Bulls Notebook: USF Sarasota-Manatee to hold 9/11 ceremony

The chief investment officer at Cumberland Advisors and supporter of USFSM will talk about that day and its effects.

The 9/11 ceremony is scheduled to kick off at 8:20 a.m. with a flag raising by the Marine Corps color guard from the 4^th Amphibious Assault Battalion in Tampa. After that, attendees will be directed to an area behind the courtyard where USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook will offer welcoming remarks followed by Mr. Kotok’s address.

“It’s so important to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, as well as the courageous efforts of our first responders and military,” said Carlos Moreira, USFSM’s veteran services administrator and one of the ceremony’s organizers. “Our nation owes them a debt of gratitude.”

Also at the ceremony, the choir from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton will sing the National Anthem and representatives from the Sarasota Military Academy will participate in a flag-passing ritual to symbolize the nation’s response to the terrorist attacks.

Prior to the event, hundreds of small flags, one for each victim, will be planted into the lawn behind the campus courtyard. The 2,977 flags will be placed in the late afternoon today.

USFSM is requesting staff, faculty and students assist with planting the flags.

Bulls Bistro to return Sept. 20

The popular Bulls Bistro program, which pairs students and faculty chefs in an exploration of world cuisines, will return this month with two Thursday events, on Sept. 20 and 27.

Bulls Bistro has attracted a following since debuting two years ago at USFSM’s Culinary Innovation Lab in Lakewood Ranch. Students from the College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership work with faculty chefs and staff as the college invites the public for an evening of elegant culinary creations.

The events are held 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Culinary Innovation Lab, 8130 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Suite D104. Tickets are $25 and available at usfsm.edu/cil.

Each diner receives two glasses of red or white wine or two glasses of craft beer, a tasting of three different hors d’oeuvres and one sweet tapas prepared by our chefs and students from the college’s Restaurant Operations class.

The Sept. 20 event will feature “A Taste of Italy,” while on Sept. 27 our students and chefs highlight regional favorites in “A Taste of America.”

For more about the Bulls Bistro, visit usfsm.edu/academics/college-of-hospitality-and-tourism-leadership/bulls-bistro.aspx.

USFSM hosts Dr. MacManus for political talk

Author and retired USF political scientist Susan MacManus gave a talk at USF Sarasota-Manatee last week, noting that Florida is poised for another headline-grabbing election cycle thanks to changing demographics.

The longtime political analyst said the state’s heightened political profile owes much to shifting demographics in recent years. With the surge of activism and identity politics and rise of women and minorities running for and getting elected to political positions, Florida is echoing what’s happening on a national scale.

The same holds true for growing numbers of independent voters, as more young people opt “No Party Affiliation” when registering to vote, rejecting both major political parties.

But the biggest demographic shift, upending decades of perception about the state, she said, is that younger voters are overtaking retirees as Florida’s largest voting bloc. Currently, 51 percent of voters fall into various under-55 groups dubbed Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z by social scientists.

“The days when you could just win by appealing to older voters are long gone in Florida,” MacManus told the crowd last Wednesday at USFSM’s Selby Auditorium. “The generational shift is the real story of politics this year.”

Although Florida’s U.S. Senate race will be among the most-watched nationally, she predicted the governor’s race, which will see Democrat Andrew Gillum challenge Republican Ron DeSantis, will drive voters to the polls in November.

In addition to sharing her insights, MacManus, who retired from USF just this year, discussed her recent book Florida’s Minority Trailblazers, which explores the contributions of women and minorities in Florida politics. The book took nearly 10 years to complete, she said.

Dr. MacManus’ free talk was sponsored by USFSM and USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy.

Undergraduate research experts to visit USFSM

USF Sarasota-Manatee will hold three special workshops, on Sept. 12, 13 and 18, to discuss undergraduate research, USAID funding and how more students can engage in experiential learning here and abroad to enhance their education.

