LAKELAND, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2005) — Florida Southern College’s Center for Florida History will host The Honorable Justice R. Fred Lewis of the Florida Supreme Court as the center begins its 2005-2006 Florida Lecture Series Sept. 22. Lewis will discuss “In Search of Visions of Justice and Democracy – Florida Style” beginning at 7 p.m. in the Jim Rogers Auditorium on the Florida Southern campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A native of West Virginia, Lewis attended Florida Southern College, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He was selected as the college’s Honor Walk Student in 1969, awarded annually to the outstanding senior student for scholastic and service achievements. He graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law and entered a long and successful career in private practice in Miami, specializing in civil trial and appellate litigation. Lewis provided counseling and pro bono services to families with children having impairments and to cancer patients seeking proper treatment for multiple conditions. His involvement in children’s issues, public health and education continued after his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court in December 1998 by the late Gov. Lawton Chiles. Lewis served on Florida’s Commission on the Legal Needs of Children and is active in the Justice Teaching Institute, a program designed to enhance public education. Lewis’ public service has been recognized through numerous awards. He and his wife, Judith, attended Florida Southern College together and were married in 1969. They have two children, Elle and Lindsay.

About the Florida Lecture Series 
The Florida Lecture Series is produced by the Center for Florida History under the direction of Dr. James M. Denham. The program brings speakers to the Lakeland campus who approach the issue of “Florida Life and Culture” from a wide range of disciplines, including history, public affairs, law, sociology, criminology, anthropology, literature, music and art. Its overall objective is to create an opportunity for members of the community, faculty, and student body to listen to, interact with and learn from leading scholars and specialists of the state’s history and culture.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.