State University System
‘World-class universities’ pledge largely unfulfilled
Sun-Sentinel
Gov. Rick Scott promised on the campaign trail that he would build “world-class universities” as a part of his plan to jump-start the state’s stagnant economy and bring new jobs to the Sunshine State. He pledged higher levels of state investment in research and business incubators, and economic-development grants for universities in specific research areas such as biotechnology. And his plan said the state should help develop stronger public-private partnerships between the universities and the corporate world. But halfway through his first term, universities have been operating largely on cruise control. The state’s university system is searching for direction, enrolling 35,000 more students than six years ago with $1 billion less in state operating money…
After Digital Domain failure, FSU grapples with next step for film school
Miami Herald
Florida State University is struggling to figure out the next step for its acclaimed film school in light of the failure of Digital Domain Media Group, the government-subsidized animation company that filed for bankruptcy in September…
FSU trustees support West Palm Beach campus, but state governing board may not
Palm Beach Post
Florida State University’s digital arts program will remain in West Palm Beach without former partner Digital Domain barring intervention by the school’s statewide governing board or a radical change in direction by FSU President Eric Barron.
FSU film school program likely to remain in South Florida
Tallahassee Democrat
Florida State’s film school is likely to continue to offer a major in digital animation in West Palm Beach, even though its high-profile founding partner bottomed out less than a month after the new program began last fall…
One dead in small plane crash near Sarasota/Bradenton airport
Bradenton Herald
One person was killed and another seriously injured Saturday afternoon when their amphibian aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, officials say. The Seawind 3000 aircraft, a composite, single-engine, four-seat amphibian, went down on New College of Florida property near the R.V. Heiser Natural Science Complex, said Fredrick (Rick) J. Piccolo, president and CEO of the airport…
Fatal plane crash on Sarasota’s New College campus
MyFox Tampa Bay
It took off from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport shortly before 3:30 pm and crashed landed on the campus of New College of Florida moments later…
Small plane crashes near Sarasota airport; one dead
Tbo.com
The plane crashed in a wooded area on the west side of New College of Florida‘s campus. Witnesses said the pilot of the plane was killed and a passenger was burned and flown by helicopter to an area hospital…
What would making the top 10 mean for UF?
Ocala
The question has lingered since University of Florida President Bernie Machen agreed Tuesday to keep steering the ship at the request of Gov. Rick Scott. Why is it so important that UF be a top 10 university according to a magazine rating?
Some UF supporters worry Gov. Rick Scott crossed line to keep President Bernie Machen
Tampa Bay Times
News that Bernie Machen will remain president of the University of Florida has been widely regarded as a positive step for the school yearning for higher national prominence. But some UF supporters and observers say they are concerned lines may have been crossed in persuading Machen, 68, to postpone his retirement…
UNF students to rally for higher education investment
Jacksonville Business Journal
Students at the University of North Florida are joining the other 11 schools in the State University System of Florida in a rally to keep tuition from going up next year. UNF students will participate in an Aim Higher rally in the UNF Student Union Plaza Jan. 14, asking for a $118 million investment by legislators…
Zeta Tau Alpha at UNF honors fallen sister with vigil
WTLV
More than a hundred candles were lit at University of North Florida to celebrate the life of a Zeta Tau Alpha sorority sister who died in a New Year’s Day accident…
Suspects caught at USF after firing outside police station
MyFox Tampa Bay
Police officers swarmed the streets near the University of South Florida this afternoon after someone opened fire outside of a police station…
Deer Panel to be held at University of West Florida
WEAR
Hunters and others will now have a say in how the state handles deer management. Florida Fish and Wildlife is trying a new approach starting here in the panhandle. The agency is dividing the state into smaller management zones and asking for comments on population management, antler regulations, bag limits, and other issues. They’re holding a public meeting on January 31st, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the University of West Florida Commons.
State College System
Area Events
Hernando Today
Pasco Hernando Community College presents is 28th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative lecture series with historical performance by award and Emmy® winner Gwendolyn Briley-Strand on Jan. 16-17 and both campuses in Hernando County. Jan. 16 starting at 7 p.m. located at the Spring Hill campus, 450 Beverly Court, Room B-105. Jan. 17 starting at 6:30 p.m. located at the North (Brooksville) campus, 11415 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Room B-104.
