Lagoon Life In Peril Researchers find new solutions for the Indian River Lagoon’s water woes

One Big Question “CAN WE HAVE PRIVACY AND SECURITY?” p. 15 Pi Kappa ALphA CAPS 45 YEARS AT FIT p. 33 “April in Paris,” the opening night celebration of the 2nd Annual French Film Festival at the Foosaner Art Museum, transformed EGAD Square into a Parisian wonderland. Festivities included live gypsy jazz, petanque, art activities and a French pop-up street café. Then, once the sun set, movie buffs found a cozy spot in the park to watch “La Belle et La Bête” under the stars.

TODAY http://today.fit.edu Florida Institute of Technology President And Chief Executive Officer Anthony James Catanese, Ph.D., FAICP executive vice president and chief operating officer T. Dwayne McCay, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR Marketing and communications Wes Sumner

Florida Tech Today is published three times a year by Florida Tech’s Office of Marketing and Communications and is distributed to over 60,000 readers. MANAGING Editor/designer Judi Tintera, [email protected] EDITORIAL MANAGER Adam Lowenstein, [email protected] EDITOR Christena Callahan, [email protected] Contributing Writers Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki, Christena Callahan, Bino Campanini, Eric Gallo, Ryan Jones, Carl Kotala, Adam Lowenstein, Steve Proctor, Sara Smith Production Rob Gribbroek, Kristie Kwong Web LAYOUT Joshua Culver CIRCULATION Ali Faisal Photography Dominic Agostini, Mike Brown, Florida Today, Kevin Johnson, NASA, Amanda Stratford, L. Holly Sweat, Charles Tintera

Alumni Office Vice President for ALUMNI RELATIONS and Executive Director, Alumni Association Bino Campanini ’90, ’92 MBA (321) 674-8434, In This Issue [email protected] Associate Director SPRING 2014 • Volume 23, Issue 1 Diane Deaton ’10 MBA (321) 674-7198, [email protected] Assistant Director Marjorie Beckett ’98, ’08 MBA (321) 674-7642, [email protected] Alumni Engagement Officer Stevie Pursell ’12 MBA (321) 674-6826, [email protected] Departments Features alumni News Alumni Relations Coordinator Hazel Rosskamp (321) 674-7190, [email protected] President’s Perspective . . . . 4 15 Can We Have Security and Privacy? 30 From the FTAA President Two Cents ...... 5 Have a Story Idea? Richard Ford, head of the department of computer science and cybersecurity, questions Email [email protected] On Campus ...... 6 30 On the Road Changing Addresses? the conundrum of the Information Age. Don’t leave copies of your alumni magazine behind. Etc...... 13 33 Pi Kappa Alpha 45th Reunion Send your new address to Florida Tech, Office of Development Services, 150 W. University Blvd., Athletics ...... 16 18 Lagoon Life in Peril Melbourne, FL 32901-6975, [email protected] 34 AlumNotes Unsubscribe The Indian River Lagoon is in distress, but Florida Tech researchers—faculty, students Please email [email protected] if you no longer wish and alumni—are answering the call. 37 Spotlight: Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki to receive this publication. 22 Guiding Principals: 38 News from Bino Campanini

Mentors Play Key Role in Student Success at Design Showcase www.fit.edu © Copyright 2014 by Florida Institute of Technology. 26 Two of a Kind x 3 All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Florida Tech Today talked to three sets of twins who compete for the Panthers. For reprint information, contact Florida Tech Today at (321) 674-8963, Fax (321) 674-8548 or [email protected]. ONLINE EXTRA Look for this symbol for content appearing only online at today.fit.edu Florida Tech Today is printed on Sustainable Go Green, Get Online! Forestry Initiative (SFI)® certified paper. Find expanded coverage, In this issue: Extreme Close-Up: Behind the Scanning Electron Microscope Photos Creative Writing Institute: A Participant’s Perspective Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, COVER PHOTO: Sunrise on the Indian River Lagoon with the Kennedy Space Center religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, photos and videos at: Plus galleries from: PTC Gift, Spring Events, Pike Reunion Vietnam-era veterans status or any other discrimination prohibited by law in the admission of Vehicle Assembly Building in the background. Photo by Charles Tintera. students, administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, employ- today.fit.edu ment policies, and athletic or other university sponsored programs or activities. 2 Florida Tech Today | 3 TWO CENTs President’s Perspective Feedback From Our Readers Dear Florida Tech Alumni and Friends, We welcome your input on the magazine. You asked for bigger photos, expanded campus coverage As we conclude this 55th anniversary academic and more Alumni News, and we listened. Have a comment about something you’ve read? Want to share a year, I think it’s a great time to reflect on the spirit memory about your FIT days? Email us at [email protected]. of Florida Tech, so energetically represented in our alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters. President Anthony Catanese and Birth of the BORK #womeninscience That “can do” attitude, dating back to 1958 and FTAA Executive Director Bino “I saw the article 55 Things We Love About FIT and noticed that “Nice to see my alma mater, Florida Institute of Tech- embodied by Founding President Dr. Jerry Keuper and Campanini will attend “A Night at The BORK was on the list. As much as I love and cherish the nology, ‘appreciating the female factor in science...’ his colleagues, infuses all we do today. Work hard. the Ballpark,” which will include a private reception for alumni. BORK, I would like to point out that it was not created by DDT. in the alumni mag! Discover something new. Meet the challenge that confronts you. Make the world a MiLB.com, the official website Although there was a Delta Delta Tau brother involved, most They offer a STEM education major and ‘Many have better place than you found it. of Minor League Baseball, has of the BORKer appearances were due to the organization chosen to mentor younger STEM-inclined students of Our supporters did that again this spring, as we had a banner year for our named the Trenton Thunder, SQUAMISH. We still treasure the BORK and its many meanings either gender, both formally and informally.’ Double-A affiliate of the New York and say it to each other every day. It would be greatly Awesome :)” Sporting Affair/Chopper Dropper and Evening of Hope fundraisers. The money we Yankees, “Team of the Year.” The appreciated if credit was given where it is due, especially —@Sharkhugger collected for athletic student scholarships and autism programs, respectively, will Thunder, who are part owned by considering that SQUAMISH is another unique feature (Hannah Medd ’02) continue to make an important difference in this community. alumnus Joe Caruso ’73, were the champions of the Eastern League of Florida Tech that has been around for over 45 years. We also welcomed a $24.1 million gift from global technology company PTC that after earning the East Division According to a number of accounts, SQUAMISH also played an will give our students access to the latest software and high-tech learning experiences. Wild Card during the regular integral role in the foundation of Greek Life on our campus.” It’s a great milestone in our $100 million Create the Future campaign to support the season. The title is the franchise’s —Victoria Benjamin, Grand Poohbab, SQUAMISH third in its 20 seasons in Trenton. university’s future needs. For more information about the As we look ahead, we stand on the shoulders of giants, to paraphrase Sir Isaac alumni event, see page 38. Newton. But what we make of our future—and how we choose to build upon our proud past—will define our success. Thanks for all you do for Florida Tech. Hometown Hockey “As a donor to FIT (through fundraising drives on WFIT), I recently received a copy of Florida Tech Today and discov- ered (somewhat to my surprise) while thumbing through Sincerely yours, the issue that Florida Tech has a hockey team! Coming from Canada as we do, this pricked my wife’s and my curiosity. So I am writing to ask if you’d be kind enough to send us what information you may have about FIT’s hockey programme. A.J. Catanese, Ph.D., FAICP Specifically, when and where does the team play?” President & Chief Executive Officer —Tony Hillman LEEDing the Way In January, the Rochester School, led by Juan Pablo Aljure ’09 Editor’s Note: For detailed information about Florida Tech’s President Catanese with Mike M.S. and featured in the spring 2013 issue of Florida Tech Today, achieved and Rashmi Shah who hosted hockey team, including news, rosters and game schedules, LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The school is the The Scott Center’s An Evening of visit http://hockey.fit.edu. Hope VI: Night of Wishes event first in Latin America to earn the distinction. at their home on April 5.

The ONE-PERCENT In the fall of 1968, women were the 1% at Florida Tech. Gene Blaettler ’72, management science, sent us the stats: President Catanese presents a “1,200 full-time students, 12 girls plaque to Harry Weber upon (the Dirty Dozen on the second announcing the naming of the floor of Brownlie Hall).” new Harry P. Weber University Archives in the Evans Library.

