calendar CONTENTS

FEATURES 10 15 22 Guiding Light John Rose, `73 & M.A. `75, began his career as an advocate for the disabled while he was still a student at USF, by showing campus officials how something as simple as a curb could be a barrier to an education.

24 Mechanics of Movement USF dance instructor Merry Lynn Morris, `96, collaborates with the College of Engineering on a chair that allows the disabled to dance – an indirect homage to her father. 26 Marathon Man 16 18 The first time George Murray, `83, took a racing wheelchair for a spin around the old USF track, he knew he was onto something big. Now 30 years and countless wins later, he’s considered a pioneer in the field of wheelchair racing and design. 18 Busting the Grammar Police June Casagrande, `89, has a few words for those people who use grammar rules as a weapon: Just be nice!

16 Risky Business Reggie Hubbard, `74, left a comfortable career as a retail executive to take a chance as an entrepreneur – and it paid off. Now he’s paying it forward by sharing his expertise with 5 6 20 MBA students.

DEPARTMENTS

2 President’s Message 13 Chapters & Societies Inclusion 3 News Roundup 20 Blast From the Past USF alumni break down 4 USF Spotlight 21 That Was Then; This is Now barriers and set records 5 News Roundup 21 Share a Memory on behalf of those who 6 Letters to the Editor 29 Class Notes are differently abled. 6 Where’s Rocky? 34 In Memoriam PAGE 22 7 Movers & Shakers 35 Athletics 10 Q&A 37 Calendar

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APRIL 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] USFalumni.org Alumni Voice magazine is published Hello Fellow Alumni, four times a year in January, April, July and October by and for members It doesn’t matter if it’s been one year or 40 years since you of the USF Alumni Association. A $40 graduated from USF, it’s important that you are a member membership fee includes Alumni Voice of the USF Alumni Association – both for you and your magazine as a member benefit. alma mater. Alumni Voice Magazine Editorial: Karla Jackson, The benefits of membership for alumni are obvious: the [email protected] or opportunity to stay connected to old friends and meet new Rita Kroeber [email protected] ones at Alumni Association events. But did you know that Advertising: Jim Gundry, proftampa@ your membership also helps the University? Here’s how: aol.com or 813-286-8299; Rita Kroeber, 813-974-6312 or [email protected] A thriving Alumni Association is an essential factor in the University’s national Design: McShane Communications rankings, which in turn, increases the value of our degrees. Contributing Authors in this Issue: • Debra Bernal The Alumni Association enhances the University’s reputation by encouraging • Jeremy Canody excellence through our leadership programs, such as the USF Ambassadors, and • Kathy L. Greenberg our scholarship and award programs, such as the prestigious Kosove Scholarship • David Hein • Mary Patrick Walker and the Outstanding Senior Award. Alumnus George Murray, a national wheelchair racing champion who is profiled in this issue, was named Outstanding Alumni Association Contact Senior in 1983, something he describes as an “amazing experience.” Information Executive Director: John Harper, `76 The Alumni Association helps shape the future of USF by serving as counsel to Membership: 813-974-2100 or University administration, developing meaningful relationships and creating 800-299-BULL Alumni & Student Programs: opportunities for campus collaboration. 813-974-2100 General Alumni The Alumni Association connects graduates to each other and to the University Email: [email protected] through our communications, such as the monthly e-newsletter, AlumNews, and Giving/Scholarships: the magazine that you’re holding in your hands, Alumni Voice. Inside, you’ll find [email protected] stories about one of USF’s top women athletes, Wanda Guyton, a former WNBA USF Bulls License Plate: player who was the first woman to have her athletic jersey retired at USF. You’ll www.BullsPlate.org also read about John Rose, an alumnus with Cerebral Palsy who campaigned for Alumni Association website: better access for disabled students, and Merry Lynn Morris, an alumna and faculty USFalumni.org member who’s spearheading a project that will allow the disabled to dance. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please write to Karla Jackson at Joining the USF Alumni Association is a win-win for you and for USF. Every [email protected] or mail to the membership counts toward helping USF achieve greatness. I challenge you to get address at the top of the page. Views involved. Help your University by encouraging other alumni to engage and learn expressed in Alumni Voice magazine about us by visiting the alumni website at www.USFalumni.org. We thank you do not necessarily reflect the opinions for your support. of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the In Bull Pride, editorial staff. New Address? Moving? 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 Jeff Spalding, `87 Alumni Voice, USF Alumni Association, Life Member 4202 East Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, Charlotte, N.C. FL 33620.© 2008 All rights reserved.

2 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 newsroundup Diamond Confucius Anniversary Institute Opens The Sam and Martha A delegation of Gibbons Alumni Center representatives from the opened 10 years ago this Consulate General of the month, on the southern People’s Republic of China edge of USF’s Tampa in Houston and Nankai campus, next to the University in Tianjin, were Lifsey House on on hand for the opening of Alumni Drive. the USF Confucius Institute The center, named in honor of retired U.S. Congressman Sam Gibbons in March. USF is the first university in Florida and the first major public and his late wife, Martha, provides USF alumni with a home base and research university in the southeastern United States to establish a houses the Alumni Association archives. Gibbons, who is known as Confucius Institute. the “Father of USF,” was the driving force behind the creation of the The USF Confucius Institute will assist the educational and business University and its medical school. communities in Tampa Bay in developing closer ties with China through The center expanded in 2004. At 18,514 square-feet, it now houses Chinese language instruction and the incorporation of Chinese culture the administrative offices for the USF Alumni Association, USF Office into an array of classes including business, public health, the humanities of Development and the USF Foundation. It’s also a popular site for and the arts. The institute is a partnership between the Chinese meetings, wedding receptions and other special events. Stop by and visit government and educational institutions around the world. during business hours or view it anytime at www.USFalumni.org > AboutUs. Gifts Endow Remembering Scholarships Grace Allen A $5 million gift to USF from an anonymous donor Traditions Hall was filled in support of academic on March 7th with alumni, and scholarship programs faculty, administrators and for under-represented the many friends of Grace students is eligible for Allen, the former “First Lady a dollar-for-dollar match of USF” who passed away from the State of Florida, establishing a $10 million endowment. Dec. 16 at age 99. Of the $10 million total, $8 million has been earmarked for university- Mrs. Allen, wife of USF’s wide, need-based scholarship initiatives, with preference to supporting founding president, John women and minorities as part of the USF Diversity Scholarship Initiative. Allen, was instrumental in helping her husband lay the groundwork The remaining $2 million will establish the USF Academic Endowment for the University. She was founder of the USF Women’s Club, which Fund to be used where it is most needed, as determined by the established the Grace Allen Scholarship Fund. Mrs. Allen personally university’s president. established several endowed and dedicated scholarships and her greatest joy was promoting higher education. Until the age of 98, she The anonymous gift comes on the cusp of another major gift supporting made a point of personally greeting many of those scholarship recipients. scholarship programs for low-income, under-represented and culturally and ethnically diverse students at USF. In February, the Helios Education In 1970, the Florida board of regents renamed USF’s administration Foundation announced a $2 million gift to USF that created the Helios building after the Allens. In 1996, Mrs. Allen was awarded an honorary Education Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund. This gift is also degree of doctorate of humane letters from USF. She was actively eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match from the state to create a $4 million involved in a wide variety of campus and community causes, including endowed scholarship fund. the USF Suncoast Gerontology Center, USF Federal Credit Union and John Knox Village. Her selfless service and sunny smiled is greatly missed. CONTINUED PG 5

APRIL 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 USF Alumni Association Board of Directors: President-Elect Michele Norris, ’79 Marketing • ACT (Alumni Connections Team) • Awards Secretary • Executive Patrick Poff, ’92 English • Finance Treasurer • Governance ______• Long-Range Planning Committee Treasurer Marie Edmonson, ’88 Accounting, MA ’90 Accountancy • Membership Development & Benefits ___ Immediate Past President ___ • Communications Council Charley Harris, ’87 Business • Athletics Council

• Council of 100 ___ Board Members ___ Brandon Aldridge, ’88 Communication Committee Highlight: Angie Brewer, ’82 Management, MS ’84 Management Membership Development & Benefits Roger T. Frazee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CPA, ’71 Finance & Accounting The Membership Development and Benefits Committee works Elizabeth Harmon, ’82 Mass Comm. with staff on the revenue generating programs for the association. Angela Horwitz, ’94 Business, ’98 MA Accountancy, It develops and monitors the execution of programs for increasing Jon Hull, ’80 Geology membership and membership renewal, as well as makes Anila Jain, MD, ’81 Biology recommendations to the USF Alumni Association Board of Stephen E. Johnston II, ’95 Political Science Directors concerning membership benefits, services and Jill Joyce, ’97 Finance, ’99 Accounting merchandise offered to members. Additionally, the committee Brad Kelly, ’79 Accounting advises and makes recommendations regarding current and potential income-generating, affinity partnerships. These partner- Brian Lamb, ’98 Accounting ships offer alumni products and services that increase brand Mike LaPan, ’81 Management recognition, add value to their lives and provide recurring income Mark Levine, ’74 Psychology to the Alumni Association. Chaired by Jim Weber, `77 & MBA Victor Lucas, ’85 Management `82, a member of the board, the full committee generally meets Charles McArthur, ’76 Mass Comm., MS ’81 Advertising three times a year. Diana Michel, ’88 Business Carla Saavedra, ’87 English John Charles Thomas, ’81 Mass Comm. David Seth Walker, ’01 MA History Jim 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 Upward Several of USF’s innovative robots, which have been used after Bound Returns catastrophes such as 9/11 and the Utah mine collapse, were on hand to break ground for the National Testbed for Safety, Security and Rescue USF was awarded a $3.5 Technologies. Construction is scheduled to be completed in December. million grant to re-establish Upward Bound at the “In the early days of aerospace, universities built wind tunnels university. The federal for testing aircraft. Except unlike a wind tunnel which just tested program provides support the wings, you can test the robot, the sensors, or even the network to low-income and/or together or independently,” said Robin Murphy, the computer science first-generation college students to help them succeed in high school, and engineering professor who is leading the design of the robots. increase their college readiness, enhance their preparation for college entrance, and enroll in and graduate from college. Studying Brain Trauma USF operated a successful Upward Bound program for more than 40 years. It was one of many programs nationally that lost funding due A new partnership between the to a change in the evaluation process. The efforts of U.S. Rep. Kathy James A. Haley V.A. Medical Castor (D-FL) and other members of Congress restored funding to Center and USF Health to study USF positioning the university to restore the program through the brain injuries promises to develop five-year grant. significant research to help scientists and physicians better understand COEDU Tops traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Haley in Productivity is one of four TBI centers nationwide. The partnership moves USF Health The College of Education and the V.A. hospital into the top tier of likely grant recipients. Funding ranked sixth in a recent comes from a $450 million federal grant included in the 2008 National study assessing scholarly Defense Authorization Act. productivity of institutions of Virtual Nursing higher education as measured Experience by their publications in nine major literacy journals from In the College of Nursing’s Center 1992-2005. for Virtual Learning, students can get hands-on experience in Brigham Young University researchers specifically measured research assisting during labor and delivery on literacy programs to determine the top 25 most productive colleges. without the risks. A computerized Additionally, the college’s Department of Adult, Career and Higher mannequin named Noelle simulates Education is ranked tenth in the U.S. on the Chronicle of Higher contractions, fetal heart rate and Education’s Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index. birthing complications, giving Robots Learn students the chance to learn from in “Real Life” their actions during high-stress situations. At the end, Noelle delivers a simulated baby. Noelle isn’t the A new $2.1 million test bed under only simulator in nursing’s simulation lab. Other computer-controlled construction on the northwest part mannequins, include Sim Man and METI Man. These human-like of USF’s Tampa campus will help simulators are programmed to exhibit human health conditions by engineers test search-and-rescue instructors. Sim Man’s symptoms can be changed manually as students robots in conditions as close as administer treatment. METI Man responds and changes on its own. METI possible to the real-life situations Man is considered the most sophisticated simulator available – adjusting they will encounter. physiological symptoms based on student activity.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 5 letters to the editor

Props for Alumni Voice I commend you for a JOB WELL DONE with the most recent edition of the Alumni Voice. I think the magazine is well laid out, has a diverse blend of content, is aestheti- cally pleasing with a good balance of pictures, content, white space, etc., and most importantly, it’s an effective and meaningful way to further engage and connect our 200,000+ alumni. I must say, I am impressed and PROUD of this magazine and I can only imagine where it can be in the future. In Bull Pride, Rich Heruska, `99

Tell Me More I would be interested in reading how various departments have changed over the years. Since my major study at USF was in Theatre Arts, I suppose that changes over the years in that department would interest me most. When I was attending USF in the 60’s we had one main theater building. Brion Black, `69

We Want to Hear from You! Alumni Voice welcomes your comments, compliments, criticisms and conjectures. You can email publica- where’s tions editor Karla Jackson at [email protected] or write to us at: USF Alumni Association, Attn: Karla Jackson, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC 100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455 rocky? Rocky tagged along when Brad Haarer, `07, and his wife Arlynn visited Rome over the holidays. Here’s Rocky posing in front of the Colosseum on New Year’s Day 2008.

