This past week, we paused to honor one of America’s greatest trailblazers Sally Ride, an astronaut and STEM education advocate, who passed away on Tuesday, July 23, from pancreatic cancer.

Throughout her life, the courageous Sally Ride made giant strides to inspire all Americans, especially women, to challenge societal barriers and pursue her passion for physics and education.

In 1983, Sally became the first American woman to fly into outer space, and while not everyone knew how to react to her participation and accomplishments in the space program, Sally pressed forward to eventually serve as an advisor to NASA and serve on the commission to investigate the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents. Sally continuously dared to explore ideas and areas where many had never ventured before.

Her passion for educating our future generations in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields also paved the way for many students to pursue careers in these innovative and high-tech disciplines. For years, she educated young minds about physics at the University of California in San Diego and in 2001 she founded Sally Ride Science – a company which created innovative classroom materials and programs, as well as professional development training for teachers.  She also published seven books which sought to ignite a child’s natural curiosity about science.

Through her dedication and willingness to explore, many lives have been changed. Future generations now have more opportunities to discover the many benefits and growing opportunities of STEM-related disciplines than ever before and we hope these opportunities continue to increase.

Great news! Governor Scott has appointed four new members to the Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) Board of Trustees this afternoon. Congratulations to Mark Bostick, Robert Gidel, Scott Hammack and Kevin Hyman. Below, please find the statement sent out on behalf of Governor Scott naming the appointees.

Now, with the majority of its trustees in place, FPU is gaining momentum and is ready to get started with official business! We look forward to becoming a resource for the newly selected members of the administration to take FPU forward!

Governor Rick Scott Appoints Four to Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointments of R. Mark Bostick, Robert H. Gidel, Scott Hammack and Kevin Hyman to the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees.

Bostick, 58, of Lake Wales, has been the president of Comcar Industries since 1989. Previously, he was appointed by Governor Bob Martinez to the Governor’s Commission on Reform and Education and served on the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission in 2007 and on the Florida State Fair Authority Board since 2011. In addition, he has been a member of the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center Advisory Board since 2004, the Tulane University Business School Council since 2003, a board member of the Winter Haven Hospital since 1996 and founding chairman and member of the Board of Trustees for All Saints’ Academy since 1995. Bostick received a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University. He is appointed for a term beginning July 13, 2012, and ending June 30, 2015.

Gidel, 60, of Windemere, has been a managing partner of Liberty Capital Advisors since 1997. Previously, he was chief executive officer of Ginn Company from 2007 to 2009. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Florida Foundation since 2002, of the Gator Boosters since 2004, and of the University of Florida Investment Corporation since 2010. He also serves on the James Madison Institute Board of Directors, the Florida House Foundation Board of Trustees and the Investment Advisory Council. Gidel received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. He is appointed for a term beginning July 13, 2012, and ending June 30, 2017.

Hammack, 46, of Naples, has been the chief executive officer of Prolexic Inc. since 2011.  His extensive experience in information security and health care technology includes also heading Edmz from 2009 to 2010 and Cyberguard from 2001 to 2004. Hammack received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. He is appointed for a term beginning July 13, 2012, and ending June 30, 2015.

Hyman, 62, of Winter Haven, has been the executive vice president of operations for Bright House Networks since 2008 and was previously president of the company’s Tampa Bay Division from 2004 to 2008. With leadership experience in the cable television and communications field since 1985, he formed his own company, which later became part of Time Warner Communications. At that time, he assumed the role of general manager of the company’s operations, first in Colorado Springs, and later in the Tampa Bay area.  Prior to that, he taught economics at Nasson College in Maine from 1974 to 1978 and served as coordinator for the school’s Department of Business and Economics. Hyman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island. He is appointed for a term beginning July 13, 2012, and ending June 30, 2015.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

# # #

During a meeting today, the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) took giant strides toward the development of Florida’s 12^th university.  The BOG’s Trustee Nominating and Development Committee settled on four of five appointments for the Florida Polytechnic University’s Board of Trustees after conducting 10 extensive interviews on Wednesday.

All four appointees – Sandra Green Featherman, Richard Paul Hallion Jr., Frank Thomas Martin and Donald Herbert Wilson – were approved by the Board of Governors and will be on the Board of Trustees for at least 2 years.

The new Board will consist of 13 individuals – five chosen by the BOG, six chosen by Governor Rick Scott and two, dictated by Florida statute, reserved for the faculty senate president and the student government president. The BOG’s fifth appointee will be chosen after Governor Scott makes his selections.

Here are quick profiles of the first four appointees to the 13-member Board of Trustees:

Sandra Green Featherman of Highland Beach, president emeritus of the University of New England, retired

Richard Paul Hallion Jr. of Shalimar, research associate in aeronautics at the National Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Frank Thomas Martin of Clermont, senior vice president for Atkins North America

Donald Herbert Wilson of Homeland, lawyer

With these appointments, it’s undeniable we will soon see the formal infrastructure that so many individuals in our community are calling for.

But that does not mean Florida PolyVision’s work is coming to a close. In fact, it’s just the opposite!

Now more than ever, we need to speak up and be heard! We need to let these trustees know that Polk County welcomes them and appreciates their willingness to serve and move Florida Polytechnic University forward. They will help shape the future of Florida’s newest university and our community, and we must support them in their efforts to make for a brighter tomorrow.

We share a common goal, let’s work together to achieve it!

Cliff and Vic

To continue their selection process of the 5 appointments to the 13-member Board of Trustees for Florida Polytechnic, the Florida Board of Governors’ Trustee Nominating and Development Committee will be holding candidate interviews this Wednesday, July 11, in Orlando. Governor Rick Scott has already interviewed 7 applicants as part of his selection process for an additional 6 appointments to the 13-member Board.

The BOG has narrowed down their candidates from 52 applicants to about a dozen. To review the University Board of Trustees selection process guidelines click here.

With the beginning of the new Fiscal Year come and gone, several budget and administration-related tasks and items have officially been transferred to, or begun to operate under, the new Florida Polytechnic University as of July 1. Many administrative procedures and tasks however still await the official appointment of the full Board of Trustees before they can begin.

Poly Vision echoes Committee Chair, and Florida BOG Vice-Chair, Mori Hosseini’s words, which reiterate the importance of focusing on quality as the driving force behind this process as we await their official selection announcements to come in the following weeks.

More updates to follow!

Cliff and Vic

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and a new country – where dreams would be realized and freedom would reign – was born. This week, as our nation celebrated its independence and our fellow Floridians and Americans continue to swell with pride, we ask each of you to join us in supporting the vision of independence that made Florida Polytechnic University a reality.

While our community-focused group is proud of what we have accomplished so far, we have only just begun. The leadership and nearly 100 members that make up Poly Vision, Inc. are standing together to let all potential educators, administrators, parents and students know that Polk County will soon be home to a world-class education facility, and our community is ready to welcome you!

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, Orville & Wilbur Wright, Jane Goodall, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates – all famous trailblazers, founders and inventors had dreams and all had opportunity. But who will be next? Could our future innovators get their next opportunity from Florida Polytechnic University?

We think so, and we hope to send a message to all potential students and dreamers, would-be inventors and innovators, trailblazers and pioneers, that FPU will soon open its doors. That their dreams could soon be realized as a future graduate of Florida’s 12th university. So seize the opportunity!

Follow our mission and our group’s growing voice on this innovative blog! Happy weekend to you all!

-Cliff and Vic