President Catanese displays the $50,000 grand prize winning ball at the 2014 Chopper Dropper event, which grossed $500,000 for athletic scholarships. 4 Florida Tech Today | 5 On Campus On Campus The Slosh Effect Students Live to Inspire The “SPHERES Slosh” study, designed by Florida Tech scientists, NASA’s Kennedy Space Chatting over lunch last fall, sopho- Center engineers and researchers at MIT, is dedicated to providing benchmark data of mores Jordan Samu- els and Curtis Marsh liquid slosh behavior in microgravity from simulated upper-stage maneuvers. discovered they were working Since their arrival And Propulsion (ASAP) Student participation on similar projects—preparing at the International Laboratory. The data included mechanical video testimonials about their FIT Space Station in collected from this design and fabrication experience to share with potential February aboard the experiment will ultimately students in their native Jamaica. of the experimental Orbital-1 cargo resup- be used for improved The two decided to combine forces rig, electrical and ply mission, ISS astro- mission planning in and, in the process, launched a electronic design of the campuswide movement of inspira- nauts have successfully orbital missions and to avionics payload that tion that was publicly endorsed by assembled and verified design safer and more connects Florida Tech’s President Anthony J. the experimental rig, efficient launch vehicles experiment to MIT’s Catanese. pictured below, which is and spacecraft. SPHERES robots, software “We were saying, why just one comprised of two soccer- “We are very excited development for the video? Why not make this a ball-sized SPHERES to be operating Florida corresponding hardware continuous thing and send more robots, in red and blue, Tech’s first experiment platforms during the Uncommon Threads attached to opposite on the ISS from the ASAP and more inspirational videos back experiment, development At this year’s annual textiles symposium home to inspire people? We also ends of a metal frame Laboratory. It has also of simulations (both Uncommon Threads: Tying the Knot, held expanded it to the university,” said holding a transparent provided excellent kinematic and fluid at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, Marsh, an aerospace engineering “Manufacturers want people who understand tank with green-colored research opportunities to dynamics), development guests enjoyed a champagne reception, major. all aspects of smart, connected product water. Experiments and several of our students,” of test plans (both luncheon, silent auction and an Hector Gutierrez unforgettable presentation, “Wedding in One video blossomed into a series design to help them make smarter decisions data collection during said , for ground testing and two students expanded into 30. the science sessions are a Florida Tech princi- and ISS operations), Red, Tying the Knot in Traditional China,” by internationally recognized curator The group produces and shares to build better products.” coordinated in real time pal investigator and and preparation of and scholar John Vollmer. inspirational videos through social —John Stuart, senior vice president, global education, PTC, from the control room co-director of the ASAP documentation. media about the role of faith in pictured with President Catanese within Florida Tech’s Laboratory. —CC Vollmer is a scholar in the fields of Asian their lives. Their positivity was Aerospace Systems art and textiles who has acted as project contagious. manager and exhibit planner for major international exhibitions. In addition “It started to catch people’s PTC’s leadership gift to the Create the Future to specialized work with collections of attention all around campus. textiles and decorative arts, his Vollmer People would see our shirts and Cultural Consultants Inc. specializes request [their own]. So now we campaign is valued at $24.1 million. in strategic planning and practical sell shirts as well,” said Samuels, This gift will foster collaborative educational experiences between Florida program development for not-for-profit, an aeronautical science major. Tech’s Nathan M. Bisk College of Business and the College of Engineering. public and private sector clients in the PTC donated PTC Windchill® software for product lifestyle management process Going forward, Samuels and Marsh fields of museum education and arts and requirements and PTC Creo® software for CAD design to provide an environment for plan to develop more projects to culture in the U.S., Canada and Asia. inspire young people and expand students to design, test and simulate the entire lifecycle associated with bringing their line of Live to Inspire mer- new products to market. The PTC donation will form the core of Florida Tech’s Center chandise so other students can be for Lifecycle and Innovation Management and will be integrated into the manage- associated with the movement. ment information systems curriculum. —Christena Callahan Additionally, PTC is providing 20 scholarships for students who want to develop expertise in PTC Creo and PTC Windchill business and system administration. ONLINE NASA Enriching Research Photo gallery at today.fit.edu EXTRA Simulating Estuary Storm Surge Illustrating Lightning’s Inception Studying Algae Superbloom Prestigious NSF Site in Mathematics Funded by a NOAA grant of $453,144 over three years, Ningyu Liu, Joseph Dwyer and Hamid Professors John H. Trefry and Ashok Ugur Abdulla, newly appointed head of mathematical sciences, Steven Lazarus and Robert Weaver, Rassoul, physics and space sciences, will continue Pandit, in collaboration with Jonathan B. Martin was awarded a $258,667 NSF grant to establish a Research Experience for marine and environmental systems, will work with their long-established lightning research under a National of the University of Florida, were awarded a contract Undergraduates (REU) Site on Partial Differential Equations and Dynamical the local National Weather Service Forecast Office and Science Foundation grant of $566,732 over four years. The for $865,000 from the St. Johns River Water Systems at Florida Tech. Each summer, from 2014 to 2016, nine selected National Centers for Environmental Prediction to improve work will center on developing an efficient, fully three- Management District for sediment and groundwater students from various U.S. universities will participate in innovative local hydrodynamic model simulations for estuaries, dimensional and physics-based lightning model designed to studies in the Indian River Lagoon. The group will research, while applying modern tools of mathematical and numerical lagoons and similar bodies of water in an effort to expand reveal the mystery of lightning initiation and propagation. investigate inputs of the nutrient elements nitrogen analysis. the scope of high impact weather forecasts. and phosphorus to the lagoon via the sediments. 6 Florida Tech Today | 7 On Campus On Campus Vero’s Lifelong Learning When it comes to Brevard County’s southern neighbor, Indian River County, pristine coastal waters, uncrowded county beaches and the beauty and serenity Spring Events of the Indian River Lagoon are the cornerstones of recreational activities for resi- Grossed $500,000 dents and visitors. Just like neighbors to their north, Indian River County residents Chopper Dropper for athletic scholarships, have become increasingly concerned about the health of this precious natural 1,300 attendees, 152 golfers supports 22 sports, resource. 550 student-athletes, This concern, and a desire to learn more about the science behind restoring the health of Florida’s water Evening of Hope ways drew Vero Beach residents to Florida Tech’s recent Grossed $300,000 Lifelong Scholar Society presentations at the Disney 350+ attendees, 1,000 WISHES Extreme Close-Up Vero Beach Resort. The Vero series of four lectures is an (days of scholarship/services) Under 750x magnification, it’s not offshoot of Florida Tech’s Lifelong Scholar Society, which hard to see the crunch factor in one of Florida Tech’s favorite breakfast offers intellectually stimulating educational experiences Botanical Fest 11,997 plants for sale. cereals, Cinnamon Toast to residents and visitors. Will be celebrating 10th Crunch (above). The university’s The Vero Beach series featured four events led VERO BEACH MARINE LAB 6,000 visitors, 115 volunteers anniversary in 2015 newest scanning electron micro- by faculty whose scientific research and expertise Aaron Adams is based out of the Vero scope, housed in the Link Building, informs the issues affecting the Indian River Lagoon. Beach Marine Lab, which is a unique can create images of details much International Fest Renowned scientist, author and angler Aaron Adams waterfront facility for residents of Indian 8 food vendors, smaller than a standard light micro- drew anglers as well as conservationists to his presen- River County who wish to learn more 20 performances scope and employs X-ray analysis 2,000 visitors, 21 cultural displays tation on Using Science to Enhance Sport Fishing. about their area’s water resources. The to reveal the elements making up Adams is a research associate professor of biological 4-acre oceanfront site provides access the sample. To read more about the sciences at FIT and director of the nonprofit, science- to some of the purest seawater of any process behind the pictures, go to ONLINE based Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. southeastern marine research center. today.fit.edu. EXTRA visit today.fit.edu for photo galleries of thesE EVENTS ONLINE Fishing informs Adams’ science. He studies the An envisioned refurbishment of the lab EXTRA behavior of bonefish in the Bahamas and as an will provide research opportunities angler, he advises his guests to “think like a fish— unmatched by any other marine Student org Spotlight: understand their life cycle.” As the inflow of water and research facility in the southeast the plankton blooms produced by fertilizer runoff kill United States. The center will include sea grass, the habitat for the juvenile snook’s food a 20,000-sq-ft research building, an Student Investment Club source is degraded. As the fish go, so goes the lagoon. advanced instrumentation tower, indoor and outdoor marine tank arrays, a Novice investors interested in which meets weekly to enjoy purchase the College of Business business firsthand. We have the Today’s problems in the Indian River Lagoon have mesocosm facility, and an education exploring investment methods presentations, discussions and a new building,” says John freedom and ability to invest real evolved through a complex set of interrelated issues and outreach center. It will produce the and market strategies can find real-world investing. Kinney, club president. money and purchase shares in that have led to the decline of lagoon health. “The a home with the newly formed real companies,” says Kinney. highest quality research in aquaculture, The club manages a brokerage An inactive operation of the framing of the problems and the solutions must be Student Investment Club, fisheries, marine biology and biological account of $5,000 and aims to Nathan M. Bisk College of His advice to inexperienced informed by science,” he emphasized. “Science informs oceanography. beat the returns Business for the last five years, investors: only invest money after policy.” of the S&P 500 the club gained momentum doing the proper research. “You The other faculty who presented at the Vero Beach each semester. So and official student org status need to have the confidence in Lifelong Scholar Society included Richard Aronson, head of the biological far, earnings have this semester thanks to Kinney’s the investments you make to be sciences department; Jonathan Shenker, professor of biological sciences; and remained in the efforts. Membership is open to all confident your decisions will be Junda Lin, professor of biological sciences and director of the Institute for Marine account. majors, and many students join profitable.” with little to no knowledge of the Research. “Of course, we may Find the Student Investment Club market at their first meeting. For a list of upcoming programs and more information on the Lifelong Scholar consider pulling on Mondays at 6 p.m. at Florida Middle: Scales from wings of a moth Society in Melbourne or Vero Beach, visit www.fit.edu/lifelong-scholar-society. some money out “The best thing about the Student Tech’s Student Business Incubator. Bottom: Coral skeleton, which —Sara Smith when we have Investment Club is the ability —CC once lived in Panther Dining Hall returned enough to to experience capitalism and aquarium. L. Holly Sweat photos

