Thank You for Changing My Life calendar “The Association’s Legislative Internship Program gave me an opportunity at a time when I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future, and changed my life forever.” Evelyn Hale, Legislative Intern, 2002
The Legislative Internship Program is just one of the important programs that your membership makes possible.
The Legislative Internship Program is designed to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders. Through your membership, the Alumni Association provides financial support and mentoring to enable students to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the legislative process while working at the local and district offices of Florida’s United States Senators and Congressmen, members of the House of Representatives, the Tampa City Council, the Hillsborough County Commission, state agencies, lobbying organizations, and other local government offices. WWW.USFALUMNI.ORG CONTENTS
FEATURES 10 16 24 College Sweethearts They enrolled at USF for an education, but were lucky enough to find the love of their lives while earning their degrees. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, this seems like the perfect time to introduce some USF couples who share their lives and their Bull Pride.
10 From USF to the FBI More than two decades with the FBI took William Esposito, `70, from America’s underbelly to its marbled halls of justice; from undercover work with Midwestern mobsters to some of the highest profile criminal cases in modern history. 18 24
16 An Envoy of Hope Eric Bost, M.A. `85, U.S. ambassador to South Africa, feels like he is making headway on the main initiatives between the U.S. and South Africa: HIV/AIDS, economic development, education and counter-terrorism.
18 Delivering the Dream As a Cuban immigrant himself, Emilio Gonzalez, `77, leads the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service into a new era and brings a personal perspective to the hot-button topic of 3 7 20 immigration reform.
6 Q&A with Itzak Perlman The violin virtuoso talks about The Perlman Music Program, which recently held a two-week winter residency at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus.
DEPARTMENTS
2 President’s Message 13 Chapters & Societies 3 News Roundup 20 Blast From the Past 4 USF Spotlight 21 That Was Then; This is Now 5 News Roundup 21 Share a Memory 6 Letters to the Editor 30 Class Notes 7 Where’s Rocky? 35 In Memoriam 8 Movers & Shakers 36 Athletics 9 Travel Program 37 Calendar
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 1 Alumni Voice USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida president’s message 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ALC100 Tampa, Florida 33620 [email protected] Hello Fellow Alumni, USFalumni.org Alumni Voice magazine is published What a great time to be a USF Bull! With the academic and four times a year in January, April, athletic achievement of the past year, our name recognition is July and October by and for members at an all-time high. Now it’s time for the Alumni Association of the USF Alumni Association. A $40 to seize that momentum and take USF to the next level. The membership fee includes Alumni Voice good news is that you can help. magazine as a member benefit. Alumni Voice Magazine Editorial: Our University has so many enthusiastic alumni who want to Karla Jackson, give back to their alma mater, but because we’re such a young [email protected] or institution, many people are unsure of how to help. You don’t Rita Kroeber [email protected] have to fund a building or endow a professorship to make a Advertising: Rita Kroeber, 813-974-6312 difference in USF’s future (although we’d be thrilled if you did.) There are so or [email protected] many ways to support your university, such as: Design: McShane Communications Contributing Authors in this Issue: Get involved with an alumni chapter or society. The Alumni Association has two dozen chapters from as far away as Barbados to as close as Pinellas, Sarasota- • Kathy L. Greenberg Manatee, Polk, and, of course, Tampa. There’s also a roster of special-interest • Barbara Perkins • Natalie Schultz societies, including the Black Alumni, Geology Alumni, Business Alumni and • Mary Patrick Walker several more. And, since the Alumni Association is a state-chartered nonprofit organization, some businesses will even give employees a few hours off each Alumni Association Contact month to volunteer. Visit our website at www.USFalumni.org to learn how Information to get connected. Executive Director: John Harper, `76 Membership: 813-974-2100 or Fund a scholarship or sponsor an event. You don’t have to be wealthy to make 800-299-BULL a real difference in the lives of our students.There are plenty of scholarship and Alumni & Student Programs: sponsorship opportunities that match whatever you want to give. Contact Ron 813-974-2100 Sherman or Zakia Carr at (813) 974-2100 to see how you can help. General Alumni Email: [email protected] Become a Life Member. Life member dues go toward the Alumni Association’s Giving/Scholarships: endowment, ensuring that there will always be an organization devoted to [email protected] or keeping alumni connected to each other and the University. Plus, you get extra [email protected] points toward priority seating at sporting events. USF Bulls License Plate: www.BullsPlate.org Show your Bull Pride. Wear USF apparel on game days and casual days. Alumni Alumni Association website: Association members get discounts at BullsOutfitter on Fowler Avenue. USFalumni.org (Visit BullsOutfitter.com.) Talk up USF to prospective students and their Letters to the editor are encouraged. parents. They may not realize that USF is ranked as one of the “Best 366 Please write to Karla Jackson at Colleges” in Princeton Review's 2008 Guide, or that it’s one of the top 63 [email protected] or mail to the research institutions in the country. address at the top of the page. Views Recruit fellow graduates. Tell your USF friends about the Alumni Association and expressed in Alumni Voice magazine how they can reconnect with their alma mater. Have them go to www.myUSFbio.org do not necessarily reflect the opinions and update their contact information so they can get the latest news. of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the With your help, we can show the world that it’s great to bleed Green & Gold! editorial staff. New Address? Moving? Your Friend, Update your official USF alumni record at myUSFbio.org or email your correction to [email protected]. You also may remove the label and send it with your correct address to Alumni Voice, USF Alumni Association, 4202 East Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620.© 2007 All rights reserved. Jeff Spalding, `87 Life Member Charlotte, N.C.
2 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 newsroundup Understanding Leadership and Policy Studies ranked tenth in faculty productivity. Red Tide The rankings are based on scholarly publications, citation counts, research and grants. Studying the causes and forecasting outbreaks of red tide is the purpose of the new Center for Prediction USF Rises in of Red Tides, which opened in Research Rankings November at USF St. Petersburg’s College of Marine Science. The University is rocketing to the top ranks of the nation’s research A five-year, $1.25 million contract universities. The National Science from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Foundation’s survey of federally Wildlife Research Institute will help finance the center. USF is matching financed research & development the state’s contribution with a $400,000 computer cluster, along with expenditures at universities and staff support for the center. colleges for 2006 shows the Red tides are natural phenomena caused by a microscopic organism, University of South Florida at number 63, up three places from the Karenia brevis, which produces a toxin that can kill fish, birds and marine previous year and the second highest-ranking university in Florida. mammals, such as dolphins and manatees. It can also cause respiratory The rise of USF is dramatic — it was ranked 130th in 2000 when Judy problems in people. Genshaft became president at USF.
High-tech Military Help for Juvenile Center Opens Diabetes The new C.W. “Bill” Young The National Institutes of Health Hall has opened on the Tampa awarded $169 million to USF Health to campus, a 53,000-square-foot, coordinate and analyze results from a state-of-the-art facility that will 10-year international study to determine be the new home of the Joint the environmental causes of juvenile Military Leadership Center (JMLC) diabetes. Its goal is to prevent, delay or reverse type 1 diabetes mellitus. and USF’s ROTC programs. Congressman The 10-year award, to the team led by Jeffrey P. Krischer, Ph.D., is the Young sponsored the federal grant largest in USF history. At clinical sites around the world, the study will that funded the building and screen 360,000 newborns in order to track 8,000 babies — eventually its operation. analyzing more than 100,000 lab tests. The building has five classrooms and three lecture halls equipped for The study will seek to explain why some children get juvenile diabetes and video conferencing for distance learning classes, as well as a weapons why the incidence has doubled since the 1980s. Known as TEDDY, its the simulation room, joint cadet/midshipmen lounge, computer lab and official title is “The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young.” library, public meeting spaces and office and storage spaces for the ROTC programs. The new building opens for classes this month. Entrepreneur Program in Top 10 Faculty in Top 10 in Chronicle of USF had the ninth best graduate Higher Education entrepreneurship program in the nation for 2007, according to the Princeton The faculty of two of USF’s Review and Entrepreneur Magazine. educational programs ranked The university’s program, which is among the Top 10 in the country just five years old, was included in in a recent report by the Chronicle Entrepreneur Magazine’s November issue, ranking the nation’s best of Higher Education. educational programs. USF's graduate program in entrepreneurship is The College of Arts & Science’s Criminology Department was ranked ranked number four among public universities in the U.S., and USF is seventh and the College of Education’s Department of Educational the only Florida university to be included in the top 50 programs. CONTINUED PG 5
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 3 �
University of South Florida USF Alumni Board of Directors
___ President ___ spotlight Jeff Spalding, ’87 Computer Science & Engineering
These are the Standing Committees of the President-Elect USF Alumni Association Board of Directors: Michele Norris, ’99 Marketing Secretary • ACT (Alumni Connections Team) Patrick Poff, ’92 English • Awards
• Executive ___ Treasurers ___ Treasurer Marie Edmonson, ’88 Accounting, MA ’90 Accountancy • Finance Co-Treasurer Anthony Sanchez, ’89 Accounting, MA ’90 Accountancy • Governance Immediate Past President • Long-Range Planning Committee ______Charley Harris, ’87 Business • Membership Development
& Benefits ___ Board Members ___ • Communications Council Brandon Aldridge, ’88 Communication Angie Brewer, ’82 Management, MS ’84 Management • Athletics Council Roger T. Frazee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CPA, ’71 Finance & Accounting • Council of 100 Elizabeth Harmon, ’82 Mass Comm. Angela Horwitz, ’94 Business, ’98 MA Accountancy, Committee Highlight: The Council of 100 Jon Hull, ’80 Geology Anila Jain, MD, ’81 Biology The Council of 100 is a group of alumni volunteers Stephen E. Johnston II, ’95 Political Science who have been or who are currently involved in the Jill Joyce, ’97 Finance, ’99 Accounting legislative process. These alumni have expertise in Brad Kelly, ’79 Accounting a wide variety of fields, including everything from Brian Lamb, ’98 Accounting education to the environment to the arts and industry. Mike LaPan, ’81 Management They serve in all facets of the legislature: as aides and Mark Levine, ’74 Psychology committee staff and in influential positions, such Victor Lucas, ’85 Management as lobbyists and gubernatorial advisors. Council Charles McArthur, ’76 Mass Comm., MS ’81 Advertising members are mentors for students in the Alumni Diana Michel, ’88 Business Association’s legislative internship programs and Carla Saavedra, ’87 English Anthony Sanchez, ’89 Accounting, MA ’90 Accountancy assist the University with its legislative advocacy John Charles Thomas, ’81 Mass Comm. initiatives in the state Capitol. David Seth Walker, ’01 MA History James Weber, ’77 Finance, MBA ’82 Business
