USF’s Herd of Thunder to Play for Homecoming

Invitations have gone out to two special USF St. Petersburg groups to celebrate Homecoming 2004 this year. Retired faculty and staff and Pinellas County alumni are invited to campus Thursday, Oct. 14 to take part in Homecoming festivities.

Retired faculty and staff from USF St. Petersburg have been invited to a Homecoming Reception with Regional Chancellor Karen A. White and retired administrators Herm Brames and Winston Bridges. The event is on the waterfront at 4:30 pm. Pinellas County alumni will join the festivities at 5:30 pm.

Pinellas County alumni are invited to USF St. Petersburg's inaugural Homecoming Social, sponsored by the Pinellas County Alumni Chapter, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the Harborside Lawn. 

The event will feature the Herd of Thunder Show Band and guests will have the chance to find out about the local alumni chapter while enjoying a night of entertainment, networking, spirits and hors d’oeuvres. This event is free and open to USF alumni.

For more information or to RSVP by Oct. 11, contact Sue Bebernitz, coordinator of alumni programs at 3-4561 or sbebern@spadmin.usf.edu.

Miss Florida 2003 Comes to Campus

Shauna Pender worked five years to become Miss Florida, winning the title in 2003. But it was the title she worked so hard to win that practically killed her. Two weeks into her reign as Miss Florida, Pender was heading to Miami for a fundraiser when a semitrailer truck toppled over her car. Now, the woman who championed people with disabilities is living that life.

Pender's lecture is part of USF St. Petersburg's first Disability Awareness Week Celebration Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 12:30 pm in Davis Hall 130. She will speak about her challenges since the accident and her commitment to those with disabilities. The event is free and open to the public.

Also during the Disability Awareness Week Celebration, several wheelchairs will be available Thursday, Oct. 21 from 10 am to 2 pm around campus for “Adopt a Wheelchair.” Campus members can use and try to maneuver wheelchairs to experience the everyday challenges of wheelchair-bound students, said Barry McDowell, Disability and Volunteer Services Coordinator.

For more information on these and other upcoming events for Disability Awareness Week Celebration, contact McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

>> See: Flier (.pub)

Tour Ybor City to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Continuing the campus celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Florida Studies Professor Gary Mormino, PhD, will lead a walking tour through Ybor City, the well-known Tampa historic district, Saturday, Oct. 9.

“Ybor City remains one of the most interesting places I have ever known,” said Mormino, who has taken hundreds of classes and groups on walking tours of Ybor. “Only by walking the streets and touring the buildings can one appreciate what an extraordinary place Ybor City was.”

Sponsored by USF St. Petersburg and the College of Marine Sciences, the tour will begin at 10 am at the Ybor City State Museum, 1818 9th Avenue, Tampa. After visiting the museum, the tour will continue along Ybor's City's 7th Avenue, where Mormino will take the group through several historic buildings.

The tour is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, please contact Laura Lorenzoni at LauraL@seas.marine.usf.edu or 553-1186. Please remember to wear comfortable walking shoes. 

Musical Conversations Featured Regional Chancellor

Musical conversations carried through the Palladium Theatre on Sept. 29 during Regional Chancellor Karen A. White's performance with Kay Lowe, soprano and James Johnson, on piano. Their performance of selections from Bach, Chopin and Rendleman garnered a standing ovation from the audience.

Campus Board Member Gus Stavros said he was happy to see USF performing in the Palladium Theatre for musical performances, particularly those that take advantage of theater's new Steinway piano. "Since I became a member of the board, I've had two wishes. One was to hear Karen White play the violin, and the other was to hear Kay Lowe sing. What a performance."

Stavros was one of many who enjoyed the performance as the theater was packed with nearly 400 guests. Attendees were members of USF St. Petersburg Town & Gown, who White was honoring for their support of campus. They were joined by members of the campus and general community.

The group received a number of requests for membership information and expects to see new members at its next meeting Friday, Oct. 22 that will feature Political Science Professor Darryl Paulson who will share his observations and wit about the upcoming election.

