AlumniVoice_Oct2011_Web.pdf

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IN THIS ISSUE: Memories & MedallionsSpotted on the Cheetah Hunt

OCTOBER 2011 | ALUMNIVOICE 1

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FEATURES

12 Memories & Medallions Charter Class graduates Marie Harrell, `64 & M.Ed `80, and James

W. Rackley, `65, treasure the commemorative medallions they received as members of USF’s inaugural class almost as much as the memories of that special time in their lives.

14 UnforgettaBulls We asked our USF Alumni Association Facebook friends to help

us name those unforgettable people from years past whose unique presence is forever a part of USF’s legacy.

16 Homecoming 2011 SuperBull XV Can you believe Homecoming is just around the corner? Check

out the Homecoming Week events (Oct. 17-22) and make plans to attend.

18 Spotted on the Cheetah Hunt Five USF Engineering alumni are among the Busch Gardens executives who design, build and maintain the park’s roller coasters, including the new Cheetah Hunt.

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2 President’s Message 3 USFAA Board of Directors 5 Lee Roy Selmon Tribute 6 News Roundup 8 Where’s Rocky? 16 Homecoming Events 20 Blast from the Past 21 That was Then; This is Now

22 Chapters & Societies 26 Your Membership in Action 27 Employ-A-Bull 29 Class Notes 36 Athletics 37 Calendar

DEPARTMENTS

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SuperBull XVHomecoming

USF vs. CincinnatiOct. 22

2 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2011

president’s messageAlumni Voice®

USF Alumni AssociationGibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 East Fowler Avenue, ALC100Tampa, Florida [email protected]

Alumni Voice Editorial:Karla Jackson, [email protected] or Rita Kroeber, [email protected]: Rita Kroeber, [email protected] or 813-974-6312Design: Ethos Enterprises, LLCContributing Writers in this Issue:Penny Carnathan, `82Brynn Frazier, `11Chris HarryKarla Jackson, `88Erin E. PotterMary Patrick Walker

Alumni Association Contact InformationExecutive Director: John Harper, `76Membership: 813-974-2100 or 800-299-BULLAlumni & Student Programs: 813-974-2100General Alumni e-mail: [email protected]/Scholarships: Ron Sherman, `[email protected] Bulls License Plate: www.BullsPlate.org Alumni Association website: USFalumni.org

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please write to Karla Jackson at [email protected] or mail to the address at the top of the page. Views expressed in Alumni Voice do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the editorial staff.

ALUMNI VOICE (USPS# 025203)Number 18Alumni Voice is published quarterly in January, April, July and October as a benefit of membership in the University of South Florida Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. Periodical Postage Paid at Tampa, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: University of South Florida Alumni Association, Communications Department, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

New Address? Moving?Update your official USF alumni record at myUSFbio.org or email your information to [email protected]. You also may remove the magazine label and send it with your correct address to Alumni Voice, USF Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620. © 2011 All rights reserved.

Fellow Bulls,

Bulls Country continues to grow at unBullievable speed! I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Summer Commencement and welcomed an additional 2,900 graduates to our global network of 255,000+ alumni. It’s also exciting to witness our explosive social media growth, resulting in nearly 10,000 enthusiastic Facebook fans and 3,400 valuable LinkedIn connections.

I first want to extend my appreciation to the alumni who helped to welcome hundreds of incoming freshman by hosting New Student Round Up events across the country

this summer. From Dallas to D.C., Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta – as well as an excellent event hosted at IKEA in Tampa – we made meaningful connections with our future alumni and their families.

Drum roll, please: Homecoming 2011 SuperBull XV is right around the corner! I am full of Bull Pride to share that we are moving our Homecoming pregame festivities to the south side of Raymond James Stadium to become a part of the Bulls Zone’s energy and environment. All alumni and fans are invited to enjoy the festivities, get your free USF spirit items and catch up with your alumni friends. This is truly a transformation of our Homecoming game-day experience and we look forward to welcoming thousands of alumni to the pre-game excitement. See you Oct. 22!

Our annual Alumni Award winners and past presidents will be recognized at our first class Alumni Awards Dinner held the Thursday night of Homecoming Week (Oct. 20) in the new Marshall Center. Your USF Alumni Association also will host a free Parade Watch Party at the USF Tampa campus on Friday, Oct. 21, and Life Members are invited to an exclusive Homecoming reception that evening in the Gibbons Alumni Center.

Attention New Grads: The idea of forming a Young/Emerging Alumni group is being explored. You can help start a new tradition. We want to provide meaningful networking and social opportunities to our young and emerging alumni, so we are looking at the feasibility of a program tailored to this important demographic of our alumni network. If you’re interested in “Bull-azing” a trail for this new program, please contact me at [email protected].

In closing, I would like to thank fellow alumnus and Past President John Harper, `76, who is stepping down from his post as executive director of the USF Alumni Association at the end of the year. During his five year tenure, he has positioned your Alumni Association for transformational growth. Now a nationwide search for our next executive director is underway.

As always, please stay connected with us in the way that suits you best. Any contribution, whether large or small, makes a meaningful impact on our alma mater.

In Bull Pride,

Rich Heruska, `99President & Life Member


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Board of DirectorsUSF ALUMNI ASSOCIAtION2011-12

1) Past President Roger T. Frazee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CPA, Finance/Accounting, `71; 2) Lee Winter, Finance, `85; 3) Sean Grosso, Business, `05 & M.A. Adult Education, `08; 4) Co-Treasurer Ed Hoeppner, Marketing, `81; 5) Thomas King Jr., Finance, `09; 6) Mike Griffin, Marketing, `03; 7) Jeff Reynolds, Finance, `91.

8) Monty Weigel, Finance, `76; 9) Randy Norris, Marketing, `79; 10) Treasurer Donna Brickman, Accounting, `81; 11) Brenda Kenny, Accounting `07; 12) Mary Harper, Early Childhood Education, `97, M.Ed & Ph.D, Curriculum & Instruction, `01 & `07; 13) Gene Balter, P.E., Engineering, `77; 14) Student Government Vice President Zachary Johnson; 15) Immediate Past President Brad Kelly, CPA, Accounting `79.

16) Alan Steinberg, Communication, `78; 17) President-Elect Kimberly Choto Schmidt, Communication, `92 & M.A. Adult Education, `02; 18) Lisa Provenzano Heugel, Mass Communications/Journalism, `93, Information Systems, `96 & M.S. Computer Science, `07; 19) Christi Womack-Villalobos, English, `92; 20) President Richard Heruska, Business, `99; 21) Ashley Smith, Special Education, `78 & M.Ed `80; 22) Audrey Hirst, Management, `89 & M.S. `94; 23) Manley Jaquiss, Criminology, `86.

Board Members Not Pictured: Karen Diebel, MBA, `93; Gene Haines, Criminology, `97; Lizz Harmon, Mass Communications, `82; Betty Otter Nickerson, Psychology, `76; Jon Smith, MBA, `07, and Tony Umholtz, Finance, `99 & MBA, `02.

Non-Voting Board Members: Dr. Judy Genshaft, USF System President; John Harper, USF Alumni Association Executive Director, Mass Communications, `76; Gordon Gillette, USF Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman, Mech. Engineering `81 & M.S. Engineering Management `85; Joel Momberg, University Advancement Vice President; Dazaun Soleyn, USF Ambassadors President.


as well as Early Learning Coalitions and School Districts in Hillsborough, Pasco, & Pinellas counties. Dr. Harper serves as vice president of public policy for the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D from USF.

Audrey Hirst, `89 & M.S. `94, has been active in the banking industry for eighteen years. She is currently employed by Fifth Third Bank as team leader for the commercial division and vice president. Audrey specializes in middle market transactions. She is a graduate of USF for both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. She also is a graduate of several banking schools, including the American Institute of Banking, Graduate School of Banking at LSU and Florida School of Banking at UF. At the latter

school, she was distinguished as the top student and received the Dr. C. Arnold Mat-thews Honor Graduate Award. Audrey is a member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, Leadership Tampa Alumni, Commercial Real Estate Women of Tampa Bay and Tampa Bay Mensa. She serves on the Executive Committee of Fifth Third Tampa Bay’s Affinity Group for Women.

Manley Jaquiss, `86, earned a Bachelor’s in Criminology from USF. He has worked for more than 23 years as an employee with the Florida Department of Corrections in the 20th Judicial Circuit. He started as a correctional probation officer in 1988 and rose through the ranks to his current position as a correctional probation senior supervisor at the Lee County Intake Office. Manley has overseen the department’s residential drug treatment program, electronic monitoring program and has established a strong rapport

with the judiciary, prosecutors, and local and federal law enforcement agencies. Gov. Lawton Chiles recognized Manley by awarding him with a Certificate of Meritorious Service and the Department of Corrections presented him with the Correctional Proba-tion Officer of the Year for the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Ashley M. Smith, `78 & M.Ed. `80, is a resident of Valrico and has resided in the Tampa area for the past 37 years. Ashley served the Hillsborough County School district for 27 years as a teacher and principal and was elected to serve as the president of the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators. He is the im-mediate past chairman of the Greater Tampa USF Alumni Chapter and previously served as the chairman of the Plant City USF Alumni Chapter. Ashley received his Bachelor’s in Education in 1978 and his

Masters in Administrative Leadership in 1980 from USF. He is a member of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago.

Jon Smith, MBA `07, is currently a senior strategy planner with Publix Super Markets, Inc. He has been with the company for al-most 12 years. He also worked as a training developer and strategic project manager for the company. Prior to Publix, Jon spent over 25 years in the Army, serving as an Air Defense Artillery officer and a Russian/Soviet foreign area officer. He retired from the Army in 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Jon has his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California at Davis, a

Master’s degree in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University, and a Master of Business Administration from USF. He also serves on the board of directors for the Gulf Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Monty Weigel, `76, has over 30 years of banking experience and sits on the board of directors of Northstar Bank. Prior to that, he formed a Florida-based bank holding company, acquired a national bank and subsequently sold control of it. Monty was president of SunTrust Bank, Northwest Florida, from August 1997 until January 2002, and senior vice president, SunTrust Bank, Miami, from May, 1982 until August 1997. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from USF.