___ Non-Voting Members of the Board ___ Kevin Borgic, USF Ambassadors Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President John Harper, ’76 Mass Comm., Alumni Association Executive Director Leslie “Les” Muma, ’66 Mathematics, USF Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Jeff Robison, University Advancement Vice President
4 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 � roundup news CONTINUED Public Policy test for early detection of ovarian cancer using a patient’s urine sample. Programs Honored There is currently no approved test for early detection of ovarian cancer. The USF Alumni Association’s The National Cancer Institute estimates 15,280 women in the U.S. will Public Policy Programs were die from ovarian cancer in 2007. named as finalists for the national "We're very excited," said, Valerie McDevitt, director of the Division of CASE Edwin Crawford Award for Patents and Licensing for the USF Research Park. "It's a local company so Innovation for the second year in a we're hoping for good things. We want to support local businesses. This row. The programs were nominated could help large numbers of women and it is part of USF President Judy for their innovation in facilitating university legislative advocacy and Genshaft's mission to promote biotech at USF." state government relations. The programs include the Legislative Intern Program, Legislative Directed Study Program, and our Tallahassee Intern Education Professor Program. The Association thanks the alumni Council of 100 volunteers, Wins Top Honors the Public Policy staff, and the more than 175 graduates who have helped Liliana Rodriguez-Campos, an assistant make the programs worthy of national recognition. professor in the educational measurement Bridging the and research department at USF’s College of Healthcare Gap Education was honored with the American Evaluation Association’s prestigious Marcia USF Health students opened the first Guttentag Award. free student-directed health clinic Oct. The award is given to a promising new evaluator in recognition of 2 to serve uninsured patients in the outstanding scholarly contributions made within the first five years of university community area. The Bridge receiving an advanced degree in evaluation. Healthcare Clinic is the brainchild of four medical students, from left, Shelby Kent, The American Evaluation Association is an international professional Samuel Crane, Waldo Guerrero and Omar Hammad, who wanted to get association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of hands-on experience as physicians while providing much-needed health program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other care to an underserved population. forms of evaluation. Students participate directly in the care and planning of patient’s health The USF College of Education is ranked in the top 20 percent of graduate visits. Patients are seen by a team including a patient coordinator, a third schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report and is now the or fourth-year medical student, a first or second-year medical student, seventh largest public college of education in the nation. a social worker and an attending clinician who oversees the diagnosis. Bowl Not So Sunny Along with primary care, the clinic provides access to medications, social services, physical therapy, health education, health screenings, for Bulls vaccinations and other public health services. Housed in the health The USF Bulls football team fell short of department’s University Area Community Health Center, the clinic is its first 10-win season with a 56-21 loss to just blocks away from USF’s Tampa campus and is open from 5:30 to Oregon in the 2007 Brut Sun Bowl in El Paso, 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Texas on New Year’s Eve. The Bridge Healthcare Clinic is sponsored by USF Health, the Florida The Ducks (9-4) scored 28 straight points in the Department of Health, Quest Diagnostics, Allscripts, and the American third quarter to snap a four-game post-season losing streak, their first bowl Medical Association. win since beating Colorado 38-16 in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2001 season. Oregon made it look easy against the Bulls (9-4), who boasted one of the Early Detection nation’s better defenses. The Ducks were up 46-14 at the half. Bulls QB of Ovarian Cancer Matt Grothe left late in the third after being tackled while scrambling. An aggressive, silent killer of women could The 49,867 fans were treated to lots of penalty flags. The teams soon be caught and identified much faster combined to break the Sun Bowl record for total penalty yardage – 202 thanks to new technology developed at USF. penalty yards – before the first half ended. The University’s Division of Patents & “If people said it wasn’t a positive season, I’d be a little disappointed,” Licensing entered into a partnership with Bulls coach Jim Leavitt told CBS Sports. “We’ve never won nine games Largo, FL.-based GeoPharma, Inc. to acquire worldwide patent rights of a in 11 years. I think it was a heck of a season.”
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 5 letters to the editor
An “Old Coach” Looks Ahead We would really like to kick off the upcoming year with a special event. We are planning a Spring I graduated in 1981 from the Sarasota campus. Banquet in April and it is our wish to make it an Like many others, I’ve been very excited about the “Ambassadors’ Reunion” where we can meet as football program and supported it early on. I was many former Ambassadors as possible. It is a great able to come back to Tampa with my wife, Lesa, for way for current and former Ambassadors to meet the Bulls Roast and Homecoming game for the first each other and stay connected to the University that time since 2004. It was great to take part in cam- has been so important to us all. pus activities again! We had a great time with the other alumni and the students we spoke with were If you would like to attend, or if you are interested friendly and very positive about their educational in helping us plan this special event, please con- and social experiences at USF. It makes you proud. tact the Director of Campus & Student Relations, Being an “old coach,” I know this team and this LaToya Dowdell, at (813) 974-1877 or ldowdell@ university will do great things in the future. admin.usf.edu. We look forward to seeing you there! Stirling “Bud” Boomhower Here’s to “The Spirit of USF!” Class of 1981 Sabsina Karimi Vice President, USF Ambassadors Did You Wear the Green Jacket? Class of 2009 The 2007-08 USF Ambassadors have had a great year helping with events like Homecoming and We Want to Hear from You! Grad Fest, traveling to away football games with Alumni Voice welcomes your comments, compli- the Alumni Association and, of course, doing crazy ments, criticisms and conjectures. You can email things like our traditional Green & Gold Campus publications editor Karla Jackson at kjackson@ Scavenger Hunt. I cannot believe it is time to admin.usf.edu or write to us at: USF Alumni recruit the next group of Ambassadors. While we Association, Attn: Karla Jackson, 4202 E. Fowler are looking at the future of Ambassadors, we also Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. want to look at the past.
6 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 where’s 1. Rocky the Bull shares a stogie with actor and USF Class of 1994 alumnus Mark Consuelos and friends at the Alumni Association’s Tailgate party before the Rutgers game. Rocky has since given up cigars. Submitted by Jody Glassman, right, of the rocky? USF Alumni Association’s D.C. Regional Chapter.
2. FROM LEFT: Cheri and Doug Woolard, USF athletic director, and former USF A.D. (and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end) Lee Roy Selmon, display some Bull Pride at the Rutgers Tailgate.
3. Running backs coach Carl Franks, left, and safety’s coach Troy Douglas, served as Rocky’s wing men in New Jersey.
2 1
3
4. FROM LEFT: Andrew Ketchel, tight end, Ryan Schmidt, offensive guard, and Jacob Sims, offensive tackle, made sure that Rocky 4 observed curfew before the Rutgers game. 5
5. A die-hard Bulls fan, who couldn’t make it to New Jersey for the Rutgers game, held her own private “watch party” with Rocky at the Renaissance Hotel at International Plaza.
Send us your pictures with Rocky to use in the magazine! Submit your photos to: Karla Jackson at [email protected]
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 7 movers shakers
Dr. Ralph Wilcox became business, community and educational agencies. Elam USF’s new provost and senior vice received the prestigious Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award president for Academic Affairs given by Morehouse College and the FBI Directors this month, replacing Dr. Renu Award for her efforts as a member of the U.S. Attorney Khator, who was named chancellor General’s Hate Crimes Working Group. of the University of Houston system David Klement, long- and president of the University of time Editorial Page editor of the Houston. Dr. Wilcox has served as a professor and vice Bradenton Herald, is the new director provost at USF since 2003, with primary responsibilities of the Institute for Public Policy in policy analysis, planning and performance. He has and Leadership (IPPL) at USF’s been USF’s principal liaison to the Florida Board of Sarasota-Manatee campus. He will Governors and provided oversight for institution-wide lead the institute in meeting its goal strategic planning enrollment planning, and legislative to help shape the future social, economic, physical and budget matters. government environments that influence the lives of Prior to that, he was interim vice president and citizens in the southern Tampa Bay region. For 30 years campus executive officer at the University of South Klement directed the Herald’s opinion pages, writing Florida St. Petersburg, and has held tenured faculty most of the newspaper’s editorials and chairing its and administrative appointments at the University Editorial Board, which sets the paper’s editorial position of Houston, the University of Memphis, and on public policy issues. He came to the Bradenton Herald Hofstra University. from the Detroit Free Press, where he served in a variety of editing positions and shared a Pulitzer Prize awarded Dr. William T. Hogarth to the newspaper’s staff in 1968 for coverage of the 1967 of the National Oceanic and Detroit riots. He began his newspaper career at the Daily Atmospheric Administration has been Oklahoman in Oklahoma City. appointed as interim dean for USF’s College of Marine Science. Hogarth Patricia Emmanuel, MD, served as the assistant administrator professor and chief of infectious for Fisheries at the National Marine diseases in the Department of Fisheries Service since 2001. His service with the Pediatrics, has been named the new National Marine Fisheries Service began in 1994, and associate dean for clinical research since then he has held a number of administrative posts, at the USF College of Medicine. including regional administrator of both the Southwest In addition to her role as associate and the Southeast regions. He replaces Peter Betzer, dean, Dr. Emmanuel will direct the new Clinical & who retired after 36 years at USF. Translational Research Institute — a resource for USF Donna Elam, associate director physicians, students, residents and fellows conducting for program development and investigator-initiated or externally-funded clinical or external affairs for the USF College of translational research. Education’s David C. Anchin Center, Dr. Emmanuel is the principal investigator for federal is the new chairperson of the Florida research grants totaling nearly $8 million. She recently Commission on Human Relations. received a prestigious NIH Fogarty International Center Elam, also a visiting faculty member grant to create an interdisciplinary training program at the College of Education’s Institute for At-Risk focused on detecting, treating and preventing HIV/AIDS Infants, Children & Youth and Their Families, served among adolescents in India. She directs USF’s nationally- as vice-chair of the commission for the last two years. recognized Tampa Bay Adolescent Medicine Trials Elam is nationally recognized as an expert on diversity Unit, one of 15 NIH-funded clinical sites across the and cultural competence training for governmental, country providing comprehensive services to HIV- infected adolescents.
8 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 Dear Alumni & Friends of USF:
As USF initiates its educational group travel program, I invite you to join me on what likely will be the most incredible journey you have ever taken. It’s a discovery experience that will amaze and delight you, educate and inspire you. It’s a tour to Russia scheduled for June 15 - 27, 2008.
Having spent the past 40 years studying and visiting Russia, I am well-versed on its history and culture, and can honestly tell you that there has never been a better time to experience this fascinating country and understand firsthand its dramatic transformation from communism to capitalism.
In addition to joining you on all of the excursions, I will present short lectures that offer further insight into what we see. I also will be available for daily discussions throughout the journey. Each day will offer one discovery after another as we travel Russia’s rivers and visit:
• Kizhi Island, with its wooden churches constructed by Russian masters in the 18th century — without the use of nails • Lake Onega, one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the world
• The historic capitals of Moscow and St. Petersburg, often • Peter’s Palace, with its breathtaking parks and spectacular referred fountains to as the greatest cities in Russia • The State Hermitage Museum, home of the greatest collection of impressionist art in the world
• Red Square, The Kremlin and numerous other historical sites in Russia’s bustling cities and quiet countryside. Please join me for what I believe is an extraordinary travel opportunity — 13 full days of exploration and education in one of the most exciting nations in the world.
I look forward to traveling with you in June!