Georgia Tech Professor to Discuss Biodiversity

A Georgia Tech School of Public Policy philosophy professor will be at USF St. Petersburg to present “Defining Biodiversity: Do We Know What We Are Trying to Save?,” Monday, Oct. 11 at 7 pm in Davis Hall 130.  

Bryan Norton, PhD, will explain why the current concern of biologists and environmentalists to protect biodiversity, such as through the Endangered Species Act, is somewhat confused. He will discuss why we must merge scientific and social definitions that can help policy makers set goals for biological conservation.

Sponsored by the USF St. Petersburg Cole Chair in Ethics, this lecture is free and open to the public.

Norton has written three books, including his most recent, Toward Unity Among Environmentalists. He has also written and contributed to numerous journal articles and anthologies. His research includes: inter-generational impacts of policy choices, bio-diversity policy, endangered species policy and cultural aspects of environmental protection.

>> read more

Campus Watch Party Draws Strong Student Interest

More than 50 students packed into the Davis Hall Lobby last Thursday night to watch one of the biggest television events this year: the first Presidential Debate. Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, PhD, professor of the American National Government course, held the Watch Party for her class and the campus.

"I was so excited to see the energy and enthusiasm that our students have for the upcoming election," said McLauchlan. "Many of my students are volunteering on campaigns for the first time.  Other students remain undecided, but they are working diligently to determine which candidate they will support.”

McLauchlan will host another Watch Party for the third presidential debate Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 9 pm in the Davis Hall Lobby.

>> Read: Front page article in Oct. 2 Tampa Tribune

Colloquium Honored Stenmark's Generosity

USF St. Petersburg psychology department's 2004-05 colloquium series started strong as more than 60 people attended the memorial colloquium, "The Scholar-Practitioner: A Tribute to the Career of David Stenmark."

Close friends, past students and colleagues of Stenmark shared stories of memorable moments with him, his career in the field of psychology and the impact he had on his students.

“He was willing to take risks and take the field of psychology to a level it had not been before,” said William Kale, PhD, vice president of WellCare Behavioral Health in Tampa. Stenmark was Kale’s graduate advisor, mentor, business partner and friend. He continued, “He brought excitement and engagement to the field and study of psychology.”

The next colloquium, “The Evolution of Inequality and Love,” will feature Deby Cassill, PhD, assistant professor of biology for the Environmental Science, Policy and Geography Program of Distinction, Thurs., Oct. 28, 11 am to noon.

Series to Help You Become More Productive at Work

The second workshop of a unique two-part series by the College of Arts & Sciences at USF St. Petersburg will help individuals maximize their time and provide tips to become more productive in the campus workplace. More than time management workshops, lecturers will provide specific advice for maximizing your creativity and productivity.

Topic:                Secrets Revealed: Successful Scholars Discuss Their

                         Personal Work Styles

Lecturers:         Hugh LaFollette, PhD, Marie and Leslie E. Cole Chair of Ethics

                         Ray Arsenault, PhD, Florida Studies professor

Date:                Friday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 pm

Location:          USF St. Petersburg, Florida Center for Teachers, Room 118

Discussion:       A panel discussion featuring successful scholars discussing their own techniques for productivity.  USF St. Petersburg faculty members will provide insight into how they motivate themselves and structure their time.  Participants will sample different work styles to find the most effective for them.

This series is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, please contact Debra Starr-Simms at 727-553-4156.

Faculty Council Elects Leaders for Upcoming Year

The USF St. Petersburg Faculty Council announced its officers for the 2004-2005 year with College of Business Associate Professor Ellen Hufnagel, as Chair and former chair and College of Education Professor Bill Heller as Vice Chair. College representatives are: Barbara Frye, College of Education; Deborah Henry, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library; Jamie McHale, PhD, College of Arts and Sciences; Ambe Njoh, College of Arts and Sciences; and Jim Spence, College of Business.

Faculty members are encouraged to bring campus issues to their college representative or directly to Hufnagel, who is also responsible for conducting Faculty Council meetings and meeting with campus administration and college deans. All Colleges and the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library are represented by the Faculty Council.

