2025 Grant Awarded to Webber International University by GiveWell Community Foundation
Babson Park, FL. July 28, 2025- Webber International University has been awarded a $20,000 Impact Polk grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation to support its Skilled Workforce Training Scholarship Program. This funding will expand access to short-term certificate programs and accredited bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and information technology—fields identified as high-demand by Polk Vision and CareerSource Polk’s 2023–2024 Regional Demand Occupations List. The
$220,000 Awarded to 12 Local Agencies Supporting Polk County Students
United Way of Central Florida is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 George Jenkins Foundation Youth Opportunity Grant, awarding a total of $220,000 to 12 nonprofit agencies serving students in Polk County. This year, 29 agencies submitted proposals requesting over $526,800 in funding, reflecting the community’s deep commitment to youth development and educational equity. The Youth Opportunity Grant supports programs that serve Title I schools in high-need zip codes across Polk County, with a focus
Webber Prepares to Welcome Back Students for 99th Year
Babson Park, FL (July 22, 2025) — Webber International University is just two years away from celebrating its centennial in 2027. As the institution prepares to welcome students back on August 25th, it proudly enters its 99th academic year with a strong foundation in business education and expanding programs in health sciences. This year, Webber continues to evolve with a renewed focus on online learning, making its academic offerings more accessible to students beyond the Babson Park area. Dr. Nelson
AdventHealth Lake Wales Welcomes New General Surgeon
LAKE WALES, Fla. (Tuesday, July 15, 2025) -- AdventHealth Lake Wales is pleased to add to its roster of expert physicians general surgeon Robert Browning, IV, MD. Dr. Browning is a board-certified general surgeon who is accepting new patients in Lake Wales at the AdventHealth Medical Group General Surgery Office, located at 423 Linden Lane. He began working for AdventHealth Lake Wales in January.With over 17 years of experience in general surgery, Dr. Browning is an expert in robotic and
Warner University - Discounted Online Education
We’re excited to offer a 15% tuition discount on all of our online degree programs to your Lake Wales employees! We know that the Lake Wales community pursues excellence and are committed to serving the people around them—values that align closely with Warner’s mission. This partnership would allow your team members to pursue affordable, flexible higher education while continuing to thrive in their roles. Program Highlights:15% tuition discount on all online programsFlexible scheduling designed for
Polk State and Polk County Public Schools launch Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Thursday, July 10, 2025 — Polk State College and Polk County Public Schools formally announced the launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program during a celebration on the College’s Lakeland Campus on Tuesday. The program is made possible by a Pathway to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) of more than $281,000 from the Florida Department of Education. The grant, approved in December 2024, will cover tuition, books, transportation, and supplies. Students will complete the program at no cost to them. “Today
Polk State’s 3 collegiate high schools earn A grades for 2024-2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Polk State’s three collegiate high schools earn A grades for 2024-2025 Tuesday, July 8, 2025 — For the first time in Polk State College history, all three of its collegiate high schools have simultaneously achieved A grades from the Florida Department of Education, and not for a lack of academic achievement in the past. Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School traditionally received a school improvement rating due to differences in its charter and mission.
Webber Int'l Univ. Annual President's Golf Tournament, 9-22-25
Webber International University - President's Golf TournamentMonday, September 22, 2025Register your team or sponsor the event today! Don't miss out!Tournament Rules: •4-Person Scramble •Men play white tee markers, Women play green tee markers, Seniors play gold tees (65+) •You should use each player's tee shot at least 2 times during the round •2 Mulligans per player •Bogey MAX •We have a full field keep play moving •Turn in scorecards at the end of play •HAVE FUN!We will see you on the
Webber's OTA Program Earns 7-Year ACOTE Accreditation
Webber International University’s OTA Program Earns 7-Year ACOTE Accreditation BABSON PARK, Fla. (July 8, 2025) — In a significant milestone for healthcare education, Webber International University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, which was established in 2019, has earned a seven-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This makes it Florida’s first accredited Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) program and one of six
Beneath the Surface: What Founders Miss About Risk Until It Bites Back
Launching a startup is often described as a leap of faith, but that metaphor misses something important—it implies a single moment of risk. In truth, starting and scaling a company means walking a daily tightrope, balancing opportunity with uncertainty, growth with exposure, ambition with fragility. The mythology around entrepreneurship loves to spotlight risk-takers as if recklessness is a virtue, but smart founders know better. Risk isn't just something to stomach—it's something to study, strategize,
Wawa Summer Fun Days @ Bok Tower Gardens 2025
Wawa Summer Fun Days Back in 2025 with 8 Days of Complimentary Admission Lake Wales, FL - Wawa and Bok Tower Gardens are teaming up again to offer Wawa Summer Fun Days featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through August. The 2025 Wawa Summer Fun Days will be May 29-30, June 26-27, July 24-25, and August 28-29. Pre-registration is requested for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Lake Wales, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
Business Acrobatics: Adobe Tools Help Women Entrepreneurs Nail the Landing
As we celebrate Women's Small Business Month this October, it's important to recognize the innovative tools that empower women entrepreneurs to streamline their operations and drive growth. Adobe Acrobat offers a suite of features designed to enhance productivity, making it easier to manage documents, collaborate with teams, and handle essential business tasks efficiently. For women business owners looking to save time and focus on scaling their ventures, these solutions can be a game-changer in