First, on Wednesday, Caryle Cammisa, development diplomat in residence at the Patel College of Global Sustainability at USF in Tampa, will meet with faculty and others in a research roundtable to share her expertise with USAID, the United State Agency for International Development. The discussion will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Then Sept. 13, Elizabeth Nelson of the Florida High-Tech Corridor (FHTC), will share information on a state-funded initiative to foster technological development by encouraging collaboration between the region’s universities and high-tech industry.

The FHTC matching grant research program at USF can provide up to $150,000 in matching funds for collaborative research involving industry partners and USF researchers – thereby expanding opportunities for students to become involved in cutting-edge research.

Lastly, on Sept. 18, Dr. Michael Cross, director of the USF Office of Undergraduate Research, will discuss the value of student assistantships in faculty research projects. Among other topics, he’ll discuss ways to enrich the undergraduate research experience through presentations, publications and networking. He’ll also suggest ways to bring more student-focused research programs to USFSM.

“This is one of the benefits of consolidation,” said Sandra Justice, USFSM’s director of research, who invited the speakers to USFSM. “It strengthens our resources. It promotes collaboration and opens doors to partnerships with programs and projects that serve our students.”

Cammisa, who promotes the mission of USAID as it relates to international research, is an expert in USAID funding priorities. In addition to funding, she’s knowledgeable about ways to involve students in international research, global fellowships and study abroad programs.

Justice said she invited Cammisa after learning of the international research conducted by several USFSM professors, including Drs. Jean Kabongo, Tom Becker, Jody McBrien, Zacharias Pieri and USFSM’s Director of Global Engagement Amela Malkic.

“This is an opportunity for open dialogue about how USAID can partner with these professors, and others, to move their work forward,” she said.

For more information on these and future workshops, visit http://usfsm.edu/research/research-workshops.aspx.

Talk to address English language learning standards

Well-known educator and expert in literacy and language learning Terri Mossgrove will visit USFSM on Sept. 18 for talk with students, faculty and staff.

Mossgrove will give an overview of the WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) Consortium for English Language Learners. She’ll also review the resources that WIDA offers teacher candidates.

Her talk will be held at Room B206 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Students, faculty and staff are urged to attend.

Dr. Davis-Cotton chairs new arts council

Add one more title to Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton’s curriculum vitae. The director the Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) has been named chair of the newly formed Manatee Arts Education Council (MAEC).

Dr. Davis-Cotton said she was honored by the appointment. The MAEC was formed by the Manatee School District and Manatee Education Foundation with the aim of supporting, promoting and celebrating PreK-12 arts education in Manatee County public schools.

Funds raised for the MAEC will support arts-education professional development for teachers, student and art educator scholarships, arts-enrichment camps, arts classrooms and field trip grants, as well as district-level honors performances and exhibits and recognition awards.

Other officers of note include MAEC founder Julie Hebert, who is the arts curriculum specialist at the Manatee school district, and Mary Glass, executive director of the Manatee Education Foundation. Both Glass and Herbert will serve on the MAEC’s board of advisors.

Applications accepted to PAInT Scholar Program

The Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) is partnering with USF Sarasota-Manatee’s School of Education (SOE) to institute the PAInT Scholar Program.

Under this special program, PAInT will offer five SOE students an opportunity to engage in arts-integrated academic projects while interning with the center’s arts partners. Students who complete the program will be recognized as PAInT Scholars upon graduation from the School of Education.

Participants must complete 100 hours (a minimum of 20 hours each semester of community service and leadership in arts integration) over four consecutive semesters in the School of Education.

With the support of advisors Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, coordinator of the PAInT Center, and Dr. Helene Robinson, arts-integration curriculum coordinator in the School of Education, students will conduct arts-integrated research presentations as well as a variety of arts-integrated tasks, projects and leadership/service efforts designed to demonstrate scholarship, skill development and experience in arts-integration pedagogy.

Selection priority will be made in consultation with resident faculty and will promote equal representation across a variety of academic programs. The program will accept applications through Sept. 30, 2018. To apply, visit: usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2s1zr84QesJmVjn.

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. ###