Pike Leadership Summit Summer Camp HQ Out of this World Creative Writing Institute “Is Life Like This? ONLINE Florida Tech’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter sent 18 men to the PIKE University Florida Tech offers more than 30 Florida Tech professor Eric Perlman was the lead Author John Dufresne headlined Florida Tech’s Creative Writing How To Write the EXTRA Leadership Summit in Atlanta in February. Five brothers earned Garnet-level summer camps for kids ages 3 to investigator on the recent Hubble observations of spiral Institute and filled a classroom for his novel writing workshop. First Draft of Your certification for participation in three events. Also, the chapter was recognized 18. From aviation to engineering and galaxy NGC 5793, which is over 150 million light-years away Poetess Terri Witek, nonfiction writerI ra Sukrungruang and Novel in Six Months ... “ for 100 percent participation in the Phi Phi Kappa Alpha Club, which funds the soccer to sculpture, camp offerings and has, at its center, a supermassive black hole billions of essayist Audrey Colombe filled out the faculty roster. Held at Go to today.fit.edu to read chapter’s PIKE University Scholarship Fund, and awarded most man miles of all are available in academics, arts and times the size of the sun. Read more at http://bit.ly/QBQQJI. the Foosaner, the institute featured author readings, open mic an attendee’s story from the chapters present, signifying the total distance traveled to attend the summit. sports. Learn more at camps.fit.edu. nights and a keynote delivered by Dufresne. Creative Writing Institute event. See additional PIKE coverage on page 33. 8 Florida Tech Today | 9 On Campus On Campus

FIT Aviation offers a variety of FAA-approved Advanced Aircraft Training Devices Oceans of Opportunity Behind the Scenes Advanced Aircraft Training Devices (AATD) representing its all-Piper fleet of aircraft. Housed in the Center for Richard “Dick” and Mary “Jane” Schnoor were the kind of people who Aeronautics and Innovation, the devices are primarily used for training pilots to The Redbird MCX can simulate a variety of moved through life in a quiet, gentle manner. They were members of the achieve their private pilot and instrument rating certifications through scenario- flight scenarios, such as: based training. They are also used for educating flight instructor applicants and Cocoa Beach Sail and Power Squadron and attended lectures given annually airline transport pilot applicants about Crew Resource Management (CRM) in by Florida Tech professor and head of the department of marine and environ- 1 multi-crew environments due to the dual-yoke setup. mental systems (DMES) George Maul. Traffic avoidance: During this maneuver, the final approach of an aircraft “I would see them there every year,” Maul recalls, “and so I invited them to to a runway is discontinued by adding the DMES lectures on campus. They started coming to those and pretty soon power, reducing drag by reconfiguring the were getting to know the students. When we held receptions the evening aircraft and pitching up to climb to a safe before graduation, Jane would show up with a plate of cookies to share.” altitude. So began the Schnoors’ friendship with Florida Tech. The Schnoors had a lifelong interest in marine science, sailing and envi- 2 Stall: During a stall, an aircraft gets ronmental issues. They moved to Florida where Dick worked at NASA from beyond its aerodynamics capabilities. Pilots 1964 to his retirement in 1986. Jane taught must learn to recover from such situations. and worked as a guidance counselor at Cocoa Beach High School. They traveled 3 Takeoff: During takeoff, the aircraft is around the world but did so simply, stay- lined up with the runway, preferably into ing in hostels and enjoying a modest life- the wind to depart the airport. style. Both were commodores at the Cocoa 4 Beach Sail and Power Squadron,and they 4 Ground reference maneuvers: These both had been elected to national office. maneuvers require precision while flying 3 When Dick passed away in 2011, Jane close to the ground. A pilot is required to 2 wanted to do something for the students fly an equidistant circle at a specific altitude 1 6 and airspeed around a spot on the ground. at Florida Tech, so she worked with the Dick and Jane Schnoor Power Squadron to establish the Cocoa 7 Beach Sail and Power Squadron Richard H. Schnoor Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship, which has been awarded 5 Among many safety features, there annually to a rising DMES senior. is an emergency shut-off button outside as When Jane passed away in August 2013, her name was added to the well as inside the cockpit to disable the scholarship as well as a much broader gift. In their trust, the couple left Florida motion platform. 5 Tech a bequest totaling more than $1 million to establish The Mary Jane and Richard H. Schnoor Fellowship in Atmospheric and Marine Science. The 6 +200° wrap around visual with a bequest will establish an endowed fund that will support graduate students worldwide database. every year in perpetuity. “There are substantially fewer scholarships available for graduate 7 Quick-change cockpit configuration: students, especially at the master’s level,” said Maul. “This was really needed three aircraft-specific instrument panels for and will encourage more work to be done in the fields of oceanography and each simulator. Only takes four thumb- marine science.” screws and about five minutes to change As befits the Schnoors modest way, Maul recalls they said very little about from one aircraft type to another. The device is also capable of simulating the planned gift—though Jane did confirm the legacy gift over coffee one multiengine aircraft. afternoon with Shelley Johnson, director of development. Johnson was delighted to be able to convey the university’s gratitude. 8 8 “The magnitude of the gift reflects how strongly the Schnoors felt about the The electric motion platform on the Redbird MCX is the most sophisticated in work being done at Florida Tech,” she said. “Year after year the earnings from its class capable of providing critical the endowment will fund graduate fellowships. Since the original gift is never motion cues by being able to pitch up and spent, the Schnoors’ legacy to Florida Tech will benefit talented students for down by 25°, roll left and right by 20° and generations to come.” yaw by 30°, including a two-axis control- loading system and dual rudders. The couple’s estate plan included contributions to a number of schools, including New York University, Cornell University, the University of Dayton and St. Louis University. 9 Another of FIT Aviation’s training But Florida Tech, distinguished among the other recipients by not being devices is the Redbird XWind crosswind landing trainer, which prepares pilots for one of the Schnoors’ alma maters, had a special place in their hearts. landing in difficult crosswind conditions. “Jane believed in finding solutions to environmental issues now and in the future,” said Johnson. “Marine science was something that was in their soul.” 9 —SS

10 Florida Tech Today | 11 On Campus

Beyond the Search Engine Massive open online courses (MOOCs), the new it-thing in higher education, broadcast free, open access course work to an unlimited PDH by the Numbers community of online learners. For Feeding a campus of nearly 5,000 calls for some serious sustenance. Florida Tech, the concept is both In a typical day, Panther Dining Hall prepares: alien—an FIT classroom of 500 or Building a Wall more students!—and intrinsic— Florida Tech construction management students teamed educational innovation and research with Harris Corp. employees on a Habitat for Humanity leadership. This intrinsic focus is build that began on campus in February. After framing especially true of the university’s the walls in the parking lot behind the Florida Tech first foray into MOOC making, Commons building, the structure was transported to a Mastering Academic Research: 350 pounds of fresh-cut fruit prepared building site in Melbourne for completion and a (cantaloupe, pineapple and honeydew) Information Skills for Successful wall-raising ceremony. Watch a video recap of the event at Students. http://bit.ly/PxoLC9. 240 pounds The course is designed to help (6 cases) students worldwide find, evaluate of bananas and use information efficiently, effectively and ethically for their Hybrid Rocket Team Flies High The majority of the 20-plus members academic work—in essence, to go 25 pounds of beyond the search engine. of the FIT Student Rocket Society were freshmen, making this the youngest and shredded cheese “What librarians and instructors Expert Advice: least experienced team in eight years. want students to know is that those But when the smoke cleared, the FIT Max thousands of Google results may Team secured first place at the Florida not represent the best information Find Human-Centered Design in Your Pocket and Kitchen Space Grant Consortium Northeast Florida 80 pounds of available on a topic, and may not Human-centered design is a seemingly straightforward concept that can Association of Rocketry annual Hybrid Romaine lettuce encompass the broad, cross- be very challenging to execute. Often at work in the development of aircraft and Rocket Competition, while the FIT Precision disciplinary scope of research spacecraft cockpits, control rooms and other facets of 21st century life, the disci- Team took second place in their division. The being done in a particular field,” pline focuses on three key elements: technology, organization and people—known results are based on points for the launch says Rose Petralia, Evans as the TOP Model. Even among our personal possessions and household goods of the rockets and the points awarded for Library instruction librarian and are items that embody this synergy between technology, organization and people, notebooks, team built rockets and motors Snow Day one of six FIT MOOC facilitators. and deducted for status reports. There were Our northern neighbors don’t have all the winter fun! In March, the Campus “Our MOOC will provide a great set according to University Professor Guy A. Boy, director of Florida Tech’s graduate teams representing nine Florida universities Activities Board asked, “Do you want to build a snowman?” and trucked in seven of resources and strategies for programs in human-centered design and the Human-Centered Design Institute at the event. tons of snow to the field behind the Florida Tech Commons building. Olaf approved. researchers regardless of their (HCDi). Here’s a look at two examples: location or academic status, whether they can access university library The iPhone: The wineglass: resources or not, and it’s offered The iPhone is a great example of a HCDi research and innovation are by FIT, a top university focused on human-centered product. It is easy to often focused on exploring an object’s Compost Commune research. We feel like the MOOC use; operations are easy to learn and properties. The wineglass is a good Nestled deep in the Botanical platform lets us fill a gap in research remember; human errors are easy to example. Tasting a good wine deserves Garden, you’ll find the newest instruction and jump into something correct or are automatically corrected; a well-designed glass that embod- residence hall on campus—the exciting at the same time.” and it is fun. It is clear that usability ies various attributes such as texture, worm house. Managed by The course runs June 23 through and usefulness were major consid- grasp, transparency and aesthetics. In sustainability studies students, the Aug. 3 and can be found at erations during the design process, other words, a good glass should be house facilitates a self-sustaining, highly efficient composting https://learn.canvas.net/ which translates to a great user experi- able to provide a good wine-tasting enroll/ETKXR9 process using worms to break ence. In addition, the iPhone embodies experience by enabling people to talk —CC down organic and food waste into human-centered designed in the sense about wine while they are smelling it, excellent soil. The entire process that this software- and network-based drinking it and enjoying it. takes just two to three weeks. device becomes transparent in the —Adam Lowenstein Read more about it at people-to-people relationship. http://bit.ly/1l1hERd.

