LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2008) — Florida Southern College’s Center for Florida History welcomes former Florida state senator Robert McKnight to the Florida Lecture Series on Feb. 14. McKnight will discuss his book, “The Golden Years.” The lecture will start at 7 p.m. in the William M. Hollis Seminar Room of the Thad Buckner Building on the FSC campus. The event is free and open to the public. A book signing follows the lecture.

“We are delighted to have Bob McKnight back on campus,” said James Denham, professor of history and director of FSC’s Center for Florida History. “We’re looking forward to him sharing some of his experiences in the Florida Legislature with us.”

“The Golden Years” gives a first-hand look back at Florida politics in the 1970s and 1980s, recalling McKnight’s political career and some of the names that became familiar not only to Floridians but to political observers throughout the nation. McKnight’s book provides practical tips for those interested in entering politics as well as insight on politicians who never made it to the White House but would have made excellent presidents.

McKnight was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1974, was reelected to the House in 1976, and defeated two state senators to win a four-year term in the Florida Senate in 1978. He received the Allen Morris Award, runner-up for the Most Effective First Term Member of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Senate. He was named by the Florida Jaycees as one of the Five Outstanding Young Men in Florida in 1980. McKnight is a graduate of Florida Southern College and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University.

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.