Spring 2006 Issue of the Florida Tech TODAY
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President’s Perspective Dear Florida Tech Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the Spring 2006 issue of the Florida Tech TODAY. This issue tells the story of how our alumni, faculty and students continue to make a difference in every corner of the world. Their efforts are a credit to them and the univer- sity they represent. Our cover story features a group of alumni who are putting their degrees to amazing use as TODAY they lead the charge to reclaim Florida’s dying Everglades. The story of their efforts, in both words and pictures, should be Florida Institute of Technology an inspiration to us all. PRESIDENT Anthony James Catanese, Ph.D., FAICP People can get annual flu shots, but protecting computers against a virus SR. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADvaNCEMENT Thomas G. Fox, Ph.D. is a multi-stepped process. One of our faculty, computer scientist Richard Florida Tech TODAY is published three times a year by Florida Tech’s Office for Advancement and is Ford, lays out all the “dos and don’ts” for keeping your computer healthy. distributed to over 50,000 readers. Engineering Professor Fred Ham shares in this issue a personal tale MANAGING EDITOR/DESIGNER Judi Tintera, [email protected] of sacrifice and remembrance as he chronicles the decommissioning of a EDITOR Jay Wilson, [email protected] battleship on which he served during three tours of duty in Vietnam. His ASSISTANT EDITOR Karen Rhine, [email protected] COPY EDITOR Christena Callahan, [email protected] story is a fascinating one, and it seems hard to believe that his tours took CLASS NOTES REPORTER Verna Layman, [email protected] place nearly 40 years ago. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joan Bixby, Christena Callahan, Diane Deaton, Ken Droscher, Fred Ham, Christa Closer to home, the Fulbright Scholars program has brought the world’s Parulis-Kaye, Melinda Millsap, Karen Rhine, Barbara best scholars to Florida Tech, as this profile of several graduate students will Ross, Jay Wilson attest. The program will also send one of our finest scholars to the world, PRODUCTION Rob Gribbroek as marine biologist Ralph Turingan will return later this year to teach and WEB DESIGN Josh Culver CIRCULATION Mike Dotson research in his native Philippines. PHOTOGRAPHY Gary Campbell, Ken Droscher, Fred Finally, we celebrate the best in Panther athletics in this issue, Ham, Patrick Lynch, Dave Potter, Karen Rhine commemorating the induction of four elite student-athletes into our Hall of ALUMNI OFFICE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADvaNCEMENT Fame. You can learn more about these Panther greats who came from all AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION over the world and right around the corner. Ken Droscher (321) 674-7191, [email protected] ASSOCIATE ALUMNI DIRECTOR Diane Deaton Best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy summer. (321) 674-7198, [email protected] ASSISTANT ALUMNI DIRECTOR Marjorie Beckett ’98 (321) 674-7642, [email protected] Sincerely yours, ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK Hazel Rosskamp (321) 674-7190, [email protected] HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH Florida Tech, Office of University Communications, A.J. Catanese, Ph.D., FAICP 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901-6975 President (321) 674-6218, Fax (321) 674-6399, [email protected] CHANGING ADDRESSES? Don’t leave copies of your alumni magazine behind. Send your new address to Florida Tech, Office of Alumni Affairs, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901-6975, [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES Ken Droscher, Office of Alumni Affairs, (321) 674-7191, [email protected] www.fit.edu © Copyright 2006 by Florida Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means whole or in part without permission is prohibited. For reprint information, contact Florida Tech TODAY at (321) 674-6218, Fax (321) 674-6399, or [email protected]. 2 In This Issue SPRING 2006 • Volume 15, ISSue 1 Cover Story: Restoring the Everglades Feature Story: 37 Years Later Rollin’ on the River Event–Francisco “Kiko” Picornell ’84, ’85, ’87, and Pat Picornell cover story alumni news FTAA Membership Application 10 18 Alumni Lead the Charge to Restore America’s Everglades Tommy Strowd ’76 and Ken Ammon ’75 direct one of the nation’s most significant From the FTAA President 11 environmental initiatives—restoration of the Everglades. Fraternally Speaking 11 Rollin’ on the River 12 features D.C. Reception Draws a Crowd 12 16 Protect Your Computer First Award Recipient 13 Tips to keep your computer healthy from Computer Scientist Richard Ford. Panthers vs. Cougars 13 Shaw, Denius Instrumental in Founding—Part II 14 25 Thirty-seven Years Later ... A Remembrance of Time Spent a Fun Night at the Pier 14 World Away Florida Tech Harris Professor for Electrical Engineering Dr. Fred Ham travels down Class Notes 32 memory lane as he recounts decommissioning the naval ship USS Camden. 