12 Florida Tech Today | 13 On Campus

ONE BIG QUESTION with Richard Ford

Far left:1962 Commencement ceremony program signed by Astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom Can We Left: Basketball used in the basketball team’s first victory— a three-point win against Stetson University in January 1967. Have Privacy

“The library has been working hard to and Security? find a way to document Florida Tech’s To me, one of the most complicated issues of our time is the way history and to preserve university records in which the Internet gives us access to information and gives others for generations to come.” access to information about us. Sohair Wastawy, Dean of Libraries It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard of Edward Snowden and the revelations he has made over the last couple of years. The Vision Extraordinaire computer—and by extension, the Internet—should force us to re-eval- In April, Evans Library unveiled the long-anticipated university archive exhibition room with the debut uate everything we thought we knew about privacy, but in many exhibit, Vision Extraordinaire: The History of Florida Institute of Technology. On view are artifacts and ways, the topic has gone unexplored. We talk about Google, or the documents from the university’s most important moments over the past 55 years, including stories about the NSA, or Facebook, but typically just on the surface level; however, university’s visionaries. these are complex issues that deserve our full attention. There’s the basketball used in the basketball team’s first victory—a three-point win against Stetson Concepts of liberty and privacy are deeply held, but also University in January 1967. There’s a program from the 1962 commencement ceremony at what was then called deeply cultural: how I view privacy depends in part on where Brevard Engineering College signed by astronaut Gus Grissom, the keynote I grew up. As a transplant to America (I grew up in the UK), my speaker. There are railroad relics reflecting how, from 1912 to 1919, the vision of the typical American’s worldview when I got here was a Union Cypress Company Railroad carried cypress logs from swamps stereotype of a kind: live free or die! Thus, when Snowden’s leaks through what became Florida Tech’s campus on its way to the sawmill started to hit the front page of newspapers around the world I in Melbourne. expected a massive public outcry; what I saw was a shrug and The opening of the exhibit and display space will also mark a whimper. If I’m honest, I’m still not sure I quite understand why. the launch of Florida Tech’s digital Historical Timeline project. In many instances, security and privacy are treated as Viewable at the exhibit and online at timeline.fit.edu, this component opposing poles: you can have one or the other, not both. That’s a will highlight the university’s most important moments since its false dichotomy—both are important, and my students, colleagues founding in 1958. and I are smart enough and eager enough to explore clever “We are thrilled that our inaugural exhibit and digital timeline reflect Florida Tech’s own powerful blend of ways not to claim one at the cost of the other. For example, can modern technology and more traditional educational approaches,” said Dean of Libraries Sohair Wastawy. we design privacy into protocols, making them better able to resist pervasive monitoring not by encryption but by targeted uncertainty? It’s an open question, but an interesting avenue of research. ARCHIVE NAMING REVEALED One of the things I tell my students is that they control the future; they control, in many ways, the emerging ideas of privacy and how AT EMERITI RECEPTION we will either accept or reject wide-scale government monitoring in President Catanese announced the official name of the new archive room, the name of law enforcement or security. Today’s students build the Harry P. Weber University Archives, world of tomorrow, and if they don’t like what they get, well, they need at a faculty emeriti reception held in to look in the mirror. Security or privacy? I say both and ask all of us April. Those in attendance included as a society to get informed on the issues that we must face as we front row, L to R: Jean Sparks, Charles Helmstetter, John Patton, Lynn look to the future. Edward Weaver, Anthony J. Catanese, Roger Manley, John Morris, Wendy Richard Ford, Ph.D., is the head of Florida Tech’s department of computer science and Helmstetter, Harry P. Weber. cybersecurity and the Harris Professor for Computer Science in Assured Information. He back row, L to R: Gary Wells, Richard earned his doctoral degree in semiconductor physics from The Queen’s College, University of Enstice, Arthur Gutman, Nathaniel Villaire, Debra Blenis, Michael Oxford, England. Babich, Russell Weigel, Palmer Stiles, Andrew W. Revay Jr., Robert Fronk and N. Thomas Stephens.

14 Florida Tech Today | 15 Panther Athletics

The official website of Florida Tech Athletics Lee Stange: A Life Dedicated to the National Pastime Pitching coach is wrapping up his ninth season on Florida Tech’s coaching staff

For the past nine seasons, the Florida Tech Panthers have had someone with a wealth of experi- ence in professional baseball roaming their dugout and working with pitchers. That person is pitching Head football coach Steve Englehart and President Catanese display their Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II Futures Bowl rings the team coach Lee Stange, who picked up the game growing received in a ring ceremony in February. The Panthers won the bowl game 32-20 over up in Chicago. Alderson Broaddus University in November 2013. “Back in my day, we did not have Little League,” Stange said. “Most of the time it was just the kids playing together. I had a field about a block away from Rachel Pence, my house, and “The kids President Anthony J. Catanese, Daniela Iacobelli a freshman from ’09, the 1981–82 women’s varsity four and the 2001–02 women’s basketball team we were always Jacksonville, Fla., began are the were inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in February. playing baseball her collegiate career most fun, by throwing a perfect in the summer.” game in the Panthers’ After finish- more fun season opener. She was ing high school, than the big named Louisville Slugger/ Stange, 77, went to National Fastpitch Coaches Drake University “I was lucky that I got in leagues, Association Pitcher of the Week for NCAA Division II to play football. the big leagues and never had which is in February. Lee Stange with Panthers’ head baseball A knee injury his any arm problems,” Stange why I am coach Greg Berkemeier. freshman season said. “I was traded a couple ended his football of times, was lucky enough enjoying career, but it did not end his dream of being a profes- to get to Boston and be on what I am sional athlete. the possible dream team in doing here.” “Two years later, I called a scout (Washington 1967. We won the pennant, Lee Stange Senators scout Ossie Bluege) who saw me play baseball but lost the seventh game in high school, and I said I wanted to play ball. He sent of the World Series to Bob me a contract for $200 a month (to play) in Fort Walton Gibson (and the St. Louis Cardinals).” Beach, Fla.” Before his playing career was over, Stange began Fort Walton Beach was a Class D minor league team coaching. When the team’s bullpen coach had to leave to for the Washington Senators in the Alabama-Florida care for his ailing wife, Stange started serving as a player- League. After a few seasons in the minors, Stange coach. He ended up coaching for 11 years in the majors made his major league debut on April 15, 1961, not as and spent over 20 years in the highest level of profes- The Triathlon Club finished fourth amongD ivision II schools at the Collegiate National a Senator, but with the Minnesota Twins. The Senators sional baseball. The women’s golf team has ranked among the top four teams in NCAA Division II since Championships in Tempe, Ariz., in April. Competitors swam 1,500 meters, biked 40 km (24.8 miles) and ran 10 km (6.2 miles). Pictured, from left, are assistant cross country had left Washington, D.C., after the previous season Stange began working with the Panthers as a the 2014 season began. Through March, FIT placed second in two tournaments and third in one tournament out of at least 14 teams. coach and graduate student Chris Cacciapaglia, cross country runner and became the Twins. He pitched one inning out of the member of former coach Paul Knight’s staff nearly a Jacob Jansen and biology Ph.D. student Wade Dauberman. bullpen in his first of what ended up being 359 career decade ago, and as with his time in professional baseball, appearances. he was energized by working with young players. Lauren Suarez, a fresh- Sam Palace ’09, The women’s swimming team He holds the distinction of being one of just 67 major “The kids are the most fun, more fun than the big man from West Palm Beach, Fla., pictured here as a Panther, earned the College Swimming league pitchers to record four strikeouts in an inning. He leagues, which is why I am enjoying what I am doing was the first-ever Panther to medal was promoted to serve Coaches Association of America finished his career with a 62-61 record and a 3.56 ERA. here,” he said. at the Sunshine State Conference as one of the Washington Scholar All-America Award for He threw a total of 1,216 innings for four teams over 10 —Eric Gallo Championship, winning bronze in the Nationals’ bullpen catchers the fifth straight semester in years. He pitched his final game on Sept. 21, 1970, with 100-yard backstroke. for the 2014 Major League March. The team combined to Baseball season in March. the Chicago White Sox. average a 3.23 GPA in the fall 2013 semester.

16 Florida Tech Today | 17 John Trefry spent a sunlit morning this spring as he has so often during more than three decades as a scientist and teacher at Florida Institute of Technology—on the Indian River Lagoon studying the pollutants that are choking the life out of one of America’s natural treasures.

Lagoon Life It was not a pretty sight. Dead seagrass floated on the surface, and an algae bloom had turned the water so pea green that even in shallows two feet deep it was impossible to see the bottom. “That was pretty depressing,” Trefry said. Depressing, but hardly surprising. Since 2011, the estuary has been plagued by foul-smelling algae blooms—sometimes toxic—that have closed beaches and killed 47,000 acres of sea grass. Last summer, the mysterious deaths of hundreds of pelicans, dolphins and manatees drew the attention of the New York In Peril Times and National Public Radio and aroused a passionate response from the public. The Indian River Lagoon—a 156-mile-long estuary that supports more than 3,500 species of plants Researchers find new solutions for and animals, contributes $3.7 billion annually to Florida’s recreation-driven economy and provides 15,000 full- and part-time jobs—faces a health crisis. The question is what to do about it. the Indian River Lagoon’s water woes FIT has stepped up its efforts to discover the answers by establishing the Indian River Lagoon Research Institute. It brings together nearly two dozen scientists of all stripes—oceanographers and mete- orologists, hydrologists and ocean engineers—in a quest to restore the complex ecosystem. Combined with FIT’s extensive network of students and alumni doing lagoon science or working to educate the public through symposiums, films and videos, the institute positions the university to build on its long history of studying what ails the estuary. Kevin Johnson, an associate professor of oceanography and environmental science, polled fellow members of the institute to see just how much experience FIT has in lagoon science. “Cumulatively, we have 400 and something years,” he marveled. FIT has been engaged in lagoon science since the first alarms about the estuary’s health were sounded in the early 1980s at a campus symposium that included scientists from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida and elsewhere. That symposium inspired Diane Barile, a 1976 master’s graduate and adjunct faculty member, to form the Marine Resources Council, a nonprofit that still fights for a healthier ecosystem. She also led the charge to have the lagoon declared an estuary of national significance, bringing much needed federal money and attention.