Eugene ‘Gene’ Balter, `77, is the national director of transporta-tion construction services for HDR Engineering and the president of HDR Construction Control Corporation. He is a licensed profes-sional engineer in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Ohio and Connecticut. Gene received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida and a M.S. degree in Construction Management from the University of Central Florida. Prior to HDR, he worked for T.Y. Lin International and served as the consultant

project manager for the $541 million Cooper River Bridge construction project in Charleston, S.C. He also worked for URS Corporation in Tampa for 26 years. He is currently the USF College of Engineering’s campaign cabinet representative for the USF Unstoppable campaign and is the sponsor of two scholarships in the College of Engineering. Gene and his wife Sue are both Life Members of the USF Alumni Association.

Kimberly Choto Schmidt, `92 & M.A. `02, has over 18 years experience in the corporate training industry. As vice president of training and development for Success Sciences, Kimberly is respon-sible for all areas of program quality and design, which includes project management, resource coordination and deployment, as well as the overall direction of the training staff. Her specialty is in designing programs that meet the client’s business objectives while engaging the learner through interactive, relevant and meaningful

experiences. The success of her work stems from years of hands-on experience and well-researched methodology for producing and managing client training projects that are both classroom and computer based. Kimberly is a former alumni chair of the USF Homecoming Committee.

Roger Frazee, `71, has over 30 years of experience in the financial advisory and accounting businesses. He is a past president of the USF Alumni Association. He worked for what was then Peat, Mar-wick, Mitchell & Co. in Miami, now known as KPMG & Co., for six years directly out of college. Later he served for five years as CFO for several real estate development companies and as a registered representative of an international investment banking firm for three years in Houston, TX. For the last 13 years Roger has served as a

principal officer of Financial Services Network, Inc., an investment advisory firm in Sarasota. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from USF, and holds CPA, CFP, CLU and ChFC designation certificates.

Michael E. ‘Mike’ Griffin, `03, is the senior account executive for Vertical Integration, Inc., a commercial real estate company that provides strategic real estate solutions for the public and private sectors. Mike has received numerous awards for his leadership and community service and was named as one of Florida’s 50 World Changers by Florida Trend magazine. He is chairman of the USF Financing Corporation and was a charter member of the USF Board of Trustees. Griffin was the co-founder of the Greater Tampa Cham-

ber of Commerce’s Emerge Tampa program for young professionals and is a graduate of Leadership Florida and Leadership Tampa. Mike also sits on the board of directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. A Tampa native, Mike served two terms as USF student body president while earning his Bachelor’s in Marketing. He obtained his Six Sigma Black Belt certification from Villanova University and is an Eagle Scout.

Dr. Mary Harper, `97, M.Ed. `01 & Ph.D `07, is an associate professor in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at St. Pe-tersburg College’s College of Education. In her 15 years of service in the education profession, her roles have included classroom teacher, curriculum specialist and a district-level administrator for the Early Childhood Learning Programs. Dr. Harper has a history of collegial and community collaborations focused on promoting excellence in early care and education. Current collaborations

include but are not limited to USF’s Florida Mental Health Institute, Center for Social and Emotional Foundations in Early Learning, Head Start and the Children’s Campaign,

Meet the Board

Meet the Board MembersIn the next three issues of Alumni Voice, we’ll introduce you to the USF alumni who serve as the voting members of your USF Alumni Association Board of Directors. Here are the first 10 of those 29 directors:


“I always saw him as such a great family man and dedicated father,” said Mary Cook Vickery, `78, whose sons played sports and attended school with Selmon’s children. “He was active in his children’s lives and always had a smile for those around him.”

“He came to my children’s elementary school to talk to parents about being involved in their children’s lives,” said Darlene Schueler, `72 & M.Ed `79. “I asked him to talk to my son who was in third grade. The photo of Mr. Selmon shaking Mike’s hand is one of my all-time favorite pictures.”

Selmon is survived by his wife Claybra and children Brandy, Lee Roy Jr. and Chris-topher. A memorial service was held in Tampa on Sept. 8, followed by a funer-al on Sept. 9, prior to his interment in Oklahoma City.

By Karla Jackson, `88

The Gentle Giant is at Rest: Lee Roy Selmon, 1954-2011

To some, Lee Roy Selmon was a punishing Hall of Fame defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For others, he was a savvy restaurateur and community leader for whom an expressway was named. For legions of USF alumni, he was the “Gentle Giant” who leveraged his sterling reputation and community contacts to help bring football to our alma mater – creating a legacy for which we are all grateful.

Selmon, 56, died Sept. 4, two days after suffering an apparent stroke at his Odessa home. Although he had stepped down from his duties as USF’s athletics director in 2004 due to health reasons, his sudden death shocked the community, who responded with an outpouring of grief and condolences.

“If there’s a Hall of Fame in Heaven, it just got one more member in Lee Roy Selmon. RIP to a true gentleman and the driving force behind USF Athletics,” wrote Jeff Miller of Texas in a post on the USF Alumni Association Facebook page.

“I remember meeting him while at USF when we were trying to bring football to the school,” said Carla Robbins Stralow, `87, of Clearwater. “You just knew it was going to happen after meeting him. What an outstanding citizen. May we all remember him in our daily interactions and try to live up to his standards.”

Selmon served as the president of the USF Foundation Partnership for Athletics after leaving his post as athletics director.

“We all loved him, and we’re all deeply saddened,” said USF President Judy Genshaft. “We’re a better Univer-sity because of Lee Roy Selmon. He was an incredible role model, who cared about all of our student-athletes, no matter what sport. He built an incredible legacy and he will never be forgotten.”

Several alumni spoke of Selmon’s affinity for children and his love of family.

In MemoryLee Roy Selmon


news roundup

Photo by Aimee blodgett

Interdisciplinary Science Building Opens The new Interdisciplinary Science Teaching & Research Facility building, the largest building on USF Tampa’s campus, opened in August. At 238,500 square feet, it houses two 300-seat auditoriums, classrooms and an array of labs supporting Physics, Chemistry and Biology programs. At seven stories, it also is the tallest building on campus. The new building is LEED certified, which means that it meets high standards for water and energy efficiency, as well as environmental sustainability. The building is located south of the MLK Plaza, next to the old Administration building.

Mystery Ingredient in Coffee May Protect Against Alzheimer’s A yet unidentified component of coffee interacts with caffeine, which could be a surprising reason why daily coffee intake protects against Alzheimer’s disease. A

new Alzheimer’s mouse study by USF researchers found that this interaction boosts blood levels of a critical growth factor that seems to fight off the Alzheimer’s disease process. The findings appear in the June 28 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Using mice bred to develop symptoms mimicking Alzheimer’s disease, the USF team presents the first evidence that caffeinated coffee offers protection against the memory-robbing disease that is not possible with other caffeine-containing drinks or decaffeinated coffee. The researchers would like to identify this yet unknown component so that coffee and other beverages could be enriched with it to provide long-term protection against Alzheimer’s.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Awarded SACS Accreditation The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee was awarded separate accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in June.

SACS is a private, non-governmental organization that accredits educational institutions in the southern U.S. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-COC) is recognized by the United States Department of Education. “This is a terrific statement of quality for USF Sarasota-Manatee, and of maturity for the whole USF System,” USF System President Dr. Judy Genshaft said. USFSM opened in the 1974-75 academic year, providing courses for upper-level undergraduates, graduates and continuing education students. In a few years, USFSM will begin recruiting a freshmen class. Today the campus serves more than 4,500 students annually at its two locations – the main campus on the border of Manatee and Sarasota counties and a new location in North Port.

USF Poly Chancellor Selected for Prestigious Education Summit Dr. Marshall Goodman, regional chancellor of the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, has been invited to take part in the fourth

Festival of Thinkers in the United Arab Emirates Nov. 11-14. Organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology, the largest higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates, the Festival of Thinkers provides a platform to foster and celebrate thinking, inspire young scholars, and allow thinkers from around the world to come together and share their ideas. Approximately 20 Nobel Laureates and 80 world thinkers will interact together with young scholars from around the world and focus on advancing constructive thinking and its application for the good of the world at large. Only a few other U.S. academic leaders, including the University of Chicago president and U.C. San Diego chancellor, have been selected to attend.

First Graduate Class in Global Sustainability A dozen students in the University’s School of Global Sustainability were the first to receive Master’s Degrees in Global Sustainability from USF at summer

commencement ceremonies held in August. The class represents an important milestone for USF and for the sustainability movement itself, said Kala Vairavamoorthy, the founding director of the Patel School of Global Sustainability. “For the first time, we have a class of students with in depth studies and knowledge specifically geared toward


Photo by beti gAthegi


NEWS & NOtES

USF: Unstoppable Raises $111 Million+ in Past Year

As the USF: Unstoppable campaign prepares to enter the home stretch; USF Foundation officials are tightening the campaign’s focus to ensure that underserved areas receive more attention.

The campaign just completed a record fundraising year – the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 – with more than $111 million raised. Even with this tremendous success, USF Foundation CEO Joel Momberg believes there is still much to be accomplished.

“We are delighted with our progress, but still have much to achieve,” said Momberg. “While the USF: Unstoppable campaign has greatly benefitted the entire USF System, we know there are still areas where we want to do more.”

This focus now will rest primarily on increasing the number of faculty chairs, professorships and undergraduate and graduate student scholarships throughout the USF System. The campaign has raised more than $62 million for student scholarships, but Rod Grabowski, senior associate vice president of advancement and campaign director, hopes more benefactors will step up in the months ahead.

“We believe that endowed scholarships are critical to ensure the American dream in the 21st century,” said Grabowski. “For many students, scholarships represent the only hope for a college education. We have many first-generation students within the USF System, and scholarships provide them with an opportunity they may not have thought possible.”

Faculty chairs and professorships play a key role in the academic life of the University of South Florida. For Momberg, new chairs represent the best way for USF benefactors to support the accelerating academic achievements of the University.

“We know that faculty chairs and professorships allow our universities to attract and retain the best and brightest research minds in a variety of fields,” said Momberg. “Adding these important incentives will only continue to spur USF’s tremendous growth in research funding and academic accomplishment.”

