Florida: Its Change from Blue State to Red

In the aftermath of the 2004 Presidential Election, professors Darryl Paulson, PhD, and Gary Mormino, PhD, assembled an all-star lineup to discuss the growing emergence of the Republican Party in Florida.

The conference, "William C. Cramer and the Emergence of the Modern Republican Party in Florida,"  is this Saturday, Nov. 20 from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Speakers will examine the factors leading to the partisan transformation of Florida from a solid one-party Democrat state to a state now dominated by the Republican Party.  Plus, sessions will discuss lessons for both parties and the future of Florida politics. 

"While all of the other southern states have been clearly in the Republican column on election day, Florida has become the bellweather state.  This conference will help us to look at the uniqueness of Florida politics and why we have been such a key player on the national political scene," Paulson said.

The program is also designed to recognize and honor the 50th anniversary of the election of Congressman William C. Cramer to Congress in 1954.  Known as Mr. Republican, Cramer was the first Republican Congressman elected from Florida since Reconstruction and was instrumental in the development of both the Pinellas and Florida Republican Party.

For more information about the conference, contact Darryl Paulson at 553-4582 or paulson@stpt.usf.edu, or Gary Mormino at 553-4855 or gmormino@stpt.usf.edu.

>> See: Agenda

Last Days to Donate for United Way

Message from Campus Campaign Co-Chairs, Vivian Fueyo, PhD and Bill Benjamin:

The United Way Campus Campaign ends Friday, Nov. 19 and we need your help to reach our campus goal of $12,500. We have already had many generous donations but we encourage the entire campus community to participate. Together, we can help the thousands of people in the area such as hurricane victims who need our assistance.

We should view ourselves as leaders in a community that need our help. We should do more than talk about it in our offices, halls and classrooms, but lead by example and fulfill our responsibility as leaders in the community. By making a donation to the United Way, you can make a difference in someone's life.

There are many ways to donate. Donations can be made by cash, check or credit card and we also encourage you to consider a payroll deduction. Just $1 a pay period becomes a $26 donation for the year.

To see how much we have raised so far, look for the Flamingo poster on the first floor of Bayboro Hall. As more donations are made, the Flamingo is colored pink and with more than $6,000 in donations, we are half way there.

For more information on the United Way Campus Campaign, please contact your campus co-chairs: Vivian Fueyo, PhD, at 553-4429 or vfueyo@stpt.usf.edu or Bill Benjamin at 553-4199 or benjamin@stpt.usf.edu.

>> United Way Campaign Pledge Form

Well-Known Hypnotist To Visit Campus

A nationally recognized hypnotist Tom DeLuca who has been featured in premiere magazines and newspapers across the country will showcase his award-winning talent at the Harborside Activities Board last event of the semester Friday, Nov. 19 at 7:01 pm in the CAC.

"DeLuca’s approach is to forego the gimmickry to reveal the fun and wonder hidden in the attics of his volunteers’ minds," said Rolling Stone Magazine. Plus, the New York Post declared his performance "fascinating, hilarious, even poignant… do not miss him!"

During the show, DeLuca will hypnotize willing campus community members while opening up a world of imagination. This event is free for USF students and $2 for faculty, staff and guests.

More than 100 to Attend Alumni Community Luncheon

Tickets are selling fast to meet USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard, USF Football Coach Jim Leavitt and Regional Chancellor Karen A. White at the Community Luncheon, hosted by the Pinellas County Alumni Chapter of the USF Alumni Association.

“This event has really grown during the last four years and I am really excited that the campus and community support continues to grow,” said Gene Haines, Pinellas County Alumni Chapter president.

More than 100 guests will attend the Dec. 8 luncheon, from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Hilton St. Petersburg. Staff, faculty, alumni and community members have already purchased tickets that will give guests an inside look at USF Athletics and USF St. Petersburg.

Tickets are $25 per person or $250 per table of ten and can be purchased by Dec. 3 at the USF Alumni Web site at www.usfalumni.net or by contacting Sue Bebernitz at 553-4561.  

The Hilton St. Petersburg is located at 333 1st St. South in downtown St. Petersburg. The luncheon is presented by the St. Petersburg Times.

>> See: Registration Form

Professor Bikes 160 Miles For a Cause

Last month, Tiffany Chenneville, PhD, visiting assistant professor, joined 155 riders and biked 165 miles – from Miami to Key West – in a two day event that helped raise more than $275,000 for a cause that has become her passion.

Chenneville said she is interested in AIDS both on a professional and personal basis, so when a friend mentioned a charity bike ride four years ago, it did not cross her mind that she was not an avid rider; she just said yes.

“At the time, we didn’t even own a bike, so we

bought used bikes and started training and getting involved,” she said. “Now we are hooked and do it every year.”

This grassroots event, SMART Ride, which stands for The Southernmost AIDS Ride Two, donates 100 percent of the proceeds to one of five AIDS agencies throughout Florida.

“It was an incredible experience.  It is pretty inspiring to see what a small group of people can accomplish and what a difference we can make,” she said.

Chenneville said her personal interest has become her primary research focus. She studies pediatric HIV and how it relates to ethical and legal issues such as school policies and AIDS education. Her PhD is in school psychology and she is currently researching AIDS legal policies to see if they are updated as we learn more about the disease.

If you are interested in participating or volunteering in SMART Ride next year, contact Chenneville at 727-553-4021 or chennevi@stpt.usf.edu.

Scholarship Donors Share with their Recipients

Recipients of USF St. Petersburg's 27 scholarships met the donors who are helping make their educational dreams a reality at the annual Scholarship Recipient and Donors Luncheon last week.

"The scholarship assistance provided by our corporate and individual donors often makes the critical difference that attracts talented students to USF St. Petersburg," Regional Chancellor Karen A. White said. "Plus, many continuing students tell us these scholarships have enabled them to complete their educational goals."

James Malek, PhD, interim regional vice chancellor for academic affairs, recognized each scholarship donor and recipient. During the presentation, Eliason Scholarship recipient Lisa McNeill thanked her donor Niela Eliason for her generosity and helping make her dream of becoming a writer possible, Those in attendance included 2004-2005 scholarship recipients, scholarship donors, the scholarship committee and the deans from each college.

“I am grateful to the businesses and thoughtful community citizens who made financial gifts to create scholarship endowments. Their generosity will benefit students in perpetuity," White said.

The event was coordinated by the offices the offices of the Regional Chancellor, Financial Aid, Advancement and University Relations.

>> See: List of 2004-2005 Scholarship Donors and Recipients

Give Holiday Spirit to Underprivileged Children

Share the holiday spirit with underprivileged children in Pinellas County. Operation Giving Tree, the USF St. Petersburg Ambassadors Organization annual campus toy drive to benefit the YWCA Family Village and the ASAP Shelter, is accepting toys again this year.

The campus toy drive will run through Friday, Dec. 10 and donations can be made at the Campus Bookstore, the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library and the Snell House. 

The USF St. Petersburg Ambassador Organization serve as student representatives and provide assistance to the USF Alumni Association and campus administration. Ambassadors also help welcome visiting dignitaries and guests to campus. 

If you would like more information about Operation Giving Tree, Ambassadors, or if you are interested in requesting ambassadors for your next event, please contact Sue Bebernitz at 553-4561 or sbebern@spadmin.usf.edu.

GIS Day Showcases Innovative Technology

More than 200 guests learned about an innovative computer mapping tool known as Geographic Information Systems at the annual celebration of GIS Day at USF St. Petersburg on Tuesday.

Area organizations displayed how they use GIS, during this event sponsored by the Environmental Science, Policy and Geography Program of Distinction. The City of St. Petersburg demonstrated how they can identify the specific location and cost of homes through the touch of a button using GIS technology.

In addition, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office showed how they keep our community safer using GIS by creating predictive data for crime analyses such as locating criminals and important locations.

Throughout the day students from numerous courses joined in the festivities and heard lectures on topics ranging from ecological applications of GIS to crime mapping partnerships. Other events included software demonstrations, poster displays and event tours.

For more information on GIS technology, contact Bernali Dixon, PhD, at bdixon@stpt.usf.edu.

November Blood Drive

Donating blood saves lives. Two blood donation buses will be on campus Thursday, Nov. 18 in front of FMRI from 8:30 am to 4 pm or in front of Davis Hall from 10:30 am to 6 pm. Donors will receive a free ticket to the show, Get Surreal, at the Dali Museum and a t-shirt.

Create Holiday Cards for Our Troops

Last year more than 50 campus members and friends helped to send one of the biggest donations of holiday cards across the country – more than 1,800 – to our military overseas. This year, more volunteers are needed to surpass last year’s impressive numbers.

Volunteer Services and Student Government are coordinating the effort and are asking for campus volunteers as well as family and friends to help sign cards for our troops. Project coordinaters are also seeking donations of unused holiday cards.

“This is a big morale booster for the military,” Barry McDowell said. “The mail is sent to more than 1,000 bases, units, hospitals and ships across the United States and around the world.”

The last day to complete holiday cards is Monday, Nov. 23. Interested volunteers should contact Barry McDowell, 3-4990 or mcdowell@stpt.usf.edu.

The USF St. Petersburg Calendar of Events can advertise to faculty, staff, students and 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 submission form: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/news/submissions.htm