18 Florida Tech Today | 19 Researchers estimate that five to seven million cubic yards of muck blankets the lagoon bottom in Brevard County alone.

The researchers conduct monitoring of critical sites following up with chemical and biological testing for designing and developing solutions to lagoon problems.

Florida Today

Although the Indian River Management District to examine models that simulate the impact on The deaths of pelicans, dolphins amazing advocacy momentum To emphasize his point, he brought Lagoon Research Institute is just six how nutrients from the muck and barrier islands and estuaries from and manatees—the “charismatic going,” Randolph said. each lawmaker a baggie of “Genuine months old, FIT scientists already other sources are spurring deadly tropical storms and hurricanes— mega-fauna,” as Johnson dryly put She was not alone in using Indian River Lagoon Muck” and have been put to work on three proj- algae blooms. among them spreading muck from it—and the toxic algae blooms that the power of film to advocate for warned them not to open it because ects worth more than $1.5 million More than five million cubic deep channels to shallow areas. closed beaches in much of the south- the lagoon. Recent Ph.D. graduate the foul smell would instantly clear aimed at getting to the bottom of yards of muck is spread over the Weaver, an associate professor ern lagoon over the summer spurred Lauren Toth and doctoral student the room. the issues afflicting the estuary. lagoon, forming what Trefry calls of ocean engineering, also is work- the public to action. Philip Gravinese teamed up to From long experience, Trefry Those issues start at the bottom, a giant compost pit. His job is to ing on a variety of practical solu- Last summer, scores of people create “The Indian River Lagoon: knows the challenges that lie ahead where thick, gooey muck has been find out how much nitrogen that tions to the estuary’s problems. Is lined up on the beach in Martin What the Muck?!,” which explores for the fledgling Indian River accumulating since the 1950s, a pit releases into the water. Pandit it possible to make dredging equip- County to spell out SAVE OUR problems created by the black Lagoon Research Institute—keep- problem Trefry has dogged for and Martin are focusing on nutri- ment that pulls muck up from shal- RIVER. This fall, hundreds of citi- ooze that is 13 feet deep in parts of ing the public engaged over the long decades. He and professor Ashok ents that seep in from groundwater low areas without killing seagrass? zens spanned causeways during the estuary. Their video also was haul and finding the money needed Pandit—along with Jonathan B. carrying fertilizer and effluent from Would submerged barges of oysters Hands Across the Lagoon to demand featured at Beneath the Waves, a to do real science. Martin of the University of Florida— septic tanks. and plants help reduce nutrients that that politicians act—reprising a 1990 festival dedicated to educational But he also knows that FIT are working on an $865,000 contract Collecting and examining this fuel algae blooms? Is there a way to protest that helped persuade federal films about marine issues. brings scores of allies to the from the St. Johns River Water kind of data—and responding to address the reality that the northern officials to designate the estuary that Toth and Gravinese took their battle—its vast network of graduates it—is essential to having a thriving lagoon is not cleansed by the tidal year as one of national significance. advocacy one step further last fall engaged in lagoon science, many lagoon, Trefry argued. “We haven’t flushing seen in the south? If locks Alumna Allison Randolph by launching Youth Making Ripples, of them his own students. People S.O.Estuary put enough time into monitoring the at Port Canaveral were opened at ’13 watched the Martin County a spinoff festival that challenges like Joel Steward ’80, who 5 Things You Can Do To Help health of the lagoon,” he said. “We high tide, would that generate circu- protests from San Diego, where K-through-12 students to make five recently retired after 34 years as just aren’t on top of it enough.” lation that flushes pollutants out the she was spending the summer, and minute videos about environmental an ecologist at the St. Johns River Reduce fertilizer use. A single pound of fertilizer Closely related to Trefry’s work Sebastian Inlet? decided she had to join the fight to issues. More than 100 films from Water Management District, or Ron will grow more than 500 pounds of algae in the Brockmeyer Lauren 1lagoon blocking sunlight to seagrasses, and is a $250,000 contract—also from Weaver sees these kinds of inno- save the estuary she had fallen in were submitted from around the ’89 and Hall robbing the water of oxygen, causing fish kills. St. Johns—issued to Johnson to vations—as well as greater collabo- love with as a child growing up in nation—the majority from Brevard ’97, who continue to do Send only rain down the storm drain. Keeping study why superblooms like the one ration between scientists at FIT South Florida. County—and about half of them important science there. pollutants like grass clippings, yard wastes, that fouled the lagoon in 2011 are and other agencies and institutions The result was “An Estuary’s focused on the Indian River Lagoon. The challenge is daunting, 2oils and trash away from storm drains directly not kept in check by microscopic studying the lagoon—as a key to Story,” a film about the troubles The response was inspiring. but institute director Weaver impacts the water quality in the lagoon. animals that ordinarily gorge on solving the problems of the estuary afflicting the St. Lucie River “There are so many people engaged reminds Floridians that they need Pick up after pets. Pet waste left on paved algae. A zooplankton ecologist, and other troubled waterways. Estuary—and by extension the about this issue,” Toth enthused. not look far for inspiration. In the surfaces, lawns or around storm drains and Johnson wants to find out whether “Coastal water quality all over Indian River Lagoon—that has aired Public advocacy has begun to 1980s, Tampa Bay’s estuary was 3 water bodies will eventually reach lagoon or the algae is growing so fast that the world is endangered right now,” on public television, played in the produce results. In March, Brevard in deeper trouble than the lagoon, other surface waters after rainstorms. grazers can’t keep up, or whether he pointed out. “I see the Indian Beneath the Waves Film Festival, County banned the use of fertilizer but scientists, public officials and Use native and Florida-friendly plants. These they simply don’t eat the type of River Lagoon Research Institute as appeared on newspaper websites and in unincorporated areas during the business leaders pulled together plants need less water and fertilizer to algae growing and if not, why not. a critical testing ground for us to been shown on You Tube. rainy season, a measure scientists in a concerted effort to restore the 4 thrive, provide wildlife habitats, and support biodiversity without overwhelming native species. The final project, a $453,144 come up with solutions that we can It is an unabashed call to believe will have significant impact. waterway. grant issued to institute director then export to help other commu- action. “I felt that if someone young, In December, Trefry made the “Now,” Weaver said, “the water Leave only footprints. During a lagoon visit Robert Weaver properly dispose of wrappers, bottles cans, and professor nities that are seeing the same educated, passionate and local, case to state lawmakers for spending in Tampa Bay is clear again, there Steven Lazarus 5 monofilament fishing line, and other trash. of meteorology problems.” like me, created an educational $20 million to dredge muck from is a healthy fish population coming Sourced from St. Johns River Water Management District by the National Oceanic and The institute arrives at a time and motivating piece, that it could the lagoon and provide FIT’s new back. That is a real beacon for floridaswater.com Atmospheric Administration, when the stars seem aligned for be really powerful in keeping that research institute with financing to people to look at.” involves developing hydrodynamic change. monitor the ecosystem’s recovery. —Steve Proctor 20 Florida Tech Today | 21 Guiding Principals: Mentors Play Key Role in Student Success

at Design Showcase The Variable Aspect Ratio Unmanned Aerial Vehicle flies through the air with no onboard pilot. Made of lightweight composites and powered by two lithium polymer batteries, it is controlled remotely by a ground-based operator.

The Formula SAE racecar is a road- hugging power machine with a 600-cubic-centimeter engine. It weighs more than 630 pounds with a driver seated inside.

As different as these two vehicles are, there are similarities: both are projects designed by seniors at Florida Tech’s College of Engineering and both were displayed at the annual Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase.

And both involve Ken Brace.

22 Florida Tech Today | 23 “When I was in engineering school, I had a local Brace, who owns a small, UAV project. “The mentors, they are Satellite Beach, Fla.-based business able to guide us, lead us in the right company help called Rapid Prototyping Services, direction, because they know all too provided the body of the UAV and well that this is our first time doing me with my the air intake for the car engine—all something like this.” at no cost. Darren Ebanks, a senior senior project. More importantly, he was in mechanical engineering and among a handful of private-sector member of the Formula SAE team, I just feel it’s a experts who joined university faculty agreed. in serving as mentors for these “It’s such a big jump from just good thing to and hundreds of other fledgling general classes in engineering to Left: Ken Brace, with clipboard, listens as members of student-designers. actually making the car. There is so do the same.” the Formula SAE team talk about their project during “We’ve taken courses, and they much in between, things like manu- the student design showcase in April. In addition to

teach us a certain amount, but we facturing and stuff like that, that we mentoring several teams, Brace served as a showcase judge. Ken Brace, owner, don’t necessarily see how it applies just haven’t experienced yet,” he said. Rapid Prototyping Services to the real world,” said Chadwick “It’s really good to have people who Above: Team leader Chadwick Harvey, foreground, and Harvey, a senior in aeronautical can kind of guide us along the way.” team members work on their student design showcase project, an unmanned aerial vehicle that has adjustable- engineering and team leader on the length wings. Mentor Ken Brace helped both Harvey’s team and the Formula SAE team with parts and advice.

Below: Representatives from businesses large and small served as judges for the student showcase, which offered both engineering projects and, shown here, research projects from the College of Science presented as descriptive posters.

