Bulls Notebook: USFSM’s Dr. Black receives national recognition

The professor of aging studies and leading force behind Age-Friendly Sarasota, a local initiative that urges the development of amenities accessible at every stage of life, has been included in Next Avenue’s “Influencers of Aging.”

This top-50 list recognizes advocates, researchers, writers and others who “push beyond traditional boundaries” to change our understanding of aging.

The annual list goes back two years and includes, in addition to Lear, Eisner and Sen. Klobuchar, such notables as former U.S. HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, the late Glen Campbell, journalists Maria Shriver and Ellen Goodman, and U.S. Sen Susan Collins, R-Maine. It’s compiled by Next Avenue, an initiative of AARP and PBS.

Black was nominated this past spring by AARP Florida Director Jeff Johnson.

“It’s very impressive, considering my fellow influencers and past influencers,” said Dr. Black, who found out Tuesday from an email from Next Avenue. “I was honored.”

The gerontologist and social worker said the acknowledgement recognizes not just her recent work with Age-Friendly Sarasota, but her career that started as a nurse and later a graduate student in gerontology 30 years ago at the University of Southern California. She came to USF Sarasota-Manatee in 2002.

She’s already hearing from colleagues across the country. One, Rigo Saborio, was Dr. Black’s student 30 years ago. He’s now the president and CEO of Los Angeles-based St. Barnabas Senior Services, the nation’s largest and most diverse senior center.

“I’m more excited about his success than mine,” she said.

Dr. Black said she expects the recognition to result in more speaking invitations, although she does quite a bit already at local, state, national and international events.

“This is a national honor,” she said. “I’m most happy that it brings recognition to USF Sarasota-Manatee and the great community in which we live.

“I’m very appreciative and honored to work in Sarasota,” she said. “We have so many wonderful people, professionals and organizations that are committed to improving the experience of aging in Sarasota.”

For more, check out nextavenue.org/showcase/meet-next-avenue-influencers-in-aging-2017/.

Dr. Wagner to address gender issues in talk

Dr. Phil Wagner this month will address a crowd different from his usual students. He’s set to address the Gulf Coast chapter of U.N. Women to talk about the culture of masculinity and what that means for the future of gender rights.

In addition to being a communications instructor at USF Sarasota-Manatee, Wagner is the chair of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

“Often when we hear about gender or gender rights we think of women. We often realize that men are not part of the conversation because we think of this as a women’s issue only,” he said. “But it’s important for men to be involved in the pursuit of gender equity because it influences how society is run. It doesn’t say much about our lives, our society, if only half of our society is being valued.”

Dr. Wagner’s talk explores healthy and unhealthy forms of masculinity. It’s entitled, “Beards, Biceps, and Other Essential Brocabulary: What the culture of masculinity tells us about the future of gender equity.”

The talk is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. A breakfast buffet is included.

For tickets or more information, visit https://www.unwomen-usnc.org/index.php?q=civicrm/event/info&id=123&reset=1.

Cheer on the USF Bulls

The USF Bulls will travel to Greenville, N.C., to take on the East Carolina Pirates at noon, Saturday.

For those unable to make the trip, a watch party is scheduled at Evie’s, Palm Aire Plaza Center, 5897 Whitfield Ave., Sarasota.

Come enjoy good food, drink specials, swag giveaways and networking with fellow alums.

Go Bulls!
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