The goal of Faculty Council is to ensure that faculty voices are heard in policy decisions and other matters affecting faculty, their responsibilities, rights or benefits. The Faculty Council also collaborates with the A&P and USPS Councils in support of faculty interests when campus-wide issues arise.

For more information, please visit their Web site at http://www.nelson.usf.edu/faculty_council/index.htm.

Pinellas County Alumni Tailgate Draws Crowd

The USF Pinellas County Alumni Chapter hosted a tailgate at Raymond James Stadium before the USF St. Petersburg Night against Southern Miss.  Many area alumni, campus staff members, and USF President Judy Genshaft, joined the tailgate to show their Bulls spirit.

To see a complete USF Bulls Football schedule, visit the USF Football Homepage. For more information on the Pinellas County Alumni Association, please contact Sue Bebernitz, coordinator of alumni programs at 553-4561 or sbebern@spadmin.usf.edu.

>> See: Photo Gallery

Annual Student Fiction Contest at Poynter Library

The search for the next great fiction writer is now underway in the 19th Annual Bayboro Fiction Contest at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. All USF students can submit previously unpublished short stories by October 22

A short story is traditionally considered a fictional narrative where a character or characters are changed or learn from the plot crisis and resolution.

The first place winner will receive $350 and the winning story will be published in a future issue of The Library Connection. The second place winner will receive $150 and third place winner will receive $100.

Rita Ciresi, USF Tampa associate professor who teaches fiction writing, will judge the contest. Ciresi won the prestigious Flannery O'Connor award for short stories and has written five books and short story collections.

For complete contest rules and stories of some previous winners, please visit the library's Web site at www.nelson.usf.edu.

Homecoming Blood Drive

The Homecoming 2004 Blood Drive will be held Monday, Oct. 11 at Davis Hall from 10:30 am to 6pm. All donors will receive free food, a special USF Homecoming t-shirt, and a coupon for the Florida Aquarium. Please make sure to eat before donating.

Campus Beach Cleanup

The Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Cleanup is Saturday, Oct. 23. For more information or to volunteer, contact Barry McDowell at 553-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

Help Animals at Annual Paws on Parade Pet Walk

This year USF St. Petersburg will continue its annual tradition of participating in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's Paws on Parade Pet Walk. Proceeds from the event benefit the local Pinellas County SPCA, which helps homeless and abused animals.

Festivities for the Paws on Parade Pet Walk begin Saturday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 am at North Shore Park in downtown St. Petersburg. If you would like to support the USF St. Petersburg Tiger Team, you can register to participate or make a donation.

For more information, contact co-captains Sudsy Tschiderer at 553-4842 or Barry McDowell at 553-4622.

See: Flier

Students Watch But Aren't Swayed

Tampa Tribune

By: Brad Smith and Ellen Gedalius

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004

Watching President Bush debate challenger John Kerry on television, Elizabeth Austin wrinkled her nose.

The 24-year-old political science student used to be a Republican who served in the Air Force, but today she's a Democrat unimpressed with the commander in chief's first debate performance in his re- election bid.

"He looked itchy and nervous,'' Austin said in a lounge at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where a group of students and professors gathered over pizza and soft drinks to watch the televised debate Thursday night.

See: Tampa Tribune story

Best of the Bay 2004

Weekly Planet

By: Merideth Yeomens

Sept. 2004

Last week, the Weekly Planet's Best of the Bay section featured USF St. Petersburg journalism student Merideth Yeomens' choices for some of her favorite places in Tampa Bay. Some of her Best of the Bay choices included Best Grocery Store, Best Sinking Landmark and Best Thing to Do on Nov. 2.

>> See: Weekly Planet story

The USF Web Calendar of Events can advertise to campus-wide faculty, staff and to the general public. Events may include lectures, conferences, ceremonies, concerts, sporting events, scholarship events, fundraising events and exhibits. 

The best way to submit your event is to use the central news, events and announcements submission form located here: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/news/submissions.htm