State University System
Florida A&M University to Celebrate its Annual Grape Harvest Festival
WCTV
Celebrating its 12th year, Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host its Annual Grape Harvest Festival on Saturday, August 25 at the Viticulture and Small Fruit Research Center located at 6505 Mahan Drive in Tallahassee. This year’s theme is “Stomp, Rattle and Roll: Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence.”
FAU Receives Gift to Establish Georgina Dieter Dennis Vocal Scholarship Fund
Broward Net Online
Florida Atlantic University’s department of music in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters recently received a donation of $25,000 to establish the Georgina Dieter Dennis Vocal Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be awarded for one academic year, but may be renewed upon availability of funding and satisfactory progress by the student scholarship recipient. FAU is one of four Florida colleges chosen to receive the scholarship.
Railway company to build passenger service from Miami to Orlando
Reuters
Besides being home to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as the University of Central Florida, the nation’s second largest university, the city is a major convention destination.
USF Sarasota-Manatee a boon to community, supporters say
Bradenton Herald
In the current five-year plan, the university plans to add an academic building, on-campus student housing and an aquatic center, the chancellor said, pointing to the architectural model of the campus before him.
USF Sarasota-Manatee plans major expansion
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee leaders on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious expansion of their campus they say will double enrollment to almost 10,000 students and give an economic shot in the arm to the area around U.S. 41 at the county line. The regional university’s five-year plan includes a new $25 million academic center, student housing and activity center, a boathouse for a rowing team and retail developments like coffee shops and pizza restaurants to cater to the school’s first freshman class in 2013.
New USF St. Petersburg leader hears whispers of independence
Tampabay.com
Though barely moved into his new office, the interim leader of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg knows there’s a touchy subject simmering on campus: independence. Should USF St. Petersburg follow USF Polytechnic’s recent move and split off from the Tampa campus?
State College System
College of Central Florida delays some nursing students
Ocala
The College of Central Florida posted a notice on its website today concerning the fall Associate Degree Nursing program. According to the posting, the school has informed some students that their enrollment “will be delayed because of four unfilled full-time nursing faculty positions.”
Edison State College receives national nursing accreditation
Wink News
Edison State College now has official national accreditation for its nursing program. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. confirmed the decision in a letter to the college Monday…
College & more
Gainesville Sun
Are you considering pursuing a college degree at Santa Fe College but traveling to the northwest campus is just not feasible? Then, you’re in luck because you can take the classes you will need to get a college degree right in the heart of Gainesville at the Santa Fe College Blount Center…
Independent Colleges and Universities
PolitiJax: Romney slated to speak at Flagler College Monday morning
Florida Times-Union
Mitt Romney will make a stop Monday at Flagler College in St. Augustine. The event begins at 8:20 am and is being held in the school’s courtyard. The trip is part of a three-city bus tour. Romney will also be making stops in Orlando and Miami.
Romney to stop by St. Augustine on Monday morning
WOKV
Mitt Romney will speak at a campaign rally at Flagler College in St. Augustine on Monday morning…
Newspaper editors, Lynn University partner to host presidential debate
Miami Herald
The Florida Society of News Editors will partner with Lynn University to help host the third and final fall presidential debate, the newspaper association said Wednesday. The debate is scheduled Oct. 22 on the Boca Raton campus. The newspaper editors group will partner with the university on initiatives surrounding the debate, including education meetings with students and the creation of a news feed on the school’s official debate website, debate2012.lynn.edu.
Winter Park Chain of Lakes book wins award
Winter Park/Maitland Observer
Florida high school students from Oak Ridge High and Apopka High School are collaborating with Rollins College undergraduate students on cutting-edge scientific research.
More than 250 sign up for AT&T Mobile App Hackathon this weekend
MiamiHerald.com
More than 250 computer programmers, graphic designers, and entrepreneurs have signed up for this weekend’s free AT&T Mobile App Hackathon taking place at the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park in Miami.
ACLU: Protesters won’t stick to confined spaces during RNC
ABC Action News
The self-proclaimed libertarian attended a forum at the University of Tampa hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union Tuesday night.
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the State
How Higher Ed Can Better Support Military Students
Huffington Post
Since the end of World War II many veterans have utilized their education benefits to assist in their transition into civilian society; however, the transition is not without challenges. Last month, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to protecting a generation of young veterans against predatory practices by some for-profit colleges when he signed an executive order. The practiced that some schools employ to prey on members of the military is quite troublesome… Jose E. Coll, Ph.D. is associate professor of social work and director of veteran student services at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL and served in the United States Marine Corps. More than 4500 active duty military and veterans attend Saint Leo University.
Political rookie looks to take down incumbent in state House race
Naples Daily News
Laura Weir, a political science professor at Edison State College, said a well-known incumbent has to make a major mistake for a lesser-known competitor to win. ”In this case the representative will have had to shirked her responsibility or taken the district for granted, not campaigned, just been cavalier about holding office,” Weir said. “People notice that.”