Harvey’s team also had a help me with my senior project. I mentor they never met in person. just feel it’s a good thing to do the Christopher Neal, owner of same,” he said. “I told them when UK-based Merlin Flight Simulation you get to be my age and a local Group, would take performance university contacts you, you just parameters, control surface sizing, return the favor.” engine power and other data Another mentor and showcase emailed to him, input that in his judge is E. Lee Marcum, a partner simulator and basically fly the and chief research and develop- plane before it ever actually left the ment officer at Clean and Green ground. Technologies. He has worked with Brace and other industry Florida Tech faculty and students mentors often serve as showcase since 2006 and helped at this year’s judges, which allows them to see showcase with the Wing Wave the final products they had a hand Life and Energy System from the in helping develop. But it is the College of Engineering ocean engi- time spent with these fledgling neering program. engineers and scientists that is “I am proud of our continuing most rewarding. association with FIT,” he said. “When I was in engineer- —Adam Lowenstein ing school, I had a local company

24 Florida Tech Today | 25 In a shared glance, one can tell what the other is thinking … and what move is about to come next. Opponents and opposing fans get them confused all the time, even though they’re wearing different jersey numbers. Yep, it’s a twins thing. And it played out in triplicate this past season in the Florida Tech Athletics Department. While some “It’s definitely really cool to be where athletics programs may have one set of twins in their athletics department, Florida Tech had three this past season. we both get our academics and can do the sports that we love.” Ashley Vezina, Meet Ashley and Alyson Vezina who plays two sports for the Panthers Women’s Soccer and Track & Field with her sister and identical twin, Alyson Year: Sophomore Two Ages 19 Majors: Ashley—Chemical Engineering; of a x Alyson— Molecular Biology = Three sets of twins When Ashley and Alyson were born, Kind their parents used bracelets to tell 3 compete for the Panthers them apart. As kids, the identical twins liked to change soccer Meet Linus and Hampus Rikardsson jerseys or pull a fast one on Men’s soccer their teachers by switching Year: Graduate students classes and sitting in the same Ages 24 seat. There was one teacher Majors: Master of Business Administration who could not tell them apart through four years of high school. The identical twins from Norrkoping, Perhaps he should have Sweden, have been playing watched them run. soccer together all “People say they can tell us apart by how we run, but of their lives, we’re not sure what which has led the difference is,” said to some confusion on the pitch. Alyson, who is one minute younger. Soccer is their main “I’ve heard opponents and people in the sport, but since coming crowd (say), ‘How can that guy be everywhere? to Florida Tech for the He’s running everywhere!’ Linus said. “Then 2012–13 academic year, they find out about 15 or 20 minutes into the they have begun running game … ‘Oh, they’re twins.’” track and even do the Though their playing styles are similar, there same events—the 100, is one way to tell them apart. Linus—who is the 200 and 4x100 relay. youngest by three minutes—worked so hard on using “I wouldn’t want it his left foot to become a more balanced player that it any other way,” Ashley is now his dominant side. Hampus is stronger on the said of being a twin. right side. “There’s something about After playing at Florida Tech in 2011 while having a best friend. I don’t working on their undergraduate degrees, they spent a think you can get any closer semester in Barcelona, returned to Sweden and then than what we are.” came back to Florida Tech to earn their MBAs. They were set to graduate in May.

26 Florida Tech Today | 27 Meet Melissa and Randy Echols Be a part of the Basketball Year: Junior Ages 21 Majors: Melissa—Applied Behavior Analysis; tradition Randy—Psychology

From marathon card games where they each tried to be the last one to win to trying to better the other one’s accomplishments on the basketball court, For more information on Melissa and Randy have always pushed your official class ring, each other. please visit us online or call 1-866-225-3687. When they were young, Randy played center and envied how Melissa could hit jumpers from everywhere. That inspired him to work on his perimeter game. When Randy began to ©Balfour 1970–2013, all rights reserved. CAM1043-13B 21414 BN05656-16 dunk in seventh grade, Melissa (older by two minutes) worked until she could grab the rim. Just don’t ask which one is the better shooter. Gleason “We are trying not to argue about this,” Melissa said. “We agree to disagree, basically.” Not so fast, her brother chimed in. “Here’s the thing about that … ever since she went and blatantly told Campaign everybody she’s a better shooter than me, I’ve asked her two questions—when have you ever beaten me in a shooting “We have all been in Gleason at contest, and when are we going to do one time or another, and this is a another one?” he grinned. “She has yet great opportunity to be part of the to answer both of those.” —Carl Kotala ongoing improvements on campus. We may not be able to have our name on a building, but we can have our name on a seat. Join me and be part of the 500.” Vic Ross III, Class of 1990 Chair of the Gleason “Name a Seat” Campaign alumni.fit.edu/gleasonseats AL-651-812

28 Florida Tech Today | 29 Alumni News ON THE ROAD ­—Alumni News

From the FTAA President A TRIO OF Duane E. De Freese ’82 M.S., ’88 Ph.D. DISTINGUISHED Seattle ALUMNI Florida Tech’s three 2014 is a transformational year for Jerome P. Keuper the Florida Tech Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni (FTAA) board and the university. In Award winners, Dale Dettmer ’71 M.S., Rob SEATTLE City Spotlight February 2014, the FTAA board approved Phebus ’74 and Tom Recommended by Chris Kuntz ’89 unanimously a work plan for 2014–2015 Folliard Jr. ’89, together Best Restaurants Scenic Site that represents a significant shift in on the Melbourne campus for Folliard’s Canlis for special occasions; Kerry Park, Columbia Tower how we will begin to communicate with our Panther alumni first meeting as a Matt’s in the Market for a casual Observation deck university trustee. lunch Major Employers family, friends and the community. Over the next year, the FTAA Must-see attractions Microsoft, Boeing, T-Mobile, board will focus on three primary initiatives: 1. Reach Out and Pike Place Market, Space Amazon, Costco, Nordstrom Connect; 2. Lead by Example and Give Back; and 3. Communicate Needle, Seattle Center and EMP Local Haunt Museum, Dale Chihuly Garden Capitol Hill Bars and and Share Stories. and Glass Museum, Ballard/ Restaurants Chapter Socials Chittenden Locks, Pioneer Favorite Coffee Shop Achieving the needed outcomes from these initiatives Square & the Underground Bakery Nouveau represent both an opportunity and a challenge for the FTAA Kim Kraushar ’92, Rolando Degracia ’87, Amelia Degracia, Billy Jackson ’13 tour, Fremont Troll, Gas Works Get Outside board. We will be individually reconnecting with our broad Park & Alki Beach Great hiking at Mt. Rainier, Alki Beach and Rattlesnake Lake network of alumni, former faculty and friends. Don’t wait for us to contact you. We look forward to hearing from you. We will be supporting the ongoing $100 million capital campaign through expanded individual gifts from FTAA board members and a new effort from the FTAA board to cultivate gifts from our alumni family. In addition to supporting President Catanese’s capital campaign focus to expand the Florida Tech endowment, the FTAA board will raise $150,000 to make modest renovations the Florida DC Area Chapter: April 3 at Blue Jacket Brewery Tech Alumni House. The goal is to create an improved Alumni House environment that welcomes and better serves students, parents, alumni and friends and one that truly supports our President Catanese, John Lally ’90 university motto: “High Tech with a Human Touch.” Xerxes Beharry ’08, Rogelio Gutierrez ’12, Miles Wallio ’11, Bryan Evans ’10, Jamarus Brooks ’10, Shannon Quinn ’08 We need your help to achieve this vision. How? Please make a donation to the capital campaign and direct your gift to the Alumni House renovation. Please contact us if you Ken Revay, Orlando Ken Peach ’93 are interested in a major gift and Alumni House naming opportunity. Or simply become a Panther4Life member. Orlando Chapter: April 3 at Quantum Leap Winery Thank you for your continued support of the FTAA and your alma mater! Honorable John Antoon ’93, President George Morris ’79, Catanese, Nancy Antoon Bino Campanini

Duane E. De Freese ’82 M.S., ’88 Ph.D.

YOUR Alumni Association OFFICERS Duane E. De Freese ’82 M.S., ’88 Ph.D. | President | Indialantic, FL | [email protected] Allyn Saunders ’76, ’80 MBA, ’83 M.S. | Vice President | West Melbourne, FL | [email protected] Ameen Sarkees ’89 | Secretary | Merritt Island, FL | [email protected] Jim Herdt ’92 MBA | Treasurer | Chelsea, AL | [email protected] Penny Vassar ’98 MBA | Member-at-Large | Anderson, SC | [email protected] Florida Tech Alumni Korea chapter: March 14 at Air Force Club (Seoul) Chad Shoultz ’96 | Member-at-Large | Indialantic, FL | [email protected]

