Jessica Beck

Cohort 2014

On April 16th, PSPs joined in support of

finding a cure for cancer. Relay for Life, an

overnight event that raises funds and aware-

ness for the American Cancer Society, is one

of the Program’s annual volunteering events.

Met with overwhelming support, this year’s

team consisted of over 50 people, with efforts

led by volunteer committee co-chairs Kaylee

Griskie, Stephanie Raymond and Cassie

Nicholas. Cancer touches the lives of so

many people, and Relay gives scholars the

chance to come together and get involved to

make a difference.

Through the work of scholars and faculty involved

- gathering donations from family and friends in

the weeks leading up to Relay, as well as fundrais-

ing on site - this year’s team raised $5,000, all of

which will be donated to the American Cancer

Society.

This year’s team was part of the USF’s campus-

wide efforts, which raised over $69,000 in total.

The PSPs team total throughout the last two years

is up to over $8,000.

Members of this year’s team walked the track,

raising awareness about a disease that significantly

affects the lives of so many.

(continued on page 2)

Scholars reach new Relay for Life goal

SCHOLARS REACH GOAL AT RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT

2

THE FIVE DON’TS OF ENDURING SUCCESS

3

FRANK CIRILLO: FROM USF TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

4

GODDARD TEACHES SCHOLARS “PROPER PROTOCOL”

5

CONGRATS, COHORT 2013!

6

Inside this issue:

June 2016 Volume 4, Issue 3

U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F L O R I D A P R O V O S T ’ S S C H O L A R S P R O G R A M

Breaking Stereotypes

Provost’s Scholars gather on the USF Track & Field Stadium to take part in Relay for Life 2016.

Page 2

Breaking Stereotypes

Scholars reach goal at Relay for Life event (cont. from page 1)

Throughout the night, the team was visited

by two special guests. Making a second

straight appearance, Provost Ralph Wilcox

visited the team, popsicles in tow.

Walking a lap around the track, the provost

was able to experience the fun of different

activities set up, as well as congratulate the

co-chairs and team members on their hard

work. After the lap, the provost headed off to

another event, leaving the team with words

of encouragement.

The team was also visited by Stephanie

Holmquist-Johnson, one of the team’s major

supporters this year.

During fundraising, Holmquist-Johnson heard

about the group’s efforts and was inspired by the

cause, donating to the team’s efforts.

After 17 long hours, there was an overwhelming

sense of achievement as the team walked the final

lap. Relay for Life serves as a chance for mem-

bers of all cohorts to come together with members

of the USF and Tampa communities to raise

awareness and make a difference.

The participation of everyone involved in this

year’s event helped make this a success and set a

positive tone for the next year of Relay for Life

moving forward.

Jessica Beck Staff Writer

Provost’s Scholars have raised more than $8,000 over two years for Relay for Life. Volunteers walked the track continuously throughout the night to benefit cancer research.

Timothy Freeman

Cohort 2013

With the spring semester quickly approaching

its end, scholars and administrators came to-

gether for the traditional end of semester din-

ner. Unlike past events, guests were joined by

local, knowledgeable businesspersons in ad-

dition to our keynote speaker, USF Board of

Trustee member Brian Lamb.

Prior to dinner, scholars and guests mingled

and networked amid delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Following Dean Adams’ welcome, guests

were introduced with short biographies by

PSPs Ashante Sanders and Frank Cirillo.

After cohort introductions, Trustee Brian

Lamb, Regional President of Fifth Third

Bank, took the stage and spoke about his ex-

periences and life’s path.

Lamb elected to take the time and instruct

scholars on what not to do in life, as opposed

to telling us what to do. He imparted five key

statements of what not to do:

“The first one is, don’t stop learning.” He

then continued to emphasize the importance

of this lesson by saying, “It is without a doubt

the fuel that energizes all of us. It’s what’s

gotten you to this milestone today and with-

out a doubt will be the fuel that gives you

what you need for the future.”

While it is obvious to us that learning is es-

sential here in college, his lesson extends

beyond to the rest of our lives, as he ex-

plained during his speech.

“The second one is, don’t stop asking questions.”

With emphasis on the need to ask questions of

our teachers, mentors, leaders, peers, and our-

selves. He went on to explain how impressed he

was with the amount of questions that were asked

upon his arrival. “The third is, don’t be afraid to

take risks.” Using his own experience as an ex-

ample, Lamb expounded on the necessity of risks

with proper thought and consideration taken into

account.

“Fourth is, don’t ever stop protecting your

brand.” Our greatest asset - our brand - is and will

always be the most important thing we could pos-

sibly utilize and as such, must do our utmost to

protect. Striving for the best in not only academ-

ics, but also in one’s personal image is a vital

lesson to be taken away from this powerful list of

don’ts.

“Last, don’t ever stop being proud of the Univer-

sity of South Florida.” USF has presented schol-

ars with the opportunities to grasp success, and

for that PSPs owe nothing less than the ultimate

display of pride.

Lamb brought these important don’ts to scholars’

attention and they will always keep them in mind

as they travel on future paths.

The five don’ts of enduring success

Page 3

Breaking Stereotypes

Timothy Freeman Copy Editor

Speaker, USF Board of Trustee member, Brian Lamb.

McKenna Kelley

Cohort 2014

When Provost’s Scholars graduate from USF,

some go to law or medical school. Some pur-

sue master’s degrees or Ph.Ds.

Others spend their first summer out of college

campaigning for a seat in the Florida Senate.

