every day, he thinks about an elderly woman, her daughter, and his cell phone. Not too long ago, Baisden, a Registered Nurse…

Twanna Dewdney, Two-Time Polk Grad, Uses Salon as AIDS Test Site, Place of Hope

Yes, she cuts hair and does makeup for a living, but the words “stylist” or “cosmetologist” don’t come close to describing Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney’s work. “Advocate” is much more accurate. Dewdney, a two-time Polk State…

Polk State Grad Finds Fulfillment Each Day in Work as Paramedic

Two pivotal years and a Polk State degree set Margaret Orozco on a path she never thought possible, and in following it, she’s found fulfillment she never could have imagined. “I love coming to work,” said…