October 2008 F S ClassClass act:act: Undergraduates getting a Student head start on research By Bayard Stern performance out how to go about getting Managing Editor engaged in a research project. Conducting research isn’t just We often work with the Office raises FSU’s for graduate students anymore. of National Fellowships and the Florida State University University Honors Program to prominence students seeking bachelor’s help students attain their goals.” degrees now have the Office of Cathy Levenson, the Hazel K. By Jeffery Seay Undergraduate Research and Stiebeling Professor of Nutrition, Editor in Chief Creative Endeavors to help Food and Exercise Sciences This fall, the freshman class them participate in and the program at Florida State University is research activities in Neuroscience, the best and brightest to ever and work directly is the new director matriculate here. The average with professors of the Office of freshman accepted into FSU Attracting beyond the Undergraduate boasted a high-school grade classroom. Research and point average of 4.0, an SAT FSU Photo Lab/Michele Edmunds the BRIGHTEST “We ought to be Creative Endeavors. score of 1261 (in critical reading The average freshman accepted doing everything “Research and math) or an ACT score into FSU boasted a high-school we can to engage experience as an of 28. Even though freshman our undergraduate undergraduate can grade point average of 4.0, an SAT enrollment decreased from 6,300 students in Cathy Levenson score of 1261 (in critical reading really set a student to 5,200 because of the decline the research mission of above and beyond the rest of in state funding, the number of and math) or an ACT score of 28. the university,” said Karen the field,” Levenson said. “Our applicants clamoring to become Laughlin, FSU’s dean of office is getting the message out Seminoles did not decline. Undergraduate Studies. “We to undergraduates about the Naturally, fewer slots make now have a centralized office value of research experience. FSU undergraduate Tess Mattingly, above, and Josh acceptance standards much Goodman, at left, participated this year in research where we can assist with this We also are engaging faculty more competitive. The majority activities, working directly with professors. effort, in lots of different ways. in this process to make sure of FSU’s students, freshmen or We want to help students who they understand how they otherwise, are serious scholars, are interested in research figure can enhance undergraduate researchers, philanthropists education on this campus by and volunteers. They have getting as many students as come to Tallahassee ready to The 4-1-1 on FSU’s hottest majors possible involved in the research turn upside down the myth process.” By Avery Hill of FSU as a “party school.” fit this year’s admittees — collegiate success. Undergraduate research Their performance in the When talking class schedules smartest, brightest, brilliant, With majors such as these, often is gaining popularity at FSU classroom and involvement in with the newest Seminoles, dazzling,” said John Barnhill, the first challenge is to get in. with students who are driven the community and world at don’t even think about making FSU’s assistant vice president for “Our program is a limited- to learn more about their field, large have spoken: U.S. News the proverbial Basket Weaving enrollment management. “It is access program, so students can’t earn academic credit, gain and World Report has named 101 joke. These scholars would an impressive group.” get into the program unless they experience and work directly FSU as one of the top 50 public hardly find the “blow-off” course Having graduated from have a 2.9 overall GPA,” said with faculty members. The Office universities in the nation, in its comment amusing. high school with exemplary College of Business Dean Caryn of Undergraduate Research “America’s Best Colleges 2009” That’s because business, grade point averages and L. Beck-Dudley. “With that, and Creative Endeavors notes edition. biological science, psychology college placement scores that they have to have the calculus that undergraduate research FSU tied with the University and nursing are among the outpaced their peers, today’s class. They have to have had helps participating students of Massachusetts-Amherst for most popular majors declared students aren’t coasting on the statistics class. They have to improve critical-thinking 50th place. In addition, FSU’s by Florida State University past performance. Rather, have had the economics classes, and communication skills. In overall ranking jumped 10 places freshmen — and the most they’re adding to that history of which most people consider to addition, offering a wide array of to No. 102 among all universities demanding. achievement a rigorous course be relatively demanding.” research opportunities helps FSU “I think all the superlatives of study at FSU to launch post- continued on PAGE 5 continued on PAGE 15 continued on PAGE 15 Florida State University Non-Profit Organization Seminole 1600 Red Barber Plaza U.S. Postage ‘Osceola’ is Tallahassee, FL 32310-6068 PAID coaches Phelps world-class Permit #1884 Bob Bowman was polo player Little Rock, AR a music major and scholarship swimmer Chris Gannon is the youngest at FSU before coaching person ever to win the U.S. Olympian Michael Polo Open. Now he rides as Osceola. Phelps. more on PAGE 3 more on PAGE 8 2 F S October 2008 Believe in lifelong learning? So do we. We’re Westcott Lakes at SouthWood, the new Life Fulfilling especially convenient to bleacher-coach the games, brush up on some Community® sponsored by Florida State University. And when historical research in the library, or jump into stimulating discussions you’re a member, we make it easier to expand your possibilities, on art, theatre or music — whatever you like. unleash your curiosity and let your passions soar. This isn’t any regular sort of retirement living. This is lifelong- At Westcott Lakes, our Health Assurance Guarantee protects learning retirement living — provided by Westcott Lakes and your future from the ever-increasing costs of long-term care. FSU just for you. And with your mind at ease, you can take advantage of the rich intellectual and cultural offerings of Find out how much fun life can be when you protect your the university. You’ll have on-campus privileges future at Westcott Lakes. Call (850) 645-7110 or toll-free similar to those of faculty members, making it (866) 510-1515 today. SM ™ FOR ALL LIFE CAN BE. 0810LLLFST WESTCOTT LAKES WELCOME CENTER & MODEL | 3800 ESPLANADE WAY, SUITE 180 | TALLAHASSEE, FL 32311 | WWW.WESTCOTTLAKES.ORG F S 3 October 2008 Former FSU swimmer is coach to Michael Phelps By Dave Fiore morning poolside practices for How do you top being the most Bob Bowman is a respected many years in relative obscurity. famous swimming coach in the and accomplished swimming That was, of course, until world? It appears that the options coach who, like many of his the wonder of Michael are almost limitless. colleagues, has patrolled early- Phelps grabbed our collective “Everything in our life is kind of imagination and would not let go potential right now,” Bowman told for the first eight days of the 2008 The Associated Press in Beijing. Summer Olympics in Beijing. “Michael and I are definitely going Phelps, who has been coached to go into some business ventures by Bowman for 12 years, won a together. What those are, we have Vol. 14 No. 3 record eight gold medals inside some ideas, but we don't have any www.fsu.com the Water Cube and helped NBC specifics.” capture an average audience of Editor in Chief JE ff ERY SEAY 28.7 million Americans every Managing Editor AYARD TERN B S AP Images Copy Editor BARRY RAY night — staying up late to watch Design and Production PAM MORRI S the thrilling assault on one of the Phelps and Coach Bob Bowman Editorial Assistant EVAN WATT S Olympics’ most revered records. That exposure also placed Bowman (’87, Psychology) in the spotlight, including plenty of face time around the races and before ending up afterward in interviews with TV in Baltimore, where host Bob Costas. he met a precocious Florida State University FSU students Board of Trustees It certainly was a change but talented Chair JIM SMITH of pace for the driven and 11-year-old, competed at the Vice Chair HAROLD KNOWLE S unassuming Bowman, who came Michael Phelps. DERRIC K BROO ks Beijing Olympics SU S IE BU S CH -TRAN S OU to FSU as a music major, focusing As senior coach at EMILY FLEMING DUDA on his piano skills with sights on the North Baltimore Yuruby Alicart, Venezuela DAVID FORD a career in musical composition. Aquatic Club from 1996 to 1999, greatness.” He has earned such Event: Softball MANNY GARCIA WILLIAM “ANDY ” HAGGARD But as a scholarship swimmer, he Bowman helped produce three loyalty and respect from Phelps Gonzalo Barroilhet, Chile LAYMON A. HIC ks was forced to make a choice and individual national champions, that the world’s greatest swimmer Event: Decathlon JAME S E. KIN S EY JR. concentrated on the pool. 10 national finalists and five U.S. followed Bowman to Ann Arbor, RICHARD MCFARLAIN Ricardo Chambers, Bowman swam at Florida State when Bowman accepted a job LE S LIE PANTIN JR. National Team members and was Jamaica JAYNE STANDLEY for three years and captained the a national coach of the year three at the University of Michigan Event: 400m President T.K. WETHERELL team as a junior. His senior year, times. But it was his investment four years ago and has followed Rafeeq Curry, he served as an assistant coach in Phelps that would lead to his him back to Baltimore, where Vice President for United States University Relations & Advancement — both at FSU and the Area greatest success.