6 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 movers shakers

New Dean of Libraries master’s degrees in Exercise Physiology and Public Health. In addition, Francois received his doctorate in William Garrison is the new dean of Environmental Toxicology/Public Health at USF, where libraries for USF’s six-library system. he also graduated from medical school. He most recently served as deputy university librarian and associate dean Francois, who served as a presidential delegate to the of libraries at Syracuse University. swearing in of the President of Haiti, as well as serving Garrison was a Fellow in the first on public health delegations to the Bahamas, Haiti and Association of Research Libraries, Research Libraries the Dominican Republic, began his appointment in March. Leadership Fellows Program. Before joining Syracuse University, he held senior positions at the University USFSP’s New of Colorado at Boulder, Stanford University, and Vice Chancellor Northwestern University. All of these universities are Dr. Norine E. Noonan, an members of the Association of American Universities accomplished scientist with years (AAU). USF’s strategic plan has as its central goal to of federal leadership experience, has position itself for AAU membership. joined USF St. Petersburg as the new regional vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Interim Head of Public Safety Dr. Noonan previously served as the dean of the School of Sciences and Mathematics at the College of Charleston. Dr. Bruce Benson was appointed She was executive director of the National Space Science interim assistant vice president for and Technology Center and the assistant administrator USF’s newly created Division of for Research and Development at the U.S. Environmental Public Safety in January. Benson was a Protection Agency. visiting instructor in Criminology at USF Sarasota-Manatee. He was also police chief, director Dr. Noonan has published widely in science and of public safety emeritus and associate professor in the technology policy and lectures on the federal budget, School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. strategic leadership, and on the Government Performance and Results Act. In 2005, she received the Public Service The new Division of Public Safety was created to Medal from NASA. Dr. Noonan received her B.A. in enhance campus safety and put in place a permanent Zoology from the University of Vermont, summa cum emergency response structure. The division consolidates laude, and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Cell Biology the University Police Department, security, emergency from Princeton University. operations, parking enforcement and other services that directly support the Tampa campus community’s safety Lakeland CEO Chairs and security. Hospital Board Professor Named Dr. Marshall Goodman, V.P. and CEO to Louisiana Post of the University of South Florida Lakeland, has been named chairman College of Public Health Assistant of the Bartow Regional Medical Professor Dr. M. Rony Francois was Center Advisory Board. named assistant secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health Goodman has served on the board for several years. He and Hospitals Office of Public Health. He previously has been a champion of economic development in central served as the secretary of health for the State of Florida and led the effort to establish USF’s Polk County Florida, one of the largest public health agencies in campus as the state’s only public polytechnic institution. the United States. Goodman also serves on the boards of the Lakeland Francois has an extensive educational foundation and Auburndale chambers of commerce, the Central in public health. He holds undergraduate degrees Florida Development Council, the Lakeland Economic in Physical Education and Biology and has earned Development Council, myRegion.org, Tampa Bay

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 7 movers shakers

Partnership, the Polk Museum of Art, the United Associate V.P. of Communications Way of Central Florida, and Polk Vision, among others. & Marketing Bartow Regional Medical Center is a 72-bed acute-care Michael Hoad, formerly associate vice president medical facility serving South Lakeland, Bartow, Fort of communications for USF Health, is now serving Meade, Mulberry, rural south Polk County, and northern in an expanded capacity as the associate vice president Hardee County. in charge of all University communications and the consolidation of University Communications and Foundation Hires Marketing. Campaign Manager Hoad has a master’s degree in communication from Rodney Grabowski is the new Stanford University and a master’s degree in international associate vice president for central relations from Yale University, as well as a bachelor’s development and regional programs/ degree from Drew University. He was Stanford’s nominee campaign manager. He came to USF to a fellowship at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies from the University of North Florida in newspaper management. In August, he will celebrate in Jacksonville where he served as the associate vice 20 years of working for USF. president for Development and campaign director since 2002. At UNF, he led the university’s development operations, successfully raising $15-$20 million annually. He also served as the campaign manager at Alfred University in New York. In his role at USF, Rod will be responsible for leading, managing and evaluating the USF Foundation’s private fund raising efforts in the areas of planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, annual fund and regional campuses. Associate V.P. of Information Technology USF’s Chief Technology Officer Michael Pearce was named as an associate vice president as part of a plan to re-organize support and service in Information Technology. Before joining USF last fall, Pearce was chief information officer for Suffolk University in Boston. Prior to that, he was deputy chief information officer for the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and headed the technical component of the Information Services Division for the university. During his 25 year career, Pearce has led a number of global projects, system implementations, and re-engineering initiatives for a variety of companies. He spearheaded the worldwide shared services initiatives that resulted in a Shared Service Data Center in Geneva, Switzerland, and Fullerton, California. He currently holds a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with significant experience in information systems management.

8 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 9 The most fun part of my job is as faculty advisor to with Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Our chapter is one of the best in the nation. The students are very bright and energized and love Susan A. politics. They’re like my eyes and ears for media and tell me where young people are going for their sources.

MacManus Q : How did you come to be a point person for By Kathy L. Greenberg Class of 1993 the media?

A : I started working with the media in my first Susan A. MacManus academic job at the University of Houston. I was is the Distinguished asked to comment on local politics there. University Professor of Sometimes people think that analysts go out in search Public Administration of media, but it’s really the media searching for the and Political Science analyst. Analysts bring academic knowledge and a in the Department local perspective, which is what the media is after. of Government and All the research we do and all of the books or articles International Affairs we publish give us a depth of knowledge that the at the University of general assignment reporter doesn’t have. That’s South Florida. She is what makes us useful to the media. one of the most sought-after political analysts in the country. Q : Who are some of the more prominent people you’ve worked with? Who was the most interesting? Q : Why did you become a political scientist? A : Honestly, I regard everybody I interface with A : Our family has always been interested as interesting. One of the advantages of doing public in current events and civic affairs. My family is speaking in the community and state is you get to divided politically, so I grew up with a lot of mix with people from all perspectives. It gives you interesting discourse. much more depth of what people are thinking. I’ve been on a lot of national programs, but I get just as Q : What is the most exciting part of your work? much satisfaction mixing with everyday people. One of the highlights of my media work was being A : Being able to go to national conventions and part of WFLA-TV News Channel 8 when it won the inaugurations and the Reagan funeral … it gives Walter Cronkite Award for news coverage in 2000 you a depth of knowledge that you would never have and 2004. I got to meet (Cronkite) in person. otherwise. One of the greatest gifts in being involved with the media is seeing how politics and media Q : What are your thoughts on today’s media interface. coverage of politics — both locally and nationally? Part of my public service job at USF is to be accessible to any media who need help with a story. A : Media coverage today is much more extensive. I like that. I have friends in every newsroom, and From an analyst’s perspective, it’s more work because that’s really exciting. you have to track an election in a multitude of

10 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 ABOVE: Political Science Professor Susan MacManus, left, with former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite and colleagues Liisa [sic] Hyvarinen-Temple and Mike Vasilinda. ABOVE RIGHT: MacManus with former President Jimmy Carter. At right, MacManus with former Florida Governors Reubin Askew and Bob Martinez. formats. But there are also more opportunities for people to learn about politics than there has ever been. Media is ideologically segmented. People choose the media they perceive is most in line with their ideologies. If someone tells me what they read or listen to, chances are I’d be pretty accurate in predicting their ideological persuasion. But when candidates refuse to appear on a certain network and made it possible for voters to see the candidates because it doesn’t appeal to their ideological and hear their own words. But if the media projected disposition, I don’t think that’s healthy for democracy. an election as over and done, it doesn’t create much incentive for people to follow it closely or take the Q : Do you think the media affects voter time to vote. turnout? How? Q : With the ongoing war in Iraq and worsening A : Absolutely. It can make it exciting or a done economic situation this election year, do you deal. With this election season we’ve seen the highest see young adult voters becoming more involved voter turnout ever. A lot of it has to do with the in politics? horserace, but it’s also because the media has covered the debates. The debates have created a lot of interest A : Yes, but there are more reasons than that.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 11 ABOVE: MacManus with “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams. AT LEFT: Political Science Professor Susan MacManus with NBC News Washington bureau chief and “Meet The Press” host Tim Russert.

Those are issues that are always high priority for unchecked and be unfair to a candidate. All of the younger voters. Another thing driving them to vote campaigns now have to have people who specialize in is the path-breaking nature of the candidates the Internet and truth checking, so the Internet has running. There’s the potential to have the first woman even added to the cost of campaigning president or the first African-American president. The good part about it from a university perspective is a lot of Internet specialists are drawn from the Q : Do you foresee any particular trends emerging younger generation. A lot of campaigns love to have in state politics? younger students with Internet and computer savvy to make the campaign look like it’s in the 21st century. A : One trend would be the growing number of younger voters leaning more Democratic. That trend has Q : What advice would you give someone who surfaced over the last three election cycles in the state. wanted to learn more about political issues but didn’t Republicans across the country are a little more know where to start? centrist; both parties have moved a little bit left. A lot of it tracks back to a growing diversity and higher A : Probably one of the best things to do is to get education levels of the population in general. with someone who does understand it. Start out local. Go to a local political party meeting where you meet Q : How has the Internet impacted politics? people who are everyday folks. Pick the issue you’re most interested in and then Google it and see what A : How hasn’t it is a better question! It’s made comes up. The main thing is really to have an idea more data available and politics more accessible and going into it what you’re most concerned about. in step with people’s work schedules. The downside is there is no truth testing on the Internet. Vicious rumors can be circulated and go