Community greets college students cycling 2500 miles for wounded soldiers
WKTV
Nate Frankoski, 26 and Mike Buonaiuto, 22 are both students at Florida Atlantic University and are riding 50 days, 50 miles a day, in hopes of raising $50000 for the Wounded Warrior Project…
Allen West concerned about HCA heart procedures investigation
WPBF West Palm Beach
Florida Atlantic University professor Dr. Ira Gelb said heart surgery should come as a last resort and only after exhaustive tests and procedures.
Finish line: FAU grad beats the naysayers
Sun-Sentinel
David Valliere was told he shouldn’t bother with college entrance exams. And that his abilities couldn’t take him any further than junior college. The people who told Valliere that should see him now. His refusal to accept that his dyslexia meant he couldn’t learn landed him a master’s degree in the social foundations of multicultural education from Florida Atlantic University. He also got one of the first salutes during Tuesday’s afternoon graduation ceremony from FAU President Mary Jane Saunders. ”David has many accomplishments – earning a 4.0 grade point average to serving as leader in many student organizations,” Saunders told the capacity crowd of 2,400 jammed into the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Center. “He’s going to go on to help students reach their educational goals and to open the doors that seemed to be shut to him.”
Men’s soccer: FGCU promotes Aldaz to associate head coach
Naples Daily News
Florida Gulf Coast University men’s soccer assistant Alex Aldaz has been promoted to associate head coach.
Foreclosures remain choppy in Manatee County
Bradenton Herald
Confidence is improving, but consumers remain worried about their jobs and the economy, said Gary Jackson, director of the Regional Economic Research Institute and economics professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. ”There’s still a lot of uncertainty as to what will happen,” he said. “If the economy stalls, and people become unemployed, that could create another wave. I expect it will be choppy, and we’ll see some ups and downs, but overall my expectation is things are slowly going to improve.”
FSCJ Vice President Don Green on vacation through August
Florida Times-Union
Florida State College at Jacksonville Executive Vice President Don Green is on vacation through the end of August, college officials say, and workers who report directly to him have been temporarily reassigned. Green, who did not attend Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meetings, requested personal leave for the rest of the month, according to Tracy Pierce, FSCJ vice president of student development and community education.
In the Know
Sun-Sentinel
Lynn University‘s Friends of the Conservatory of Music has announced Marilyn Swillinger as its president for a two-year term.
Constitution Check: Do college students who evaluate their professors have a right to anonymity?
Constitution Daily
Patti Locascio, general counsel of Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla., discussing the college’s plan to challenge a state court ruling requiring it to disclose the name of a student who wrote a critical evaluation of an adjunct professor, whose contract was not renewed. The comment was reported in the Gainesille Sun on July 19. “The case foregrounds several troubling developments about the modern university, [including] the growing influence of anonymous student evaluations, which over the decades have come to be universal practice….It’s far too optimistic to think that the appellate court’s decision will open the door to sunshine laws when it comes to student evaluations, but it might be an interesting start.”
Bondi ‘thrilled’ at chance to speak at convention
Tbo.com
Putnam’s absence from the speakers list is easy to understand, said University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett. “The natural demographic that he appeals to is white male Republican voters,” Jewett said.
A new face for Bailey Lauerman
Omaha World-Herald
Andy Fletcher‘s closet has a row of orange and blue neckties, the colors of the University of Florida Gators. But that’s not the worst of it. His Atlanta marketing company came up with Florida’s “Gator Nation” campaign, later copied ad nauseam as Bulldog Nation, Sooner Nation, Bobcat Nation, Tiger Nation, Wolverine Nation, Badger Nation, Spartan Nation and, of course, Husker Nation. Now Fletcher, 55 and a native of nearby St. Joseph, Mo., with deep Nebraska connections, has come to Omaha to live and work. He’s a U of Florida alumnus but vows to set aside at least some of his Gator ways to become a full-fledged Omahan and Nebraskan as the new CEO of the Bailey Lauerman advertising and public relations agency…
Changes at Government House
St. Augustine Record
The University of Florida is working on a new exhibit that will feature high-tech displays dealing with the Spanish origins of St. Augustine…“First Colony: Our Spanish Origins” will present the story of the founding of St. Augustine, its nature as a military and civilian community, its multicultural character and its importance to American history, said project head Darcie MacMahon, assistant director of exhibits for the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida. The new museum will offer a state-of-the-art exhibit featuring high-tech displays and interactivity, she said…
Researchers discover earliest use of Mexican turkeys by ancient Maya
Phys.Org
A new University of Florida study shows the turkey, one of the most widely consumed birds worldwide, was domesticated more than 1000 years earlier than previously believed…The discovery of the turkey bones is significant because the Maya did not use a lot of domesticated animals. While they cultivated domesticated plants, most of their animal protein came mostly from wild resources, said lead author Erin Thornton, a research associate at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus and Trent University Archaeological Research Centre. ”We might have gotten the timing of the introduction of this species to the ancient Maya wrong by a significant chunk of time,” Thornton said. “The species originates from central Mexico, outside the Maya cultural area. This is the species the Europeans brought back with them to Europe — all domestic turkeys originated from Mexico.”