Dr. Victor Peppard Victor Peppard, Ph.D. Professor of Russian and Chair, Department of World Languages, USF
P.S. This tour has proven to sell out quickly, so I urge you to reserve your space today by calling the USF Alumni Association’s tour operator, Alumni Holidays International, at 800-323-7373 or visit www.ahitravel.com/usfaa.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 9 Feature Story
The year was 1970. Richard Nixon sat in the White House, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” spun on turntables and “Love Story” mesmerized movie goers. K K n Tampa, William (Bill) member of the USF Alumni Esposito graduated Association. from USF with a Esposito’s career started bachelor’s degree in while the FBI was still run Ipolitical science. by J. Edgar Hoover. Hoover His next stop: the FBI believed in teaming rookies Academy in Quantico, VA, with veteran agents to further where he would spend 18 the learning experience weeks training to earn a and training. position with the agency. It “Agents were issued the FBI was the first step of an amazing standard firearm and required career that has taken Esposito to dress in suits, white shirts from America’s underbelly and lace-up shoes,” says to America’s marbled halls of Esposito. But when he reached justice, from undercover work his first assignment in New Orleans, his new, with Midwestern mobsters to working on some experienced partner told him, “get rid of the of the highest profile criminal cases in modern suits and get yourself a snubnose.” history and receiving the FBI’s highest medal for bravery. Assigned to general criminal work in New Orleans, Esposito quickly learned that suspects Through it all he has never forgotten his who committed crimes in the southeast United Tampa roots. “I tell everyone I went to the States eventually made their way to the French Harvard of the South,” said Esposito, a longtime Quarter, where the FBI had a few bartender-
10 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 informants. So, apprehending fugitives meant set up in Washington, D.C. I moved there to waiting for them to show up in the Big Easy. help oversee the planning and organizing,” Although, Esposito added, “It was exciting to said Esposito. go running along rooftops.” In his 27 year career with the FBI, from October After a year in New Orleans, Esposito 1970 to October 1997, Esposito worked in transferred to Detroit. There, he worked in New Orleans, Detroit, Washington, D.C., white collar and organized crime, including Cleveland, Baltimore, San Diego, Panama, tracking fugitives from the U.S. radical group, Italy and Columbia. The Weathermen. While in Detroit, Esposito Esposito also received the FBI Medal of Valor, the worked undercover at a racetrack. He did highest medal awarded in the FBI for bravery. another undercover stint at an athletic club that He got the award “for a shooting incident that was a popular hangout for Detroit mobsters. occurred in 1987. A bank robber had a live “This undercover work was new for the FBI,” bomb on him,” Esposito calmly explained. “I said Esposito. During Hoover’s regime it wasn’t shot him, apprehended him and took the bomb allowed. However, after Hoover’s death in 1972, away. It was a mercury switch with 18 sticks the FBI was doing more and more undercover of dynamite.” work, like setting up storefront operations to And in 1989, Esposito was in Panama for recover stolen goods. Operation Just Cause, the United States Esposito’s proficiency at undercover work got invasion that deposed dictator Manuel Noreiga. him transferred to the As head of the FBI’s white collar crimes unit nation’s capital. “A new unit to oversee all undercover units was
Bill Esposito worked on many high-profile cases during his career at the FBI,including tracking The Weathermen and dealing with Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 11 Esposito managed the FBI unit that tracked down the infamous Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.
in the early 1990s, he developed the FBI’s bought out MBNA, Esposito strategy for dealing with major systematic retired from the credit card industry. frauds, from the savings and loan crisis to He has since reunited with Freeh as an associate K health care fraud, telemarketing fraud and of the Freeh Group International. The consulting K public corruption. company specializes in compliance with the Esposito eventually ran the criminal division Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which states unit that solved the Unabomber case within a that if a U.S. company is operating in a foreign year, arresting Theodore Kaczynski at a remote country, it can’t do business through bribery. cabin in Montana on April 3, 1996. He also “Companies hire us to ensure they are operating oversaw the manhunt for spree killer Andrew legally,” said Esposito. “Between Louis and me, Cunanan, who killed five people in a three- we have contact with police forces worldwide.” month period in 1997, including famed fashion Esposito, a father of four and grandfather of designer Gianni Versace. three, currently lives in Delaware with his wife When Esposito retired from the FBI in 1997, and two teenage sons. However, he still has he had reached the highest ranking non-political connections to Florida, where his daughters live. position in the FBI, deputy director. He ran He said he was recently contacted by a member the day-to-day operations of the FBI – “It’s like of the Alumni Association’s Philadelphia Chapter COO of the FBI,” he said – and reported directly who called “out of the blue” having “heard there to FBI director Louis Freeh and Attorney General was a fellow grad in the area. It’s a good way to Janet Reno. keep in touch with people.” After the FBI, Esposito took a position with Esposito has followed the Bulls recent gridiron credit card company MBNA as director of success and thinks that it “makes it easier to do corporate security. He then held positions in recruiting because of the name recognition.” facilities and human resources and eventually He said that while USF had only golf and soccer became vice chairman in charge of all while he was a student, he still remembers it administrative services. When Bank of America as a “great campus with great weather.”
12 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 chapters &societies
No matter where Education Alumni Lynne Carlson you live, you’ll Freda Abercrombie [email protected] always be a Bull! [email protected] Jerry L. Miller [email protected] The USF Alumni Association has alumni Engineering Alumni chapters all over the country. We also Gene Balter Florida have college and special-interest societies [email protected] for like-minded alumni. Chapters Geology Alumni It’s easy to get involved. Just email the Tampa Jon Hull contact person of the group you’d like to visit. Jim Johnson [email protected] [email protected] Societies Honors Alumni Brevard Anthropology Alumni Lisa Provenzano Heugel John Carpenter Anne Bretnall [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Kauffman Alumni Barbara Lyn Architecture Alumni Allen Clary barbaralyn.com Adam Fritz [email protected] Broward [email protected] Tania Ulinski Sara DuCuennois Black Alumni [email protected] [email protected] Felecia Brantley Kosove Alumni Emerald Coast/ [email protected] Justin Geisler Northwest Florida Brian Campbell [email protected] Peter J. Kemp [email protected] [email protected] LGBT Alumni Business Alumni Marion Yongue Fort Myers James Gossett [email protected] Sanjay Kurian [email protected] [email protected]
Members of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter get their game on before the Bulls stomped UCF in October.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 13 chapters &societies
Hernando Barbados Belinda Nettles Junior Browne [email protected] [email protected] Jacksonville Charlotte, N.C. Louis B. Richardson Jeff Spalding [email protected] [email protected] Ellen Rosenblum Chicago [email protected] Karla Stevenson Sarasota/Manatee [email protected] Derek Williams D.C. Regional [email protected] Rajiv Dembla Miami [email protected] Ruben Matos Dallas F Members of the new Emerald Coast/Northwest [email protected] Lisa Lacy Florida Chapter gather at Beef O Brady’s in Carlos Rodriguez [email protected] Spanish Fort, Alabama, to watch the USF vs. [email protected] Denver Mile High U Conn. game. From right are Peter J. Kemp, Ocala/Marion Mark A. Thompson `05, Bernie Wachter, `71 and his wife Joan. Kathleen & William Bellamy [email protected] The restaurant is owned by Nick Kessler, `03. [email protected] Indiana Orlando Jeremy Sims Kevin Krause [email protected] [email protected] New York Raleigh, N.C. Pinellas Valerie Berrios Bob Cohn Audrey Gilmore [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Michael Simpson St. Louis Polk [email protected] Jennifer Bradshaw Randy Dotson Philadelphia/South Jersey [email protected] [email protected] Brandon Aldridge Mark Greenspahn St. Lucie [email protected] [email protected] Frank Pennetti [email protected] National & International Chapters Atlanta Denise Dimbath [email protected]
E From left, Alan Steinberg, `78, friend Carol Nunez, Sara DuCuennois, `99 and Shekeria Brown, `99, of the Broward County Chapter, share a drink the night before the FAU game.
14 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 D Erik Thoreson, formerly a director of counseling at USF, holds a one-man watch party at his home in Norway. His son, Kristan Thoreson is a Class of `95 alumnus.
E The staff at the Hillsborough license tag office in downtown Tampa love selling Bulls plates to USF fans.
D Board of Governors Chancellor Mark Rosenberg, far left, and his staff in Tallahassee support the Bulls in the land of the Seminoles.
A Rita Miller Blank, `71, Cassie Streeter Oransky, `71, Beverly Leibowitz Wickson, `73, Andrea Boris Felder, `71, Jane Cherof Schagrin, `71, Alisa Stein Newbauer, `72 and Susan Genzier Sternstein, `72.
F Kim Celenza Hermelyn, `92, chills in her Bulls visor while on vacation in Atlantis in D Judge John E. Jordan, The Bahamas. `80, stands front and center for his alma mater on the cover of the Orange County Bar Association’s publication, The Briefs.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 15 Feature Story
ass n Cl of 1 so 98 ck 8 a J a An l r
a
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y B ENVOY of
outh Africa is a nation of madden- ing contradictions:HH a landscape opeope of stunning vistas threatened by climate change and rampant Spollution, ongoing violent protests in the name of political progress and a government in denial about AIDS, a viral death sentence that infects one-fifth of its citizens, resulting in one of the highest mortality rates in the world. That mix of pain and promise is exactly what appeals to the USF alumnus who serves as the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Eric M. Bost. Ambassador Bost loves to photograph South Africa’s “People at the State Department will tell you beautiful scenery. He shot this seascape in Cape Town. that I have one of the best posts in the entire world,” says Bost, who was back on USF’s Tampa campus during an October visit to the go,” says Bost, 54, who graduated from USF United States. “It’s the fourth largest U.S. post in 1985 with a Master’s degree in Special in the world. I supervise over 1,000 employees. Education from the College of Education. I have three consulates. I have some of the top “I have very fond memories of my time here,” notch staff from the 26 agencies that I supervise: the ambassador says. “I remember having to the CIA, the FBI, Commerce, Treasury – study really hard. I received a really good all of those are there. And it’s a beautiful education here. I don’t think you appreciate exciting country – 13 years from apartheid.” it at the time, but once you leave, you have a By appointing Bost as ambassador in 2006, greater appreciation for it.” President Bush got a two-for-one deal. Bost’s Bost worked for Bush while he was governor wife, Dr. Rosemary Brownridge, is one of the of Texas and also served as U.S. Under Secretary world’s foremost experts on AIDS and HIV. of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition and “I think that’s why the President and Consumer Services. It was during his time Secretary Condoleezza Rice chose us to as under secretary that he was introduced to
16 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 South Africa. He made two trips to the evolving nation at the southern tip of the African continent, collaborating with their government on nutrition programs for students. Considering its history of political upheaval, dealing effectively with the South African government is no easy task, as many a diplomat will attest, including Bost himself. “The thing about South Africa is that because of their strategic location on the continent, given their economy, given they are the wealthiest country Ambassador Eric Bost spent a day at USF’s Tampa campus during an in Africa, given their leadership role in A.U. and October visit to the United States. the U.N. Security Council, they are very popular,” Bost explains. “Everybody wants a piece of them.” “There are 600 U.S. companies Even so, Bost feels like he is making headway on in South Africa that employ over the main initiatives between the U.S. and South 100,000 people and so we’re working Africa: dealing with HIV/AIDS, improving trade toward expanding opportunities for U.S. businesses and economic development, encouraging equality to grow there,” Bost says. in education and promoting international counter- When he’s not busy negotiating with South African terrorism efforts. leaders and managing a staff of thousands of “We’ve done a significant amount of outreach government officials, Bost likes to do a little in terms of building those relationships and, for light reading and take photographs, one of which the most part, our relationship is positive,” he accompanies this article. says of South African President Thabo Mbeki’s “The Cape of Good Hope is just an absolutely administration. “It’s positive in terms of working gorgeous place,” he says. “When you go… with them and supporting some of the efforts you will say to yourself that there is no that are mutually beneficial for both our place I have ever been in my entire life governments and countries.” that is as beautiful as this place Mbeki’s recent actions toward and I’ve been to 80 countries around acknowledging the causes and treatment the world.” of AIDS after years of denial and In many respects, South Africa is superstition about the disease could not so different from the U.S., indicate that U.S. influence – in Bost says. the form of $90 million in aid in 2007 alone – is beginning to make a “It’s a very modern country. difference. Bost was in the U.S. last English is the primary language. fall to address a different initiative: The stores tend to be very modern, trade and economic development. especially those in Johannesburg, He spoke to several dozen CEO’s of and Cape Town,” he says. top American companies including The biggest difference, aside from Boeing, Motorola and Kellogg about some of the customs and food, is opportunities for investment in that the stores close early and people South Africa, where a quarter of the drive on the left side of the road. population are unemployed and “That takes a little getting used half live in poverty, despite the to,” he says. “But I love it. I am very country’s growing economy and blessed and very proud to be able to rich natural resources. serve my country in this position.”