12 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 chapters &societies No matter Black Alumni Honors Alumni where you Felecia Brantley Lisa Provenzano Heugel live, you’ll [email protected] [email protected] New York Chapter alumni John Rose & Loren Ellis share a moment at John’s home in the Bronx. Read always be Brian Campbell Jewish Alumni Nicky Spivak about him on page 26 of this issue. You can read a Bull! [email protected] about Loren’s nonprofit Art for Healing foundation [email protected] The USF Alumni Business Alumni the upcoming July issue of Alumni Voice. Association has alumni James Gossett Kauffman Alumni chapters all over the Chris Kluis [email protected] Marine Science Brevard country. We also have [email protected] Alumni John Carpenter college and special- Education Alumni Freda Abercrombie Kosove Alumni Bruce Barber [email protected] interest societies for like- Justin Geisler minded alumni. It’s easy [email protected] [email protected] Barbara Lyn [email protected] to get involved. Just email Engineering Beau Suthard barbaralyn.com LGBT Alumni the contact person of the Alumni bsuthard@ Broward Marion Yongue group you’d like to visit. Gene Balter coastalplanning.net Sara DuCuennois [email protected] Societies [email protected] [email protected] Lynne Carlson Florida Geology Alumni Emerald Coast/ Architecture Alumni lcarlson@tempest. Chapters Adam Fritz Mike Schackne Northwest Florida coedu.usf.edu Tampa [email protected] [email protected] Peter J. Kemp Jerry L. Miller Jim Johnson peter.kemp@ [email protected] [email protected] wachoviasec.com

The Atlanta Chapter was a force to be reckoned with at the annual LEGS Golf Tournament held in February at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. The chapter raised funds to sponsor a hole and Bull Sponsor Jim Weber, `77 & MBA `82, recruited several other sponsors. Tony Giurato, `77, received an award for being closest to the pin on the 7th hole. From left to right are: Susan Wittpenn, `81, Tony Giurato, Jim Weber, Denise Dimbath, `94, Dennis Schnur,`78, and Craig Meadows, `74.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 13 chapters &societies

The Brevard Chapter got a great turnout for their Sun Bowl watch party at the Satellite Beach Beef O’Brady’s. In the front row, from left to right, are: John Carpenter, Steve Benfield, Shaye Benfield, and Bill Gerding. In the back row, left to right, are: Marcy Rua, Gene & Dotty Rua, and Laurie & Joe Gerding. Cheering in the far back are Tim and Angela Ivanovskiy.

Duane Hardesty, `97, sent this photo of his buddy Greg Kasson, `93, who Fort Myers Pinellas was in Iraq to Sanjay Kurian Audrey Gilmore help fix a portion [email protected] [email protected] of the U.S. Army’s Hernando communication Polk network. The Belinda Nettles Randy Dotson photo was taken [email protected] [email protected] in Camp Taji, an “old graveyard” Jacksonville St. Lucie Louis B. Richardson for captured enemy Frank Pennetti tanks and weaponry. [email protected] [email protected] Ellen Rosenblum Tallahassee [email protected] Tara Klimek Manatee/Sarasota [email protected] Ross Allen [email protected] National & Miami International Ruben Matos Chapters [email protected] Atlanta Carlos Rodriguez Denise Dimbath [email protected] [email protected] Monroe (Key West) Austin Kristen Condella Lisa Sortevik [email protected] [email protected] Ocala/Marion Brad Heath Kathleen & William Bellamy [email protected] [email protected] Barbados Jerald “Jerry” Grimes Junior Browne [email protected] [email protected] Orlando Chicago Kevin Krause Karla Stevenson USF alumni Charlie, `89, and Dr. Judith Reese, M.S. `91, M.S. `95, [email protected] [email protected] M.A. `97 & Ph.d `01, display their Bull Pride while visiting St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City last fall.

14 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 Nolan Shaeer New York [email protected] Valerie Berrios Columbia, SC [email protected] Doug Currier Michael Simpson [email protected] [email protected] D.C. Regional Philadelphia/South Rajiv Dembla Jersey [email protected] Brandon Aldridge Dallas [email protected] Lisa Lacy Pittsburgh, PA [email protected] Robb Myers Denver Mile High [email protected] Mark A. Thompson Raleigh, NC [email protected] Bob Cohn Houston [email protected] Nohra Martinez Seattle-Tacoma, WA [email protected] Jared Capouya Rob Smith [email protected] [email protected] St. Louis Indiana Mark Greenspahn Engineering alumnus Ray Hentschel, `76 & `90, ran into a Jeremy Sims [email protected] familiar face at the Fort Lauderdale Airport – USF Bulls [email protected] head coach Jim Leavitt.

More than 30 Bulls fans gathered at Sneakers Sports Grille in Jacksonville to watch USF play in the Sun Bowl. At the table, from left to right, are: Gary, Sam, Paula, Mike and Assunta. Meet the “other” South Florida Bulls. This team of 5- to 7-year-olds plays in a flag football league at the Venice, Florida YMCA. Wendy Rose, `90, says her stepson Jacob Rose, front right, made them wear their USF beads and hats to all of his games.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 15 alumniprofile reggie hubbard my first choice as a psychology major wasn’t going to support Life’s a Journey, Not a Destination the lifestyle I desired.” By Jeremy Canody He soon realized that he was better suited for a degree in business. Hubbard joined Sears while attending USF to pay eggie Hubbard’s his way through college. finely tuned After graduating in 1974, business acumen Hubbard worked his way up has served him well, regardless the corporate ladder, eventually overseeing a ofR his profession. After 16 years in retail with workforce of 600 employees throughout Sears, he took a chance as an entrepreneur in several departments. During his career with auto sales, and subsequently built an empire. the retail giant, Hubbard moved his wife and He’s faced many barriers during his career – four sons throughout the East Coast, all the often dictated by the color of his skin – but while breaking down barriers in the industry, he not only persevered, he thrived. boosting sales, and increasing diversity in ways that got him noticed. Today, Hubbard is one of the most influential minority entrepreneurs in the country as the “Life was good and Sears was good to me,” he President of Hubbard Automotive Group in said of his career in the upper tier of corporate Charlotte, N.C. His enterprise has annual sales management. “But, over time, the company and in excess of $130 million and ranks among the its people began to change, and I began looking top 10 minority-owned auto dealerships in the at other opportunities.” United States. He wanted the challenge of something more His journey to success isn’t defined by hardship entrepreneurial. and misfortune, but rather on the sound “I looked at numerous franchising and business principles of hard work, determination, and opportunities, but it was through a persistent a belief in the power of human capital. business contact that I stumbled into the auto As a graduate of Dunedin High School in industry and discovered a new minority Florida during the era of segregation, he was training program promoted by several major often the only African-American among his U.S. auto makers.” school peers, a trend that would continue When an influential auto dealer in Charlotte through-out his life. asked him to consider training with Chrysler, “My ambitions and aspirations in life placed he first scoffed at the idea. me in situations where I had no other option “I told him I wouldn’t even buy a Chrysler and than to excel,” said Hubbard, whose soft- certainly wouldn’t sell them,” he joked. “After spoken manner belies a will of steel. a long pause, the man sternly asked me, ‘Sir, are He says his entrepreneurial spirit emerged when you more interested in making money or what he was a student majoring in business at USF. kind of car you are going to drive?’” “It didn’t take long for me to figure out that It was an opportunity that was too good to

16 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 Reggie Hubbard and his wife, Iris, joined College of Business faculty, administrators and MBA students for lunch during a recent visit to Tampa from their home in Charlotte, NC. Hubbard spoke to MBA students during his trip to Tampa.

pass up. Hubbard enrolled in a two-year management training course that he promptly completed in nine months. When he entered the business, there were 6,000 Chrysler dealers nationally, only seven of which were owned by minorities. Hubbard was part of a new wave of minority entrepreneurs being trained through a program that was the brainchild of Lee Iacocca and designed to increase diversity in the Chrysler brand. In 1984, Charlotte was an up-and-coming city that was setting the standard for the New South. It was perfect for Hubbard, who was eager to open a new store from the ground up, but unsure of what his leap of faith would bring. Around the same time, Black Enterprise magazine began printing an annual list of the Top 100 African-American businesses in the country. “One of “I remember I cut the list out of the magazine, put it the most on the refrigerator, and wrote my name in at No. 99. important I’ve always believed in the theory of, ‘If you can see it, lessons you can achieve it,’” Hubbard said. “And I wanted to I’ve learned be on that list!” in life is to Business was good, sales were brisk, and he was not give up able to buy out Chrysler in 20 months to take full on people.“ ownership of the store, a feat that typically took new owners five years to achieve. Reggie Hubbard and his wife, Iris, joined College of Business faculty, admin- “My first year in business, I hit No. 87 on the list,” istrators and MBA students for lunch during a recent visit to Tampa from their he said. home in Charlotte, NC. Hubbard spoke to MBA students during his trip to Tampa. In the nearly 25 years since, Hubbard has opened four more successful auto stores in the Charlotte area. Hubbard fondly recalls the mentors who influenced He says he rarely pays attention to the Top 100 him while growing up in Clearwater and later as a list anymore, preferring to focus on worthy causes student at USF. within his community. He spends his precious free time serving on the Charlotte Urban League, “I had academic advisors and professors who which he chaired for three years, and on the board recognized my potential early on and they provided of the Foundation for the Carolinas, the largest advice and opportunities that influenced my life.” philanthropic foundation in the Carolinas. He also Now he wants to give back. volunteers with the Knight Foundation, where his “One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in efforts support areas close to his heart, including life is to not give up on people,” he said. “What I social capital, race relations, children, and youth. have found as an entrepreneur, with my own personal Hubbard sees his next important life role as a mentor wealth at stake, is the art of compromise and not for the emerging generation of young leaders. allowing procrastination to be a detriment.” “I’ve been a product of someone taking a young True to form, Hubbard is wasting no time becoming a person aside and exposing them to something that mentor. He is sharing his life lessons and professional they otherwise may not have had an opportunity to experiences as a Distinguished Lecturer for the experience. It changed my life,” he said. College of Business’ Executive MBA Program.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 17 alumniprofile June Casagrande grammarians and a fun resource for analyzing Grammar Queen the language. By Kathy L. Greenberg Class of 1993 Her follow-up, Mortal Syntax, hits bookstores this month. Born in New York and raised in Florida by her mother, Casagrande grew up in a disadvantaged environment SF alumna June characterized by abuse. She Casagrande was was a chronic truant, getting berated and beat up, eventually dropping out of U and she’d had enough. high school at the age of sixteen. Her mother At the time, the ninth-grade-dropout-turned- later enrolled Casagrande and her sister in St. journalist was writing a grammar column for Petersburg Junior College (now St. Petersburg a California newspaper and dodging a barrage College), but the benefits of higher education of nasty letters that gleefully noted her eluded her and she dropped out. perceived “mistakes.” “It’s interesting to me that success and education are part of a culture,” Casagrande “When you write a grammar column, it tends to says. “If you’re in that culture, you follow the inspire people to write you and point out things path of people you know. If you’re outside it, you’ve done wrong,” says Casagrande, a Class of you don’t.” `89 grad with a quick wit and scrappy nature. A chance remark from her father, an engineer “One day, I wrote a column in which I used who lived out of state, dramatically changed ‘wrong’ as an adverb. I got two brutal e-mails the course of her life. criticizing me for using wrong as an adverb. They were so eager to tear me to shreds. I “I mentioned to my sister that I really wanted was thinking, ‘Am I crazy?’ I looked in the to go back [to college]. She told me that dictionary and it was correct. I wrote them back dad had said, ‘Junior colleges are where rich and made a column out of it. That’s when I kids go to play.’ What I heard was, ‘Oh, realized that there’s something interesting and there’s an alternative?’ I hadn’t known that. I unexplored in the grammar world.” learned second-hand that my father believed a university was an option. That’s when I realized In 2006, Penguin published her first book, it was an option for me,” she says. Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies. Her cleverly titled chapters — “For Whom the Snob So she set her sights on USF. Trolls,” “Snobbery Up with Which You Should With neither parents nor advisors to guide her Not Put: Prepositions,” “Semicolonoscopy: through the registration process, Casagrande Colons, Semicolons, Dashes, Hyphens, and managed to convince USF admissions officers Other Probing Annoyances” — explore some to let her enroll. At first, she commuted from of the most commonly disputed or confusing Largo. The following year, she moved into a rules of English grammar and punctuation. The dorm, where she realized more fully the impact book is both ammunition against self-righteous of her decision.