30 Florida Tech Today | 31 Alumni News Alumni News Washington, D.C.

Pikes played a leading role in pre-game tailgating. Among those partaking Brothers Jim Hughes ’74, Carlos Cueto ’71 and Joe Caruso ’73 in of hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks under the big top was President front of the reunion banner. The banner accompanied the group Anthony J. Catanese. throughout the weekend and was signed by each brother. Gonzalo Pita ’12, Veronica Castro ’13 Bino Campanini, Frank Kinney, Amy Atkinson ’00, Richard Lewis ’03, Joan Pope David Atkinson ’00 A Banner Reunion: Pi Kappa Alpha celebrates 45 years at FIT The Pi Kappa Alpha Zeta Sigma chapter marked its 45th reunion in conjunction with 2013 Homecoming. A first-time campus event featuring food, drinks and live music for graduating students, their family members and friends rocked campus on May 2, the eve of Enthusiastically welcomed back The 45th Reunion Dinner, held at Florida Institute of Technology’s spring commencement ceremonies. Panther4Life by 67 current-day members were the Chapter House, was emceed with Ed Gula Grad Bash, was sponsored by the Alumni Association, Campus Activities Board more than 150 alumni, including a great gusto by Brother ’01. and Greek Life, with additional support coming from the Office of the President. It dozen men whose fraternity bonds The dinner was highlighted by the honored the nearly 1,100 graduates and served as a welcome into Florida Tech’s extend back to the chapter’s charter- presentation of five awards known as Alumni Association. ing ceremony on March 1, 1968. “Ozzies,” an honor reserved for broth- The founding fathers, together ers who have made, or are making, a with the fellows who followed difference to Zeta Sigma, to Pi Kappa their lead in the years since, met Alpha and/or to the lives of others. in multiple venues throughout the For many brothers on hand, the get-together and participated in a occasion marked their first time The chapter’s float captured first prize in whirlwind of activity that blended the back on campus since graduation. the Homecoming Parade, and Brother Ricky togetherness of fraternal brotherhood “It seemed like time stood still for Barbera was named Homecoming King. Jim Hughes with the pageantry of Saturday after- many of us,” said ’74, (Below) Named after William “Ozzie” Osborne noon intercollegiate football. the reunion coordinator who received ’68, the first in a line of Zeta Sigma presiding officers, the Ozzie awards were presented to Highlights included: a plaque bestowing on him the title James Reeman ’89, Ed Gula ’01, James Cicardo “Zeta Sigma’s Godfather.” Tom Gutierrez, a 1969 pledge ’00, Brock Tucker ’05 and Kevin Menard ’97. Planning already who had remained near and dear to is underway for Zeta chapter hearts for 44 years, despite Sigma’s 50th birthday never attaining active status was observance. inducted into membership during Adapted from an article a ceremony Friday afternoon at the by Doug Lang Zeta Sigma Chapter House overlook- ing the Indian River Lagoon. During halftime at the football game, the group assembled on the 50-yard-line and received tribute for being FIT’s oldest and largest fraternity. (By virtue of having been in continuous operation since founding, the chapter holds the distinction of being No. 1 in Florida in that regard.) View the ONLINE photo gallery EXTRA

Andy Kirbach, Alumni Association board member; Bino Campanini; Dorian Isabelle Magee, Victoria Tann, Alumni Association board members from left: Marian Dionne, Greg Tsark, vice president for facilities Katie Schea Ameen Sarkees, Henry Gibbs, Rick Horner, Allyn Saunders, operations and university architect Duane De Freese, Pete the Panther, Vic Ross, Kevin Menard

32 Florida Tech Today | 33 AlumNOTES AlumNOTES raytracing, including how the topic parallels substitute share your news! teaching, visit his blog at http://mrmcsoftware. wordpress.com. Other Submit your AlumNotes to [email protected] examples of his work are at www.youtube.com/ The firm has offices in St. MrMcSoftware, http:// 1970s Petersburg, Fla., and mcsoftware.deviantart.com, Portsmouth, NH, and practices http://sites.google.com/site/ in the areas of complex mrmcsoftware and http:// 1972 Time Capsule: bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, mcsoftware.deviantart.com/ George Leonard, left, with former teammates George Leonard, left, with former teammates business law, business gallery/45684183. Tom Folliard Jr. and John Cooper at the 2012 Henry Gibbs and John Cooper at a basketball From the FIT Archives litigation, real estate and Richmond reception reunion in Virginia Beach. The university’s first off-campus Clara Bennett ’91 began personal injury. program is launched in Maryland at her new position as executive Hail to the Chief: Remembering George Leonard the request of the U.S. Navy. Today, director at the Boca Raton the program offers course work at Airport in February 2014. Former Florida Tech standout George, a 6’5” power forward, father who talked about his 10 locations in five states and via the She graduated from Florida basketball player George played for Florida Tech children all the time; they Virtual Site through the Extended Tech with a B.S. in aviation Leonard died tragically from 1984–1986 and was a were truly the center of his Studies distance learning program. management that has led her on Sept. 27, 2013, at the age key member of the Panthers universe. to over 20 years of experience of 50. He was crossing the squad as the team began in aviation and local Over the past 30 years Karlen Wannop ’76 retired street in Queens, NY, when its rise up the Sunshine State government. or so, the Florida Tech March 1, 2014, after 36 Duane De Freese ’82 M.S., he was hit by a car. Conference and national men’s basketball team has successful years at Woods ’88 Ph.D., FTAA president, just ranks. He was a bruising George, known by his enjoyed unprecedented Hole Oceanographic returned in April from a week- rebounder and inside teammates and friends success, and it was George Institution. Some of her most long alumni cruise with Sea scorer—a true presence on as “Chief,” started his Leonard and his teammates remarkable work included Education Association out the court. But his real impact college basketball career who laid the foundation in being part of the ROV/AUV Ed Donavon ’82 completed of San Juan, Puerto Rico. De was off the court, where his at Stonehill College under the mid-1980s for today’s team that explored the bottom his 29th consecutive “Race for Freese served as an alumni infectious laughter and smile Coach Tom Folliard, success. The Florida Tech of Mariana’s Trench in 2009 the Grasshopper” 5K at the crew member on the 134-foot would light up a room. and when Folliard moved community will not be and building circuits for the Cowpens National Battlefield brigantine, the SSV Corwith to Florida Tech in 1984 He will be missed by all who the same without George newly renovated submersible in South Carolina, making him Cramer. He first sailed with to become head men’s knew him, but none more Leonard—“Hail to the Chief!” Alvin. the only person who has S.E.A. on the RV Westward basketball coach, George so than his three children— successfully run in each race in 1976 as a student and Kevin Folliard ’90 decided to make the move Maya, Eli and Jordan. since its inception in 1986. stayed on as volunteer crew. Donavon retired in 2011 from as well. George was a dedicated 1980s “That blue-water sailing Head men’s soccer coach teaching ninth grade and research experience on a tall ship changed my career Robin Chan ’91 and his wife Alan Prestwood ’80 MBA physical science at the J.F. path and life-perspective,” he says. “Getting a chance to sail Ellie welcomed their first child, was recently elected to the Byrnes Freshman Academy in again after 38 years was a great experience.” A number of Christian Edwin Chan, on master’s in management from Health First board of trustees. Duncan, SC. He is currently an FIT alumni have sailed on S.E.A. ships and obtained college April 8, 2014. He weighed 8 lbs. Florida Tech’s National He is currently the senior adjunct professor of biology credits for their semester at sea. Check out S.E.A. and its and measured 20 inches long. Capital Region site. vice president of investments for the University of South programs at http://www.sea.edu. Carolina Upstate, located in with Wells Fargo Advisors Rebecca Hupp ’92 recently Justin Meyer ’99 began Spartanburg. He and his wife, in Melbourne. Prestwood is joined the Boise Convention his new position as deputy Sharon, have lived in upstate also vice president of the & Visitors Bureau board of director of marketing and South Carolina for 29 years. Hosts of Brevard and serves 1990s trustees. After over 20 years air service development for on the boards of the Brevard in the aviation industry, she the Kansas City International Neighborhood Development is currently the director of the Airport and Charles B. Coalition, the Evans Center 1985 Time Capsule: Boise Airport and serves on Wheeler Downtown Airport and the Florida Tech Alumni Top Grossing Film the chamber’s Travel Industry in April 2014. He is an FAA Association. Back to the Future Advisory Board. Certified Flight Instructor and Garry Newton ’97 M.S. is Yannick Biron ’02 joined has presented several topics Gallon of Gas deputy commander, the Valipat, a provider of at AAAE, ACI-NA and Routes senior civilian position, with administrative intellectual $1.20 1997 Time Capsule: events. Naval Air Systems Command property (IP) services, as chief Top Tune Sheila Jordan ’89 MBA (NAVAIR). He began his career product officer in April. He is Tom West ’89 MBA was Candle in the Wine, Elton John started her new position as an industrial engineer at responsible for the company’s recently named one of NAVAIR in 1991 and steadily product line, quality control as chief information officer From the FIT Archives 2000s America’s top 100 CIOs by IDG at Symantec Corp. in ascended in leadership and and process optimization, as Enterprise. He is the president Mark Craig ’90, ’92 M.S., adds Florida Tech receives a $50 million Leta Meerman ’01 M.S. is a February 2014. She also responsibility. He was well as for developing new of information technology at Pete the Panther to his skillful grant from the F.W. Olin Founda- medical social worker at CHS serves as director for awarded the Navy Civilian products for future roll-outs. Nova Southeastern University work in computer tion, marking the beginning of trans- Wuesthoff Health System. She NextSpace, a provider of Meritorious Service Award in He also serves on the and was recognized for his programming. He created this formational changes to the Florida specializes in grief and crisis innovative physical and 2002 and the Presidential company’s executive accomplishment at the virtual gallery, including his Tech campus. By the end of the counseling in the ER and ICU. virtual infrastructure for Rank Award for Meritorious committee. A French and Premier 100 Awards Program. own illustrations on the walls, She resides in Satellite Beach Camille J. Iurillo ’80 entrepreneurs, and sits on decade, the F.W. Olin Engineering Executive in 2010. He earned a European patent attorney, using a raytracer he wrote and enjoys exercising, golfing, recently expanded her law the CIO Advisory Board for Complex and the F.W. Life Sciences bachelor’s degree in Biron received his years ago. To read more tennis and traveling. practice, Iurillo Law Group, SnapLogic. Building are completed. industrial engineering from P.A., with two new partners. about his interest in West Virginia University and a Continued on page 36 34 Florida Tech Today | 35 AlumNOTES AlumNOTES Continued from page 35 2011 Time Capsule: In the News 2014 Small Business Administration undergraduate degree in Submit your AlumNotes The final voyage of the space shuttle South Florida District Woman-Owned aerospace engineering from Atlantis marked the end of NASA’s Florida Tech and a to [email protected] space shuttle program. Business of the Year Award Winner postgraduate degree in innovation and technology From the FIT Archives management from Toulouse University merges with Brevard Art Business School. He is a Museum; $1 million gift establishes qualified Lean Six Sigma it as the Foosaner Art Museum expert (Black Belt). Prior to On The Job: Sherry Acanfora-Ruohomaki joining Valipat, he was secretary of the French Tazia Abdool ’13 is a seismic K9 Kampus Association of Industry data processing engineer Intellectual Property with Schlumberger Acanfora-Ruohomaki is the owner and founder of K9 Kampus, a full-service Professionals (ASPI). Geosolutions in Houston, TX. She is part of a team that luxury dog daycare, boarding, grooming and training facility and all-around creates high-definition 2002 Time Capsule: subsurface images of the doggie wonderland in Melbourne. Features include a Lure Chase Course, Earth using seismic data. She Top Tech doggie pool, indoor play area and multilevel outdoor playground. has already learned so much Released in fall 2001, Apple Brandon Elliott ’08, and on the job and cannot wait to had sold 600,000 iPods by the wife Ali, welcomed Brice see what comes next. end of 2002. Elliott on May 23, 2013. Brice I worked for a few highly successful I couldn’t find a place I felt comfortable weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and was Capt. Billy R. Jackson From the FIT Archives 20 inches long. Anthony Freude ’12 M.S. ’13 MBA is a company high-tech companies in Silicon Valley and leaving my four-legged family member Dr. Anthony James Catanese welcomed sons Anthony commander in the U.S. Army. loved every minute of it. When I moved whether it be for a day, a week or longer. becomes the fourth president and Luke on Nov. 8, 2013. He is married with two kids back to Florida, I worked for XL Vision Not that there weren’t dog daycare or of the university. Luke arrived first at 5 lb., 7 oz. and lives in Washington. 2010s and 18 inches, followed by in their business development depart- boarding facilities in the area, I just didn’t Robert Kopp ’13 M.S. is a Richard Haars ’10 works for Anthony at 3 lb., 9 oz. and 16 ment, which is a company that created like the way they operated. I also realized consultant with Ergometrics Boeing Commercial Airplanes inches long. Keeping it in the in Seattle. Using many of the business entities from identifying unmet there were no places in our area where in Seattle as a product review Florida Tech family, Uncle skills he gained in the I/O engineer on the 787 program Nick received his degree in business needs in various industries. That people could go with their dogs and just psychology master’s program, responsible for production 2006, grandpa Dick Enstice experience led me to become co-founder have fun. In 2000, the idea sparked and he designs high stakes test/build verification. is faculty emeritus, “baba” of XL TechGroup, the successor of XL throughout the years I would perform due Stephanie has been here employment tests for public almost 17 years, and mom safety organizations. Vision and then to open my own consult- diligence until one day I said, ‘I am tired of Anya took a summer class. ing company, Facets Consulting Group in working with the two-legged dogs; I want In Memoriam which I focused on assisting entrepreneurs to work/play with the four-legged furry