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To date, the USF: Unstoppable campaign has raised $475 million for the institutions of the USF System toward an overall goal of $600 million. Of that amount, more than $179 million has gone to academic enhancements, $153 million for facility construction and $33 million toward USF Athletics. In the past year alone, nearly 45,000 alumni and friends contributed to the campaign, with an average donation of just under $2,500.

“We can’t thank everyone who has given to the campaign enough,” said Grabowski. “Working with our benefactors, we are accomplishing great things for our faculty and students, and we’re excited about the possibilities to come.” To learn how you can make USF: Unstoppable, visit www.unstoppable.usf.edu

a new way of looking at creating sustainable systems and industries,” he said.

John W. Long, `82, Named USF COO Long, Management `82, serves as a key member of President Judy Genshaft’s senior leadership team and oversees the university’s business functions. The COO role focuses on human capital/resources, services and

infrastructure, safety and security and business operations that impact a cross section of faculty and employees.

Long retired in June as mission support group commander for the 11th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, a post he’d held since 2009. In previous assignments, he served as executive officer to the commander for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, director of budget for the Air Force Education and Training Command, and comptroller for Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional). He holds an M.S. in Strategy, Doctrine and International Security Affairs from the Air Force’s selective Air University and an M.A. in Human Resource Management from Webster University. His wife Carol is a USF Class of `83 grad and his children, Patrick and Shannon, are USF seniors.



t Members of the D.C. Regional Alumni Chapter brought Rocky along to their wine tastings at Notaviva, Sunset Hills and Dry Mill vineyards in Virginia. Pictured from left are: Allen Genaldi, `91, Ken Kalunian, `92 and Kathy Dorf, `08.

Associate Life Member Scott Barrish, `07, couldn’t resist throwing the Bull horns

while visiting the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. u

p Kristen Brady, `02, flashes her Bull Pride at Maho Beach in St. Maarten, near the Princess Juliana Airport. The beach is world famous for the low flying planes during takeoffs and landings.

Take Rocky on your next trip

and send your photos to: Karla

Jackson at [email protected] or to

her attention at the USF Alumni

Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave.

ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

Rocky?where’s



t Rocky had a great time in London in early April with Lisa Lubowiecki, `97.

Richard Bosaaen, `05, and his wife Angela took Rocky on safari to

Africa and to be a part of the the excitement surrounding the World

Cup. They’re pictured here at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. u

t Kim Burns Cummings, `95 and husband Bill Cummings, `88, took Rocky’s “cousin” along on their vacation to Greece. They’re pictured here at the Acropolis in Athens.



Where’s Rocky?

Father and son-in-law Bulls Rich Lago, `75, and Richard Meeker, `86, took Rocky out for a breath of cool

mountain air during their trip to Twin Lakes, CO this summer. u

Dorien McGee, Ph.D `10, was in Austin for Memorial Day and introduced Rocky to the University of Texas bronze longhorn outside the UT alumni center. q

Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, M.A. `01, put her Bull Pride on display in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.



Where’s Rocky?

t Hal Cohen, `84, left, and Don Tierney, `83 & MBA `89, pose with a statue of golf great Arnold Palmer at the Tralee Golf Club in Ireland. Rocky had a great time on some of the best courses in the Emerald Isles, including Royal County Down, Old Head and Killarney.

Publix executive and USFAA Life Member Tina Johnson, `80, showed Rocky the sights in Las Vegas during a trip out west this summer. q



By Mary Patrick Walker

In 1960, when she was a 32-year-old freshman at the University of South Florida, Marie Harrell received a special medallion that she’s treasured ever since. It meant so much to her she decided to

share it.The medallion, given to every member of

the University’s charter class, now is in the hands of her granddaughter, Katy Parsons, who herself graduated from USF in 2006.

“I made the decision to give the medallion, which I had pierced for a necklace, to the first grandchild who graduated from USF, if she had kept in close communications with me the entire time,” said Harrell. “She not only stayed in close contact with me, but she was one of the ones

I took on a tour of USF when she was very young.

“She values it as much as I do.”The rarity of the bronze medallion,

which features replicas of the University’s official seal, adds to its allure.

While founded in 1956, classes at

USF did not begin until 1960. Built on the site of the Henderson Air Field on land south of Fowler Avenue and

north of what is now Busch Gardens, the campus was modest and, to hear Harrell and others tell it, low key.

The campus had only four buildings, said James W. Rackley, who also was a member of the inaugural class. One of those buildings, the library, did not open until after classes had started.

“There was no grass or sidewalks,” said Rackley. “The Women’s Dean said they would put in sidewalks based on the foot patterns of the students. I’m not sure I believed her.

“The Student Center had a cafeteria on the ground floor and a makeshift women’s dorm above.”

Rackley also had to wait to complete his degree – a Bachelor’s in Astronomy earned in 1965 – after the only professor qualified to teach the upper level courses he needed left the University. Rackley took non-discipline courses until the replacement arrived.

Despite such humble beginnings for USF, Rackley said his medallion helps him remember all the friends he made there and the lessons he learned from the teaching staff while he attended. He kept his medallion, bringing it to a recent gathering of USF graduates in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year.

“I had just happened to think about the medallion before I left for the party,” said Rackley. “I thought it would be of interest to the alumni. I showed it to the president and was surprised when she asked me to say a few words to the group.

“Lucky,” he added, “I have had practice in ad hoc presentations.”

For Harrell, the USF experience was somewhat different because she was not the

Memories & Medallions

Feature:Charter Medallion


Katy Parsons, `06, proudly wears her grandmother’s charter class medallion. Marie Harrell’s graduation photo appears on the desk.

On Sept. 26, 1960, more than 6,000 people gathered for USF’s official launch.

Memories & Medallions

average freshman. In 1960, she was already married and the mother of five children. She worked in various campus jobs including at the research labs in the Biology department.

“I was as old, or older, than many of my professors, and I think they felt that I was their mother, as they had me setting up coffee and snacks for their meetings, grading papers, setting up labs, etc.,” said Harrell.

She also has some interesting memories of those early days, including a minor controversy when professors, perhaps sweltering in the Tampa heat, decided to make some different sartorial choices and John S. Allen, the University’s first president (from 1957 to 1970) took exception.

“Somewhere along the way professors quit

wearing coats and ties. Dr. Allen took offense – said you couldn’t tell the difference between the students and the professors,” Harrell said. He immediately sent down a dictum requiring shirts, striped ties and tweed coats – although he later relented and said they should “just look like professors.”

Harrell said there was a sense of pride with that first class, as well as a sense of community.

“It was quite an experience,” she said. “I will never forget so many things as they were then.”


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About The USF Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization for students and graduates of the University of South Florida. To join, please visit www.USFalumni.org or call 813-974-2100 or 800-299-BULL.

Your USF Alumni Association

Call us sentimental if you will, but Homecoming always brings up fond memories of those special people

from years past who helped to give USF its unique character – people whose names

pop immediately to mind when you think of USF. So we asked our Facebook friends: What person

from the past symbolizes USF for you?

Jacques Abram – A classical pianist, Abram was a child prodigy who attended Julliard at age 13, won the prestigious Schubert Memorial Award and debuted in Carnegie Hall in his early twenties. He taught at the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music before coming to USF to teach in 1963. He was named as a Professor Emeritus in 1987 and died in 1998. The Jacques Abram Piano Scholarship is given annually to an outstanding pianist from USF’s School of Music.

Charles Arnade – With his thick German accent, Dr. Arnade was never one to mince words. A staunch human rights activist, three-time Fulbright scholar and a White House Fellow, he was one of the longest serving professors in the State University System. “He motivated students to want to come to class,” said Catherine Peel McEwen, `79. He retired in 2006 as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of International Studies and died in 2008.

Richard T. “Dick” Bowers – As USF’s first athletics director, Bowers led the charge into intercollegiate sports and spearheaded campaigns for the Sun Dome and other athletics facilities. He also served as associate dean of the College of Business, and served on dozens of community organizations. Bowers retired in 2003 after 40 years with USF and was named to USF Athletics Inaugural Hall of Fame. He died in 2007.

Charlie Bradley – Bradley was arguably the greatest men’s basketball player to play for USF. The first player at USF to have his jersey retired, Bradley is the University’s career scoring leader with 2,319 points. As a sophomore, he led the nation in scoring for 11 consecutive weeks while taking the team to its first 20-win season in 1982-83. He now works with E30Sports.com offering skills camps and showcases for young athletes.


More suggestions from the USF Alumni Association’s Facebook page:

Hands down, Dr. Judy Genshaft. -Bryan Pardo, `07

Luis Visot. He has made a huge impact on so many students’ lives throughout the years while leading the Marshall Center and now the Joint Military Leadership Center! -Richard Heruska, `99

Dr. Joyce Swarzman and Dr. Golub – both College of Education. Dawna Leigh Tapia, `94

Alex Campoe – unsung hero in IT. -Richard Rauscher, MSCS `96

Dr. Golub was the man. I also enjoyed Dr. Applegate and Dr. Daniel during my time there. -Bency Varghese, MAT `05

Dr. Coulter in the College of Public Health. -Mary Ivory, `11

Dr. Cobb-Roberts in Education, excellent professor, inspired me to pursue a degree in Education. Jeff Cooper and the entire Residential Life Staff (`96-`00). I had a ball. The USF Gospel Choir. -Martine Charles, `00

Deborah Jacobs in the English department. Inspired me to write and eventually teach. -Stephen Adrian Ebel, `07

Joel Reedy, Marketing/School of Business. -Rich Snyder, `94

For me it was current and longtime Softball Coach Ken Eriksen, who taught me the ins/outs of the Intramural Sports program as a part time employee, which got me totally immersed into the large university system. THANKS HAWK!! -Randy Gartz

Dr. William Murray, History. -Robert Trout, `88 & M.A. `99

Dr. Mitchell Silverman, who co-founded USFs Criminology Program. -Noah Silverman, `00 & M.S. `06

Dr. Gladys Kashdin & Dr. Maxine MacKay, Humanities Education. -Cindy Linville, `76

