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Rick Dantzler, former state senator and representative,
speaks at Florida Lecture Series

LAKELAND, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2002) - Florida Southern College's Center for Florida History welcomes Rick Dantzler, attorney, author, and former state senator and representative, to the Florida Lecture Series Nov. 14. Dantzler will discuss his book, "Under the Panther Moon," a collection of fictional stories about life in Florida. The lecture will start at 7 p.m. in the William M. Hollis Seminar Room on campus. The author will sign books following the program. The lecture is free and open to the public. 

"We are delighted to have Mr. Dantzler on campus to speak about his new novel, "Under the Panther Moon," said Dr. James M. Denham, history professor and director of the Center for Florida History. "Rick brings a long list of experiences and accomplishments to this project, and I expect that those who attend his program will get a great sense of the 'Florida Experience.'" 

Rick Dantzler is a third-generation Floridian from Winter Haven. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B. S. and J.D. In 1982 at the age of 26, Dantzler was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and in 1990 elected to the Florida Senate. His colleagues in the Senate knew him as "the conscience of the Senate." He resigned in 1998 to run for governor and later that year became the lieutenant governor candidate on the ticket with Buddy MacKay. It was his campaign for governor and then lieutenant governor that provided much of the motivation for writing the book "Under the Panther Moon." 

Dantzler is an avid hunter and angler who loves fly-fishing. His love for the natural beauty and wonder of Florida is the backdrop for the stories in "Under the Panther Moon" and shapes an agenda for our state that is subtly articulated in the book. He is married to Julie Pope, and they have two children. In addition to practicing as an attorney, he serves as a certified circuit court civil and family law mediator. He is currently associated with Frost, Tamayo, Sessums, and Aranda law firm in Bartow.

About the Florida Lecture Series 
The Florida Lecture Series, produced by the Center for Florida History, 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
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. 

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