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 17 Feature Story Delivering the
dBy Karla reamJackson Class of 1988
hen Emilio Gonzalez was immigration,” Gonzalez says. “If you invited to the White House to personalize it and say, ‘My mother came discuss the position of Director of from Germany’ or ‘My grandparents came from the United States Citizenship and Poland,’ then they get it. They understand how important ImmigrationW Services, he thought President Bush was immigration is to our country.” simply looking for his input on potential nominees. Gonzalez’ father was in the tobacco business, which is As a former member of the National Security Council, why the family wound up in Tampa, a major player in Gonzalez was a trusted friend and advisor to the President. the tobacco industry during the 60s. Gonzalez attended He knew President Bush valued his St. Lawrence Catholic School, then Tampa opinion. What he didn’t expect was Catholic, before enrolling at USF at age 17, to be offered the post himself. immediately after graduating high school. “I thought it was actually for somebody He finished USF in three years with a degree else, then they asked me to take it,” in International Studies – an interest of his Gonzalez, 51, recalled during a recent visit from a young age. to USF. “I thought about it – but not for “It wasn’t like we talked politics over long because they needed a quick answer. the dinner table,” Gonzalez says. “It Immigration is a very complex issue and was more like, ‘You better study hard I thought I could make a difference.” and make something of yourself’ over A USF Class of 1977 grad, Gonzalez the dinner table.” was confirmed as USCIS director in He worked and played hard while he was December 2005, leading an organization of more than at USF, joining the ROTC and meeting his wife of now 29 15,000 employees. He brings a personal perspective years, Gloria Maria, a Class of 1978 graduate with a degree to the role as a man who was born in Havana and in elementary education. whose family fled Cuba in 1960 after the revolution. “It was a much different school then,” he says. “It was “There’s sort of a political schizophrenia about primarily a commuter school … so it was a very detached immigration. Everybody loves immigrants, but they hate experience. But I still remember fondly the professors I
O O O O O
18 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 had and the courses formed and it’s tough to move I took,” specifically people from one side to the those with Professor other,” he says. Abdelwahab Hechiche, who is still with the Even so, Gonzalez says that University. Congress has sent a clear message about their expectations Gonzalez went into the of his agency. Army after graduating from USF and he and “They want to see a much
Gloria Maria spent three stronger border security force. blissful years as newlyweds They want
in paradise. O to see a more
robust interior “It was the honeymoon O enforcement,” tour,” he says. “We were a USCIS Director he says. “I very carefree couple living in Emilio Gonzalez think once the Hawaii.” From there, he moved presides over a U.S. citizens naturalization to the Army’s military are comfortable intelligence corp. He earned ceremony in Miami and takes a minute that we’ve done Master’s degrees from both what we can Oto chat with a Tulane and the U.S. Naval War O on the border,
College and served as an Army new citizen.
O there’ll be a
attaché in El Salvador and O O
much more Mexico. He followed his O reasoned approach on a comprehensive Master’s degrees with a Ph.D.
immigration plan.” from the University of Miami O O and twice taught Spanish and Latin American Studies He is a strong proponent of President Bush’s guest at West Point. worker program, which some critics construe as a move “You get spoiled because you’re literally teaching a toward legalizing illegal immigrants. Gonzalez sees class full of valedictorians. It’s very impressive,” he it differently. says of his time at the famed military academy. “From a national security perspective, we need to know Gonzalez was leading the Office of Special Assistants for who lives here,” he says.” We have a population the size the Commander in Chief of U.S. Southern Command in of Belgium that lives inside the United States and we Miami when President Bush appointed him as Director have no idea who they are, where they live, what they do for Western Affairs at the National Security Council, or what they look like. We owe it to our citizens to do where Gonzalez served as a key foreign policy advisor. what we can to check them out.” “Working at the NSC is a lot of fun, but it’s a real Like many people of Cuban descent, Gonzalez is wary drain on your personal life,” he says. “I kept missing about the state of his homeland now that Fidel Castro’s too many important events in my kids’ lives.” Gonzalez brother, Raul, is handling the reins of government. and his wife have two daughters, Gloria, now 24 and “We have a situation now where for all intents and Victoria, 23. purposes, one dictator has handed off power to another He left Washington in 2003 and parlayed his dictator,” he says. “The transitional Cuban government international expertise into the private sector, working needs to have a dialogue with its own people and make as a consultant for the Miami-based law firm, Tew amends for 50 years of dictatorship by developing some Cardenas, where he was happily employed when he ways for the people to participate in their future.” received that pivotal call from the White House in He has no family left in Cuba; his interest in the issue 2005. The challenge of leading the United States’ is professional. immigration department in a post-9/11 milieu piqued “I think all democracies have a vested interest in promoting Gonzalez’ sense of duty. democracies because only then do you have stability. “It’s a tough issue. Everybody’s opinions are already Democracies don’t wage war on other democracies.”
O O O O O
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 19 A Blast from the Past !
1U.S. PRESIDENT: Jimmy9 Carter 80 VICE PRESIDENT: Walter Mondale UNEMPLOYMENT: 7.1% FIRST CLASS STAMP: ¢15 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (current dollars): $17,710
IN THE NEWS: Actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan is elected President in a landslide; the FBI’s undercover operation Abscam (for Arab scam) results in the arrests and resignations of a dozen public officials; the United States boycotts the Summer Olympics in Moscow in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
IN SCIENCE: Janice Brown, a 98-lb.former teacher, makes the first long-distance solar- powered flight in the Solar Challenger; Voyager I reaches Saturn, returning data on its 14 moons and more than 1,000 rings.
IN THE AT USF: USF Sun Dome inflated; total number of ARTS: buildings on all USF campuses reaches 148; Small John Lennon Business Development Center established within of the Beatles College of Business Administration; is shot dead Graduate School in New York is created. City on December 8th; Norman Mailer is awarded a Pulitzer Prize for “The Executioner’s Song;” Billy Joel wins a Grammy for Album of the Year for “52nd Street.”
20 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 By Natalie Shultz And one of us will move in. Class of 2008 Danesis is a Tampa native just like Cristal and me, and although It is now January 2008, which also happens she has worked for ophthalmologists since high school, and to be my official last semester at USF. I, originally wanted to follow in their footsteps, she had a change Natalie Shultz, am graduating, and I am still of heart about a year ago, and now wants to become a nurse having difficulty coming to terms with that. practitioner. In her future, she resolves to: Around this time, most of us make New 1. Get into a nursing program, ideally at USF. Year’s resolutions: lose weight, save money, get better grades, 2. Buy a condo in South Tampa. blah, blah, blah. This New Year, however, is different for my 3. Open a medical spa. friends and me because it is particularly symbolic of what awaits 4. Find the man of her dreams. us at the end of this semester — new beginnings. 5. Plan a wedding. I have shared the past three years with my two best friends at “I just want to be successful in whatever I do and be able to USF, Danesis Socorro and Cristal Bermudez. We met during support myself. I want to follow my dreams, find “the one,” and the Panhellenic Formal Sorority Recruitment in the summer of plan a big, beautiful wedding, where my best friends and I can 2004, and we all became Tri Deltas together. “D” and Cristal are reunite,” Danesis says. not only my best friends, but also my sisters. But all of us will move on, in one way or another. And now, as our future flashes in front of our eyes, we’ve decided Time flies by. We’ve shared our ups and downs, but more to share our resolutions one last time, just as we have every year importantly, we’ve shared the unforgettable experience of going since we began college. through college together at USF. We’ll grow older and somewhat One of us will move away. wiser (at least we like to think so). We’ll meet new people and Even as a four-year-old, I knew what I wanted to do when I grew face new challenges and opportunities. Friendships may come up: move to New York City and work in the media. Now, at 21 and go, and so may New Year’s resolutions. But those worth years old, I still want to write, but I also realize that if I want to keeping will last forever. survive in the Big Apple, I will need a bigger income. Yet every time I think about graduation and the future ahead of me, I have a mild anxiety attack. Mostly, it is the uncertainty, and the fact that I am not in complete control of the future. My resolutions, therefore, are to: 1. Pass the LSAT exam this summer. SHARE Excerpts of memories from y 2. Get accepted at a law school in Manhattan. A Memor 3. Find a “deal” on an already overpriced, shoebox-size members of the USF Alumni Association. apartment in New York City. 4. Be hired at a magazine in the interim before I start Dr. Frank Clearer, chairman of the department of mathematics law school. (1964), is in a very major way responsible for whatever success 5. Not lose touch with my best friends (even if we live on I may have had as a businessman in my 31 years with IBM and opposite ends of the planet). six years with AT&T. Fortunately, I was able to express this to him Another one of us will move out. in a phone call in the early 90s just prior to his passing. He was a mentor, a man of integrity who set very high standards and was Cristal is also a mass communications major, but went the always willing to help a struggling student. broadcast journalism route. She has performed both on stage and on camera since she was a kid, and wants to combine her love for Ed Timmons `64 / Annual Member cooking, performing and business. Cristal’s resolutions are to: My memory is of being asked to lead the audience in singing the 1. Have a healthier lifestyle. USF Alma Mater at the first NCAA basketball game in the univer- 2. Spend more time on herself. sity’s history. My Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brothers Joel Weldon, 3. Attend culinary school. John Stephens and I had gotten the attention of organizers by 4. Invest more. performing the “Wayne Hugoboom Classic” in perfect three-part 5. Open a restaurant. harmony for the Greek Sing competition. We won the Greek Sing – “I dream big to challenge those who’ve always deemed my goals of course – and the basketball team won their first-ever game! impossible. There’s no point in dreaming if you are just settling Chris Houtchens `72 / Annual Member for what is attainable,” Cristal says.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 21 with Q : How does the program locate deserving students and what qualities do you look for in an applicant?
