Bulls Notebook: USFSM visiting student lauded for research

At last week’s Academy for Global Business Advancement conference in Bangkok, Thailand, an international student who conducted research at the center was formally recognized for her work.

I-Hsin “Selina” Liu was presented the Best Undergraduate Research Paper Award for the article she co-authored, “The Impact of Globalization on Student Success: A Cross-cultural Empirical Study.” She also gave a presentation about the work to more than 300 conference attendees.

Liu was part of the 2017-18 cohort from the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism in Taiwan. During her stay at USFSM, she conducted research at the M3 Center with Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu and Dr. Faizan Ali as well as graduate students Muhittin Cavusoglu and Luana Nanu.

“This is another great example of how global partnerships can produce benefits for all parties involved,” said Dr. Cobanoglu, McKibbon distinguished chair and director of the center.

“We value our dear partner, the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, and hope to enjoy a mutually successful partnership for many years to come,” he said.

Dr. Cobanoglu, a keynote speaker at the conference, said Liu contributed to the paper’s review of literature and methodology. She also translated a survey into Mandarin, Chinese, so it could be conducted in Taiwan.

Dr. Wagner tapped to speak at conference

A presentation at a convention last year in Dallas has led to a speaking engagement for Dr. Phil Wagner.

Dr. Wagner was at a conference in December of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to give a training exercise on diversity in curriculum.

It turns out, Dr. George Daniels, assistant dean of administration at UA’s College of Communication & Information Sciences, attended session and was impressed by it. As a result, he reached out to Dr. Wagner to join a panel discussion at next month’s conference for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).

Dr. Daniels serves on a committee for the AEJMC, a nonprofit, educational association of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals. The conference is scheduled at the Renaissance Hotel Downtown in Washington, D.C.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this invite,” Dr. Wagner said. “As a communication scholar, I recognize that the AEJMC holds significant weight in the field across the globe.

“To be invited to share ideas that we’ve learned along the way here in our Core Curriculum and through our diversity initiatives is exciting because it means that, even if we are still working toward some of our goals, what we’re doing is seen as successful to others,” he said. “I’m excited to share some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.”

Dr. Wagner’s panel discussion is entitled, “Diversity Outcomes beyond the Numbers – Expanding the Landscape.”

He’ll be joined by Peter Bhatia, editor of the Detroit Free Press, and three professors from Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), the University of South Carolina and Abilene Christian University (Abilene, Texas).

Szempruch receives promotion

Kudos to Jessica Szempruch on her promotion to instructor librarian for USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Library Services.

Szempruch, a USFSM alum, previously served as an academic program specialist at USFSM’s former instructional site in North Port.

Most recently, she served as a library specialist at the main campus.

USFSM Staff Council info session set this week

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Staff Council will hold a Brown Bag Social this week for staffers interested in learning more about the council’s activities and goals.

The social is scheduled Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Selby Auditorium. Staff are encouraged to bring lunch. Fun activities and a Q&A session are scheduled.

For more about the council, write to mpheath@sar.usf.edu or postj@sar.usf.edu.

USFSM Night at Marauders game

Friday, July 20, is “USF Sarasota-Manatee Night” at the Bradenton Marauders game at Lecom Park, 1611 Ninth Street West in downtown Bradenton.

Students, staff, faculty and alumni are encouraged to attend this fun event celebrating USFSM and minor league baseball. Watch as the mighty hometown favorites, the Bradenton Marauders, take on the Daytona Tortugas. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First pitch at 6:30.

Each “Boardwalk BBQ Ticket” costs only $23 and includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs, burgers, cookies, chips, soft drinks, bottled water and a Marauders hat.

Tickets at https://groupmatics.events/event/USFSM2018. The purchase deadline is July 11 at 11:59 p.m.

Brunch on the Bay tickets, sponsorships available

Tickets and sponsorships for Brunch on the Bay are now available, and this year’s event is shaping up to be extra special as it marks 25 years of local support.

Since 1994, Brunch on the Bay attendees have given graciously to fund scholarships for USF Sarasota-Manatee students while also savoring the finest brunch fare from local restaurants and caterers.

This year, as Brunch celebrates its Silver Anniversary, many special features are planned and the guest list is quickly growing, so don’t delay in securing your tickets and table sponsorships.

The event is set for Sunday, Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

“More than 1,700 local students have received scholarship support from Brunch on the Bay, and we’re thrilled to continue this significant tradition — with a few twists for 2018!” Vice Chancellor for Advancement Lee Williams said. “We’re featuring a Brunch on the Bay Honorary Committee, in addition to the Organizing Committee, and the Honorary Committee co-chairs will be announced soon.”

“Brunch is presented by Mary Kenealy Events of Sarasota, and working with Mary and her talented team has simply been exceptional,” Williams said. “We have a few special guests arranged for the annual gathering; so it’s sure to be memorable. USFSM’s Brunch on the Bay is a fantastic way to spend a Sunday, enjoy wonderful culinary delights and support area students with scholarships.”

Since its start, Brunch has distinguished itself as USF Sarasota-Manatee’s premier fundraising event, adding more than $1.3 million to the university endowment and generating more than $1 million in scholarships, including those to First Generation students, the first in their families to attend college.

“It’s one of the very best events in this community and it’s been around longer than most other events,” said Bob Turner, a USFSM alum and former publisher of the Bradenton Herald. “It’s extremely important to support this event to support the students who need a leg up to further their careers and help our businesses with a workforce that’s ready to go.”

Turner and USFSM graduate Lauren Henry are co-chairs of this year’s Brunch on the Bay Organizing Committee.

“I see so much potential in what this university has to offer in terms of partnering with businesses and leaders in our community,” said Henry, a 2016 graduate. “And so Brunch on the Bay is a culmination of that, where the university and community come together and support the cause of higher education.”

For more about Brunch of the Bay, including tickets and table sponsorships, visit usfsm.edu/brunch or call Pam Gleason at (941) 359-4603.

###