18 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 “I was living in what felt like a boundless environment for June Casagrande opportunity.“

“I was living in what felt like a boundless environment for opportunity. It added a lot to the experience and made me feel that I was non-stop steeped in opportunities to learn and grow,” she says. She explored the world vicariously through her Above is June Casagrande, center, on her graduation classes, developing an interest in Middle East politics, day, with her father, James Casagrande, sister, Diane Casagrande and June’s nephew, Christopher Casagrande. studying Arabic and learning a life lesson about insurance in a finance course. But it was a first- At Left: June Casagrande, second from left, with her suitemates in Delta 2 West during her senior year, 1988-89. semester French class that ignited her passion for language. “I was hearing terms like subjunctive and past Meanies.’ I had been looking for a way to package participle and thinking it was so cool how language my column as a book. I knew I had a good angle,” can be analyzed and looked at as a living but she says. modular thing.” She learned how to write a nonfiction book proposal After graduating from USF with a degree in political from an example she found online and quickly science, Casagrande took a series of sales jobs to “not attracted an agent who negotiated a book deal be poor anymore.” At age 26, she went to work for with Penguin. With the publication of her second the free weekly, Miami New Times. Once again, her book, she’s already tinkering with a third about environment helped define her aspirations. sentence grammar. “That’s where I started being around journalism and Casagrande is a successful, independent writer now, writing. That’s what inspired me to do some freelance a far cry from the kid who didn’t know what an SAT work and get some bylines,” she says. was until she enrolled at USF. She empathizes with the poor spellers, the comma-clueless, the rebellious Casagrande began writing for local newspapers and rule breakers. At the same time, she respects and later moved to California, where she contributed relates to those she calls grammar nerds or geeks, feature stories to the Daily Pilot, a community news who obsess over the rules simply because they love supplement to the Los Angeles Times. Eventually she language. But she has no patience for people bent became a city hall reporter, and one day she pitched a on humiliating an unsuspecting speaker or writer. grammar column to her editors. They liked the idea and began publishing “A Word Please,” now a self- “There’s a lot of fighting about whether x or y is right. syndicated weekly column that appears in newspapers I want to be the person to make this stuff accessible. in California, Texas and Florida. Her column and the I’ve taken the position that there’s no single set of discourse it generated were the genesis of her books. rules or grammar authority. There are only unofficial sources with varying degrees of credibility,” she says. “The idea for the book started when the words popped into my head: ‘Grammar Snobs are Great Big Got that, all you grammar snobs?

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 19 A Blast from the Past !

2U.S. PRESIDENT: Bill0 Clinton 00 VICE PRESIDENT: Al Gore MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $42,148 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 4.0% FIRST CLASS STAMP: 34 ¢

IN SCIENCE: Human genome IN THE NEWS: George Bush’s slim lead in Florida’s deciphered; five cloned piglets presidential elections leads to automatic recount; U.S. Supreme are produced from adult pig Court calls it; declares Bush the winner. Auckland, New cells; 250-metric-ton fire- Zealand is the first big city in the world to enter the 21st ball streaks across the Century; predicted Y2K doomsday scenarios fail to materialize. skies of western Canada and explodes with an “Peanuts” cartoonist estimated IN THE ARTS: Charles Schulz dies in his sleep after a battle yield of 5-10 with colon cancer; Stephen King debuts thousand tons a 66-page novella that’s of TNT. Riding the Bullet available only as an “e-book;” Mikhail Baryshnikov, Plácido Domingo, Angela Lansbury, Chuck Berry and Clint Eastwood are recipients of Kennedy Center Honors.

At USF: Judy Genshaft, provost at the State University of New York at Albany, becomes USF’s sixth permanent president; USF is named to the top rank of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation; New, $2 million freestanding, digital WUSF-TV building is dedicated; Marine Science becomes a college.

20 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 By Debra Bernal homeless people with a medical clinic, a food pantry and Class of 2007 even day care services. Her subsequent trips included helping Ah, Spring Break! Nothing else conjures up Hurricane Katrina victims in Ocean Springs, MS. and more college memories than Spring Break. volunteering at an after-school program in the Philadelphia area. Do you find yourself wearing a silly grin She feels like she really didn’t miss out on anything by foregoing when you mentally relive that road trip to the traditional Spring Break revelry. Daytona or that unforgettable party on the “People miss out more when they just party and go to a beach,” beach? It’s probably a good thing no one can read your thoughts. Jennifer says. Those were the good old days, right? Spring Break these days is She says the ASB experience left her with something more tangible. the same in some ways, but different in others. “It’s something new and you are being fulfilled, empowered. Krystal Roberts, 22, a senior in the Mass Communications You take away a lot more than you would with a traditional program, spent her Spring Break in the traditional manner in Spring Break.” Fort Lauderdale. Whether it’s working, playing or volunteering, today’s Bulls say “Just hanging with my friends in our downtown area, pretending they come back after Spring Break revitalized and ready to wrap up to be tourists although we had lived in South Florida most of our the semester – just like their predecessors have for the past 50 years. lives,” Krystal says. This is Krystal’s last semester as an undergrad, and she wanted to make the most out of her time off before she heads out into the working world. “Once school is over, it’s not as easy to do something like going halfway across the world for a week. The American career track SHARE Excerpts of memories from doesn’t allow for much of that in most cases,” she says. A Memory She figures she’s got the rest of her life to use her time off members of the USF Alumni Association. more productively. “Part of me does feel selfish and therefore regrets my decision, During the summer of `72, I was fortunate to be included in a group but not immensely,” Krystal says. of students going to study at the University of Mexico. We lived For some students, like Ashley Gioia, 22, the extra time off with Mexican families and studied with their professors. It is truly school translates into time on the job. She got a job with her one of my fondest college memories. best friend for the week – an experience she says made them Barbara Wertz Usher, `72 / Annual Member even closer.

“My most memorable moments were of us going out after work, I was one of those students who came back to finish college in and reveling in our freedom,” Ashley says, “I don’t typically my late twenties. I had to do it on my own while working full time take trips because I need the money.” and taking full-time classes. My proudest memory was during I’m sure many alumni remember what that was like. graduation when my name was mentioned and I walked down the red carpet. Shaking hands with the President, I could not One fairly new Spring Break option that’s popular with students help but shed a tear of joy and accomplishment. is Alternative Spring Break. Haygan Bethel, `98 / Annual Member Jennifer Ubiera, 21, a senior majoring in philosophy, learned about ABS during a “University Experience” course during her freshman year. I enjoyed my entire experience in the Graduate Geography “Someone came in and talked about the program, and I knew I program at USF. I particularly enjoyed my thesis defense with wanted to do it,” Jennifer says. The program allows students to Professors Kevin Archer, Steve Reader and Bob Brinkman. We work as volunteers for a worthy cause wherever they are most had a great discussion on growth management in Florida. needed. Jennifer’s first Spring Break trip was to Washington, Bill Sullivan, `01 / Annual Member D.C., where her group volunteered at the Community for Creative Non-Violence, a center that provides some 1,300

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 21 Feature Story

k Walk tric er Pa y ar M y B THE Living with disabilities means never settling for Advocate the status quo. t’s become a cliché to say someone who earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy has overcome obstacles or risen above (1973) and a master’s in guidance and counseling I circumstances to achieve their goals. The (1975), is more interested in teaching others words are used often these days – so often, in what he has learned than dwelling on his own fact, that they often overstate the facts. accomplishments. Not in the case of John Rose. For him – a man “Now that I am retired at the age of 64, there are born with cerebral palsy who has spent his life still two things that I hope to accomplish,” said battling to win rights for the disabled – the Rose, who lives in Bronx, New York. “One is to words seem insufficient. His entire life stands as teach at a university level. The other thing is a testament to how one determined person can to work at the United Nations with disabled beat ridiculously high odds. children in underdeveloped countries, However, Rose, a USF graduate possibly through UNICEF.”

22 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 “I RODE MOTORCYCLES, I WENT RAFTING AND CANOEING AND PADDLE BOATING. I EVEN WENT HORSEBACK RIDING.”

Rose credits his years at USF – from 1970 to began to be 1975 – with giving him the opportunity to “do answered,” said many things I never thought I could do. I rode Rose. “This was motorcycles, I went rafting and canoeing and a very important paddle boating. I even went horseback riding. lesson for me and “This was all with the encouragement of my other disabled friends, classmates and professors. It was truly students to learn the time of educational growth and experience and I was able to for me, which is what a great university should be.” apply this lesson in my future career.” ABOVE: John Rose has fond memories When Rose came to USF in the summer of After graduation, Rose, a New York native, of cruising around 1970, he didn’t know anyone. Over time, he returned home to work for the New York City the USF campus in made friends with dorm mates, and soon became Department of Transportation. For many years a golf cart in the a frequent sight on campus, riding in a golf cart. he worked with the group that developed the early Seventies. “It was great fun for me and a great way to pick Para Transit/Access-A-Ride program for the up girls and give them rides,” he said. elderly and the disabled in New York, a program that has since been adopted around the country. His most memorable golf cart moment came when he drove it down Fowler Avenue near the He later worked in the New York City Mayor’s USF campus, leading a group of Vietnam War office on issues concerning the disabled, and also protesters. The event earned him the nickname, with the Department of Homeless Services. It “Big Bad John.” was there, working with the homeless, that Rose said “my degree in Guidance and Counseling After earning his bachelor’s degree in philosophy, was put to the most use.” Rose also worked with he moved to guidance and counseling with his local Planning Board in the Bronx, and was the idea that he could counsel other disabled one of the first disabled people to join the board. students. Perhaps just as importantly, his time on campus taught him how to be an effective Now he plans to continue educating others advocate for the disabled. on the disabled, with a particular focus on medical students, helping them understand One of the more memorable events was holding how to “more effectively relate to people a Disabled Awareness Day, in which all senior who are disabled.” administrative personnel – including then-USF President Cecil Mackey – agreed to spend the Rose said the warmth of acceptance at USF day “disabled,” getting around with crutches and the willingness of students, faculty and and canes or in wheelchairs. Some even used administrators to address issues important to the blindfolds to see what it is like to be blind. disabled was an experience that stayed with him After that, things began to change on campus. throughout his life. “We were all invited to have lunch with the “USF has enriched my life and allowed me to president and the faculty in the Executive grow and achieve in society in ways that I don’t Dining Room to air our views and grievances. It ever believe would’ve happened with out the turned out to be an amazing experience because foundation and encouragement that I received in a week after that day, the campus environment my years at USF,” he said. “The golf cart may be began to change and the needs that we addressed gone, but my memories of USF will last forever.”

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 23 Feature Story

ick Walker atr P ry a Since childhood, Merry Lynn M y B GOTTA Morris has harbored a passion for the ways in which tech- nology can help the disabled Dance lead better lives. nd since earning her bachelor’s degree “I was definitely inspired,” says Morris, an in 1996 in dance from USF, she’s elegant woman with copper-colored hair. believed that collaboration between A She thought the wheelchairs used by the troupe the university’s different academic disciplines were somewhat limiting. So she began working can lead to amazing breakthroughs. on an idea that evolved into the Rolling Dance Those ideas fused inside her on the night that Chair, a new kind of wheelchair that Morris Morris, now a dance instructor and academic developed in collaboration with students and adviser in USF’s School of Visual and Performing faculty in the USF College of Engineering. Arts, saw a performance by Dancing Wheels Morris said she wants the project to “unite of Cleveland, Ohio. The program featured the community and university. It also disabled and able-bodied dancers addresses functional need and quality of life, onstage together. Joseph Gamble :

24 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 PHOTOS COURTESY “I WANTED THE FOCUS TO BE ON THE DANCERS AND THEIR MOTION, AND LESS ON THE DEVICE WHICH WAS TRANSPORTING THEM.”

as well as supports artistic freedom, and program. The expansion into unexplored dimensions of chair project form and motion.” received an The prototype looks like a motorized mobility interdisciplinary device but does not require arms or hands research grant to operate. The dancer controls the chair’s in July 2006. movement using torso muscles. A second The Rolling prototype, a modified Segway, allows the dancer Dance Chair, to stand while working the machine with the designed upper body. She’s seeking contributions to help by students fund progress on her prototypes. and faculty “The chair is still early in its development, with from both many ideas yet to be developed,” she says. departments, allows for a full range of body motion as the ABOVE: Merry Lynn The main goal of the project is to unite concepts rider controls it with his or her torso muscles. Morris dances with from dance and engineering into the creation It can move backward, forward or in loops. Dwayne Scheuneman of a wheelchair that gives disabled dancers the seated in the rolling widest possible range of motion, and allows Not having to use their hands to control the chair allows dancers to move their arms into dance chair she them to perform onstage with able-bodied created. dancers. You can read more about the chair and different positions – something of a break- its development at http://rdc.arts.usf.edu/. through for disabled dancers. Morris’ interest in issues involving the disabled “I wanted the focus to be upon the dancer and began in her childhood. Her father was injured their motion, and less on the device which in a car accident and from the time she was 12 was transporting them,” Morris said. “As a years old, she helped her mother with his care. choreographer, I was interested in finding ways that the wheelchair dancer could move through “The influence of caregiving for a disabled the space with a sense of ease, and without father for many years, as well as watching my reliance upon arm/hand operation to control mom’s challenges as the primary caregiver to the device. him, certainly has been a formative force in my life,” Morris says. “My intent is to enable all or most of the same choreographic options the standing dancer has Her lifelong interest in the “mechanics of human through the technological innovations.” motion,” has spurred her to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. Morris said the Rolling Dance Chair goes beyond just helping those who are disabled and “My ideas and interest in addressing functional want to work in dance or onstage. She said she considerations for how the human body is hopes the chair can help advance how people propelled in motion through space in dynamic, think about disabled people in general. natural and therapeutic ways has been a constant and ever-present source of intrigue,” she says. “I felt that the wheelchair had certain stigma and perceptions associated with it which Morris decided to take her idea for the chair I wanted to change,” says Morris. “And in to people in the College of Engineering’s changing the appearance and action/motion of Department of Mechanical Engineering and the device, my hope is to invigorate new ways the Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology of thinking about disability.” Joseph Gamble :

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 25 PHOTOS COURTESY Feature Story

Class of 19 on 88 ks ac J la r a Why does a man K MAN in a wheelchair y B push himself across the United States? Marathon Because he can. eorge Murray lost the use of his legs the record by more than 20 minutes in his first in a hunting accident when he was 14, win. He and a partner were the first wheelchair G but don’t you dare feel sorry for him. athletes to propel themselves across the U.S., He’ll have none of it. pushing through the Mojave Desert and over the “When people give me that, I tell them, ‘Don’t Rocky Mountains. He’s been on the cover of cry for me, Argentina,’” Murray says dismissively. Time magazine and graced the front of a After all, we’re talking about a man who was the Wheaties Box. first wheelchair athlete to break the five-, then the “What have I got to complain about?” says four-minute mile; a man who won two Boston Murray, a Class of `83 Physical Education Marathons, smashing alumnus. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

26 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 “I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING – I WAS FASTER THAN ALL THE WORLD RECORDS IN TRAINING. BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW.”

Murray, 60, lives independently in a meticulously This is different,’” maintained home in St. Petersburg, lovingly Murray recalls. decorated with photos and memorabilia from After a few his hometown, Millinocket, Maine. On the practice laps, walls, along with otter pelts and antlers, are a buddy timed beautiful pine animal carvings and colorful him in the fishing flies hand crafted by his father, Leo quarter-mile. Murray, who also suffered a spinal cord injury when his son was 6 years old. “I came within 2 seconds of the “We were both in a wheelchair at the same world record the time. In that little town it was a rarity,” Murray first time,” he says. “We realized – this is ABOVE: George recalls. “Before I was injured I was his little really something.” Murray poses gofer. When I got injured I could already pop with the At 6’5”, his long arms are perfectly suited for a wheelie in a wheelchair and drive a car with Wheaties box the low-slung racing wheelchairs. His powerful hand controls.” on which he biceps and stamina helped make him an overnight Murray’s father was injured in a car wreck; was featured sensation on the emerging wheelchair racing Murray was hurt seven years later on his way in 1984. circuit. He placed 2nd in his first race – the back from a hunting expedition. Orange Bowl Marathon – in early January 1978. “Coming down a mountain trail, fell, carrying A few weeks later, he won the 15K wheelchair my own gun, it went off, hit me in the back at division of the first Gasparilla Distance Classic, T-10 [vertebrae],” Murray recounts quickly, as beating the Boston Marathon wheelchair division if he’s a little tired of telling the tale. champion and the current and former world It was a tough blow for an athletic kid who record holders in the wheelchair mile. loved to play basketball, snowshoe, hike and “That’s when all the fun started,” Murray says fish. He spent more than a year in rehab, where with a smile. “I knew what I was doing – I was he learned to play chess and shoot pool – two faster than all the world records in training. But passions that continue to this day. In fact, Murray they didn’t know.” was the 1991 Florida State Amateur Chess The Boston Marathon was about 5-6 weeks after Champion and is a former president of the storied Gasparilla. Murray not only won it, but was the St. Pete Chess Club, which has hosted famous first wheelchair athlete to finish in less than players such as Bobby Fisher, among others. 2.5 hours, well ahead of many of the able- After rehab, Murray finished high school and bodied world class runners. headed to the University of Oklahoma, where he “The next day, there’s limousines waiting for me majored in “honky tonks, billiards and rodeos.” outside the hotel to do Good Morning America,” He left Oklahoma six years later without a Murray says. “I broke the stereotype and I got degree and came to Tampa to go to dental quite a bit of attention.” school. It was in Tampa in 1977 that he began wheelchair racing with the Florida Wheels. That attention led to speaking engagements, They trained at the old USF track. which allowed Murray to make a living as a speaker and wheelchair athlete. Meanwhile, he “The first time I sat down in a racing wheelchair, kept training at USF and winning races. I was pushing it around and I thought, ‘Wow.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 27 Feature Story

“WHAT HAVE I GOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT?” SAYS MURRAY, CLASS OF `83 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ALUMNUS. “NOTHING.”

Dr. Lou Bowers, now a Professor Emeritus in the College of Education, was chairman of the Physical Education Department at the time. He’d often see Murray doing laps – it took 106 laps to equal the 26.2 mile marathon distance. “He came down to the track and introduced himself and we got to chatting,” Murray says. “He asked me about going back to school and I told him about Oklahoma.” Murray wasn’t proud of squandering his time at the U.O. Dr. Bowers convinced him to give USF a try. “He helped me enroll. They had a forgiveness policy, so they forgave all my Ds and Fs. Turns out, I was a junior,” Murray says. He enrolled in the Physical Education program with a new sense of purpose, and graduated as the 1983 Outstanding Senior. ABOVE: George Murray was the 1991 Florida “It was the most amazing thing I ever did, Amateur State Chess especially after my experience at Oklahoma. Champion. I thought, ‘Life – you never know what’s RIGHT: This photo of going to happen next.’” Murray winning the While studying for his degree, he took a year Boston Marathon was off in 1981 to do a cross-country “Continental on the cover of Time. Quest” – 3,500 miles from the Santa Monica Pier to the United Nations building. “I’d always wanted to hike the Appalachian “The question was always, ‘Why are you doing Trail, but I got injured and I couldn’t. In my this?’” Murray says. “The answer was, ‘For the mind, I did a substitute for it,” he says. hell of it.’ But also because we wanted to show In the mid-80s, Murray and a partner started that being in a wheelchair doesn’t necessarily a business designing sports wheelchairs and mean all the negative things that people cycles. He sold his interest to an international attach to it.’” durable medical goods manufacturer. But The trip made headlines nationwide – but he’s not interested in retiring. He’s recently nowhere more important than in his hometown incorporated a new business, Upper Level of Millinocket, where school kids had been Fitness, tailored to help both able-bodied and tracking the four-month journey. Once the disabled athletes improve their upper body quest was over, Murray pushed another 650 strength and aerobic conditioning. He’s set up miles through New England to his hometown. a gym, workshop and apartment at his home to At the foot of Mount Katahdin, the mile-high accommodate clients. mountain where the sun first hits the United “You want to get your legs in shape, well maybe States, he poured some water that he’d collected you go somewhere else. You want to get your upper from the Pacific Ocean into a stream. body in shape, come see me. I’m an expert at it.”

28 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 notes class60s a nonprofit foundation that helps artists, in `07, cum laude, with a degree in finance. teachers and art lovers share the healing Daughter Angela Crist was formerly vice Soren Hogsgaard, `67 & M.A. `71, was power of art with the public. president of programming for the USF Alumni named dean of the School of Business at Point Association and is now director of the John Park University in Pittsburgh. He has been Jay Williams, `74, is curator at the Morris Scott Daily Florida Institute of Government the coordinator of the Public Administration Museum of Art in Augusta, GA. Most recently, at USF. program and advisor for public administration he was editor of Pleasant Journeys and Good majors at Point Park since January 1973. Prior Eats Along the Way: The Paintings of John Julie Sardinha Folden, to that, he taught at the Graduate School Baeder. His previous publications include M.S. `78, Speech Pathology, of Public and International Affairs at the Illuminated Literature: The Art of Jerry and is a Realtor for Coldwell University of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Community Brian Pinkney and What Dogs Dream: Paintings Banker and has consistently College, and at USF. and Works on Paper by William Dunlap. earned the designation of the International Presidents Circle in her 18 years For three years before teaching, he was a city Jim Roney, `75 & M.A. `83, a kindergarten with the company, indicating sales production planner for the City of St. Petersburg, Florida. teacher at Sulphur Springs Elementary, commensurate with the top 5 percent of all In addition to teaching, Hogsgaard has served achieved National Board Certification in Realtors nationwide. Prior to that, she worked as president of the faculty, faculty secretary, 2007. National Board certified teachers have in Pinellas County as a speech pathologist in planning officer, and for four years as a full successfully demonstrated advanced teaching the public school setting and also in private member of the Point Park Board of Trustees. knowledge, skills and practices. Certification practice. Folden lives in Belleair Bluffs and is achieved through a rigorous, performance- Diana L. Stevens, `69, is the proud parent is married, with a 20-year-old son. She’s based assessment that typically takes one to of 2nd Generation USF Bull, Ryan Salzgeber, travelled extensively and enjoys golfing, fishing three years to complete. Fewer than 5 percent who graduated in December 2007 with a and diving. She believes strongly in coastal of teachers in the U.S. have achieved this B.S. in Accounting. Stevens earned a B.A in conservation. She and her husband, a local certification. Elementary Education. successful fishing guide and host of ‘Florida John Ritter, M.S. `76, hosts “Rise Up Sportsman Radio Live’, are members of the Country,” a “positive country” radio show that’s Coastal Conservation Association. 70s syndicated in markets across the U.S. After Jim Loper, `70, was named as a earning his degree in Speech Pathology from Attorney Pete Cardillo, “Cornerstone of Heritage” by Cornerstone USF, Ritter moved out west to pursue a music `79, was recently certified and Family Ministries, a nonprofit, faith-based career. Ritter and his good friend Colin Ray admitted to the Multi-Million organization founded in Tampa in 1892. Loper, cut their teeth in the music business playing Dollar Advocates Forum, in a local attorney, served on the USF Alumni the Nevada circuit. He also has recorded which membership is limited Association Board of Directors for several with the Warner Brothers and RCA labels, to attorneys who have won million and years and was president of the National with co-producer Anita Pointer of the Pointer multi-million dollar verdicts, awards, and Alumni Board. He also was a Distinguished Sisters and Sony Music V.P. Paul Wurley. After settlements. Cardillo is a graduate of Alumnus Award winner. 11 years as a successful Nevada entertainer, Columbia Law School and specializes in termite litigation. Beverly W. Green, `73 & M.A. `77, a Ritter moved back to Florida with his wife, Bobbie, and their two children, Lindsey and guidance counselor at Farnell Middle School, 80s was voted Middle School Counselor of the Johnny. He built a 24-track recording facility Year in February 2007 by the Hillsborough and began the positive country music show John M. Paiva, `80, is director of sales Counseling Association. “Rise Up Country,” which can be heard from for Derm Path Plus Pathology and Accupath Anchorage, Alaska to Fort Myers, Florida. Ritter Pathology laboratories. He and his wife Gail Carroll-Coe, `74, is a sound production also partnered with radio veteran Ken Cooper Christina have two daughters and live in mixer and owner of Carroll-Coe Productions of to form “Cooper & Ritter,” which ran as the Apollo Beach. Grosse Point, MI. She has worked on several morning show on Q105 for six years. “Rise Up” Josette Urso, `80 & MFA `84, was the Hollywood movies, including “Déjà Vu” with then moved to the CMA #1 Country Station in recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Denzel Washington, “Untraceable” with Diane the U.S.A., WQYK, 99.5. Lane, “The Closer,” “The Italian Job” and award. Urso and her husband, landscape artist many more. Joseph Severino, `76, is a teacher and Peter Schroth, recently wrapped up a joint football coach at King High in Temple Terrace. exhibit of their work, “One View/Two Visions,” Loren Ellis, `74, is an artist, He is married to Lori Sue Grieb-Severino, at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Pinellas photographer, poet, educator `80, M.A. `88 & Ph.D `00, a reading specialist County. They are based in New York City, but and consultant in New York City at Freedom High. His son Anthony Severino travel extensively. who founded Art for Healing, played football for the Bulls and graduated

JANUARYAPRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 29 , notes classThomas Bottichio, `81, was appointed Renee Hedsand, `86, has joined the staff statewide director of advertising, marketing chief financial officer and vice president at Wipfli LLP, a CPA and consulting firm with and business sales with Verizon Wireless, a of finance for Electric Insurance Company, offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hedsand’s Fortune 100 company. a Beverly, Massachusetts based national area of expertise is small business. Larry Collins, `88, a physician provider of auto, homeowners, condominium, Charley Harris `87, a partner assistant and instructor in USF’s and renters insurance. Previously, Bottichio with Trenam Kemker Scharf Barkin Department of Orthopaedics was the pricing leader for GE Infrastructure Frye O’Neill & Mullis PA and a and Sports Medicine, has been in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was chief risk and USF Alumni Association board recognized as a Distinguished portfolio manager, and business restructuring member, is the 2008 chair of the Fellow of the American Academy of leader for GE Aircraft Engines, European sales St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. Harris, Physician Assistants (AAPA). Only 200 out of and service finance manager for GE Medical who was the 2006 chair of USF’s National approximately 70,000 P.A.s practicing in the Systems, and chief financial officer of Midwest Alumni Board, joined Trenam Kemker in 1992 U.S. have earned the AAPA’s distinction of Electric - GE Industrial Systems. While at GE, and became a shareholder in the firm in 1999. Distinguished Fellow. Bottichio earned his Six Sigma Master Black His practice includes intellectual property Belt and completed GE Executive Leadership Collins has worked with the Sports Medicine litigation and commercial litigation. and Financial Management programs. faculty and staff at USF since 1990 and has Gary L. Palmer, Jr., `87, Marketing, has also volunteered at the University of Tampa Bob Huckabee, `82, recently joined Horizon been named to the strategic advisory board of and St. Leo University. For the past two Forest Products, a distributor of products for Commerce Planet, Inc. Palmer manages Fidelity decades, he has provided medical coverage at hardwood flooring contractors and custom National Information Services’ Government Friday night high school football games. He has cabinetmakers, as product manager for the Solutions/EBT business unit, the ACH business also worked with the United States Olympic Raleigh, N.C. branch. He is responsible for unit as well as EFD Prepaid, formerly known Training Program in Colorado Springs and product placement, product tracking, vendor as WildCard Systems, which he co-founded in was assigned to the 1996 Summer Olympic relations, and sales training and promotion. 1997. FNIS acquired these entities as part of Games in Atlanta and the 2007 Winter World Before joining HFP, he served for four years the purchase of eFunds/EFD in September 2007 University Games in Torino, Italy. as a regional sales manager for Anderson for $1.8 billion. Hardwood Floors, where he was responsible Collins volunteers yearly to give pre-competition for distributor relations, sales, training, product Immediately prior to joining FIS through physicals for several youth organizations across introduction, and promotions. the acquisition, Palmer was executive vice the Tampa region and helps coordinate medical president of Global Strategic Business coverage for local events such as adventure Diane Altwies, `83 & MBA `88, has written Development for eFunds/EFD and was races, triathlons and road races. He is an avid PMP Exam Success: A Concise Study Guide for responsible for taking EFD’s products into runner, cyclist and triathlete, having completed the Busy Project Manager and Program Manager global and multi-national financial institutions several Ironman triathlons. In 2003, he was a Professional: A Certification Study Guide with as well as other strategic entities. Prior to the member of the FOI/Arthritis Foundation four-man Best Practices for Maximizing Business. acquisition of WildCard by eFunds in July 2005, team that raised $40,000 and finished third in David Scigliuto, `83, president Palmer served as WildCard’s chief operating the Race Across America (RAAM) — completing of David A. Scigliuto Wealth officer and member of the board and was the San Diego to Atlantic City bicycle race in 7 Management in Seminole, FL, directly responsible for the product strategy days, 2 hours. is the 2007 NHRA National and innovation, direct sales, and domestic and Joanne Kazmierski-Bachansingh, `88, Champion of Super Pro in drag international channel partner development. won a Silver Quill Award from the International racing. He won the prestigious award on Colleen Chappell, `88, who Association of Business Communicators for November 4, 2007, in Pomona, CA. He is was recently named president and Print and Electronic Communication for the also a certified financial planner and has CEO of Roberts Communications creation of the JAXPORTjobs.com website. been a financial advisor in Pinellas County & Marketing, will serve as She is manager of community outreach & for 23 years. creative brand director of America environmental advocacy for the Jacksonville Gwen Hanner, `84 & M.A. `86, is a Marketing Association Tampa Bay Chapter International Seaport. Joanne is married to licensed mental health counselor and founder responsible for maintaining the AMATBC Dave Bachansingh, `89, who is a manager for of Heart to Heart Counseling Center, Inc. She brand, creative direction and providing creative J.C. Penney’s. The couple, who met when they has 22 years of post-graduate experience and services to the chapter. With more than 18 were both on USF’s Homecoming Court, have provides clinical hypnotherapy for adults and years of experience, Chappell is responsible for two kids, Jessica, 11, and Justin, 9. teens for a wide variety of emotional issues. setting the strategic direction for Roberts as Reid Sheftall, M.D. `88, has written Striking She also teaches stress management and well as managing its staff and all operations. It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, meditation. Prior to joining the firm, Chappell was a Patients and Pros.

30 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 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

June Casagrande, `89, has TSW International. He began his career as an for Gold Bank; V.P. of commercial real estate written two books: Grammar officer in the United States Navy, and holds a lending at Colonial Bank; and lending officer in Snobs are Great Big Meanies B.S. in Applied Science from the United States the Commercial Mortgage Division at SunTrust. and Mortal Syntax, which Naval Academy and an M.S. in Engineering He was a real estate appraiser in the Tampa is due out this month from Management with High Honors from USF. area for six years before beginning his career Penguin publishers. She is the author of the In 2007, he was named Atlanta Technology in banking. He is a Tampa Bay native, and self-syndicated grammer column, “A Word Marketing Executive of the Year. earned a B.A. degree in Finance from USF and an MBA from the University of Tampa. Please,” which appears weekly in newspapers Clark L. Buurma, `91, who graduated in California, Florida and Texas. She’s also a magna cum laude with a degree in Finance, Faye Culp, M.A. `93, Art Education, was widely published freelance writer, copy editor is a health care administrator for Lakeside named as a “Cornerstone of the Community” and script writer. Pediatrics and a Realtor with Keller Williams by the Cornerstone Family Ministries, a Mary Lou (Cleckner) Powell, ‘89, has in Lakeland. He’s married with two children, nonprofit, faith-based statewide organization been certified by the South Carolina Board active in his church and likes to fish and work founded in Tampa in 1892. Culp is a longtime of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification as a on muscle cars. Republican legislator, representing House District 57, a former teacher and school board Circuit Court Mediator. Powell, an attorney Hiroko Watanabe, M.A.`91 & `01, came member, and a devoted children’s advocate. in private practice, is married to Federal to USF after graduating from college in Japan. Administrative Law Judge O. Eugene Powell, She earned an M.A. in Linguistics: English as Will McClure, `93, works for Vermeer Jr. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina. a Second Language. She followed that with Southeast selling environmental and 90s a Bachelor’s of Music degree in 2001. She is directional drilling equipment for companies on currently teaching Japanese at Middleton High the west coast of Florida. He married Michelle Gregory Chapman, `90 & and Tampa Bay Tech and playing the piano for Hauser in 2000 and they have a son, Declan, MBA `94, and his wife Giulia, her church. born in 2005. welcomed their second son, Tamsen Fadal, `92, hosts a Janna Wold Dale, `94, is a CPA and Niccolo-Sebastian, on Dec. new show on Lifetime Television controller for West Coast Insulation. 30, 2007. He joins big brother called “Matched in Manhattan” Johnathan-Battista. Dr. M. Rony Francois, `94, with her husband, Matt Titus. MPH `98 & Phd `03, has been Bob McKee, `90, M.A. `92 She is also a reporter for CBS and named assistant secretary for the & `93, is the deputy executive recently co-authored a new book, Why Hasn’t Louisiana Department of Health director of the State of Florida He Called? with Titus. She was the Alumni and Hospitals – Office of Public Department of Revenue. He is Association’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Health. Francois previously served as the also a member of the state’s in 2004. secretary of health for the State of Florida from Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. He is Erik A. Fisher, `92 & PhD `94, 2005-2007. He has undergraduate degrees in the tax collector for Lake County and previously has written his second book, The Physical Education and Biology and master’s served as town manager of Lady Lake and the Art of Empowered Parenting: The degrees in Exercise Physiology and Public chief deputy of the Lake County Clerk of the Manual You Wish Your Kids Came Health. Francois received his doctorate in Circuit Court. McKee is a past-president of With, with colleagues Steven Environmental Toxicology/Public Health at USF, Hospice of Lake and Sumter, Inc. and serves Wayne Sharp and Diane Fivas Wichman. where he also graduated from medical school. on the board of directors for the Lake/Sumter Fisher is a licensed psychologist and speaker Francois served as a presidential delegate at March of Dimes. in Georgia and specializes in helping clients the swearing in of the President of Haiti as Edward Solar, `90, was appointed senior with attention deficit disorders and learning well as serving on public health delegations vice president, Sales, Marketing and Business disorders, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, to the Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Development, for Arcadian Networks, a trauma and recovery, dissociative disorders and Republic. At the time of his appointment, he wireless communications carrier serving spiritual growth issues. His first book was The was assistant professor at USF’s Colleges of energy companies with dispersed assets, Art of Managing Everyday Conflict. Medicine and Public Health. Francois also spent including electric, gas and water utilities, and two years as a professional soccer player with Christopher D. Willman, `92, oil and gas companies. the Orlando Lions. He and his wife, Joelle, have was named as the new president three children: Rony, Patrick and Joelle Anne. Before that, he served as vice president, sales and CEO of Bank of Florida - and marketing for Cellnet Technology, Inc. Tampa Bay. Willman served as Jennifer Purcell, `94 & M.A. Prior to joining Cellnet, he was executive vice the senior lender in Tampa since `98, has accepted a full-time president of CES International and oversaw the affiliate´s inception. Prior to joining the faculty position as an instructor/ all sales initiatives. He also held sales and Bank of Florida, he served as V.P. of lending education specialist in the marketing positions at Indus International and