A : Applicants find us. Word of mouth, I suppose. itzhak We look for students who have something individual to say as players and who already have a certain amount perlman of technical expertise that enables them to say it. Q : Do you ever see a student who reminds you of yourself as a child?
The renowned violin A : Not yet. virtuoso and his wife, Toby, who is Q : Have there been any surprises when dealing also an accomplished with today’s youth? violinist, spent two weeks in December A : I am constantly pleasantly surprised by the at USF’s Sarasota- wonderful children who come to The Perlman Music Manatee campus, Program. Year after year, we get students who are not holding a Winter only serious musicians, but who are responsible young Residency with the 40 gifted young musicians who people with good values, concerned with the state of the comprise The Perlman Music Program, an incubator world, and interested in making it a better place. for the next generation of classical musicians. Q : What is it like to take a group of young Q : What prompted the creation of the Perlman musicians on a national or international tour? Music Program? How long has it been in existence? Are there any unexpected joys or challenges?
A : The Perlman Music Program was started 14 years A : It’s more fun than you can possibly imagine. ago by my wife, Toby. Since her days as a student at Sometimes there is a language challenge, but the The Juilliard School, she had a dream about starting her students never fail to bond through the music. Intense own pre-college program. A visionary, to say the least, and lasting friendships are made and everyone is she made her dream a reality. enriched by the experience.
22 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 is the product of a society that ignores its largest single Have many of the program’s students gone on Q : minority. Shame on us. to successful musical careers? Q : Many people don’t realize that you’re a singer A : We are still a young program, so many of our as well as musician and conductor. Do you enjoy students are still in school. Of the ones who are out of performing as a singer? college, all but a few are making lives in music, many are already quite successful. A : At The Perlman Music Program we sing in chorus every day. I love it and on occasion I also Q : Why did you choose Sarasota for the program’s participate in a faculty Barber Shop Quartet, but it’s Winter Residency? Do you spend much time in Florida? all for fun. In terms of serious singing as a soloist, I have done that only a few times. I love it, but I don’t A : I wish I could claim the credit for having had the pretend to be a singer. idea for the Winter Residency but I can’t; it was not my idea. The Sarasota Residency was the dream of Van Q : Do you have a favorite performance or recording Wezel Hall board member Dr. David Klein. that you’ve done?
Q : You’ve been a staunch advocate for the disabled. A : Listening to my own CDs is not a pleasant What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing people pastime. While I might feel that what I hear is with disabilities? O.K., I always tend to feel that it could be better.
A : Public awareness is a central issue, and through Q : Who do you enjoy listening to? heightened awareness, the public will become acquainted with the enormous problem of access. Although steps A : The old timers: Heifetz, Rubinstein, Menuhin, have been taken to improve the plight of the disabled, Horowitz are always startling and wonderful to access (or, better said, the lack thereof) continues to be a revisit. I have always been, and am now, in love with major obstacle. No one, unless they have experienced the Ella Fitzgerald. feeling of not being able to enter a space or take part in an activity because of an architectural barrier, can fully For more information about The Perlman Music comprehend the frustration, hurt and anger that Program, visit www.perlmanmusicprogram.org.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 23 Feature Story
24 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 Ashlie (`93 & `98) and Ron (`97) Wheat, on the Tampa campus. Once the kids are a little are 10-year USF Alumni Association members and older, she plans to get a doctorate in nursing and Bulls season ticket holders. They can be found at most has set her sights on becoming a USF professor. of the tailgate parties, often with their three children Ron also plans to return to USF to get his MBA. - Jason, 8, Alex, 5, and Emily, 8 months – in tow. “We feel that we set a good example for our They are huge Bulls football fans and keep scrapbooks children by continuing our education,” says Ashlie. full of photos and mementos of all the games “We both support our respective colleges, as well they’ve attended since the very first one in 1997. as donate to the Athletic Fund. We were at the Ashlie and Ron met as USF students at Lorenzo’s, first football game in Houlihan’s Stadium, which a now-defunct restaurant on Dale Mabry Highway. was awesome! We traveled to see USF beat Pitt What began as “love at first sight” culminated in and went to the first bowl game in North Carolina. marriage after Ashlie earned her M.S. in Nursing in We’ve been very proud to be part of the new USF 1998. Ron is a College of Business grad who works tradition and look forward to more to come!” for Bank of America Investment Services. Of course, they’d love for their kids to become Ashlie’s life has revolved around USF since she moved second-generation Bulls. “We have a while until to Tampa from Erie, PA. During her undergraduate our Baby Bulls will be off to college, but we would years, she lived on campus and was a resident be very pleased if they wanted to attend USF.” assistant. She now works as a staff nurse at Shriners Hospitals for Children
All of the members of the �Wheat family wear green and gold with great pride.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 25 It’s tempting to make a pun about the Ambassador Society. They are also Life Members “amor,” which means “love” in Spanish, but we’ll of the Alumni Association. refrain, even though Jack (`87) and Cindy (`88) The Amors were engineering co-op students Amor are shining examples of their surname. together at Tampa Electric Company (now TECO) Both started out as engineering students at USF, during school. Jack, with TECO now for 24 years, as well as being active in Greek life on campus. is director of the TECO Energy Foundation. Cindy, Jack and Cindy met through fraternity and sorority who has been with TECO for 22 years, is manager events given by their respective organizations, of organizational effectiveness. Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Delta Pi, and soon The Amors try to make as many of the football and found that they had a lot in common. They were basketball games as they can, usually with their two both born and raised in Tampa, both had fathers who children, Robbie, 14, and Jennifer, 9. were born in Cuba and their families knew a lot of the same people. Even their mutual friends had an Cindy is also the Advisory Board chair for the inkling they might be well suited for each other and College of Engineering’s Industrial & Management made sure that Jack and Cindy met. Turns out their Systems Engineering (IMSE) department, which friends were right. The couple married in 1990. brings her to campus at least once a month. And she serves as a During their time at USF, the Amors served resource and mentor for as Ambassadors, an Alumni engineering students. Association-sponsored student organization that taps the best and brightest to act as a liaison between the student body and the community. They wore the signature green jackets proudly and still support
Jack & Cindy Amor have been staunch supporters� of the USF Ambassadors program.
26 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 John (`76) and Cindy (`74) Harper first USF, applied and were admitted,” John says. met and dated in high school in New “We were really happy about that.” Jersey, but wound up at USF through different Heather graduated in `03 and Cameron in `06. routes. When they arrived on campus, they had no intention of being a couple, says John, now John was retired when he was asked to serve as the executive director of the Alumni Association. interim leader of the Alumni Association. “I got hooked,” he says. “I threw my name in the hat with Their romance rekindled during a lonely the competition” for the executive director’s post. Thanksgiving away from home. John and Cindy After an extensive national search, it was decided have been together ever since, raising two daughters that the best candidate for the job was already while traveling all over the country for John’s doing it. John’s title became official in June 2007. previous employer, GTE. The family has lived in North Carolina, Hawaii and Texas, with two “USF means quite a lot to me,” he says. “The tours in Tampa, where their girls, Heather, 26, education I received more than prepared me for my and Cameron, 23, became very familiar with USF career. I received a very solid education. The through their parents’ efforts. friendships I made are still part of my network in Tampa Bay and around “We were involved in a the country.” lot of activities at USF. They grew up at
John & Cindy Harper were� thrilled to have their daughters graduate from USF.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 27 As members of USF’s inaugural Matt earned a Bachelor’s in Marekting in `91, and Charter Class, Lew (`64) and Judy (`65) Ashley, a Master’s in Social Work in `98. Wallace, were among the first couples to meet Lew, a psychology major, credits USF with helping and fall in love at USF. They started dating him secure a job with IBM that led to a 34-year freshman year and spent lots of time in the old career traveling among five continents. After University Center game room with their respective retiring from IBM, he went to work for AT&T social clubs, Enothe and FIA, which stood for for eight more years before retiring for good. Judy, Friendship in All. who taught school for years, still works part-time “We couldn’t have fraternities as a remedial reading teacher. The couple, who or sororities because we hadn’t are Life Members of the Alumni Association, had a graduating class yet,” love to travel and spend time at their second home Judy recalls. They, like on Gasparilla Island. many students of the time, became close friends with the center’s first director, Phyllis Marshall. The building was renamed in her honor in 1989. She passed away in February 2005. “We miss her,” Lew says. The Wallaces raised two children, Matt, Lew & Judy Wallace 38, and Asheley, 36, can’t� get over how much who are also proud USF has changed since graduates of USF. they attended.