When scores don’t add up, college hopefuls can suffer
Tbo.com
…Many incoming students in the Florida College System simply aren’t ready for the academic challenges they will face. According to the most recent numbers, just 48.7 percent of incoming PHCC freshman who had been in a public high school in Pasco or Hernando the year before passed the math readiness test. They performed better in reading and writing, with nearly 81 percent deemed ready for college-level work in those subjects…
Palm Beach State College Limiting Adjunct Faculty Hours To Avoid Health Insurance Coverage Costs
Huffington Post
Palm Beach State College is the latest to announce it will begin limiting the hours adjunct instructors can work in order to avoid new requirements under the Affordable Care Act. The college told employees in December it will limit adjunct faculty to no more than three classes and a maximum of 30 hours per week, which would require the college to provide health insurance, according to a letter obtained by The Huffington Post…
Independent Colleges and Universities
Lynn University Honors Six Killed In 2010 Haiti Earthquake
CBS Local
Lynn University students concluded a week of community service events Saturday by honoring the four students and two professors who died in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The main focus on Saturday’s third annual Knights Unite Day of Caring was on remembering the legacy of the six, who traveled to Haiti on the Journey of Hope. Eight other students on the trip were not injured…
Lynn students, teachers who died in Haiti Earthquake remembered 3 years later
WPTV
The six people from Lynn University who were killed during the earthquake that struck Haiti three years ago were remembered on Saturday…
Report: Miami probe nears key point
Associated Press
The nearly 2-year-old NCAA investigation into Miami‘s compliance practices may be nearing an end. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday that the NCAA is scheduling meetings to discuss specific allegations with individuals who are believed to have committed violations found during the inquiry. Some meetings will take place Monday, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NCAA nor Miami authorized them to reveal the developments publicly…
Delivery of NCAA allegations against University of Miami ’imminent’
MiamiHerald.com (registration)
Two people close to the NCAA case involving former University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro told The Miami Herald on Saturday that they, and others as well, were told to be available near their phones Monday to discuss allegations against them in them in the case. “The beginning of the end” of the long ordeal, as one person put it, is about to unfold at UM.
NCAA investigation nearing end at Miami
Miami Hurricanes (blog)
After 22 months, the charges in the University of Miami’s NCAA investigation could come any day now…
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the State
Lowe: FAU prof’s Sandy Hook conspiracy theory
Sun Sentinel
I can’t pretend to know what Florida Atlantic University professor James Tracy is thinking when he promotes his idea that there’s a conspiracy afoot to hide the truth about what really happened at Sandy Hook. There’s an odor of disingenuousness about his claim that he’s simply trying to “get students to look at events in a more critical way.”…
Thumb up: IRSC opens $18.5 million science center in St. Lucie West
TCPalm
By Editorial Board STEM CENTER: Indian River State College expanded into new technologies again as students were welcomed this week to the school’s new William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Center at its campus in St. Lucie West. The three-story $18.5 million center, equipped with state-of-the-art computer and research tools, joins previous high-tech class and lab facilities in the Brown Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies, both at the IRSC main campus in Fort Pierce…
Crabbe: Gov. Rick Scott’s game
Gainesville Sun
If University of Florida students want to have some fun with Gov. Rick Scott’s interference in the state university system, they can make a drinking game out of it. The next time that Scott talks about universities, take a drink when he mentions the “return on investment” that he wants from them. Take another swig for any discussion of producing more degrees in STEM fields.
Cunningham: Breaking down the wall between politics and universities
Gainesville Sun
When President Kennedy announced the goal of putting a man on the moon, Florida almost immediately hitched its wagon to JFK’s lunar express. Then-Gov. Farris Bryant commissioned the Space Era Education Study because he understood that Florida’s higher education system, conceived in the horse-and-buggy era, was woefully unprepared for the challenges of the space age…
Machen: Retire as University of Florida president? Not with an opportunity like this
Tampabay.com
After nine years as president of the University of Florida, and nearing my self-imposed limit of a decade, I thought I was ready to move on to the next chapter in my life. But the promise of reaching a goal I have sought since my first day at UF was too much to pass up…Bernie Machen is president of the University of Florida. He wrote this exclusively for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida jumps to sixth nationally in Quality Counts education report
The News-Press
More Florida education leaders have released comments about the state’s rise from 11th to sixth nationally on Education Week’s 2013 Quality Counts report…
Holmes named FAMU’s head football coach
First Coast News
Friday evening Earl Holmes was named Florida A&M‘s head football coach. The announcement marked the first time a graduate of FAMU High and Florida A&M University has been named head coach of a Rattlers team at the MEAC school.