Robert Harold Oas ’85 realize their own dreams of bringing their ones.’ Kara Smolarek ’02 and MBA passed away April 19, technologies to fruition. I said it out loud in a kidding manner, David Whittaker (current 2014, following a lengthy Then one day I was contacted by but realized if I wanted a fun place for my battle with cancer. He Florida Tech online student) the dean of engineering at FIT and was dog to go to, other people would too. Nine Degrees: ’93 B.S. Computer Engineering, introduced their baby girl, Calling All Panther Cubs! moved to Brevard County ’00 B.S. Electrical Engineering, ’05 M.S. informed they were the co-recipients years later, I evaluated how many people/ Kailani Grace, into the world in 1977 and worked for Industrial/Organizational Psychology; Congratulations! If you’ve recently welcomed a Rockwell Collins until his on Oct. 1, 2013. of grant from the National Science companies I assisted over the years and also Executive MBA, University of Central retirement. He is survived Foundation with the University of Central knew if I didn’t attempt to put my dream Panther Cub to your family, contact us for your free by his wife of over 50 years, Florida Florida in association with UCF’s very together I would live to regret it. Panther Cub apparel item. Kathy, and many other Family: Husband Davin and daughter family members. successful Technology Incubator to start I have been asked many times don’t Bella Donna, 7 Choose from a a Technology Accelerator on the campus you miss doing what you went to school Rob Satterfield ’05 Hobbies: Muscle cars, karate and T-shirt, bib or M.S., ABA online program of FIT. I became the director of opera- for and I answer that there is not a day spending time with her daughter onesie. Then send us co-instructor, passed tions for the Business Accelerator, Florida that goes by that I don’t use every one away on March 29, 2014. Favorite Florida Tech memory: Being one a photo of your child He is survived by his wife TechStart, which provided educational of my degrees. I run a staff of nearly 25 of the founding members of Alpha Phi in their Panther swag, Debbie. programs and technology boot camps for that includes dog trainers and groomers, Sorority and then years later becoming and an AlumNote members of the community that had tech- and I do everything from payroll, to the its advisor. Kenneth W. Watson Sr. Kelly Long ’05 welcomed her about yourself. We will ’86 MBA passed away nology ideas and aspirations to start their website, to marketing, to networking, to Little known fact: “Everyone called me daughter Avery in 2013. proudly display it Oct. 3, 2013. He retired from own businesses. maintenance, and more. There is Angel when I was in college, but not in Florida Tech Today. Rockwell Collins in 2008 During this, I always had a passion for never a dull moment. many people know that I was called and moved to enjoy his animals and realized an unmet business Angel because I was a race car driver retirement in Madisonville, in drag racing and the name of my car Email [email protected] for details Tenn. He is survived by his need for fellow animals lovers. You see was the Midnight Angel (Bracket Racer wife Karen and many other 1981 Camaro Z28).” family members.

36 Florida Tech Today | 37 News from the desk of Bino Campanini ’90, ’92 MBA Vice President for Alumni Relations and Executive Director, Alumni Association

On Creating The Future … At the March board meeting, As we embark on the most FTAA President Duane De Freese ambitious capital campaign to presented President Catanese with a check for $25,000 on date, President Catanese cites behalf of the Florida Tech Alumni one definitive objective—“to be Association. one of the 10 most respected Where is Pete? private technological universities board meeting is to raise in the world.” $150,000 to support reno- And we are well on our way. vation/upgrades of the Yet, achieving the $100 million Alumni House. campaign goal is going to require “By providing an enhanced the support of our alumni world- environment that welcomes wide as well as friends, corpora- alumni and students, expanded tions and foundations. The Florida meeting space, and an outside Tech Alumni Association (FTAA) garden area for impromptu or board has committed its support formal gatherings, the proposed and encourages alumni to get renovations will create an envi- On Visiting Panthers … personally involved in helping ronment that truly serves the We are proud of all our alumni around the globe who Florida Tech Create the Future. growing needs of our univer- are enhancing the reputation of our university, and Historically, the FTAA has not sity community,” said De Freese. we encourage you to come back and visit us. Recently, participated so visibly in fundrais- “We are asking all FIT alumni to federal Judge Catharina Haynes ’83 ing activities, but FTAA President consider making a donation for stopped by the Alumni House. Haynes received the You tell us! Duane De Freese emphasizes the the Alumni House renovation.” 2014 Florida Tech Award of Distinction as part of the need for the association to work For more information about university’s annual Women’s History Month luncheon. Take a photo of hand in hand with the administra- getting involved, visit http:// The award recognizes a prominent Florida Tech alumna YOU AND PETE tion in what is clearly a transfor- CreateTheFuture.fit.edu. who has achieved significant accomplishments in her career. Haynes is a circuit judge of the United States in a unique destination. mational period at Florida Tech. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In 1980, she enrolled A major goal outlined at the FTAA at FIT at just 16 years old and graduated in three years! Then, email us at [email protected]

Watch the award-winning Trenton Thunder when the Alumni Association hosts or upload to “A Night at Twitter or Instagram the Ballpark” using On Traditions … August 5, 2014 #PetePhoto As most of you know, I was part of Arm and Hammer Park in Trenton, NJ Florida Tech’s 1988 NCAA II National Enjoy the game and a private reception for AlumNotes Championship soccer team, and alumni. For details, contact Stevie Pursell Send us an update I still lace up the cleats for the [email protected] annual alumni game. This year, the Prizes! about yourself with younger (and clearly fitter) Panther Win a Panther Pride your photo and we’ll squad outpaced the alumni on the Package for the field. However, after the game, it On AlumNotes … include it in the was good to see the former players We want to hear from you! Surveys show AlumNotes best photo! Florida Tech Today still able to hold their own when it is one of your favorite sections of the magazine, so I AlumNotes. came to celebrating being part of a encourage you to help us expand it.

great Panther tradition. Send your news to [email protected]. We will MK-302-414 share it with the 60,000+ alumni worldwide!

38 Florida Tech Today | 39 Office of Marketing and Communications 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, Florida 32901-6975

Cheers! Brevard Engineering College’s first commencement ceremony in 1961 honored six graduates. This May, nearly 1,100 students earned their Florida Tech degrees during two ceremonies—a morning session for undergraduates and an afternoon session for graduate students.

In 1980, these three women held an impromptu graduation celebration in front of Gleason Auditorium. Are you in this photo? How did you celebrate your Florida Tech graduation? Email us at [email protected].

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