28 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 It was Jammie Faircloth’s successful she says. “I was so highly prepared to enter the completion of her undergraduate workforce and I learned so much to apply in studies at USF in 1995 that brought her and the classroom.” husband Brian together. They met at her graduation Like our other alumni couples, Jammie and Brian party. USF would figure into their lives again three hope their two children, Zachary, 4, and Andrew, years later when they became the first couple to 2, will attend USF some day. “I’m going to guide marry in the brand new Gibbons Alumni Center. them in that direction,” Jammie says. Jammie says it was “a magical and memorable” wedding because of the beauty of the building, which offered a relaxed, yet elegant setting for their nuptials. Jammie’s roots are entwined throughout USF. Her father, James Watkins, served on the Alumni Association Board, her sister and uncle are both graduates, and she has a cousin who is currently enrolled. Brian, who owns a custom home building company, has taken courses at USF as well. Jammie, a Life Member of the Alumni Association, is now a teacher in Valrico. She earned a master’s degree in Jammie & Brian Faircloth Educational Leadership from USF were� the first couple to be in 2001. married in the Gibbons Alumni Center. “I am honored and proud to tell people that I’m a USF graduate,”
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 29 , notes class60s was developed to honor an individual that has Becker has been with Atlanta’s 11Alive since clearly influenced the obvious and measurable 1988. Her broadcast career began in 1978 in Joel D. Jackson, `64, was improvement of a state or territory’s “travel Jacksonville, Florida at WTLV-TV. She later promoted to executive director and tourism profile” with their leadership. moved to KTHV-TV in Little Rock, Arkansas of the 1,000-member Florida Nocera is a 36-year veteran of the tourism where she remained until 1981 when she Golf Course Superintendents industry, including leadership positions in joined WSB-TV in Atlanta. In 1999, Jill Association. He served as director Fort Myers and Jacksonville, Florida. received the Emmy for “Best News Anchor” of communications for the Florida GCSA since for the southeast region from the National January 1998. He also writes for The Florida Fred R. Bassett, Ed.D., B.A. `75, recently Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Green, Golfdom, Florida Golf Central and Florida retired as Superintendent of Beechwood Aside from her work at the station, she also is Turf Digest magazines. Jackson retired from the Independent School District in Ft. Mitchell, active in charities that benefit pediatric cancer Walt Disney Company in December 1997. Kentucky. He is now working as the Program treatment and research. She is married and has Director for the Osher Lifelong Learning Ken Rollins, `64, Tampa two sons, Gregory and Matthew. Institute at the University of Cincinnati. Museum of Art interim executive director, was awarded the James D. Tagliarini, `75, 80s Lifetime Achievement Award by retired as a captain from the the Florida Art Museum Directors Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Stirling Boomhower, `81, was one of 14 Association at its meeting on Sept. 18, 2007. Office after 33 years of service. hurricane recovery coordinators who received To be eligible for the award, a museum director He’s now owner of Realty Service recognition and an award from the Governors must have served at least 25 years as a of Tampa Bay, Inc. He was the first president Hurricane Recovery Fund and the Points of museum professional and have made significant of the Florida Narcotic Officer’s Association Light Foundation for continued involvement in contributions during his or her tenure. and is considered the founding father of the community disaster recovery at the Governors organization, which began in 1992. Michael Houllis, `68, is now selling his 2007 Hurricane Conference. family’s famous Greek chicken-lemon-orzo soup Dale Pilkington, `77, was promoted to Kevin J. Martinez, `81, is president and in a can under the name It’s Greek to Me Foods. president of Argo Group’s U.S. operations. CEO of Premium Capital Management, LLC. The Houllis family owned and operated Island Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. is The firm advises high net worth clients on House Restaurant on Clearwater Beach until it an international underwriter of specialty option strategies for their portfolios and is closed in the early 90s. To learn more about the insurance. Pilkington, an insurance industry based in Atlanta, GA. soup, visit www.itsgreektomefoods.com. veteran with almost 30 years experience, was president of Argo Group’s Excess & Surplus Penny Carnathan, `82, received a first- Robert F. Meyer, `69, authors Lines business segment and President of Colony place award for narrative feature writing Appointment in Riyadh, a novel Insurance, a unit of Argo Group’s E&S segment. in the American Association of Sunday that deals with the secret rescue and Feature Editors’ 19th annual writing of four U.S. hostages being Cindy Aaronson, `78, is a 2007 recipient competition. Carnathan wrote her winning held in Saudi Arabia in 1997. of the prestigious Young Investigator Award story, “Something Beautiful in Her Wake,” The hostages were located and rescued by granted by the National Alliance for Research about Susan McGovern, a Tampa woman who four former Green Berets without Saudi or U.S. on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). organized her own ’living wake’ when she government approvals. It hits the bookstores in NARSAD is the world’s largest donor-supported learned she was dying of cancer. spring of 2008. Meyer was a Green Beret for organization dedicated to funding research on Ann Liguori, `82, one of the four years and served in the Army reserve while psychiatric disorders, and its award grantees original sports talk show hosts attending USF. represent the best in the field – those who are doing the most innovative and promising at WFAN 660AM in New York, the first all-sports radio station 70s research. Aaronson, a researcher at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, is studying in the nation, got an exclusive interview with the top tennis player in the Bud Nocera, `71, VISIT the brain’s activity during panic attacks, as well world, Roger Federer during the U.S. Open. FLORIDA’s President and CEO, as a possible genetic basis for panic disorder The interview aired on WFAN Radio and on was selected as the Travel and depression. Her research could lead to www.wfan.com and is still available to hear Industry of America’s (TIA) State the development of successful therapeutic on www.annliguori.com. An updated edition Tourism Director of the Year. mechanisms for coping with panic of Ann's book, A Passion for Golf, Celebrity Nocera was presented the award during the and anxiety. Musings About the Game, is also available on association’s annual Educational Seminar for Jill Becker, `78, is co-anchor her website. Tourism Organizations held in Phoenix, Arizona. for “11 Alive News Today” from The State Tourism Director of the Year Award 5-7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
30 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 ,
Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: [email protected] or you can mail your information & photo to Karla Jackson: USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center ALC100 University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33620-5455
Debra Merskin, `83, is an associate The World Trade Center attack, and several Ken Smith, `86, is an anchor for WRAL TV in professor in the School of Journalism and stories about the Al Qaeda prisoners at the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba. Communication at the University of Oregon in Jacqueline Haynes, `87, is Eugene. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, Outside of work, his passions are playing principal of Blake High School in she became a broadcast media buyer for W. guitar, photography and spending time with his Tampa. Last summer, she hosted B. Doner and Company in St. Petersburg. After wife and two daughters. U.S. Rep. George Miller, chairman two years at Doner, she became a media Mark Manitz, MBA `84, was appointed of the House Committee on director for another St. Petersburg ad agency Education and Labor, and U.S. Rep. Kathy and later for a Tampa agency. She joined UO to BankAtlantic’s executive management committee as chief retail banking executive. Castor, who represents parts of Hillsborough, in 1993 and teaches advertising, among other Pinellas and Manatee counties in Congress, at subjects. She holds a master’s degree in liberal Manitz will be responsible for overseeing BankAtlantic’s store network, which includes Blake for a discussion with local educators on arts from USF St. Petersburg and a doctorate in the reform of the No Child Left Behind Act. mass communication from Syracuse University. over 100 stores throughout Florida. Manitz has 25 years experience in banking, most recently Jim Atchison, `88, was recently promoted Emory Welch, `83, is a partner as president and CEO of Bank of Florida, to president and chief operating officer in Velocity Sports Performance, a Southeast. Prior to that, he spent the majority for Busch Entertainment Corp, the family training center that helps athletes of his career at Bank of America. entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch get faster, stronger and more Manitz serves the Fort Lauderdale Historical Companies Inc. He was previously general explosive. Welch and partners Dr. manager for Sea World. Joseph Zamzow and Dr. Mike Majette opened Society as a board member and finance the center in November 2006 in Lakeland. committee member and is also a board Michael Dreyer, `87 & MSEE `89, was The center provides sports performance member and finance committee member for promoted to senior vice president of Laird’s enhancement and fitness training for youth Jack and Jill’s Children’s Center. Electromechanical Components & System and adults at every skill level, specializing Josette Urso, `80 & MFA `84, recently Divison. Previously he was vice president and in enhancing speed, power and agility. They exhibited her work in two galleries: “Layering general manager of Laird Technologies Thermal also have a specialized golf program. Space, Reconstructing Time-Collage“ at the business unit. Welch is also the CEO of Central Florida Kleinert/James Arts Center in Woodstock, N.Y., Therese Cullen Seal, `89, Human Services Inc., as well as the CEO of and ”Have a Seat! The Beylerian Collection was inducted into the U.S. Swim Mountain Youth Resources in western North of Small Chairs” at The Museum of Arts and School Association Hall of Fame Carolina. He and his wife, Jan, `82, live in Design in New York City. Urso was also part on Oct. 26, 2007. The U.S. Swim Lakeland with their kids Haley and Buddy. of a fall exhibition at the Landing Gallery in School Association Hall of Fame Rockland, Maine that featured six artists with honors individuals who have at least 20 Stan Wurm, a `83, graduate of the College Maine connections, called “Landscape: Theme years experience and have made exceptional of Business, is a sales representative for and Variation.” contributions to the swim school profession Ceridian, a human resources company in St. and learn-to-swim industry. Petersburg and a real estate consultant for Steve Dewsnap, `85, was named Bindman Bruzas Realty, also in St. Pete, as chief information officer of Mace Security Seal founded Seal Swim School in 1979 and well as a property appraiser. His son Jonathon International, Inc. A former captain in the her business has developed into one of the expects to transfer from St. Petersburg College U.S. Air Force, he has 18 years of experience largest learn-to-swim programs in Florida. to USF in the fall of 2008. in accounting and IT management, including She co-authored Swim Safe Little Seals, software implementation, information system a child’s introduction to water safety. Seal Carlos Granda, `84, joined audits and business development. also launched an educational water safety the ABC7 “Eyewitness News” Dewsnap also is a co-founder of Microliance, program that is modeled after the book. She is Team in Los Angeles as a general a member of the United States Swim School assignment reporter in April 1998. LLC, an information technology consulting firm specializing in software implementation Association, an American Red Cross Water He has been nominated for Safety Instructor Trainer, a competitive sailor five Emmy awards and won an Emmy for his and enhancements, and information system audits. Through Microliance, he has been an and has been a certified lifeguard for over 30 series on the homeless called “My Home is years. She resides at her lakefront home in the Street”. IT consultant with Mace for approximately five years and is now leaving Microliance to join Odessa, Florida. She enjoys spending time Granda began his career at WINK-TV, the CBS Mace full time. He is also a CPA. with her five children, their spouses and her affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida. At ABC7, Carlos grandchildren. has reported on the 2000 Democratic and David Lewis, `86, was recently named Republican conventions, election day in Austin, president/CEO of the Northwest Valley Texas, Elian Gonzalez’s deportation and Chamber of Commerce in Surprise, Arizona.