It’s official: Holmes introduced as FAMU’s head football coach
Tallahassee Democrat (blog)
Earl Holmes was a standout student-athlete at FAMU High and Florida A&M University. Now, he will take over the Rattlers’ football program, after being introduced as head coach at a Friday press conference. Holmes, 39, replaces the retiring Joe Taylor…
James Tracy Sandy Hook controversy: FAU president speaks out about Newtown massacre blog post
WPTV
Tied to tragedy. That’s where Florida Atlantic University finds itself after professor James Tracy questioned the Sandy Hook massacre in a personal blog. ”He spoke as a private citizen, on his own time, not as a representative of the university,” says FAU President Mary Jane Saunders. “I am very upset that anything that’s happened has caused additional pain to Newtown and the families of the victims.”…
New Florida’s Natural VP Talks About Fresh Juice, Millennials and More
News Chief
In the long run that will be most successful because it allows you to charge more,” said Larry Ross, a marketing professor at Florida Southern College.
Charles Kelly Named FSU Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
Seminoles.com
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher added to his defensive staff with the hire of former Georgia Tech assistant Charles Kelly as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator for the Seminoles…
John Textor, former Digital Domain CEO, discusses the program at FSU
WPTV
The former Digital Domain CEO, John Textor, is speaking out on the heels of a big announcement for some former Digital Domain employees. At Friday’s board of trustees meeting, Florida State University leaders seemed to favor keeping West Palm Beach’s Digital Domain program in South Florida, despite the failure of Digital Domain Media Group and the closure of its Port St. Lucie animation studio. The government-subsidized animation company filed for bankruptcy four months ago, on September 11. “The characters involved have changed, but the vision for West Palm Beach remains the same,” said Textor, of the Digital Domain animation program at FSU…
FSU’s VanLandingham develops drug to treat concussions
Tallahassee Democrat
Getting mugged may have been the best thing that ever happened to Jacob VanLandingham. It changed his life, that much is certain. The head injury he sustained also inspired him to develop a drug to treat concussions, an invention that has the Florida State University professor and researcher knocking on the door of what could end up being the next big thing…
Former Digital Domain producer to be faculty member for FSU’s digital animation program
TC Palm
Former Digital Domain Media Group producer Chuck Williams has a new role in the state’s animation world. Williams will be a research faculty member for Florida State University‘s digital animation program where he will work to develop animation films, he said Friday. The final decision on whether the program will be in West Palm Beach or Tallahassee ultimately will be up to university President Eric Barron, according to the Palm Beach Post…
Sebastian City Council member joined WAACs, retired from Army
TCPalm
City Council Member Andrea Coy joined the Army to do something different and “get out of New York state.” She thought it would be just for three years, but 21 years later, she retired as a master sergeant and moved to Florida. ”I joined the WAACs (Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps) in 1976,” said Coy, 59. The designation would change to WAC (Women’s Army Corps) and then to plain Army like all the other soldiers…Coy was elected to the Sebastian City Council and served a mayor. She now is a council member and is an adjunct professor at Indian River State College teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages…
One killed, one injured in small-plane crash
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Authorities have identified a pilot who died in a Saturday plane crash at the New College campus and his critically injured passenger. John William Ardoyno, 70, of Hayward, Wisc., piloted the single-engine Seawind aircraft that took off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport at about 3:30 p.m. Ardoyno died when the plane suddenly crashed across the Tamiami Trail from the airport in a field at New College. His passenger — William S. Jackson, 63, of Ann Arbor, Mich. — was on fire when he managed to get out of the damaged plane. Paramedics airlifted Jackson to the burn unit at Tampa General Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. No one on the ground was injured, though the plane crashed about 100 yards from a campus building.
Surfing documentary to be shown Jan. 25
The Northwest Florida Daily News
The Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College will present a free public screening of the new documentary, “Florida’s Surfing History -Part One: The Panhandle” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Sprint Theater at the center. Mike Cotton and Dave Barnes, national producers based in Northwest Florida, spent the summer of 2012 filming interviews with many of the “old timers” and acquiring vintage film footage, photographs, news articles, and other historical content.
Tom Klusman gets 600th win with 74-62 victory over Florida Tech
Bay News 9
Rollins College head basketball coach Tom Klusman became the 68th coach in NCAA basketball history to win his 600th game with a 72-64 victory over Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Tech Wednesday night. The 58 year-old Klusman is the 15th coach in Division II to reach the 600 win milestone. Klusman‘s record in now 600-332 in 33 seasons as the head coach of Rollins College…
Central Florida’s economy poised for comeback
Orlando Sentinel
“We’re not talking about rocketing back to pre-recession status,” said University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith in his 2013 forecast.
Mario Cristobal embraces new role at University of Miami
MiamiHerald.com (registration)
“Everybody knows how I feel about the University of Miami,” he [Mario Cristobal] said. “When I was a player here it was ingrained, embedded in your mind about being relentless about everything you do.”
Former Bucs, LSU assistant Ron Cooper joins USF staff
Bay News 9
The University of South Florida has hired Ron Cooper to serve as assistant head coach, head coach Willie Taggart announced on Thursday. Cooper, who will also coach the secondary, brings 30 years of coaching experience to the Bulls’ staff…
New hospital CEO discusses competition, relationship with USF
Northwest News and Tribune
Now that he’s been named Tampa General Hospital’s new chief executive officer, Jim Burkhart and his wife are in full-fledged house-hunting mode. He’s preparing for a move from Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, where he served as president and CEO since 2003. The Tennessee native and health care veteran believes his experience at the 695-bed urban academic hospital will translate well to Tampa General, which has 1,018 beds and an active medical residency program with the University of South Florida‘s College of Medicine.
USF St. Pete professor ranks 10th in international study
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Hemant Merchant, a business professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, has been ranked the 10th most prolific international management scholar in the world. A study in the Management International Review also ranked him the fourth most prolific scholar in the United States, according to a written statement…
‘Big Lo’ celebrates big album release with Vinyl show
Pensacola News Journal
[James "Big Lo"] Lopez’s love of hip-hop began in 1989 with the release of Kool Moe Dee’s “Knowledge is King.” Soon, he started songwriting and found a passion for the stage while performing the Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre classic “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” at a fifth-grade talent show. While attending Tallahassee Community College, Lopez immersed himself in the music scene until he decided to attend the University of West Florida, and fate intervened. “Ivan happened,” Lopez said of the 2004 hurricane that ravaged the Gulf Coast. “All of my possessions were destroyed, and I moved back to Tallahassee.”
Releases and Web Stories
World Renowned Peace Activist to Speak at Santa Fe College Jan. 18
Santa Fe College
Following closely on the heels of convocation and continuing the theme of international relations and cultural tolerance, Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, a major force for worldwide interfaith understanding, will speak on the “Charter for Compassion” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, in the Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83rd St.
From the Gainesville Sun: New Santa Fe grand piano showcased at Friday concert
Santa Fe College
On a winter day in 2010, pianist Evans Haile stroked his fingers against six sets of keys at the Steinway & Sons store in New York City. The musical director and conductor of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra spent the day feeling out pianos with the lightest keys, the heaviest keys. Santa Fe College President Jackson Sasser and Provost Ed Bonahue stood alongside him, waiting to see which model would eventually rest on the Fine Arts Hall stage at Santa Fe…
Grant will fund minority firefighting training
Seminole State College
Seminole State College of Florida has received a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to provide scholarships to help disadvantaged minorities become firefighters. The grant will provide scholarships for minority students to enroll in upcoming Fire Academy classes at Seminole State…
Researchers, vice president chosen for National Academy of Inventors
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Four researchers at the University of Florida have been chosen as Charter Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. Donn Dennis, Ray Bergeron, Franky So and Nan Yao-Su will be recognized as four of 98 people selected from universities and nonprofit institutions nationally. Vice President for Research David P. Norton also was named a Charter Fellow…
Pediatrics professor to receive humanitarian award
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Making children smile is the aim of University of Florida department of pediatrics faculty, so it’s meaningful when the kids return the favor — especially on a global scale. Pediatric patients from 30 countries wrote more than 200 letters successfully nominating Dr. David Weinstein, a UF College of Medicine pediatrics professor, for the United Nations-recognized Order of the Smile humanitarian award…
Collectors to show their treasures at museum Saturday
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will be able to explore a variety of more than 70 collections during its 34th Collectors Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. This free event allows visitors to speak with collectors and learn more about the history and context of their collections…
Book co-authored by USF Nursing Dean named 2012 Nursing Research Book of the Year
USF Health News
An expert panel of American Journal of Nursing (AJN) judges has selected a book co-authored by the University of South (USF) College of Nursing Dean as the 2012 AJN Book of the Year in the Nursing Research category…
Fitch affirms University of Tampa, Florida revs
Reuters
Jan 11 – Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ‘BBB’ rating on the following series of bonds issued on behalf of University of Tampa (UT): –$77.6 million Higher Educational Facilities Financing Authority bonds, series 2012A; –$41.1 million City of Tampa, Florida bonds, series 2006. The Rating Outlook is Stable…
