The keeper of the kingdom Crofton named president of Walt Disney World said Crofton, who earned her bach- duced to the concept of marketing elor’s degree in marketing in 1974 when her father, the late Charles and a Master of Business Adminis- “Chuck” Gilbert — a former serv- tration degree in 1975, both from iceman, test pilot and aerospace ex- FSU. “I honestly wake up every ecutive — would take her to his of- day and think, ‘This is going to be fice on the occasional weekend to a great day.’” watch him work. Later,as a student Since Crofton’s beginning at FSU, she took her first marketing with the Disney organization in course and was captivated by the 1977, the corporate climb has been subject. a steady one because of her willing- “It just hooked me,” she said. ness to turn learning into a lifelong “Marketing is a great way to look endeavor. In 27 years with Disney, at the world. Whether you’re talk- Meg Gilbert Crofton she seems to have done it all. From ing about selling products and hotel operations to convention sales services or you’re talking about and account services, she has ap- shaping minds and hearts as a Courtesy Walt Courtesy Disney Walt Resort World proached the challenges of each leader, there are a lot of marketing By Jeffery Seay Editor in Chief University alumna Meg Gilbert new position as fresh opportunities principles that you can translate, al- Crofton was named president of to further the Disney mission — to most literally, from marketing Walt Disney World Resort. She is provide the finest in family enter- products and services into leading t Disney theme parks the fourth person and the first tainment and create magical mem- people.” around the world, this woman to hold the job, which ories. While earning her M.B.A. at FSU, is the “Year of a Million makes her responsible for keeping “It didn’t really matter Crofton accepted a graduate assist- Dreams.” For one the popular, 35-year-old central whether I was in a staff role or a di- antship with marketing Professor longtime Disney executive, the idea Florida resort profitable, its 59,000 rect operating role, I always felt Emeritus Persis Rockwood, who has taken on meaning beyond that employees productive and its mil- very connected to the mission and specialized in market research. of a catchy marketing slogan. It apt- lions of guests happy. vision, and always could easily see Crofton also served as president of Aly describes her feelings about a “I was thinking one day right how my role, no matter what I did, the FSU Marketing Club, which change in job titles that is a dream after we launched the ‘Year of a aligned with that purpose,” worked to give students real-world come true. Million Dreams’ guest initiative Crofton said. experience. (Continued on page 15) This past August, Florida State that I really do have my dream job,” Early in life, Crofton was intro- FSU biologists uncover mechanisms that shape cells By Libby Fairhurst PNAS February–March 2007 FSU News and Public Affairs edition of the journal (Pro- ceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). n a landmark study, biologists “We have identified a novel at Florida State University component in the polarization of have uncovered a specific ge- the fruit-fly egg and the signals that netic and molecular mecha- determine the anterior-posterior nism that regulates cell polarity — positioning of its head and ab- the asymmetric shape or composi- domen,” Deng said. tion critical to a cell’s proper func- “Such a discovery in the bio- tioning. The researchers’ findings in logical model provided by Tallahassee, FL 32310-6068 Florida State University 1600 Red Barber Plaza, SuitePublic 104 Broadcast Center Drosophila fruit-fly eggs may help to clarify oocytes has broad impli- how muscular dystrophy and some cations in humans, where, for ex- cancers develop in humans. ample, neurons in the brain are de- That’s because many of the signed, or polarized, to interpret in- genes involved in the cell-to-cell formation from the sense organs, communication that trigger the de- and intestinal cells are polarized to velopment of cell polarity in Drosophila take up nutrients and move them oocytes (unfertilized into the bloodstream,” he said. fruit-fly eggs) also are known play- Poulton explained that in or- ers in the pathogenesis of those dis- der to ensure cell polarity in the Drosophila eases. oocyte, the cells sur- The research performed by rounding it activate a classic signal- FSU Assistant Professor Wu-Min ing pathway known as the Epider- Wu-Min Deng Deng and doctoral student John S. mal Growth Factor Receptor Poulton in the department of bio- (EGFR) in a process that also is es- logical science could foster a better sential to development in humans overall understanding of polarity and a wide range of other organ- and how it develops — and why it isms. doesn’t, sometimes with dire conse- “Our study shows that EGFR Montgomery, AL Permit #335 PAID U.S. Postage Organization Non-Profit quences — in other types of cells activation in the cells surrounding and organisms. the fruit-fly oocyte acts to turn off a Results from the FSU study gene known as Dystroglycan, halt- (Continued on page 15) FSU Photo Lab / Michele Edmunds were described in the Aug. 22, 2006, 2 / February–March 2007 February–March 2007 / 3 West Point gains FSU alumnus as superintendent By Bayard Stern cluding the Distinguished Service and humbling when they offered While at FSU, Hagenbeck was Managing Editor Medal and the Defense Superior me the job. The challenges I face are a graduate assistant football coach Why We Chose Service Medal. Prior to starting his probably similar to (FSU President) under Bobby Bowden, with whom Lt. Gen. Franklin G. Hagen- post at West Point, he worked at the T.K. Wetherell in that we need to he still keeps in touch. He assisted beck’s military career started when Pentagon and was the deputy chief constantly be working to ensure that defensive-ends coach Jim Gladden WESTCOTT LAKES AT SOUTHWOOD he graduated from the U.S. Military of staff G-1, of the U.S. Army. we have a steady, predictable stream during the 1977 season. Academy at West Point, N.Y. After “Being deputy chief of staff of resources, and that means talent- “Being at FSU was one of the steadily moving up the chain of was a big job,” he said. “I had over- ed people and dollars that come best times I ever had,” Hagenbeck SPONSORED BY FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY command for more than 30 years, sight of 1.1 million soldiers and a from a variety of sources.” said. “It was a great change to go the Florida State University alum- budget of about $50 billion-plus. I College students all over the from five years where I had been out nus has been asked to come back as was still a staff person who had country may be similar in some re- in the fields with Army units to the academy’s 57th superintendent. quite a bit of autonomy under our spects, but many West Point stu- come back to Florida and to live in “It’s a real honor,” said Hagen- chief, but nonetheless had a very di- dents already know what they will Tallahassee. beck, who assumed the post in June rect reporting chain right there in the do after they graduate, according to Having the opportunity to be a 2006 after being nominated by Pres- Pentagon. I have a little more free- Hagenbeck. Franklin Hagenbeck graduate assistant with Bobby Bow- It’s a Gift to ident Bush the previous February. dom as superintendent.” Hagen- “The students here face the den allowed me to see pieces of the “It’s such a prestigious institution, it beck said his new position gives him same challenges that any other uni- a Master of Science degree in exer- university that a lot of folks don’t get Our Children took me back a little bit when they pause to reflect, and he faces differ- versity students face,” he said. “But cise physiology in 1978. He went on to, and I developed some lifelong offered me the position.” ent kinds of responsibilities than he in addition to that, they know at the to teach at West Point in the depart- friends there.” Over his distinguished career, did in his previous assignments. conclusion of their four years here at ment of physical education until Hagenbeck’s connection to Hagenbeck has commanded at “I never aspired to do this be- the academy that they will be com- 1981; during that time, he also FSU now extends to his children. “ every level, from company through cause it seemed so far-reaching,” he missioned as second lieutenants. earned a Master of Business Admin- His son graduated in 1991 and his division. His service includes a stint said. “Some of the men who have The probability of them being per- istration degree from Long Island daughter graduated in 1993. He as the commanding general of the sat here include (Generals) Douglas sonally involved in the global war University. His military education added that he tries to attend FSU Army’s 10th Mountain Division, MacArthur and Maxwell Taylor. I on terrorism is a reality.” includes the Army War College, the football games at least once a year. ” which fought with coalition forces in never thought I would ever be su- Hagenbeck graduated from Army Command and General Staff Hagenbeck is scheduled to Afghanistan in 2002.