Drs. Don and Betty Lichtenberg, Dr. Fred Zerla, Dr. Howard Johnston!!! -Liana Fox. M.Ed `80 & Ph.D `98

Dr. Don Harkness, Dr. Jamil E. Jriesat, Dr. John Daly. -Robb Blankenship, `86 & MPA `93

Betty Castor. -Mike Meiczinger, `96 & M.Ed `04

Manny Lucoff, Mass Comm. -Mike Hulsbeck, `75

Dr. Susan MacManus, Government. Best mentor ever! -Xaverie Baxley-Hull, `96

Stephen Kahn, Marvin Karlins. -Lee Silverstein, `81

The “Whistler” 1968? -Jeanne Suprenant Torrence, `70 & M.A. `90

Mr. T.J. Couch lives and breathes USF. (He bleeds green too!) T.J. is one of the most positive ambassadors I’ve ever run across for any organization. -Laura Collins, `88

Dr. Pat Waterman. -Judy Strickland Cashwell, `76

The 1990 and 1992 Men’s basketball teams. -James Gaddis, `94

Dedicated loyal fan Tim Arrington, `05. -Dawn Aloha Arrington

Knocky Parker, Marv Karlins, Fontana Hall, The Greenery, Slappy Hour at the Empty Keg, and the general lack of a police presence. -Greg Leith, `81

Knocky Parker, the legendary Fontana Hall – I second that motion. -Mike Hulsbeck, `75

Margaret Fisher – Fisher was USF’s first and only dean of women, arriving at USF in 1960 when the University only had four buildings – Chemistry, Administration, the University Center and the Theatre. She also served as assistant to the vice president of Student Affairs and as a professor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. A trusted confidant for faculty and administrators and a beloved mentor for students, she established the Margaret Fisher Book Scholarship. She is now 93 years old and still involved with USF students.

Matt Grothe – You can’t think of Bulls Football without thinking of QB Matt Grothe. From his start in 2006, when he was the BIG EAST Conference Rookie of the Year, he dazzled Bulls fans with his ability to make seemingly impossible plays. He led the Bulls to as high as No. 2 in the BCS rankings in 2008 putting the team in the national spotlight. Grothe now plays for the Tampa Bay Storm, after stints with the Canadian and United Football Leagues.

John J. Iorio – A legend in the USF community because of his infectious enthusiasm for modern literature, Iorio was the professor whose classes everyone wanted to take. He taught everything from freshman English to graduate-level criticism to more than 9,000 students during his tenure from 1963 to 1991, when he retired as a Professor Emeritus. The father of former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, he was a gifted fiction author and a marvelous cook. He died in 2007.

Phyllis Marshall – Phyllis Marshall was the University Center program director, but her most important role was as a champion and mentor for thousands of USF students over the course of her 34-year career. To honor her, student government leaders lobbied the state legislature to name the Marshall Center in her honor when she retired in 1994. “She welcomed me with open arms and a caring heart,” said Ken Rollins, `64. “I miss her.” Marshall died in 2005.

Paul Massie – Theatre professor Paul Massie was already a successful young actor when he came to USF as a visiting artist in the mid-60s. Rather than chase stardom, he chose to spend nearly three decades teaching and performing at USF. He died of cancer in June. “All of his past students communicated our love and admiration to him until the hour he passed,” said Kimberli Burns Cummings, `95.

John W. “Knocky” Parker – USF’s official “Professor of Ragtime,” Parker would lecture on silent film as he played accompaniment on the piano. “Who doesn’t remember Knocky shouting ‘Stop the film!’ signaling that it was test time?” recalled Rick Hamilton, `81. “And man, could he play the piano.”

Connect Alumni Support Students Strengthen USF 6

Photos courtesy of usf sPeciAl collections; usf Athletics


Go Bulls!

Go Bulls!

Go Bulls!

2011 Homecoming Schedule

Go Bulls!


Mon. Oct. 17Homecoming Kick-off, 11:30 a.m., marshall center Amphitheater. Join the students, faculty and staff for a lunch time pep rally in the air-conditioned amphitheater. if you haven’t seen the new marshall center, this is the perfect occasion to do so.

Tues. Oct. 18 Stampede Comedy Show, 8 p.m., usf track and field stadium. larelle crawford opens for eddie griffin.

Wed. Oct. 19 Super Bull XV Homecoming Ball, 8 p.m., marshal center ballroom.

Thurs. Oct. 20 Homecoming Carnival, 4 p.m. - midnight, the meadows, northeast corner of the usf tampa campus. come enjoy rides like the Pharaoh’s fury, super swinger, surf city, fun slide, barrel of fun/monkey mayhem, Kiddie cars, dragon wheel, obstacle course and much more.

Fri. Oct. 21 Parade Watch Party, 6 p.m., in front of the lifsey house on Alumni drive. enjoy free food from bulls country vendors while supplies last. bring the kids and your lawn chairs to grab a prime spot on the homecoming parade route.

Homecoming Parade, 7 p.m. the parade begins at the corner of Alumni drive and leroy collins boulevard (right in front of the Parade watch Party) and heads east, then turns left onto maple, right onto holly, before ending at the meadows.

Parade After Party, 8 p.m. - midnight at the meadows. once you’ve grabbed all the beads you can carry, head over to the meadows for an after party featuring musical acts hoody, cool Kids, chiddy and travis Porter.

Sat. Oct. 22 Bulls Zone, 3 hours before kick-off, south side of raymond James stadium, Parking lot 6d. your usf Alumni Association will be handing out free spirit supplies and class year stickers. don’t forget to bring your valid usf Alumni Association membership card to get your commemorative homecoming beads!

USF vs. Cincinnati, noon, raymond James stadium. don’t miss the big eAst game of the week when your usf bulls beat the cincinnati bearcats! Visit www.gousfbulls.com for tickets.

All homecoming events at the usf tampa campus are free. Visit www.homecoming.usf.edu for more info. usf st. Petersburg, usf sarasota-manatee and usf Polytechnic are also hosting homecoming events at their campuses. Visit their websites at www.usfsp.edu, www.sarasota.usf.edu and www.poly.usf.edu for details.


Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year Award celebrates college football coaches who best demonstrate the qualities of responsibility, integrity, and excellence. Four winning coaches each receive $20,000 for the school’s alumni association and $50,000 for the charity of his choice. So support your school and vote for your coach today!

Show your school spirit! Visit coachoftheyear.com to vote for Coach Holtz!

Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 2100 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX. ©2011 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

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Busch GardensEngineers

Among the first passengers to ride Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s new Cheetah Hunt were five University of South Florida alumni, each of

whom helped put the roar in the green-and-gold, 4,429-foot-long rollercoaster.

Make that six; Rocky the Bull had a well-deserved seat, too.

Jeff Hornick, the theme park’s 26-year-old director of design & engineering, grabbed his pint-sized plush Rocky from a mantel at home for a Cheetah test ride with colleagues Mark Rose, MBA `85, and Mike Penton, MBA `78, before its public debut May 27. The three men had worked on the attraction, which integrates live cheetahs and a roller coaster that mimics riding them, since brainstorming began three years ago.

Serendipity: Mike Denninger, `96, MSME `00 & MBA `03, and George Tenhagen, `94, were also planning a test ride that day. As director of rides, engineering and support for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Denninger oversees attractions at the corporation’s 10 theme parks. Tenhagen is Busch Gardens’ plant manager, in charge of everything mechanical at Busch and Adventure Islands water park.

Five guys from the same school all working together at one of Florida’s largest theme parks? That doesn’t surprise Denninger.

“We have a few alumni way, way up in our organization. A lot of us started early and worked our way up,” he said. “It’s a unique place to work; that’s the reason so many people stay here for so long.”

Many students hire on during high school or after enrolling at USF’s Tampa campus, just three miles from the park. If they’re in a job related to their major, they’ll likely find supervisors willing to craft schedules that accommodate required courses and get help with paying tuition.

Denninger, 37, based in Orlando, started in high school as a ticket taker at the now shuttered Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, then owned by Anheuser-Busch Co. When it came

time for college, he chose USF for its Mechanical Engineering program; being able to transfer to Busch Gardens sealed the deal. He earned Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Engineering, then returned for a Master’s in business. It was a smart move, he said.

“I’m required to be technical, but a good portion of my job is the business part of rides and engineering,” he said. “Communication is better when you have a good

understanding of finances and marketing. … The MBA helps with decision-making. You have to weigh things against each other and it made the financial aspects of certain decisions very clear.”

Plant manager George Tenhagen, 52, started at USF as an Accounting major a year out of high school and got a job sweeping trash at Busch

Spotted on the Cheetah Hunt

Did You Know… USF Alumni Association members get discounts on admission to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, and several other theme parks? Visit www.USFalumni.org/benefits for details.

By Penny Carnathan, `82



Test riding the Cheetah are, in the front row: Corporate Director of Rides, Engineer and Support Mike Denninger and Busch Gardens Director of Design & Engineering Jeff Hornick. In the back row are: Area Plant Manager George Tenhagen, Director of Plant Engineering Mike Penton and Busch Gardens Vice President of Design & Engineering Mark Rose.

Gardens. He soon abandoned school but stayed at the park full-time. Several years later he’d moved into water quality management, which inspired him to go back to school part-time to study civil and environmental engineering. It wasn’t easy; he was 37 when he graduated.

“I went for eight years,” he said. “I could work full-time because the company worked with me. I worked just about every weekend. If I had classes three days a week, I worked weekends plus the late shift on Fridays.

“I regret not doing it the other way around (school full-time and work part-time), so I tell people to stay with it. Go back and get your Master’s. Once you get older, it gets harder.”

He gives back by working with student employees to accommodate class schedules.

“I’m doing what was done for me,” he said.Hornick, who started as a college freshman

operating the Kumba roller coaster, said school prepared him well for his current job overseeing “every new anything” at the park. One particularly rewarding class required teams of students to take an invention from concept to fruition – just as he and his colleagues would later do with the Cheetah Hunt. The hands-free motorized dancing wheelchair they developed – the brainchild of Merry Lynn Morris from the School of Theatre and Dance – has been in use for years, Hornick said.

“My name’s on that patent. That’s self-actualization – a great feeling.”

Up next: an Animal Care Center designed for guests to watch veterinarians in action.