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 31 90s Professional Accountants’notes Network Consultant the American Society of Naval Engineers; and classexam. Runfola has been with CS&L, a full a member of the American Society of Military Devin Cuyler, `90, is a partner service Certified Public Accounting firm, Comptrollers and the Society of American in the Corporate & Securities since 1997. Military Engineers. Group at Reed Smith LLP in the Patricia DiCarlo, `93, is a senior producer Brian Brenneman, `94, vice president and San Francisco office. Reed Smith for CNN’s “Situation Room.” She previously wholesaler in Franklin Templeton Investments’ is one of the 15 largest law firms was an associate producer for the Oprah New York Stock Exchange Division, has in the world. He was formerly a partner in the Winfrey program in Chicago and before that been awarded the Investment Management Global Sourcing Practice in the San Francisco was executive producer for news for WTTG Consultants Association’s Certified Investment office of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. television in Washington, D.C. She won the Management Analyst (CIMA) designation. His practice focuses on global technology School of Mass Communications Outstanding Brenneman, who joined Franklin Templeton transactions, particularly global sourcing, Alumnus Award in 2007. in 2001, is based in St. Petersburg and is licensing, sales and distribution arrangements. responsible for promoting Franklin Templeton Charlotte Schulz, MFA `93, has a solo Cuyler earned undergraduate degrees in investment solutions to financial advisors show at the prestigious Aldrich Contemporary biology and philosophy from USF in 1990 and on the west coast of Florida. The CIMA Art Museum in Ridgefied, CT through June his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from John designation identifies those individuals who 2008: “Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Marshall School of Law in 1994. have met the rigorous experience and ethical Our Screens.” Her work was also featured in requirements, have successfully completed Marie Edmonson, `88 & M.A. `90, a an article in the spring 2007 issue of Drawing investment management coursework and have member of the USF Alumni Association board magazine, entitled “Space, Charcoal, and the passed the CIMA examination. of directors, recently passed the national Mind of Charlotte Schulz.” Certified Fraud Examiner's exam. Ret. Rear Admiral Gerald Woolever, `93, Barbara Emener-Karasek, M.A. `95, Vince Hughes, `90, a certified mortgage of the U.S. Coast Guard, was named senior married Tony Karasek in St. Augustine in planner with First Gulf Bank, recently executive account manager for the Department 2007 and they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach. transferred to the Spanish Fort Branch of Homeland Security Programs business She recently joined the PGA Tour as director located next to the Eastern Shore Centre in area of Harris Government Communications of corporate marketing and leads strategic Alabama. Hughes has more than 18 years in Systems. He is based in the company’s Falls marketing and activation planning for PGA Tour the mortgage and banking industry. He lives in Church, Virginia office. official marketing partners. Previously, Emener- Fairhope and is married with two children Karasek was senior manager of consumer Previously, Woolever was senior vice president marketing for NASCAR, and led national, Stephen Roggenbaum, M.A.`91, of the Field Operations division at Innovative regional, grass roots and Hispanic marketing was appointed to the Governor’s Suicide Logistics Techniques, Inc. and before that was efforts, including the year-end Champions Prevention Coordinating Council. He is an the program executive at The Boeing Company Week events in New York City. Prior to working assistant in research at the Louis de la Parte for USCG initiatives. for NASCAR, she held numerous positions with Florida Mental Health Institute at USF. His Woolever held numerous leadership the U.S. Olympic Committee. term runs through July 1, 2011. assignments while in the U.S. Coast Guard, Steve Johnston, `95, founded Home Steven K. Brown, `92, was appointed including assistant commandant for Human Discovery, a real estate firm that was featured president and CEO of Cygnus eTransactions Resources; commander of the 9th District, with in The Wall Street Journal recently as one of Group, Inc., a ticketing and e-commerce responsibility for operations on the northern five Top Real Estate Teams in the Nation: #5 company. Brown has 18 years of experience in maritime border of the U.S.; director of Coast for Sales Volume & #7 for Transaction Sides. the theme park industry, including executive Guard streamlining; chief of acquisition; responsibility for ticketing at both Walt Disney and commander, Maintenance and Logistics Diana Allan, `96, joined the Gulf Coast World and Disneyland. He graduated with a Command Pacific. Museum of Art in Largo as director of B.S. in Marketing from USF and received his development. She will be responsible for He has a B.S. in Engineering from the U.S. MBA at Emory University. the museum’s annual benefit event, grant Coast Guard Academy, an M.S. in Electrical writing, sponsorship opportunities and overall Dana Ludwig, `92, is a vice president with Engineering from the University of Rochester, management of the development department. Brown and Brown Insurance in Pinellas County. and an MBA from USF. He is on the board of directors for EADS North America; a member of She previously worked as annual giving officer Susan Runfola, `92, is a at St. Anthony’s Health Care Foundation and network administrator for the HLS Executive Committee for the National Defense Industrial Association; a member of manager of annual giving at All Children’s CS&L and recently passed both Hospital Foundation. the Microsoft Small Business the board of directors of the National Capital Specialist Certification and the Council Navy League of the U.S.; a member of Jamie Clark, `96, was recently nominated for
32 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 two prime time Emmy Awards for a show called to the school board in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Sports and also for the Orlando Magic (NBA) “Eureka” and another called “Drive.” He also She served as chairperson in 2004-05 and vice for two years. does visual effects work for film and television chairperson in 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2006-07. Randall Lo, `00, is an associate strategy and occasionally writes for magazines. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and earned director for Universal McCann advertising in a master’s degree in education from USF. A Sharon Epps, `96, has been accepted as a New York City. He previously worked for Carat former teacher, she also works with the Junior Fellow in the Association of Research Libraries advertising and was a media planner for Grey League, the MOMs Club, R’Club, HeadStart and Leadership and Career Development Program. Advertising in New York the Guardian ad Litem Program, and volunteers Maryellen Mott Allen, `97, was appointed at her children’s school. Charity Cosby Arthur, `01, is a reference librarian with a focus on distance Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office community education at the Gorgas Library at the Casanova Nurse, `99, resource officer and writes a column for The University of Alabama. of KHCW-TV has earned the Tampa Tribune. American Meteorological Matthew Harbert, `97, CFA, was awarded Society’s Certified Broadcast Erin Bishop, `01, was married his charter by the CFA Institute in the fall of Meteorologist (CBM) designation, to Manuel Dejesus on Oct. 6, 2007. Matthew is currently an analyst with a professional recognition of the quality of his 2007 in Charlotte, N.C. The CapTrust Financial. weather broadcasts. Casanova is one of five couple honeymooned in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. He is a Marnie Levy, `97, is a broadcast meteorologists in Houston, Texas, graphic designer and she is a second television director/technical to earn the new designation. grade teacher. director at The Weather Channel Casanova earned his certificate of the in Atlanta, GA. She works on the Broadcast Meteorology Program from Suzanna Cimato, `01, is an editor for latest show “Abrams and Bettes: Mississippi State University in 2003 and was Spectrum Productions in Tampa. Beyond the Forecast” along with directing the an intern in the weather offices of Tampa Nancy Fredericks, MLIS `01, is the branch “PM Edition” and “Evening Edition” shows television stations WTVT-TV and WFLA-TV manager of the Land O’ Lakes Library in Land at the Weather Channel. She has been a before becoming a meteorologist at WTXL- O' Lakes, Florida. Prior to that, she was a youth television director for 10 years, previously TV in Tallahassee in 2003. Casanova joined services librarian for Pasco County Library working with the Sally Jesse Raphael Show Houston’s KHCW-TV in 2006. Cooperative and a reference librarian for in New York City, WPTV NewsChannel 5 in Hernando County Library System. She was West Palm Beach, Florida and WTVT FOX 13 00s elected as an American Library Association in Tampa. Councilor-at-Large for a term that runs until 2009. Robert Piccirilli, `97, joined Gail McDonald-Chang, `89 & MPH `00, received her Patty Kim, `01, has joined the Moffitt Cancer CapTrust Financial Advisors, LLC, Center and Research Institute as a media as a consultant in the Wealth fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry at a convocation relations coordinator. Previously, she was the Advisory division. His primary health and fitness reporter for The Tampa Tribune. focus is on creating investment ceremony in June in San Diego, strategies for affluent families and individual CA. She is an associate with Dr. Angela Zuber D. Mulla, MSPH `94 & PhD `01, clients. Prior to joining CapTrust, he was a Tomlinson. and his colleagues recently completed a study private investment management (PIM) portfolio Lecia Fahie, `93 and M.A. of patients hospitalized throughout Florida for invasive infections caused by group A manager with the Tampa branch of Wachovia `03, a teacher at Witter Streptococcus, also known as the “flesh- Securities for seven years, and he was with Elementary, was a finalist for the eating” bacteria. They found that patients who UBS Paine Webber's Private Client Group for 2007 Ida S. Baker Award. The had the “flesh-eating” manifestation were three years. award, named after USF College almost six times as likely to have had a recent of Education Class of 1975 alumna, Ida S. Dr. Timothy Shelton, `97, completed his blunt trauma. Mulla is an associate professor Baker, recognizes teachers who are working physical medicine and rehabilitation residency and the director of epidemiologic research in to improve the quality of life for minorities from Emory University in July. the department of OB/GYN at the Texas Tech by helping to close the achievement gap in University Health Sciences Center School Lea Umberger, `98, recently designed sets academics. Fahie has a B.A. in Criminology and of Medicine in El Paso. The study has been for “A Line in the Sand,” presented at the NYC an M.A. in Elementary Education from USF. Midtown Fringe Festival. accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed Tina James, `00, is the community relations journal Annals of Epidemiology. Nancy N. Bostock, `99, manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. was elected chairperson of the Previously, she was communications manager Julie Sheil, `01, is a librarian in Guantanamo Pinellas County School Board on for United Arts of Central Florida. Prior to Bay, Cuba. Nov. 20. Bostock was elected that, she worked for Nickelodeon Games and Laura Lee Shields, `01, has been sworn into
JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 33 the Florida Bar as an attorney at and hisnotes wife, Laurie. the ILL and YA programming. law. She was also recently sworn classAbby Kennedy, `03, won Laurie Starck, `04, is enrolled at New York into the U.S. District Courts for a national award from the University Law School, studying international both the Northern and Middle National Council of Teachers law. She was previously a project manager Districts of Florida. Shields of English for using multimedia at Epic Systems Corporation in Madison, attended Barry University for law school, in the classroom. Recently she was featured Wisconsin. graduating in 2007. She is a plaintiff’s attorney on Channel 10 for the work she does with specializing in personal injury and products Olivia Turner, `04, is lifestyle director for podcasting and kids at Pasco High School. liability. BridgeWater, Lakeland. She was previously an Kennedy also is a College of Education account executive with Title Clearinghouse. Misty Spencer, `01, is director of Corporate doctoral student. Centers for Ideal Image Development Corp. She Nancy Comingore, MBA `05, has been Javier Leiva, `03, is a producer for Running is responsible for overseeing operations for all promoted to branch manager of People’s Bank Pony Productions, a major cable production the company’s corporate centers. Spencer, who in Venice, FL. Comingore joined People's in firm in Memphis, Tenn. He was previously has been with Ideal Image since 2005, earned January as an administrative assistant to the a promotions producer for a Clear Channel- a B.S. in Business from USF and an M.A. in lenders. She has more than 16 years of banking owned television station in Memphis and, Sports Management at UNLV. experience. before that, a videographer and editor at Hiroko Watanabe, M.A.`91 & `01, is WNCT television in Greenville, N.C. He won a T.J. Couch, Jr., `94, MBA `05, has been currently teaching Japanese at Middleton High Telly Award in 2003 for producing “Our Town: elected to serve as treasurer of Tampa’s and Tampa Bay Tech and playing the piano for Sarasota,” an hour-long documentary that Life Enrichment Center. Couch also serves her church. aired on WUSF television. on the Board of Trustees for the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and is vice president Roy Balleste, `02, is the director of the David J. Lienhart, `03 has of the University Commercial Center. Charles M. and Hilda H.M. Law Library and joined the firm of Roetzel & assistant professor at the University of the Andress as an associate in the Kristyn Horton, `05, is employed at Tribridge, District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School firm's Orlando office. Lienhart will a Microsoft-partnered consulting firm in Tampa. of Law, in Washington, D.C. concentrate his practice in the Dustin Robbins, `05, was recently hired as areas of commercial bankruptcy and creditors’ Joanna Norcross Coke, `02, graduated an Intervention Specialist at ACTS (Agency for rights, representing secured and unsecured with an MFA from Louisiana State Community Treatment Services) in Tampa. creditors. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree University Baton Rouge and is now a from the University of Virginia and his B.A., Catherine “Cat” Thompson, MFA `05, working professional artist with a studio in the summa cum laude, from USF. had a solo exhibition at Undercurrent Arts in Sarasota area. She teaches private and group Miami in the fall of 2007. art classes. Dana Cavalea, `04, is now the director of strength and conditioning for the New Meagan Albright, `06, was the first place Michael Giel, BA `02, joined the York Yankees. He also has worked with the winner of the 2007 Public Library Association Jacksonville office of McGuireWoods LLP, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Bluejays. He’s annual feature article contest. She was where he will practice in the complex currently completing his Master's degree in awarded $500 for her article, “The Public commercial litigation department. Sports Performance and Injury Prevention at Library’s Responsibility to LGBT Communities Ryan Haczynski, `02, a Religious Studies Cal U. He holds certifications from the National - Recognizing, Representing and Serving,“ major and an English teacher at Durant High Strength and Conditioning Association, which was published in Public Libraries, Sept/ School, won $50,000 on the ABC show, “Who National Academy of Sports Medicine and the Oct edition. Albright is the youth services Wants to be a Millionaire.“ United States Weightlifting Association. librarian at the Alvin Sherman Library for Nova Southeastern University in Broward County. Freda Scott, M.Ed `02, was Monica A. Johnson, `04, is a communications named to Who’s Who Among specialist for Emory Radiology in the School of Stephanie Farina, `06, American Teachers & Educators Medicine at Emory University. She previously interned at Chicago’s historic 2006-07. Ms. Scott has a was a brand manager for Busch Gardens. Goodman Theatre in sound Master's degree in Educational design. Leadership from the USF St. Petersburg Cammie L. Krusoe, `04, died in September 2007 as a result of a pedestrian accident in Albert Gibbs II, `06, was campus. She is a member of the Alumni named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Association's Pinellas County Chapter. Tampa. Her family created a School of Mass Communications scholarship fund in her name. 30 Under 30 Class of 2007. The annual list Matt Spoor, MBA `02, was named Tarpon features up-and-comers in their respective Jenny Binaghi Lichtenwalner, `04, is Springs City Manager in September. Spoor, 30, fields. Gibbs works for PMSI, a provider of a reference librarian at the Scotch Plains Public was formerly the city’s leisure services director. integrated workers compensation services. Library in Scotch Plains, N.J. She also manages He lives in St. Petersburg, with his two children
34 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 Meg Kribble, `06, is a reference and Ben Grant, `07, is a copywriter at Schifino Arleen Spenceley, `07, is an editorial instructional services librarian in the Shepard Lee Advertising and Public Relations in Tampa. assistant for the St. Petersburg Times. She Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern Amanda Hall, `03 & MBA wrote a major article for the Times’ editorial University in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. section in August. `07, accepted an administrative Ellen Landa, `06, is a reference librarian for fellowship position with BayCare Naomi Williams, B.A. `07, Palm Beach County. Health System. is the recipient of the Leland Hawes Undergraduate Essay Elizabeth Mckenna, `06, is marketing Kara Holland, MFA `07, and Prize in Florida History. She director for Invisible Fence in Tampa. MFA candidate April Childers exhibited their won the award for her paper work at the highly respected Miami gallery Lisa Murison, `06, is a public relations “The Struggle for Gay Rights in Tampa and Locust Projects. Holland and Childers were in coordinator for Carowinds, a 108-acre theme Hillsborough County: 1989 – 1995.“ Williams “Rediviva,“ an exhibition that ran from July park located on the border separating North received the prize and $500 award at the 14 until August 31. Also featured were former Carolina and South Carolina. She lives annual meeting of the Tampa Bay History MFA students The Fluff Constructivists and in Charlotte. Center last January. Noah Doely. The USF artists contributed to an Matt Townsend, `06, is an editor at the installation that included a series of sculptures Florida Real Estate Journal in Winter Haven. and drawings based on the debris scattered In Memoriam over Nacogdoches, Texas, in 2003, when the Marissa Ball, `07, won an award to attend Jeanne Hall Traugott, `71, Dec. 2 the Association of College & Research Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated while Steven Alan Oransky, `72, Dec. 12, 2006 Libraries conference in Baltimore as well as re-entering earth's atmosphere. John Conrad Borden, `73, Dec. 2 the Shirley Olofson Memorial Award from the Ann Stephanian Kale, `07, a Manatee American Library Association to attend the County substitute teacher and children’s book John Charles Osborn, `74, Nov. 23 national conference in D.C. author, has written Going to College with Amy L. Welsh, `00, Sept. 18 Belise Borroto, `07, is the producer for Grandma based on her experiences at USF. The Cammie Krusoe, `04, Sept. 12 the “Pilas Pilar Pregunta” segment, which septuagenarian was an honors student at USF Debra Twine Williams, `07, Nov. 5 airs twice weekly during prime time news Sarasota-Manatee and a William G. Selby and on WVEA, Tampa Bay’s Univision affiliate. Marie Selby Achiever. She also is a full-time family development Sharon R. Lee, `07, a teacher specialist at Everyday Blessings and assists the at Brandon High, won the 2007 adoption and foster care agency’s executive Florida Council of Teachers of director with public relations as needed. In English Teacher of Excellence addition, she is a freelance public relations Award and was one of the two writer for a local artist who invented “resist runners up for the Teacher of the painting” and who teaches disadvantaged Year award. children his technique, and then dedicates the murals they complete to the city and Keri Logan, `07, mayor of Tampa and to other area individuals previously Keri and organizations. Dhondup, joined Eckerd Alyson Boucher, `07, is an associate news College in producer for WBNS television, the CBS affiliate St. Petersburg as the new serving Columbus and central Ohio. instructional services/ Stanley Bukowski, `07, was science librarian on July named a King O’Neal Scholar in 1, 2007. She’s one of five August, a title bestowed upon full-time librarians, and students who complete their the liaison for the Natural USF coursework with a 4.0 GPA. Sciences Collegium. Presented by the USF Alumni Association, the Shawn Nazario, `07, is a King O’Neal Scholar Award is named after production assistant at WFTS Lucas King and Evelyn O’Neal. television, Tampa’s ABC affiliate. Scott Butherus, M.A. `07, is a content Bruni Oquendo, `07, is a sales and producer for TBO.com in Tampa. He marketing representative for WTTA covers sports. television in Tampa. athletics By Kathy L. Greenberg moved to the Class of 1993 University of Arkansas, where Basketball is more than just a sport for Stan he elevated the Heath, the new head coach of USF’s men’s Razorbacks to basketball team. It’s a vehicle for imparting a competitive lessons that the 43-year-old has translated into team. Arkansas a life philosophy. made it to an SEC Championship game and “I’ve found a balance through sports. I know then earned two NCAA Tournament berths how quickly things change. So I enjoy the in 2005 and 2006. moment and have a positive outlook on life,” Heath’s strong record caught the eye of USF Heath says. director of athletics Doug Woolard. In April His strategy clearly works, because it’s led to a 2007, the university hired him as head coach for head coaching career, national recognition as a the men’s basketball team. Though reluctant to top recruiter and a close-knit family with wife, make predictions, his vision for the Bulls reflects Ramona, and sons Jordan, 16, and Joshua, 12. the high standards he’s applied to his career. In turn, these qualities are a great asset to USF’s “I’m trying to build a culture of winning, but athletics department. my players also know that they’ve got to get Heath’s success story began in his hometown the job done in the classroom,” Heath says. of Detroit, Michigan, where his father, Stan Heath’s value system is perhaps most evident Heath Jr., instilled in him a strong work ethic in the personal connections he makes with his and a passion for basketball. While he enjoyed players. During his five-year tenure at Arkansas, playing and watching the game, Heath also he gained a reputation as an outstanding appreciated the discipline required to succeed recruiter, courting some of the best young in the sport. By his own experiences and his athletes in the country. In 2003, 2004 and father’s example, he learned to “work hard, 2006, his signing classes were ranked among fight through adversity, never give up and the top 15 in the nation. Through regular exceed expectations.” communication and a show of genuine interest From 1984 to 1987, he was a three-year letter- in the lives of these young people, Heath has winner at Eastern Michigan University, where discovered the key to forging lasting associations he received his undergraduate degree in 1988. and impacting the world of college basketball. Before earning a master’s degree in sports “Recruiting is about relationships. The administration from Wayne State University individual and family need a trust level in 1993, he had already begun coaching with the recruiter. It’s an inside-outside professionally. His first college-level position theory: start in the back yard and work was as assistant coach at Hillsdale College in out,” says Heath. Michigan, and he quickly advanced to associate head coach at Wayne State University, followed From the basketball court to his own by Bowling Green State University and back yard, his life philosophy comes Michigan State University. full circle. When not coaching or recruiting, he plays basketball Heath scored a place at Michigan State in with his boys, attends shows 1996 with an odd if not memorable tactic that at the Tampa Bay Performing shows just how determined he is. He requested Arts Center and enjoys a mannequin’s arm from a shopping center the city’s fine restaurants. and sent it to Spartans coach Tom Izzo. An And though a dedicated accompanying note read, “I’ll give my right sportsman, he says his arm to work with you.” Izzo hired him. favorite hobby is family. In 2001, he landed his first college-level head “I value what’s important— coaching job at Kent State University. He led family and relationships,” the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record and an Heath says. Elite Eight appearance. One year later Heath
36 ALUMNIVOICE I JANUARY 2008 your membership in action calendar JANUARY 13 Atlanta Chapter: Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls, 2 p.m., Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA. 14 University Lecture Series: Maya Angelo, 7 p.m., Sun Dome Arena; $5 for alumni with ID; $10 for the public. 16 New York Chapter Networking and Wine Tasting, 6 p.m., Divine Bar West, 236 W 54th Street, New York, N.Y. 21 All USF campuses are closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. 22 Tampa Club Young Professionals Networking Mixer, 5:30 p.m., Bank of America, Downtown Tampa. RSVP to [email protected] 24 University Lecture Series: Jerry Springer, 8 p.m., Sun Dome Corral; $3 for alumni with ID; $8 for the public. 26 Broward Chapter: Breakfast with the Bulls, Time and location to be determined. Contact [email protected] for details. 26 Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Invasion, 11:30 a.m., Downtown Tampa. Visit http://www.gasparillapiratefest.com/ for details. 31 USF Career Networking Fair, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sun Dome. Visit http://www.career.usf.edu/ for details. 31 Alumni Awards Nomination Deadline, award forms can be downloaded at http://www.usfalumni.org by clicking “Alumni Awards” under Quick Links.
FEBRUARY 9 Atlanta Chapter: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Atlanta Thrashers, 7 p.m., Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA. 16 Geology Alumni Society Banquet, 6 p.m. Location to be announced. Visit http://www.usfalumni.org/Geology for details. 22-23 USF Alumni Association Board Meetings, Sarasota-Manatee Campus. Contact Jenny Cater at (813) 974-9127 or [email protected] for details. 25 3rd Annual LEGS Golf Tournament, 12:30 p.m., Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. Contact Bev Jewesak, `86, at (813) 974-5390 or [email protected] for details.
MARCH 1 College of Education Children’s Festival, 11 a.m., Tampa Campus. Contact Paulette Walker at [email protected] for details. 4 University Lecture Series: Spike Lee, 7 p.m., Sun Dome Corral; $3 for alumni with ID; $8 for the public. 6 Business Etiquette Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center, Tampa Campus. Visit http://www.career.usf.edu/ for details. 13 BIG EAST Fan Extravaganza, Madison Square Garden, New York City. Visit www.USFAlumni.org for details. 14 BIG EAST Career Fair, Madison Square Garden, New York City. Visit http://www.career.usf.edu/ for details. 15 Atlanta Chapter: St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown Atlanta. Visit http://www.usfalumni.org/Atlanta for details.
Event dates and details are subject to change. Please visit the Alumni Association website at www.USFalumni.org for the latest information. JANUARY 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 37 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID USF Alumni Association TAMPA FL PERMIT NO 923 Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC 100 Tampa, FL. 33620-5455
Membership Renewal Date: