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Franks To Speak At School

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ByCOURTNEYCAIRNSPASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: November 29, 2008

TAMPA - Retired Gen. Tommy Franks will launch a lecture series next week for students and corporate sponsors at a charter school backed by Tampa Bay Buccaneer Derrick Brooks.

Franks, the former head of U.S. Central Command who led the U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, will appear Wednesday at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School.
School supporters organized the lecture series as a fundraiser, soliciting corporations for sponsorships of $5,000 or more. Sponsors will be among invited guests.

In addition to Franks, who will speak for 30 to 45 minutes, Principal Phildra Swagger and someone from the state Department of Education will talk. Students will lead tours of the school, and then the event will conclude with a reception and lunch with Franks, sponsors and the Brooks-DeBartolo seniors, the school's first graduating class.

A color guard from MacDill Air Force Base also will appear, said Tom Nagy, vice president for marketing at DeBartolo Holdings.

Franks retired from the military in Tampa five years ago. Since then, he has worked as a consultant for companies with Middle East interests and is in demand as a speaker.

In its second year, Brooks-DeBartolo emphasizes college readiness, offering Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment programs. It is public and free to students but operated privately.

The school enrolls about 250 students, which is half its capacity, and leaders have looked for ways to raise money. They hope to bring in more speakers and sponsorship opportunities through the lecture series.

Parents also are planning Brooks-DeBartolo's first gala for April, including an auction and entertainment.

Brooks is one of the school's founders and is president of its governing board.

"Having such a distinguished military leader with personal ties to Tampa Bay kick off this lecture series gives us one more opportunity to prepare our students for future challenges," Brooks said in a written statement.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503.

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