“Rides are the most fun for me,” Hornick said. “But it’s always pretty fun to play with the animals.”


Photo courtesy of busch gArdens


roof. Now, after more than 30 years of sporting events, concerts and commencements, the Sun Dome is closed for a major renovation designed to give it another 30 years of life, including reconfigured seating, a center-hung scoreboard, a new concourse level with concessions and restrooms, and restoration of the existing exterior concrete. Construction is expected to be complete by April 2012.

When it opened in November 1980, USF’s Sun Dome was one of the few arenas in the country with an inflated roof held aloft by pressurized airlocks. A “Whatchamacallit” contest conducted by WFLA’s Jack Harris resulted in the “Sun Dome” moniker, submitted first by Gini David, `79, who won USF basketball tickets for life. In 1988, severe thunderstorms tore open and deflated the roof, causing nearly $100,000 in damage. In 2000, the inflated roof was replaced with a Teflon-coated

Blast from the Past

The USF Sun DomePhotos courtesy of usf tAmPA sPeciAl collections


By Erin E. PotterClass of 2012

A Greek Reflects on Homecoming On an average day walking home through Greek Village is quiet and calm. A few friends pass as we walk to our respective houses, rushing to enter the cool air conditioning on these warm fall days. But there is one

week in the year where everything changes. There is a scent of excitement in the air followed by smells of paper mache and glue – that week is Homecoming week. When I walk through Greek Village during Homecoming Week, I see people scrambling around tractors covered in crepe paper and glimpse our competitors’ floats as they prepare for the Homecoming Parade. Each year fraternities and sororities pair up to compete in the team competitions during Homecoming Week. These competitions include a variety of events – sporting, academic and philanthropic – designed to ignite Bull pride in all participants. At the flag football tournament, students flood the field wearing Greek-lettered T-shirts and USF gear, cheering on their teams as they take part in the most intense portion of the competition. For three years now I have sat on the sidelines cheering on my team; only the toughest get recruited to play. The Charit-a-Bull competition is one of my favorite aspects of Homecoming Week. Walking past our Marshall Student Center, the sidewalks are full of students stacking canned goods into structures so intricate that you have to look twice to recognize that they are constructed out of non-perishables that will later be donated to charity. It’s just one example of how, as members of fraternal organizations, we connect our values in our every day lives. Charit-a-Bull gives us the opportunity to show the University and community how the Greeks live our values. At the Homecoming football game, between the tailgates and victory celebrations, there lies the three most anticipated hours of the week. I am the first to admit that I don’t know all the technical aspects of the game of football, but there is something about the atmosphere of the Homecoming game that turns me into a devoted fan, even when I’m not entirely sure what just happened. The end of Homecoming Week also means the concert and carnival. A note to all attendees: make sure you enjoy your tasty funnel cakes after the spinning teacup ride. Looking forward to the upcoming week reminds me of this time last year when I stumbled upon a scrapbook in my sorority house of a Homecoming celebration from the 80’s. There were enormous floats and the USF spirit jumped right off the pages. As I prepare to ride in the Homecoming Parade again this year, it fills me with pride to know that I am part of a continued tradition on our campus. No matter how many years pass or how events change I still follow the same path that my Tri Delta sisters and fellow students once took – and that is our USF tradition.

SHAREA Memory

i was in the first class that graduated in the sun dome. margaret hartstein, `81

i was an usher there from 1989-1991when i was in school – lovely green vest and all. i saw many cool concerts. it really was an awesome on-campus job to have. Allyson macKay bulger, `91

i saw ray charles, neil diamond, cher, Aerosmith, and many wwe wrestling events there. what venue the sun dome was. Vicki shookner steckel

i remember going to the madonna concert with my friend in the 80’s. we dressed like madonna, too. my husband graduated with his masters there. sad to see it go, but can’t wait to see the new one. my son is a 9th grader and he said that he is going to usf, so go bulls!!!! lisa Planamenta machado

i saw billy Joel there in `87 when i lived in the Village. Ahhh, those were the days. suzanne evans mitchell, `88

three nights of neil diamond, followed by three nights of billy Joel. i was a sun dome lead (black vest) from november 1980 through september 1989. let’s hear it for all the staffers through those great years. Allen solomon, `81

Enjoy these excerpts of memories from members of the USF

Alumni Association. Email your favorite USF memory to [email protected] or

post it on our Facebook page.

That was Then; This is Now


chapters&societies

More than 50 alumni leaders from across the U.S. gathered at the USF Sarasota Manatee campus in June for the 2011 Alumni Academy, an annual leadership training retreat for all USF Alumni Association volunteers. You can see the presentation for yourself at www.USFalumni.org/alumniacademy.

Members of the D.C. Regional Alumni Chapter enjoyed an unseasonably cool April Saturday afternoon lunch at Cantina Marina on the Potomac River, followed by a walking tour of 2011 cherry blossoms.

USF Alumni Association Board Members Donna Brickman, `81, left, and Audrey Hirst, `89 & M.S. `94, flash the Bull horns at the Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural USF Luncheon.

Tampa City Councilman and proud Bull Mike Suarez, `86 & MPA `90, visited his alma mater recently to learn more about USF’s role in the Bay area’s economic

development. He’s pictured here with Tracey Swartz, `04 & MSM/MBA `10, of USF Connect, a science and technology entrepreneurship incubator.


Life Member and Houston Chapter leader Mike Peppers, `85 & MACC ` 90, sports USF wear at the PeTRonAS Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

USF Theatre alumni held a Meet Up in April at the Gibbons Alumni Center on the USF Tampa campus.

Meet Up organizer Kim Burns Cummings, `95, Chris Bridges-Roy, `82 and Rhett Wickham, `81.

p eve Royffe, `80.

t Annie ellzey West, `80 left, and Carolyn Caldwell, `80 & `81.

Pinellas County Chapter members edwin and Julie Jones Maisonet, `09, welcomed their son and future Bull, eddin Arthur Maisonet, on 7/7/11. Proud grandparents are longtime Life Members Art and Pat Jones. Photo by Heaven Sent Photography

Amy Van `04 & M.S. `07, an eSH coordinator with Lockheed Martin, speaks to students who attended the 2011 USF engineering expo on campus in February. For more info on the engineering Alumni Society, visit www.usfalumni.org/engineering.


chapters&societiesUSF alumni chapters all over the country held New Student Roundup parties over the summer for freshman from their areas who were heading to USF.

The new York Chapter’s

roundup was a barbeque held in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where

more than 30 people attended.

Broward Chapter members and incoming freshman gathered at the home of Shawn and Kerry Cerra in Coral Springs for an afternoon of fun.


The USF Alumni Association has alumni chapters all over the country. We also have college and special-interest societies for like-minded alumni. It’s easy to get involved. Just email the contact person of the group you’d like to visit.

SocietiesAmbassador AlumniJackie [email protected]

Anthropology Alumni Brian [email protected]

Architecture AlumniAdam [email protected]

Association of Filipino Students Alumni SocietyAileen [email protected] Black AlumniShomari [email protected] College of Business AlumniMaegan [email protected]

Education AlumniFreda [email protected] Engineering AlumniShelia Carpenter-van [email protected] Entrepreneurship Alumni Debbie [email protected] Geology AlumniMike [email protected] Honors AlumniLisa Provenzano [email protected]

Kosove Alumni Christina [email protected]

Public Administration AlumniMike [email protected]

Marine Science AlumniBruce [email protected]

Beau [email protected]

Medicine Alumni Christina [email protected]

MIS AlumniBrian [email protected]

Nursing AlumniLauren [email protected]

Pharmacy AlumniLeanna [email protected]

Public Health AlumniLeanna [email protected]

Social Work Alumni April [email protected]

Theater AlumniKimberli [email protected]

Florida ChaptersBrevardTodd [email protected]

John [email protected]

Barbara [email protected]

BrowardRuth [email protected]

Alan [email protected]

Fort MyersSanjay [email protected]

HernandoKevin [email protected]

Highlands (FL)Charles [email protected]

Jacksonville/St. AugustineGary [email protected]

Ellen [email protected]

Manatee/SarasotaAshley [email protected] Miami-DadeCarlos [email protected]

Monroe (Key West)Kristen [email protected]

Greater OcalaJerald “Jerry” [email protected]

OrlandoKatie [email protected]

Palm Beach Scott [email protected]

Panama CityJanet [email protected]

Pasco County/New TampaKimberly [email protected]

Pensacola/Spanish Fort/Mobile Nick [email protected]

John [email protected]

PinellasBrenda [email protected]

PolkRandy [email protected]

St. LucieFrank [email protected]

TallahasseePhil [email protected]

Rhonda [email protected]

Greater TampaDiana [email protected] National ChaptersAtlantaDenise [email protected]

AustinBrad [email protected] Chattanooga/Cleveland, TN Erin Bell and Bryan [email protected]

ChicagoGreg [email protected] D.C. RegionalCelia Riley [email protected]

Kathy [email protected]

DallasKen [email protected]

Rob [email protected]

Denver Martha [email protected]

Greenville, SCBrittany [email protected]

HoustonAlan [email protected]

Michael [email protected] IndianapolisAli [email protected]

Los Angeles Janet [email protected] NashvilleMelinda [email protected] New YorkArupa [email protected]

Northern OhioSean [email protected] Raleigh, NCBob [email protected] San Antonio, TXRuben [email protected] San DiegoCarlos [email protected] Corporate Affinity Group Lockheed Martin – Oldsmar Brent [email protected]

No matter where you live, you’ll always be a Bull!

USF Alumni Association Board Members Jon Smith, MBA `07 & Thomas King Jr., `09, welcomed incoming freshmen at the Tampa roundup, which was held at IKeA.

Members of the Dallas Chapter gathered at a local restaurant to welcome incoming freshman, Annum Rashedi, (in white) into the Bulls family.

More than 40 people attended the D.C. Regional Chapter’s roundup, which was a picnic on the national Mall.


action!your membership in


action!

Ethics of the Job Search

USF Alumni Association Life Member Jim Weber is the founder of New Century Dynamics, Inc., an executive search firm for the food service industry. If you have career questions for Jim, email them to us at [email protected].

