Congressman Mark Foley Law Enforcement Scholarship
Serving Students through Leadership
March 2022
Scholarships do much more than cover tuition costs for students. They provide hope and equip our young people with opportunities for a better future for themselves, their families and our community.
Former Congressman Mark Foley has served public office for many years. Now, he is serving Palm Beach State students and the Palm Beach County community with the Congressman Mark Foley Law Enforcement Scholarship, giving back and paying forward to the college he attended.
After graduating from Lake Worth High School and Palm Beach Community College, Mark started a small business in Lake Worth, the Lettuce Patch Restaurant. Later, elected as Lake Worth City Commissioner, he became very familiar with the inner workings of the city and its police and fire departments. With his father, grandfather and brother-in-law all serving as officers, Mark is a proud member of a true police family. Over the years, he would know how challenging and dangerous these jobs were, which have become more so in subsequent years. Mark would go on to serve in both houses of the Florida Legislature, representing eight Florida Counties in the US Congress from 1995-2006.
Mark has made clear why he has launched this scholarship for students entering Palm Beach State’s Police Academy. “I am mortified that some elected officials have chosen to defund the police. The men and women in uniform risk their lives every day to preserve our quality of life. This scholarship is a gift that represents a small token of my respect for law and order and safe and sound communities. I hope to send a message of urgency that we need young people to step forward to fill the ranks of brave individuals willing to take risks for our safety and the community’s well-being.”
Palm Beach State College’s Police Academy graduates over 120 students each year, ready
to serve the community. In fact, 85% of police and public safety officers currently
serving Palm Beach County have been trained at Palm Beach State College. The program
boasts five academies, with students learning from instructors who are professionals
in the field, sharing real-world experience while elevating the educational experience
for our future officers.
Basic and advanced training includes the use of 21st century technology, allowing students to become proficient with equipment used in the workforce in which they will soon enter.
Palm Beach State’s Police Academy also offers an associates degree in criminal justice, an all inclusive program needed to graduate competent, expert public safety officers to serve the people of Palm Beach County.