1 arrested, 1 wanted in armed robbery of 2 women
WJXT Jacksonville
A cellphone stolen at gunpoint from two University of North Florida students at Jacksonville Beach last month was tracked to a Jacksonville home and led to one arrest…Police said they identified the resident, Joshua Johnson, as the man holding the gun in the robbery. Detectives said Johnson, 20, made a full confession and was arrested and booked into the Duval County Jail on two counts of armed robbery. Detectives identified the driver of the car as 35-year-old Thomas Fryer and arrested him Wednesday afternoon after issuing a warrant and a $1 million bond. Police said Fryer is a convicted felon with a history of more than two-dozen arrests, including crimes involving weapons and drugs.
Did a meteor strike Jacksonville 448 years ago?
Florida Times-Union
Jay Huebner, a professor emeritus of physics at the University of North Florida, wants to investigate whether a meteor strike in 1564 created Round Marsh in the Timucuan Preserve.
UNF graduate dies in North Miami crash into nursing home
Florida Times-Union
A University of North Florida graduate and recent Jacksonville resident died early Wednesday after his car crashed into a North Miami Beach nursing home, according to WSVN-TV. Enrique Linares, 28, was traveling about 80 mph at 1:30 a.m. when he apparently lost control of his Honda Prelude, hit a curb and went airborne. The car crashed through a wall at the Watercrest Care Center near Northeast 167th Street and West Dixie Highway, ending up in between the first and second floor after going through a fence…
Local glass artist creates sculptures for UNF building
St. Augustine Record
Colorful organic art floats along the newly whitewashed walls of University of North Florida’s biological sciences building, drawing in aspiring minds with shades of blue, green and orange. Inspired by the settings surrounding it, “Wellspring” — a free-flowing sculpture constructed through 87 pieces of hand-blown glass — moves around the doors and windows like waves of molecules in a maritime fashion. Awarded the project through a national call for artists for the newly erected “green” space, St. Augustine glass blower Thomas Long created the display as his largest piece, completing it in July…
Florida capital briefs: Voter purge legal fight could last months
The News-Press
Physician Dennis V. Cookro, an associate professor of medicine at the University of South Florida, has been appointed as the state’s interim deputy secretary for health and deputy state health officer for Children’s Medical Services, the Department of Health announced Wednesday. The appointment comes after Deputy Secretary Steven Harris took a job last month as director of medical services for the state Department of Corrections…
Part of ‘Curiosity’ rover on Mars hails from Tampa Bay
Tampabay.com
Ocean Optics, now part of a British company, was a spin-off business 20 years ago from work begun at the University of South Florida. One area scientist, Dave Landis, is at center stage in designing some of the Curiosity rover spectrometers…
Boomers fear they cannot afford to retire
Sun-Sentinel
“You can’t go anywhere without people talking about rising grocery prices. Of course, the president is not causing that. But it’s putting a pinch on their pocketbooks,” said Susan MacManus, a political scientist and expert on older voters at the University of South Florida…
RNC speakers underscore importance of Florida
WTSP 10 News
But the selection of so many from the Sunshine State is not a surprise to University of South Florida Professor of Political Science Dr. Susan MacManus. ”When you look at Florida Republicans, they are much more diverse than Republicans nationally and they’re from a very critical state and a number of them are young and up and coming. They’re the future of the party,” she said.
Ancient Indian burial site discovered in Naval Live Oaks triggers Repatriation …
Pensacola Business Journal
Ian Thompson, tribal historian preservation officer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in the city of Durant, said it’s almost impossible to be certain the remains are Choctaw, but it’s likely because the tribe made up one of the largest groups living in the Gulf Breeze area at the time…More information about the remains and artifacts is revealed in a forensic anthropological report conducted by the University of West Florida Archaeology Institute. The report is not public…
UWF student producing videos for NOAA
Pensacola Business Journal
A University of West Florida student is working on a federal government project to produce informational videos for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association. Business major Caleb Waller and friend Sean Cullen, both founding partners of Intensity …
Releases and Web Stories
Hurricane Andrew 20 Years Later: Florida State Faculty Available to Provide …
Newswise (press release)
Several top national experts from Florida State University are prepared to offer their informed analyses on how Hurricane Andrew affected the region.
Lynn University enrollment numbers swell
Lynn University
Just weeks before the semester during which Lynn University hosts the final 2012 presidential debate that will focus on foreign policy begins on Aug. 27, the school is projecting an increase in enrollment—with international students representing one of the largest areas of growth…
Stetson revives football program after 56 years
Sacramento Bee
Football players have taken the field at Stetson University for the first time in 56 years. The central Florida school announced 18 months ago that it would revive the football program it dropped after the 1956 season.
Shoppers Losing Out on Bargains Due to Poor Math Skills, Says University of Miami discounting study
Sacramento Bee
“When faced with a scenario of converting percentages, most of us are helpless and simply guess when it comes to figuring out the better deal,” said Michael Tsiros, chair and professor of marketing at the University of Miami School of Business