Get ahead of the herd with tips from executive recruiter Jim Weber.Class of `77 & MBA `82

Employ -A-Bull

L ast month, one of my candidates bailed out of a job offer after successfully negotiating the terms of employment. I suspect that he was using my client’s

offer as a bargaining chip with another employer – not an example of good-faith negotiations.

That same week, a golfing buddy asked for my advice about the propriety of the informational interview as a job-search strategy. I told him that while many savvy professionals are jaded about this tactic, it is acceptable so long as the request for such a meeting is made with full disclosure.

Not long after that discussion, a strategic partner told me of a mutual friend who was looking for a speaker to talk to his organization about ethics in the job search process. At this point I decided that someone was trying to tell me something, especially since my next Employ-A-Bull article was due. In fact, this subject is a good follow-up to my last article, “Working with an Executive Recruiter.” The advice in that article was about building relationships of trust, based on honesty and truthfulness.

In the past 30 years, the employer-employee compact has changed. Job security is a thing of the past. Employees are now free agents. Have ethical standards kept pace with that change? I am not so sure. I have heard it said that cut-throat competition has led many to believe that ethics are passé or naïve. That may or may not be true, but I think it is safe to say that ethical role models seem to be

in short supply. We all know of leaders – from government, industry, sports and even the clergy – who have had ethical lapses. I have long held the opinion that the average person can distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior when confronted with it, at least intuitively. But how do you decide the proper behavior when confronted with a situation beyond your experience?

My dictionary defines ethics as “conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group.” Another common definition describes ethics as “principles or standards to guide actions based on established corporate values.” In other words, ethics is an established set of rules, a paradigm.

So how do ethics apply to job search? My last article spoke to the ethical expectations of a job applicant. Now let’s address expectations of a prospective employer. After all, isn’t it better to work for a company that values integrity? How do you know if you are talking to an ethical employer? Here are a few indicators:

n Is there a formal code of ethics? Is that code reinforced by training and a part of the employee evaluation process?

n Is training and development around ethical decision-making provided?

n Are there formal systems to report unethical behavior in a non-threatening way?

n Is misconduct addressed in a timely manner?

n Is integrity emphasized to new employees as a part of the cultural overview?

n How are senior managers perceived by employees?

I have found that the more ethical companies are better about informing job seekers about their selection process and maintaining communication throughout the process.

Over lunch recently, I asked a friend, a consultant and professional trainer, how she would define ethical behavior. After a brief pause she answered, “Accountability.” What a great answer! If we were to be held accountable for all of our commitments and our actions, I think that ethical behavior would prevail. Seek out and expect ethical behavior from prospective employers and you likely will be happier in your career.

28 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 201128 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2011


Diane L. White, Education `75, was elected to the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in 2011. White, who is a program manager for

Verizon Communication, Inc., is excited and honored to serve as a director for PMI which is the world’s leading project management member association, representing more than half a million practitioners in over 185 countries. PMI directors are elected for their leadership and project management excellence, their business acumen and their commitment to PMI and its members.

Robert Wierzel, Theatre `79, is an award-winning lighting director whose honors include a San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award, a Connecticut Critics Circle Award and a Tony nomination. He is currently working on “The Tosca Cafe,” a theatre/dance performance with dancers from the Canadian Ballet that opens this month in Vancouver. He is also working on a production of “Macbeth” at the Boston Lyric Opera that debuts in October and “Kiss the Air!” a new movement piece by the STREB Extreme Action Company that debuts at the Park Avenue Armory, NYC, in December.

Dennis Wolfe, Marketing `72, was promoted to vice president/associate creative director at 22squared, a full service ad agency with offices in Tampa and Atlanta. He was previously vice president/art director.

80s

Bruce Borowsky, BFA `83, founded Boulder Digital Arts (BDA), which recently expanded its operations to include professional training specifically geared to entrepreneurs and start-ups. For more than seven years, BDA has offered a wide variety of affordable, professional training in the creative digital arts; the company was named one of the fastest-growing businesses in Boulder for the last 6 years. Visit his websites at www.boulderdigitalarts.com and www.bruceborowsky.com.

Dr. Corey Howard, Biology `86 & M.D. `90, did an internship in psychiatry in New York before returning to USF and completing his residency in internal medicine at USF. He was then chief

resident in internal medicine before completing a fellowship in gastroenterology. He completed his medical training in 1996. Since then, Dr. Howard has been in private practice. He was a solo practicing gastroenteroloigst from 1996 - 2005, when he made a switch back to general internal medicine with a focus on prevention. Currently, his practice

classnotes

70s

Dr. Larry Flegle, Communication `75, was presented with the James P. Etter Award for Outstanding Innovation & Creativity by American Military University, where he is a professor.

A D.J. since his teen years, Dr. Flegle served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He earned an M.A. in Planning and Public Administration from Pepperdine University in 1977 and a Doctorate of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern in 2003. In 2008, Dr. Flegle started AMU Radio, an Internet radio station, as a means of reaching listeners around the world with programming and music for the American Public University System. He serves as the station’s program director and manager in addition to his duties as a full-time faculty member. Dr. Flegle was the driving force behind the establishment of Future Lab, a virtual entity through which faculty and staff can identify and share new technologies, tools, and teaching processes. He also founded the Journal for Sustainable Leadership, which is in the process of collecting manuscripts for its initial publication. Dr. Flegle also runs Cowboy Gospel Internet Radio, Hopewell Baptist Internet Radio and WWHF AM 1670 Radio. He is a weathercaster for the Radio Forecast Network (RFN) and delivers the afternoon weather report for 25 radio stations across the country.

James F. Stevens, Management & Marketing `76, is president and founder of Stevens Insurance Brokerage Services (SIBS) in Clearwater. SIBS has been named as the national distributor for Aqua Box Products, which makes a water, sand and dust proof smart phone cover.

Lt. Col. Darrell Stinger, Engineering `74, recently returned from a special deployment aboard the U.S. cruiser Chancellorsville in the gulf waters surrounding the Middle East. He was

also on a special deployment assignment aboard the U.S. carrier Ronald Reagan. Lt. Col. Stinger is a U.S. Air Force pilot on active duty in the Middle East, after being recalled to serve in 2010.

continues to evolve into lifestyle medicine, with a focus on nutrition and fitness in the prevention and management of medical problems. This summer he was elected vice speaker of the Florida Medical Association and chair of the delegation to the American Medical Association. He is also actively involved in the American College of Preventive Medicine and serves on a committee as well. He is married to Dr. Cyndi Yag-Howard, M.D. `93, who is a solo practicing dermatologist and teaches at the V.A. hospital for the Division of Dermatology at USF. They live in Naples and have three wonderful children: Aubrey, 14, Bradley, 12 and Benjamin, 10.

Brian Keenan, Finance `86, was named as the regional president for west and central Florida for First National Bank of the Gulf Coast, headquartered in Naples. Keenan oversees a loan production office which is expected to develop into a full-service banking operation in the Tampa Bay area. Prior to this, Keenan was the affiliate president for Fifth Third Bank in the Tampa Bay market and he previously worked for First National Bank of Florida.He is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and serves on the boards of United Way of Tampa Bay, WEDU, USF Foundation, and Tampa Bay and Company. He and his wife, Cynthia, live with their two children in northwest Tampa.

Capt. John Kirby, History `85, was selected to serve as deputy assistant secretary of defense/spokesman and director of media operations for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) by

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Kirby has served as the spokesman and senior communications strategist for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since October 2007, and has been a senior member of the DOD communications team for 10 years. While attending USF, Kirby worked part-time in the Sports Department of the St. Petersburg Times. He received his Navy commission in September 1986 after completing Officer Candidate School. At sea, Kirby served aboard the guided missile frigate, USS Aubrey Fitch, as electrical officer, assistant navigator and communications officer. He also served as public affairs officer aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Forrestal, and on the staff of the commander, U.S. Second Fleet, aboard the command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney. Ashore, he completed tours as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy; and as public affairs officer with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) and with the staffs of the chief of Naval personnel, the commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and the chief of naval operations. He served as editor-in-chief of the Navy’s flagship monthly magazine, All Hands, from 1997-1999. Kirby holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Troy State University and a Master’s degree in National

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: [email protected] or you can mail your information & photo to:

Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620-5455


Ashore, Devany has served as commanding officer of NOAA’s Marine Operations Center-Atlantic and most recently as director of NOAA’s Marine Operations Centers. Devany has been recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding service, receiving multiple NOAA special achievement awards and NOAA Corps commendation medals. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the Persian Gulf. He is a NOAA working diver and holds a U.S. Coast Guard 1600-ton masters license for ocean vessels. Devany and his wife, Tracy Bishop, reside in Vienna, VA, with their three children.

Brian J. Fender, Philosophy `96, was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2011 as a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. The Florida Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, and not more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Fender practices securities and corporate finance law for GrayRobinson in Tampa.

Colleen M. Fitzgerald, Political Science `95, was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2011 as a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. The Florida Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, and not more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Fitzgerald practices land use/zoning law for GrayRobinson in Tampa.

Chris Johnson, MSEE `93, took the bronze medal in the Light Hybrid Beer category in the 2011 American Homebrewer’s Association competition. His rye beer entry was pitted against almost 800 other beers in the category. Johnson, a business systems analyst, is a founding member of Tampa Bay BEERS, for Brewing Enthusiasts Enjoying Real Suds. He took up the hobby in 1989, when he was an engineering student at USF.

Jeff Knott, MBA, `91, is the president and CEO of Millennium Weavers for the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada. Millennium Weavers is a new global business model for global

branding and expansion. The parent company, Al-Sorayai Group, is a leader in the manufacture and distribution of carpets and rugs in commercial, hospitality and retail business segments of the industry in 67 countries.

Brian Lamb, `98, was named as market president for Fifth Third Bank in July. In this role, he will oversee 46 banking centers, 350 employees and $2.1 billion in deposits. He also threw

Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He and his wife, Donna, have a daughter and a son.

Andrew Lehrer, Marketing `89, is president of Maximum Audio Video in Tampa. He was awarded CE Pro Magazine’s Top 100 Integrator Award.