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 31 Academy of Medical Educators at the Touro 33,000 classrooms andnotes by more than one million and Find Meaning and Fulfillment. She is classUniversity College of Medicine. students in the U.S. Previously, Booth was a former economist and corporate market associate director of the Stavros Center for Free analyst, who re-invented her life after surviving William Black, `95, is MIS manager for the Enterprise and Economic Education at USF. She the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Her travels took her Orange County Bar Asssociation. joined the NEFE Board of Trustees in 2004. to Costa Rica and South Africa, where she M. Catherine Burney, `95 & MPH `01, Booth is an award-winning instructor with an worked as a volunteer teacher and wildlife has been named vice president of Sales and extensive background in education and the researcher. She is a consultant for Global Marketing for ScarHeal, Inc., a manufacturer of author of numerous publications and curricula Vision International, an adventure travel scar treatment and anti-aging products located on topics such as youth tobacco prevention company that specializes in long-term travel in St. Petersburg, FL. education, economic education, literature and experiences. She has another book coming Luigi Scalabroni, `95, married technology. She also has written and produced out, It’s Not Too Late (To Do What You Love) in Nancy Burnette Thomas on a television series. 2009. Whitney-Reiter has a B.S. in Economics Sept. 2, 2006 at Santa Casa and International Studies from USF and also di Loreto, Italy. The couple Curtis Harris, `97, joined Avatech Solutions an M.A. in economics from USF. She currently honeymooned in Cinque Terre, in 2003. In 2005 and 2006, he won the resides in Dewey, Arizona, near Prescott, with Italy. He is a software engineer with Honeywell company’s top honor, the Pinnacle Club Award. her husband, Greg Reiter, a flamenco guitarist. He married Lori Smith, who has a daughter, International and she is a clinical coordinator. Tari Sexton, `99, recently became a National They reside in South Tampa. Kourtnie Kolesar. Curtis and Lori have a daughter Kaiya Harris who was born on Aug. Board Certified Teacher. The National Board Jane M. Allen, M.A. `96, married Paul 18, 2003. The family belongs to Bell Shoals for Professional Teaching Standards certifies Corless in June at Sacred Heart Catholic Baptist Church. Curtis’ parents Norman and teachers who exemplify superior classroom Church in Green Cove Springs, FL. She now Johnnie Harris both passed away in 2007. competency. To certify, teachers spend goes by Jane Corless. The couple lives in between 200 and 800 hours putting together Middleburg, FL. Sterling Ivey, `97, was appointed to serve their portfolios, writing essays, taping lessons, as press secretary for the Executive Office of and taking the six-hour requisite exam. Fewer Shane Fletcher, `96, is a corporate the Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist. Ivey has than 5 percent of teachers in the U.S. have operations and sales representative for served as the communications director for achieved this certification. Preferable Staffing in Clearwater. Previously the Florida Department of State since 2006. he was the assistant editor of a quarterly Previously, he managed communications 00s magazine sent to 90,000 alumni members of activities for the Pinellas County School Board Suzie Cimato Manley, `01, Beta Theta Pi International Fraternity. and, before that, for the Florida Department of is a producer at Mindclay/ Corrections from 2001 to 2005. He served as a Christophe Albarran, MBA `97, was Spectrum Productions Inc., in public information officer for the Polk County named president of U.S. operations for the Tampa. Previously she worked Sheriff’s Office and was a district executive for legendary Italian fashion house Dolce & on documentaries and other TV the Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts of Gabanna. He has vast experience in the programming that has aired on Starz Encore, America. He received his bachelor’s degree in fashion industry, particularly in the customer PBS, FSN & The Golf Channel. service sector. In addition to his MBA from USF, mass communications from the University he has a degree from Temple University’s Fox of South Florida. He is married, with two Stephanie Henchey, `01, Nursing, is the School of Business and Management. He is young children. owner of Horizon HomeCare in Spring Hill, which was named as one of the Top 500 home fluent in English, French, and Italian. Albarran Jennifer L. Silva, `97, a joined D&G from Victorinox Swiss Army in health agencies in the nation by HomeCare Elite. Humanities alumna, has been She is married and has two children. 2006 as the V.P. of global apparel sales. named executive director of Jackie Booth, Ph.D. `97, Interdisciplinary Clothes to Kids, a Pinellas-based Dan Jenkins, MBA `01, has 15 years of Education, has been named vice chair of the nonprofit that provides clothes continuous marketing, safety and territory National Endowment for Financial Education to needy children. Silva brings over 10 years manager experience with industrial products (NEFE), a nonprofit foundation that teaches of nonprofit management experience to the and services and eight years combined financial skills. Booth will serve NEFE as vice organization. Prior to joining the CTK team, classroom teaching experience with the chair for one year, then will assume the role of she served as director of communications for majority of time devoted to industrial safety chairwoman of the 16-member board. Booth American Stage Theatre in St. Petersburg and developing the adult workforce. Prior to graduation, Dan opened EDGE is president and founder of Paradox Learning and as managing director for the Sarasota Marketing Services. As a rent-a-marketing- Systems, Inc., a Florida-based curriculum Film Festival. director, his clients included Tampa Bay Truck development firm that produces educational Nancy Whitney-Reiter, `97 & M.A. `98, Center, RDK Truck Sales and Crane Tech, a materials for teachers, students and parents. is the author of Unplugged: How to Disconnect national crane safety company. The company’s programs have been used in over from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis

32 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 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

While working with Crane Tech, Dan launched putting together their portfolios, writing Ji-Hyun Kim, `04, was recently a seminar series titled “A Managers Guide essays, taping lessons, and taking the six- awarded a DMA in Piano to Crane Safety,” working with some of the hour requisite exam. Fewer than 5 percent Performance from the University world’s largest oil companies. of teachers in the U.S. have achieved of Miami where she was a full this certification. After 5 years in the national crane safety scholarship recipient and served industry, Dan launched Grapple Hook Alex Amyot, `03, Design, is the new as a T.A. in piano. She recently won an audition Marketing, Inc. Grapple Hook’s projects include technical director at the University of Tampa. at Sung Sin Women’s University in Seoul, a successful launching of Swissphone, a Swiss Korea for an adjunct position in piano. Kalup Linzy, MFA `03, made emergency communication device for received a Creative Capital Amanda Corsentino, `05 first responders. Dan’s responsibilities include Foundation Grant. Creative & MPA `07, is a legislative overseeing print and website, dealer set up Capital supports artists who aide to Hillsborough County and training, and media campaigns for 20 pursue innovation in form and/ Commissioner Kevin White. states. His most recent project involved helping or content in the performing and visual arts, While attending USF, she lead the Independent Waste Haulers film and video, and in emerging fields. His work interned for Florida State Representative of Hillsborough County in a fight against was featured in the Jan. 6, 2008 edition of the Arthenia Joyner, who represented East Tampa, the County Commission over exclusive Sunday New York Times. He was the guest and also with a City of Tampa department hauling rights. juror at USF’s recent 2nd Annual BFA/BA Juried overseeing the revitalization of East Tampa. Over the past 5 years, Dan has performed Art Exhibition. Corsentino wrote her undergraduate honors adjunct marketing teaching assignments at thesis on East Tampa’s social capital. She also Daniel E. McLean, `03, is an account local colleges. He is currently teaching at St. won an award as an outstanding Hispanic executive with Roberts Communications Leo University. He’s married with two children graduate student at USF. in Tampa. He previously owned DEM and lives in Tampa. Communications in Tampa. He earned his Samantha Andre, `06, is a reporter and Joey Dimenno, `02, a School Accreditation in Public Relations credentials in photojournalist for WRDW television in of Music alumna, performed 2005, and in 2006 was president of the Tampa Augusta, Ga. the gypsy girl “Preziosilla” role Bay chapter of the Florida Public Relations Courtney Crummett, `06, has in Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Forza Association. accepted a two-year appointment del Destino” on Feb. 8 and 10 Justin Troller, `03, a Lakeland High School as bioinformatics librarian in with the Knoxville Opera Co. in the historic teacher, won a seat on the Lakeland City the Engineering and Science Tennessee Theater in Knoxville. Commission with 61 percent of the vote. Libraries at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She begins Sept. 1, after she Ayman El-Jabali, `02, is a project engineer Carrie Wuensch, `03, was in the Land Development Group of Wade Trim, completes her current practicum year at MIT selected as a 2008 Emerging as part of her fellowship from the National a Tampa civil engineering and planning firm. Leader by the American Library El-Jabali earned a bachelor’s degree in both Library of Medicine. Courtney has an MLS from Association. The Emerging civil and electrical engineering from USF. USF and a M.S. in Geology from the University Leaders Program was created to of Maryland. After completing her MLS she Evelyn Hale, `02, owns her enable 120 new librarians to get on the fast was accepted into the highly selective NLM own public affairs consulting track to ALA and professional leadership. Fellowship program, and chose MIT for her 2nd firm, Transnational Relations, Karen Brown, `04, recently debuted Pins and year practicum. and previously served as a Needles: Stories, published by the University congressional assistant to former Elana Karshmer, `06, instruction librarian of Massachusetts Press, in collaboration with U.S. Rep. Jim Davis. She’s active in a number and assistant professor at St. Leo the Association of Writers & Writing Programs. of organizations, from founding the Hispanic University’s Cannon Memorial Library, Brown is the winner of the Grace Paley Prize Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) was accepted into the Teacher Track of the for short fiction and the O. Henry Prize for her to the umbrella Hispanic Alliance of Tampa Association of College and Research Libraries work, Unction. Her stories have been published Bay, a cultural and leadership nonprofit of Institute for Information Literacy’s Immersion in numerous literary journals. which she is president. Program `08. The acceptance includes a Tina Gonzalez, `04, married scholarship of $600 to assist with registration Sonja M. Perkins, M.A. `02, was recently Jordan Bjork on Jan. 12, 2008 and travel fees. named as a National Board Certified Teacher. at the Powell Crosley Estate in Joumana Saad, `06, works for Forbes.com The National Board for Professional Teaching Sarasota. Tina is an instructional Standards certifies teachers who exemplify in New York City as associate producer at the designer for Coca-Cola company’s video network. Prior to joining the superior classroom competency. To certify, Enterprises. She now goes by Tina Bjork. teachers spend between 200 and 800 hours firm in June 2007, she interned and was hired as

