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Former governor Kenneth H. "Buddy" MacKay
opens FSC's Florida Lecture Series

LAKELAND, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2004) - Florida Southern College's Center for Florida History will host former governor Kenneth H. "Buddy" MacKay as the center begins its 2004-2005 Florida Lecture Series Sept. 22. "A Conversation with 'Buddy' MacKay" will start at 7 p.m. in the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel on campus. The lecture is free and open to the public. 

MacKay, a native of Marion County, Fl., holds B.S. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida. A farmer and citrus grower, MacKay's credits include a distinguished career in public service. After serving in the Florida legislature and the U.S. Congress, MacKay ran with U. S. Senator Lawton Chiles for the state's top post. He and Chiles were elected in 1990. After serving nearly eight years as lieutenant governor, MacKay became Florida's 42nd governor upon the death of Governor Lawton Chiles, just three weeks before the end of his term.

The Chiles/MacKay administration grappled with many challenges including education funding, children's issues, environmental degradation and restoration issues, over-development, population issues and the $11.3-billion tobacco litigation. MacKay's common-sense leadership earned him the reputation as the most influential lieutenant governor in Florida's history. After leaving the governor's office, MacKay was selected by President Bill Clinton to serve as Special Presidential Envoy to the Americas. 

MacKay remains active in farming, public affairs and teaching. He and his wife, Anne, live in Oklawaha and enjoy hiking, gardening and spending time with their family.


About the Florida Lecture Series 
The Florida Lecture Series is produced by the Center for Florida History and sponsored by the FSC Alumni Association, the Robert and Rose Stahl Criminology Lecture Series, and the Robert W. and Susan E. McKnight Political Affairs Lecture Series. 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 24 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.

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