Our next luncheon meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 6th at Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club, located at 2900 Buckingham Avenue in south Lakeland. This month's guest speaker will be Dr. Randy Avent, the founding president of Florida Polytechnic University, the newest of the state’s 12 public universities and the only polytechnic university in the State’s secondary education system.

An accomplished academician, administrator and research scientist, Dr. Avent has an extensive background in teaching and directing research at higher-education institutions dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The core STEM disciplines of Engineering, Analytics/Informatics and Computer Science are considered key to economic growth and prosperity for Florida and the nation as a whole. During our meeting, Randy will bring us up to date on progress being made at the university, including the soon-to-be built Suntrax facility, a state-of-the-art transportation technology test track for automated and self-driving vehicles.

As our attendance continues to increase, it becomes ever more important that you RSVP for the meetings so that we can get an accurate count to plan for the appropriate meeting space and meal count. While completing your RSVP, please indicate the number of meal tickets you will be purchasing and the number of people you will be bringing with you in the boxes shown below, then click on the RSVP button. The buffet-style meal is $15 for members and $20 for guests, payable by cash or check at the door.

We are anticipating another big crowd for this event, so please RSVP early.  As always, we encourage you to bring a friend, preferably a Republican! We hope to see you there!