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 33 a freelance producer at Al Jazeera television. a scholarship from notesthe Sarasota Arts Council. Jamie Russell, `07, is assistant to the chief He is an undergraduate and graduate member classNatasha Samreny, `06, is a freelance executive of the Gab Group, a West Palm of Phi Sigma Theta national honor society. radio reporter for WUSF radio and also has Beach-based public relations and special contributed pieces to National Public Radio’s Michelle Green, `07, is a video producer for events company. “Morning Edition.” High Street Financial in Tampa. High Street John Trujillo II, MBA `07, has joined UMB owns a company that produces trade show and Deon Blackwell, MFA `07, has had Bank Colorado as vice president and senior event programming. exhibitions throughout Tampa, including “8 Bit portfolio manager. Previously, he worked at is Legit” at USF’s William and Nancy Oliver Kelly Heckinger, `07, is marketing SunTrust Bank in Tampa, where he managed up Gallery; “Neighborhood Watch,” a one-night coordinator for the Busch Gardens to $325 million in assets and was responsible public art exhibit, “Who’s Who of No One communications team. She joined Busch for the asset allocation of each account. Trujillo You Know” at Covivant Gallery, as well as Entertainment in January 2007 as a also holds a B.S. in finance from the University several student shows at USF’s Contemporary communications intern and was promoted of Denver. Art Museum. He won the Dali Museum Best to intern trainer. Since her arrival, she has Jason Fulmino, `08, is local sales manager in Show Award at the USF Juried Student coordinated film shoots, interviews and media for WBTP radio in Tampa. Exhibition. tours. Her major projects include the Floorless SheiKra unveiling ceremony, a National Jacqueline Blake, `07, was hired by Geographic television shoot and two High In Memoriam Goldman Sachs in New York City as an School Journalism Days. analyst in the product control group. Her Patricia Wall Benz, M.A. `66, Jan. 22 responsibilities include price verification Laura Klosterman, `07, is a media relations and preparing and analyzing profit and loss specialist for Caponigro Public Relations in Tampa. Robert Valdes, Jr., `66, Jan. 16 statements. Blake, 23, who earned double Heather Lajoie, `07, is a production Terrance Wilson, M.A. `68, Jan. 10 majors in Accounting and Finance, has already coordinator for Roberts Communications Maria Nobo Garcia, `69, Jan. 11 passed two parts of the CPA exam. in Tampa. William Bedford Watt, `71 & M.A. `73, Dec. 12, 2007 Megan Boatwright, `07, is a reporter and Michelle Macias, `07, is a reporter for KVEO Peter Allen, `72, Dec. 28 fill-in anchor at KIFI television, the ABC affiliate television, the NBC affiliate in Brownsville, Texas. in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Wilfred Hanson, M.A. `74, Dec. 31, 2007 T. David Miles, `07, was appointed Lauren Denham, `07, is vice president and branch manager of Orion Eileen Ortiz, `86, Feb. 9 studying for a master’s degree Bank’s office in Bradenton. He oversees John R. Davies, `89 & M.A. `98, Jan. 25 at the University of Westminster all branch operations and sales activities. Kurt Wiltsey, `89, Dec. 16, 2007 in London and serving as an Miles, a Palmetto resident and Accounting Ann Marie Wells, `97, Dec. 8, 2007 intern at the British Broadcasting graduate, has several years of banking industry Corporation. The 21-year-old Polk County experience. Ronald Stuart, `98, Nov. 30, 2007 native works as a producer for the BBC World Jenna Mitcheson, `07, is a video reporter, Service on “World Have Your Say.” In May photographer and editor as well as a writer for she’ll travel to Africa for two weeks to work on Pewter Report and PewterReport.com in Tampa a documentary about AIDS orphans. covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Matthew Fergeson, M.A. Angela Peters, `07, recently earned her `07, has joined the architecture BSEE with honors from the USF College of team at Spectrum Design of Engineering. She is an electrical engineer and Roanoke, VA. In his role as is married to Mark Peters, B.A. `80 & MEd `01. architectural intern, Fergeson will assist with educational and municipal Yaritza Roman-Perez, `07, is a sales projects. During his time at USF, Fergeson assistant for Clear Channel Communications received recognition for numerous architecture in Orlando. She works for WRUM-FM and and design projects, including a concrete and WQTM-FM. resin furniture piece and wall lighting fixture. Daniel Rojas, `07, was hired by Goldman He designed a university building for USF that Sachs in New York City. He will assist traders earned a nomination for an award from the and analyze daily profit and loss statements American Institute of Architecture Students. as an analyst in the controller’s department. He graduated with an M.A. in Architecture and Rojas, 22, earned a bachelor’s degree in Community Design, after having been awarded accounting last year.

34 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 athletics By David Hein of heinnews Whenever Wanda Guyton walks into USF’s Sun Dome, it’s always a special feeling. “I look up and see my No. 50 and it’s awesome,” said the former “Bulls” superstar, whose number was retired in February 2002. “When I got the call, I thought, why me?” she admitted. Guyton credits current women’s basketball head coach Jose Fernandez for the honor. “He never coached me but he saw the stats and said I deserved the recognition,” said Guyton, who also was an assistant coach Former USF basketball player and assistant coach Wanda Guyton at USF. confers with Wasserburg head coach Hans Brei. Guyton said the number retirement ranked right up there with her two WNBA Guyton to the sidelines in 1999. And championships with the Houston Comets in she landed back at her alma mater as an assistant 1997 and 1998. coach with former USF coach Jerry Ann Winters. “That’s a dream come true.” “It was an honor. I figured why not start another dream. And I loved to have my family and The Tampa native currently lives in the sleepy friends around me,” Guyton said. southern German town of Wasserburg, with a view of the Alps in the background. And She was surprised to see how Guyton’s long journey from USF to Germany big the campus had become, has taken as many turns as the Inn River that saying enrollment appeared flows through Wasserburg. to have tripled in her time away. And she was impressed After leaving USF as a two-time Sunbelt with a number of new Conference All-First Teamer and the 1988-89 buildings scattered across Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year, Guyton the Tampa campus. But landed her first professional contract in Japan, it still had the warm followed by two seasons with a Spanish feelings she always club on the Canary Islands, off the coast remembered from of northern Africa. her days as a She then spent five years in Italy where she fell student athlete. in love with the culture, the people, the food “That was the and the wine. most important In 1996, the WNBA was formed and Guyton thing, having was selected as the fifth overall pick in the a comfortable inaugural Elite Draft in January 1997. feeling - like I was home. And “I’m still proud of that. I mean, I’m part of I will always be history. I’m one of the pioneer players of the part of USF. It league,” she said. is my home,” A second back operation to fuse her spine forced she said.

APRIL 2008 I ALUMNIVOICE 35 athletics Guyton credits former USF guard Dione Smith with convincing her to lace up her sneakers and get back on the court. “She told me: ‘You know you still got what it takes,’” Guyton remembers. And she did. She was offered a spot with a club in Israel, but the 9/11 terrorist attacks scared her away from Israel and she landed in Germany. She’s been in the 15,000-person town of Wasserburg ever since. USF Men’s Baseball Schedule “I like the fact that it’s a small city. You have *Friday, April 11 - Louisville, Home , 7 p.m. a warm feeling and a nice comfort zone. *Saturday, April 12 - Louisville, Home, 7 p.m. And I never want to leave it,” she said. *Sunday, April 13 - Louisville, Home, 1 p.m. The people of Wasserburg don’t want her Tuesday, April 15 - Stetson, DeLand, FL, 7 p.m. to leave either since she has led their club to Wednesday, April 16 - Bethune-Cookman, Daytona four consecutive German league championships. Beach, FL, 6 p.m. When she goes out, local DJs oblige her by *Friday, April 18 - Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ, 3:30 p.m. playing her favorite old Eighties songs. *Saturday, April 19 - Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ, 1 p.m. Wanda is still the face of the club, even *Sunday, April 20 - Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ, Noon though last season she wrapped up 18 years of Tuesday, April 22 - FAU, Boca Raton, FL, 6:30 p.m. professional basketball and moved exclusively Wednesday, April 23 - Stetson, Home, 7 p.m. to the sidelines as assistant coach. Her full- *Friday, April 25 - Villanova, Home, 7 p.m. time job is working as a sports education high *Saturday, April 26 - Villanova, Home, 7 p.m. school teacher. *Sunday, April 27 - Villanova, Home, 1 p.m. With four straight championships and the Tuesday, April 29 - UCF, Home, 7 p.m. love of a small city, Guyton may get her Wednesday, April 30 - Bethune-Cookman, Home, 7 p.m. Wasserburg No. 4 retired – joining the Tuesday, May 6 - UCF, Home, 7 p.m. No. 50 from USF. *Friday, May 9 - St. John’s, Queens, NY, 6 p.m. *Saturday, May 10 - St. John’s, Queens, NY, 1 p.m. *Sunday, May 11 - St. John’s, Queens, NY, Noon Tuesday, May 13 - Florida, Gainesville, FL, 6:30 p.m. *Thursday, May 15 - Notre Dame, Home, 7 p.m. *Friday, May 16 - Notre Dame, Home, 7 p.m. *Saturday, May 17 - Notre Dame, Home, TBA Games in Bold are Home games *are BIG EAST Conference games

36 ALUMNIVOICE I APRIL 2008 your membership in action calendar 11 Pinellas County Alumni Awards Ceremony & Reception, 6 p.m., Poynter APRIL Library Terrace, USF St. Petersburg. RSVP to Katie Giglio at (727) 873-4561 or [email protected] . 12-13 Spring Plant Festival, 10 a.m., USF Botanical Gardens, Tampa Campus. Admission, $4, children under 12 are free, as are USFBG members. For details, visit www.cas.usf.edu/garden 16 Fourth Annual GALA Reception & Awards featuring Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, 6 p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center, Tampa Campus. RSVP to Tyrone Gray at (813) 974-1936 or [email protected] 17 Civility and Voting Technology in Democracy: Making Every Vote Count, 11:30 a.m., Ritz Carlton, Sarasota. $50. For details, visit www.becauseitmatters.net/cid_lectures.cfm 17 An Evening with Natasha Trethewey Pulitzer Prize Winner Poet, 7 p.m., Traditions Hall, Gibbons Alumni Center, Tampa Campus. Free. 18 USF Ambassadors Reception, 6 p.m., Lifsey House, Alumni Drive, Tampa Campus. RSVP to LaToya Dowdell at (813) 974-1877 or [email protected]

MAY 2 Spring Commencement, 6 p.m., USF Sun Dome, Tampa Campus. 3 Spring Commencement, 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 6 p.m., USF Sun Dome, Tampa Campus. 3 Public Tour of MFA Graduate Exhibit, noon, USF Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa Campus. Free. 4 Spring Commencement, USF St. Petersburg, 6 p.m., Bayfront Center, Mahaffey Theater, First Street South, Downtown St. Petersburg. 4 Spring Commencement, USF Sarasota-Manatee, 2 p.m., Manatee Civic & Convention Center, Palmetto, FL. 5 Spring Commencement, USF Lakeland, 7 p.m., The Lakeland Center, Youkey Theatre, West Lime Street. 14 USF Night at the Tampa Club, 5:30 p.m., Bank of America building, Downtown Tampa. RSVP to Renate Armitage at (813) 229-6028, Ext. 307 or [email protected] 17 Pinellas County Alumni Casino Night, 7 p.m., USF St. Petersburg Campus Activities Center. RSVP to www.USFalumni.net > Events > Calendar 17 New York Chapter Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise, 6:15 p.m., Pier 83 at West 42nd Street. For details, email Valerie Berrios at valerieberrios78@ hotmail.com or Michael Simpson at [email protected] 26 All USF campuses closed in honor of Memorial Day.

Event dates and details are subject to change. Please visit the Alumni Association website at www.USFalumni.org for the latest information.

APRIL 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: