Inducted: 2008
Lakeland Senior High Graduate,
Dr. J. Larry Durrence was the president of Polk Community College from 1998 to 2006. He is credited with increasing enrollment, improving the college's credibility and visibility, adding facilities and campuses, adding degree and certification programs and tripling the school's endowment. Prior to PCC, he held positions with the Florida Department of Revenue, Florida State University, Florida Southern College, the Ridge League of Cities and Florida League of Cities.