27 Fulbright Scholars: Immersed in the Academic Melting Pot Five Florida Tech Fulbright Scholars recount their impressions of life and learning in their home away from home. Alumni Association departments Jim Downey ’74, President, Colorado Springs, President’s Perspective . .2 Faculty Profile: Carolyn Fausnaugh...22 CO (520) 452-0030; [email protected] Mailbag.........................4 Faculty Briefs . .29 Russ Ballagh ’74, Vice President, Venice, FL (941) 497-1307; [email protected] On Campus . .5 Athletics .......................31 Jim Thomas ’72, Treasurer, Melbourne, FL Advancement . 9 Calendar .......................34 (321) 779-0223; [email protected] Alumni Profile: Catharina Haynes . .15 Alan Prestwood ’73, ’80, Secretary, West Melbourne, FL (321) 953-1541; [email protected] This month’s cover: On-site at a water control structure, Tommy Strowd ’76 (left) and Ken Ammon ’75 discuss flows near the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, one of several large, protected areas in the Everglades that are benefiting from ecosystem restoration. (SFWMD–Patrick Lynch, photographer) Florida Tech TODAY | 3 Mailbag The Brevard County tag office is promoting the Panther License Plate. Dear Fellow Florida Tech Alumni: Many youths and adults contem- Please support the Panther License plate the decision to attend a college Plate Program! Prospective students at various points in their lives, the should know we take pride in our great idea of them having seen a Panther university. License Plate plants a seed in their I learned of the Panther License mind, which could ultimately sway Plate Program as I am currently them into attending our great univer- deployed in Iraq and I immediately sity. I am sure you are aware there contacted Ken Droscher (Executive was much time and effort put into Director of the Florida Tech Alumni getting the Panther License Plate and Association) to express my interests in it would take twice the effort to regain purchasing the Panther License Plate it if we lose it. Anywhere and I also asked what I could do to help. Please support the efforts and Since my current residency does not display pride in our great university! allow me to purchase the Panther Plate, Sincerely, I decided to send in a letter to support Gregory Montgomery you want the efforts. ’03 M.S., ’04 M.B.A. Tell us what you'd like to see and give us your responses to the articles that you've read in the magazine. We'd love to hear from you. Send your. comments to the editor, Jay to go! Wilson, [email protected]. A Look Back in History Florida Institute of Technology’s 50th anniversary is fast approach- ing, but our history is slipping away Convenient parking all too quickly. Our history survives Hassle-free check-in only if it is documented for posterity. Short security lines The university has formed a History Committee whose purpose, in coop- eration with the Professors Emeriti, is to identify and collect memorabilia, publications, photographs, documents and other items of historic value. HELP, LET US KNOW WHERE IT IS! MELBOURNE Please contact me, Professor Emeritus Dr. Harry Weber, and let me know INTERNATIONAL what you have or where it is. I can be reached at [email protected] or toll free at (866) FLA-TECH. Or drop me a letter to Florida Institute of Technology, c/o AIRPORT Alumni House, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, Attn. Dr. Weber. www.mlbair.com 4 On Campus Florida Tech earns 10-Year Accreditation lifetime of Achievement Reaffirmation Dr. Jose A. Martinez-Diaz, associate profes- The university received reaffirmation of its sor and program chair of the Florida Tech School of accreditation for the next 10 years from the Southern Psychology Applied Behavior Analysis Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Master’s Degree Program, has earned university undergoes the exhaustive review process a Florida Association of Behavior every decade. Analysis Charles H. Cox Award. The “Our hard work and dedication to our mission award is for outstanding service and drew just seven recommendations from the SACS for the advancement of behavior analy- review committee this time, compared to 62 recom- sis in Florida in 2005. mendations in 1995. We should all be proud that The award is named after Charles we’ve come such a long way,” said President H. Cox, director of the Florida Anthony J. Catanese. Department of Health and Human Dr. Robert Fronk, vice provost for academic Services Developmental Services affairs, led the Florida Tech SACS accreditation Program Office in the 1970s and team. The team has worked since 2002 to supply early 1980s. SACS evaluators with relevant information. Martinez-Diaz, a board certified “We are grateful for the efforts of Dr. Fronk and behavior analyst, founded the graduate his team in this essential process,” said Catanese. program in applied behavior analysis at “Of special note is the Quality Enhancement Florida Tech and replicated it at University College’s Plan, which is the new SACS requirement.