Last USF Poly class graduates; Dockery lays in to “leaders” behind split

Posted May 8, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 8, 2012 at 12:39 PM

State Sen. Paula Dockery got the last word – sort of.

Much more will be said about the USF’s split from its Polytechnic campus in Lakeland, but Dockery had her say last night as the final USF Polytechnic graduates received their diplomas.

Dockery’s colleague in the Senate, JD Alexander, pushed through a bill this year to close the USF campus in Lakeland and take its budget to start a new university in Lakeland.

She didn’t mention him by name last night, but it’s clear he was on her mind as she gave her definition of a leader.

“A leader does NOT: dictate, rule through fear and intimidation, abuse their power or authority or take unethical or illegal actions,” said her prepared statements. “A true leader does not force their will on others….”

She praised the students and faculty who fought back, lamenting the results.

“They were frustrated and disheartened by what can only be described as a textbook example of the antithesis of leadership….

“They were continuously let down by every political decision that was made starting with the Board of Governors and finishing with the governor signing the bill…”

And she closed with a quote from Edmund Burke – “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” – and the advice to keep striving to do the right thing.

You might not win, you might end up with a little office and no power – a clear reference to her experience opposing Alexander at several junctures.

“But you’ll get to carry your head high.”

You can read the full text here.