Sue Baron Pugh, Nursing `86, is on the board of directors of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses and is a clinical nurse specialist for the Neuroscience and Rehabilitation units at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

90s

Terrance W. Anderson, Business Administration `99, was was recognized as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite. This distinction honors attorneys in the state of Florida who have been voted by their peers as being the state’s legal leaders. He was also selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2011 as a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. The Florida Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, and not more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Anderson practices business litigation for GrayRobinson in Miami.

Jennifer Betancourt, Nursing `98, is in her third semester of the Family Nurse Practitioner program at USF.

Meredith Curley, Nursing `99, is a pediatric nurse at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the United Kingdom.

Michael S. Devany, MPH `96, was promoted to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during in July. Devany was also named

director of NOAA’s Marine and Aviation Operations Centers, assuming command of the day-to-day operations of the 18 research ships and 11 aircraft in NOAA’s fleet. A NOAA Corps officer since 1990, Devany has more than 20 years of experience in environmental restoration, response, compliance, and data acquisition in the marine environment. He also has extensive experience in collaborating with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and coastal states in planning and response to oil spills and releases of hazardous materials. Devany sailed as commanding officer of NOAA ships Oscar Elton Sette and John N. Cobb, and served on three other NOAA ships. Prior to serving with NOAA, he sailed as a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer on the destroyer USS John Young.

out the first pitch at the USF Night with the Rays in August. Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank, he served as chief financial officer of Home Discovery Real Estate Services Corporation. Lamb holds board positions on the Shelton Quarles IMPACT Foundation and Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance. He has served on the board of directors for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels and is a mentor with the USF College of Business Corporate Mentor Program, as well as a member of the USF Board of Trustees. He has won several awards locally including the 2008 University of South Florida Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and CFO of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2007.

Bey Mario Lombana, Marketing `95, celebrated 10 years with ZEP Sales & Service in South Florida as an area manager. He is pictured here with his daughter Ana Giselle.

Danica L. Little, Accounting `99 & M.A. `01, headed up a May 21 fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina that raised over $60,000

for local children with life-threatening illnesses. Little’s desire was to “pass the power of a wish forward” by spearheading the 2011 Spring Wish Drive fundraiser. Little’s 7-year-old daughter, Madison, is a Make-A-Wish recipient whose wish was to go to Costa Rica last year. Madison’s leukemia is now in remission. Little is an attorney with Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, P.A. in Charlotte, N.C. She is a board certified specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and a CPA. She earned her J.D. from Florida State University. She is the 2011 president of the Charlotte Women’s Bar.

Adam Mazzei, Accounting `95, is the assistant controller at Dex Imaging in Tampa.

Heather O’Connor, MPH `91, was married to Michael Gordon on May 14th, 2011. They will reside in Lakeland FL. She is director of Clinical Services at the Watson Clinic, a 225-plus physician multispeciality practice in Lakeland. She is active in many community organizations, having held positions at the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. She is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland and a class member of Leadership Bartow. In May 2010, she was named Polk County Nurse of the Year in the Management division.

Kimberly A. Ross, Accounting `92, was named as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Avon in May. Previously, she was EVP & CFO of Royal Ahold N.V., a Netherlands-based

international group of supermarkets. Prior to that,

classnotes


Ross served as senior manager in the Risk and Regulatory Practice Group of Ernst & Young Global Limited in New York in 2001. From 1995 - 2001, she rose through a series of audit, treasury and corporate finance positions at Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Inc. where she focused on the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia Pacific. She began her finance career at the Anchor Glass Container Corporation in 1992.

Daniel Stuckart, History `96, M.A. Social Science Education `98 & Ph.D Curriculum and Instruction `04, is a faculty member in the Education Department at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. He was granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor, with a focus on secondary education, on May 19. Stuckart earned his B.A. in international relations from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1991, and three successive degrees from USF. His primary research interest has been the nexus of technology and learning in the social studies. Last year, he was the co-author of Revisiting Dewey: Best Practices for Educating the Whole Child Today, published by Rowman & Littlefield.

Mark Wentley, Finance `91, and his wife Lambryne, welcomed their second daughter, Zoe Olivia Wentley, on Aug.1, 2011, in Burlingame, CA. The Wentleys older daughter Sophia is 3 years old.

Denise L. Wheeler, Accounting `91, has been recognized among Florida’s Top 50 Women Lawyers for 2011 by Super Lawyers Magazine. She is a partner with Roetzel & Andress LPA in Fort Myers. Wheeler is a board certified labor and employment lawyer. She earned her J.D. magna cum laude from Stetson University College of Law and is admitted to practice law in Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida; and the United States Supreme Court. In addition to her recognition as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida for 2011, Wheeler has been selected as a Florida Super Lawyer for six consecutive years.

00s

Lance Arney, M.A. Applied Anthropology `07, was one of five people selected for the annual Community Quarterback award by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Arney, a College of Arts & Sciences doctoral student, was selected for his work with the Moses House, a nonprofit organization in Tampa that uses art-based learning and creative expression to help at-risk children. The Bucs donated $2,000 to the Moses House on Arney’s behalf.


Ryan Benjamin, Political Science `02, who was the first USF Bulls football player to become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs in 2002, has returned to his high school alma mater, River Ridge High in New Port Richey, as head football coach. Before joining the Bucs, he was a long snapper for the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. After leaving the NFL in 2004, Benjamin started an air conditioning company.

Irene G. Brammertz, MPH `01, retired from Redlands Christian Migrant Association, headquartered in Immokalee, FL, in February 2011 after 17 years of service. She applied for a position with Peace Corps Response, a part of the Peace Corps for former volunteers who have successfully completed 27 months of service and have an advanced degree. She was offered and accepted a nine-month assignment in Malawi, Southern Africa, as a District HIV/AIDS technical advisor. She is working with the Malawian Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Harleah G. Buck, Nursing M.S. `06 & Ph.D `08, is an assistant professor of Nursing at Penn State. She was a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service

Awards (NRSA) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, focusing on the individualized care of at-risk older adults for the National Institute of Nursing Research at Penn State from 2008-10. She is currently principal investigator, Dyadic Care in Moderate to Severe Heart Failure, at Penn State, as well as participating in many other research projects and publications.

Brian Cull, MPH `09, is a technical adviser for The Carter Center in Sudan.

Rena Upshaw Frazier, Civil Engineering `01, was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2011 as a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. The Florida

Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, and not more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Upshaw Frazier is a real estate attorney for Quarles & Brady in Tampa.

Michael M. Giel, English `02, was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers 2011 as a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. The

Florida Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement, and not more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Giel practices appellate law and business litigation with Volpe, Bajalia, Wickes, Rogerson & Wachs, P.A. in Jacksonville, FL. He earned his J.D. in 2005 from the University of Chicago.

Rebekah Heppner, Ph.D Applied Anthropology `07, was named as the interim president of the Hillsborough Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises private funds for Hillsborough public schools. She is a consultant for nonprofits and was previously vice president at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. She was also a regional coach for The Denali Initiative in Tampa.

Michael Kein, Environmental Science & Policy `08, hiked through the southeast United States in the spring as a benefit for the Humane Society. Kein, his hiking partner Caterina Lewis-Perry and her dog Honey (who was the inspiration for their trip), chronicled their trip at HikeforHoney.org.

Nicolette Lloyd, History & International Studies `08, received her 100-ton Masters Inland Captain’s License, with an STCW -95 BST endorsement as well as a Commercial

Assistant Towing endorsement. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she was an intern at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, as well as a deckhand for the Potomac Riverboat Company. She fell in love with the ocean and started working as a deckhand for Lindblad Expeditions, where she went to Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and Alaska. She also worked for American Cruise Lines on the East Coast between Florida and Maryland, as well as the Creole Queen, a Paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River. She finished her required sea time as the lead boat instructor at Bullfrog Marina, located on Lake Powell, Utah.

Mukarram Mohiuddin, MPH `07, was married in a traditional Indian wedding in 2008 and now works as a data analyst in the health care field in Chicago.

April Rose Monteith, `01 Finance & MBA `03, has joined JPMorgan Chase Bank as a vice president and commercial middle market banker.

Emerson Morris, Criminology `02, is a licensed minister who runs Young Men Obey Summer Achievement Camps in Tampa. The camps teach young athletes about the importance of values

classnotes

Patricia Calandros, `72, was the winner of the drawing in our Homecoming Survey. Nearly 500 alumni completed the survey that asked for your input on USF’s Homecoming festivities. Patricia won an iPod Touch.

She’s Got the Touch


and discipline. He is also pastor of Extreme Life Ministries in Tampa. Morris was a former defensive end for the Bulls before a career-ending injury to his leg.

Jillian Penrod, Sociology `07 and MPH `11, is a senior research associate for the Public Health Research Program in the Beasley School of Law at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Megan Provencher, Nursing `05, is a registered nurse working in Bermuda.

Saulo “Leo” Rada, MPH `08, is attending the University of Florida and beginning a Ph.D program in the College of Public Health and Health Professions, Department of Environmental and Global Health.

Kimberly Rogers, CPH, MPH `08, is a quarantine public health officer at the Center for Disease Control Anchorage Quarantine Station in Alaska.

Karla Stevenson, Communications and Political Science `03, joined United States Central Command in the role of analytic outreach and strategic relationships. She was previously a business communication instructor for the University of Iowa, Department of Communication Studies. She also has served as chair of the USF Alumni Association’s Chicago Chapter.

Dr. Michael F. Trevisani, MBA 2003, is vice president of Medical Affairs and chief medical officer at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, N.Y. and UHS Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, N.Y.

Tara Trudnak, MPH `07 & Ph.D `11, is a senior research associate for Academy Health in Washington, D.C.

Huey Whittaker, Economics `03, left the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm to play for the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League. Whittaker, a former Bulls receiver, led the Storm in receptions (125) and yards (1,405) and was tied for the team lead with 28 touchdowns. Whittaker joins former Bulls kicker Delbert Alvarado on the Destroyers’ roster.

Johanna Wood, Hospitality Management `06, was selected as one of 12 law students in GrayRobinson’s 2011 Summer Law Clerk program. Wood, a student at Stetson University, interned in GrayRobinson’s Tampa office.


Fellowship with the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, MD. She accepted the placement with the National Center for Health Statistics, working within the Division of Health Interview Statistics as an analyst in the Data Analysis and Quality Assurance Branch. A Ph.D is still in her future, but she is presently interested in gaining applied skills in data analysis and data management techniques. Peregoy began her new post on June 20. Prior to her fellowship, she worked with The Arthritis Institute of America.

Andrew Romaner, MPH `10, works with The Carter Center in Sudan. His Master’s in Public Health included a concentration on global health practice. He also holds a certificate in infection control. His B.A. is in International Affairs from the Elliot School at The George Washington University. He completed two terms of national service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and another with the Student Conservation Association. He has a strong interest in water and sanitation as well as neglected tropical diseases.

In MemoriamRonald E. Bailey, `73, 7/31/2011 Paulette Szabo Gross, `68, 7/31/2011 Angelina Joseph, `84, 7/29/2011 Nancy Jane McIntyre, M.A. `86, 7/29/2011 Michelle D. Meade, `05, 7/12/2011 Stephanie Rakic, `05, 6/29/2011 Karen Butler Tierney, `84, 1/15/2010

10s

Ali Billias, M.A. Elementary Education `11, left for Cyprus in September to teach English and American Studies as a Fulbright teaching assistant. She is committed to a 9-month stay on the island country in the Mediterranean Sea.

Dr. Tamal Chakraverty, MPH `10, accepted a position as an environmental epidemiologist with the Shelby County Health Department in Memphis, TN.

Patsy Love, Doctor of Nursing Practice `10, is an assistant professor for South University. She joined South in January 2011. She is also a consultant at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach.

Jennifer Peregoy, MPH `10, secured two fellowship offers: a CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship with the Washington, D.C. Department of Health and a CDC Associate Service

classnotesChristine Spiker, MPH `10, is a wellness coordinator for the Florida League of Cities in Orlando.


thomas Kennedy `73 Distinguished Alumnus recipientn Founder and Chairman, BackOffice Associates, Inc. of South Harwich, MAn BackOffice Associates provides products and services for data gov-ernance and migration and assists many of the world’s largest corpora-

tions – including Johnson & Johnson, ExxonMobil, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Grainger, Pepsi and the US Postal Service – in managing and maximizing com-plex global data systems.

David Mearns `86Distinguished Alumnus recipientn Owner of Blue Water Recov-eries, shipwreck hunter, marine scientist, authorn Mearns and his company have located 22 major shipwrecks and have been awarded three Guinness World Records, including one for

locating the deepest shipwreck ever found at 5762 meters. Mearns has raised international standards for the design and construction of bulk carriers. He has worked in all of the world’s oceans and has trav-eled to more than 40 countries. He has been actively involved with USF’s College of Marine Science and returned to speak on several occasions.

Linda Simmons `75 Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service recipientn President and CEO of R.R. Simmons, the parent company for R.R. Simmons Construction Corporation and R.R. Simmons De-sign and Construction, LLCn Under Simmons’ leadership,

her firm has provided services for such prominent companies as Premier Beverage, Volkswagen of America, Coca-Cola, Publix Supermarkets, Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds, HCA – Healthcare Cor-poration of America, Johnson & Johnson, City of Tampa, University of South Florida, Hillsborough

County School District and Trammell Crow Company. She is an advocate on behalf of alumni through her service on the National Board of Directors and on the President’s Commission on Alumni Relations. She is a founding member and chair of the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program, which provides mentoring and scholarship opportunities to female students at USF.

Fred Meyer Class of `56 recipientn President and owner, SITECH of Lutz, FLn Meyer began SITECH, former-ly Southern Precision, more than 26 years ago, providing laser leveling services to central Florida’s con-struction contractors and surveying industry. The company grew and

gained a reputation beyond the state of Florida, and, as a result of several acquisitions and expansions, began offering advanced positioning technology services to the construction, survey and agricultural industries throughout the southeastern United States. Meyer sits on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Council at USF’s College of Business and helped to raise funds for the $10 million addition to Ferguson Hall. He also contributed to a classroom for Executive MBA students that bears the Meyer family name.

Daniel Ravicher `97 Outstanding Young Alumnus recipientn President and Executive Direc-tor of the New York-based Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) and lecturer on Law at Benjamin N. Car-dozo School of Law, where he also directs the Intellectual Property Law Program he established in 2003.

n Ravicher is a registered patent attorney who writes and speaks frequently on patent law, including twice testifying as an invited witness before Congress on the topic of patent reform. He is a member of USF’s Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering equivalent of a Phi Beta Kappa, and a member of the board of direc-tors for the Software Freedom Law Center and the Initiative for Medicines, Access and Knowledge, Inc.

USFAAAnnual Awards

USF ALUMNI ASSOCIAtION

2011 Alumni Award Winners


talking a lot more than just putting a team on the field. The recruiting, the facilities, the interest, the enthusiasm.”

The father-son tandem not only was there to help kick off the season, but also to kick start the USF Football Victors Club, an elite new booster group – annual cost: $1,200 – committed to taking Bulls fundraising to the next level. The sold-out event at A La Carte helped recruit new Victors members.

As expected, Coach Lou stole the show. Some examples: After taking the podium following a loving

(and somewhat lengthy) introduction by Coach Skip: “Sorry for being so slow getting up here, but I couldn’t believe he was talking about me. ... I’ve been introduced by a lot of people, but that’s the fin-est introduction I’ve ever received and the type I can listen to all night – and just like you I thought I was going to have to.”

On being asked whether he was going to root for Notre Dame or USF: “You sound like a comedian out of work. I cheer for my son.”

About his cameo appearance in the Academy Award-winning film “The Blind Side:” “I knew Sandra Bullock’s marriage was in trouble ‘cause she kept hitting on me.”

His authoring or contributing to 10 books: “I’ve written more books than I’ve read.”

On Florida State once being a women’s college: “I think Lee Corso went there after it was an all-girls school.”

Holtz, though, struck a serious tone when it came time to talk about the son who played for him as a walk-on at Notre Dame during the 1980s; the son who turned around a downtrodden program at East Carolina; the son who last year took over a USF program and guided the Bulls to an 8-5 record and a victory over Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

The son, who like his proud papa, sees a future with no ceiling on potential.

“Skip had opportunities to go places all over the country, but he turned them down because he wanted to come to South Florida. This is where he wanted to be,” Holtz said. “He didn’t come here for the money. He didn’t come here as a stepping stone. Who knows what the future holds for him? But I can tell you this: He came here because he believes in the administration of South Florida, the people, the future, and believes South Florida can have a football program second to none – and I couldn’t agree more.”

athletics

By Chris Harry

For the folks over age 40 who were in atten-dance, the mere concept of such a moment during their USF time years ago would have been unfathomable. But there they were, in

all their green-and-gold glory, packed inside the posh A La Carte Event Pavilion last month, not only toast-ing the start of another USF football season, but the most hotly anticipated opening date in the program’s brief but meteoric history: A game at Notre Dame.

And as if excitable Bulls Head Coach Skip Holtz whipping the crowd into a football frenzy wasn’t enough, Holtz brought along his famous father – leg-endary Lou Holtz, the last coach to lead the Fighting Irish to a national championship and one of the true masters on the filet-and-salmon circuit – to commem-orate the moment.

“We have lofty goals,” Skip Holtz told the audi-ence of 450. “And this group of players, well, they have a chance to be special.”

The one who goes by “Dr. Lou” on the popular ESPN Game Day show, believes a lot of things that

have happened in Tampa in recent years already qualify as special.

“How long have they been playing major college football at South Florida? Eight years? I mean, it’s unbelievable what’s happened here,” said the elder Holtz, now

74. “And I’m

Dr. Lou Makes a House Call

calendar your membership in action

October 7 Hernando Bulls Meeting, 7 p.m., Duke’s American Grill, 1320 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Visit http://www.hernandobulls.org for details.

14-15 College of Medicine Reunion Honoring the Classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 & 2006. Contact Christina Brown-Wujick at [email protected] for details.

15 USF vs. UConn, Time TBA, Rentschler Field, Hartford, CT. For tailgate information away from home, visit www.USFalumni.org/tailgates. For ticket info, visit Ticketmaster.com

18 College of Business Alumni Society meeting, 6:30 p.m., Tia’s Tex Mex, 2815 E. Fowler Ave.,Tampa. RSVP to Brian Buckley at [email protected].

21 2011 USF Nursing Homecoming Reunion Honoring the Classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. Contact Lauren Kelly at [email protected] for details.

21 USF Homecoming Parade Watch Party, 6 p.m., in front of the Lifsey House on Alumni Drive, USF Tampa campus. Visit www.USFalumni.org/Homecoming for details.

22 Super Bull XV Homecoming 2011 Game, USF vs. Cincinnati, noon, Raymond James Stadium. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for ticket info.

31 USF COPH Alumni Reception at APHA in Washington D.C. Contact Leanna Baylis at [email protected] for details.

November 5 USF vs. Rutgers, Time TBA, High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, NJ. For tailgate information away from home, visit www.USFalumni.org/tailgates. For ticket info, visit Ticketmaster.com

11 USF vs. Syracuse, 8 p.m., Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y. For tailgate information away from home, visit www.USFalumni.org/tailgates. For ticket info, visit Ticketmaster.com

15 College of Business Alumni Society meeting, 6:30 p.m., Tia’s Tex Mex, 2815 E. Fowler Ave.,Tampa. RSVP to Brian Buckley at [email protected].

19 USF vs. Miami, Time TBA, Raymond James Stadium. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for ticket info.

25 USF vs. Louisville, Time TBA, Raymond James Stadium. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for ticket info.

December 1 USF vs. West Virginia, 8 p.m., Raymond James Stadium. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for ticket info.

11 Hernando Bulls in the Brooksville Christmas Parade, Downtown Brooksville. Visit www.hernandobulls.org for details.

Event specifics are subject to change. Please visit the websites to confirm dates and details.

USF Alumni AssociationGibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100Tampa, FL. 33620-5455 Membership Renewal Date:

PERIODICALS

Documents

AlumniVoice_Oct2011_Web.pdf