At 21 years old, Frank Cirillo is running as

the only Democrat in the race to represent

District 23, made up of Sarasota County and

part of Charlotte County, in the state Senate.

He said he first became interested in politics

as an eighth-grader, when he saw then Sen.

Barack Obama be elected president.

Cirillo, who double majored in economics

and political science, decided to pursue poli-

tics after interning in the state Senate in Talla-

hassee during his first year at USF.

“I wanted to serve my county and my state,

and I have always been interested in public

service,” Cirillo said. “It was a big decision,

but I felt like since I interned in the Senate, it

would be the most comfortable fit. It would

also be the place where I would have the most

influence to create good public policy for the

people of District 23 and Florida as a whole.”

Cirillo’s campaign platform is three-pronged

and focuses on issues concerning the econo-

my, environment, and education in his district

and statewide.

“My platform is based around local issues in the

district, like solving the problems with homeless-

ness and heroin use in the city of Sarasota and

working on smart economic development in

southern Sarasota County and Charlotte County,”

he said.

In his time in the Provost’s Scholars Program,

Cirillo had plenty of experiences that will help

him as he pursues the District 23 Senate seat and

possibly higher office in the future.

He helped found the Iota Sigma chapter of the

Sigma Pi fraternity at USF and served as a sena-

tor-at-large and solicitor general in Student

Government.

Just as he is sure of his choice to become a politi-

cian, Cirillo was sure of his decision to become a

Bull.

“My favorite memory as a Provost’s Scholar was

my interview for the program,” he said. “When I

met everyone in the Honors College and toured

campus, I knew USF and the Provost’s Scholars

Program was the right place to be. I felt like part

of a family.”

He said one important lesson he took away from

the Provost’s Scholars Program is applicable to

everyone as they depart USF, no matter their fu-

ture career path.

“Never be afraid to ask for help, and always con-

tinue to pursue knowledge and growth,” Cirillo

said.

“That is the most important aspect in life.”

Frank Cirillo: from USF to the campaign trail

Page 4

Breaking Stereotypes

McKenna Kelley Copy Editor

Frank Cirillo

Kayla Hackmann Cohort 2013 PSPs are used to congregating for a meal

once or twice a semester, typically heralding

in a new term or congratulating its successful

end. On March 31st, however, cohorts gath-

ered for a special dinner to learn about proper

dining etiquette.

The event was hosted by Kimberly Goddard,

a nationally renowned teacher of protocol and

spokeswoman for “21st Century Business

Etiquette.” Goddard advocates for new and

improved versions of manners and protocol in

her sessions, stating that as the world pro-

gresses so must the ways in which people

communicate, both in casual and professional

settings.

Students had the opportunity to learn a wide

variety of lessons throughout the dinner. God-

dard taught how to properly react to the host

at a table, when to begin eating each course,

how to use utensils and how to confidently

interact with others at the table.

Goddard strove to impart life lessons within her

etiquette rules. While teaching students to speak

loudly when addressing a crowd, she said, “I want

you guys to speak up in your life. Be heard and be

known, be positive.”

These rules therefore were not just simply how to

hold a fork correctly, but how to carry one’s self

when interacting with others.

“I want you to be approachable. I want people to

hire you.”

As the night concluded Goddard gave students a

lasting set of guidelines:

Make eye contact

Dress appropriately

Smile

Speak clearly

Watch what you show other people

Be the best you can be

Goddard teaches scholars “proper protocol”

Page 5

Breaking Stereotypes

Kayla Hackmann Managing Editor

Kimberly Goddard (left) instructs scholars on proper manners and protocol when attending professional dinners and social events.

Congratulations, cohort 2013!

Page 6

Breaking Stereotypes

Zach Lowie Editor-in-Chief

Kayla Hackmann Managing Editor

McKenna Kelley Copy Editor

Timothy Freeman Copy Editor

Christy Ibrahim Advice Columnist

Jessica Beck Staff Writer

Breaking Stereotypes Staff Dr. Sondra Fogel

Director of Special Programs

Ms. Sarah Wray PSP Academic Advisor

Shawn Mallory PSP Graduate Assistant

Zach Lowie

Cohort 2013

The time has come to say goodbye to our third grad-

uating class of Provost’s Scholars. They have

worked hard and have ambitious plans on the hori-

zon. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge their fu-

ture endeavors as they prepare to take their exciting

next steps in life.

Angela Banks - Pursuing a paid internship in human

resources.

Caroline Browning - Pursuing a nursing career in

Tampa.

Brittnie Burns - Continuing education at Stetson

University College of Law.

Kelly Cave - Attending Colorado State University to

earn a Ph.D in industrial and organizational psychol-

ogy.

Jean Ching - Working as an RN in a Tampa hospital

following graduation.

Frank Cirillo - Running as a Democrat in the

Florida State Senate, District 23.

Victoria D'Esposito - Pursuing a physician's assis-

tant graduate program.

Cameron Felski - Pursuing a career in chemical

engineering.

Destin Fleming - Pursuing a career with the US

Marine Corps as an intelligence officer.

Timothy Freeman - Attending Florida Atlantic

University to earn a master’s in mathematics.

Zach Lowie Editor-in-Chief

Leslie Gibson - Working and continuing education

abroad concentrated on international studies.

Martha Gonzalez - Joining Americorps in August

for a full-time tutoring position.

Kayla Hackmann - Pursuing a full-time

career with the US Department of Defense.

Emily Hansel - Performing professional dance and

working on personal choreography.

Noelle Helder - Will take a gap year prior to pursu-

ing a Master’s degree in marine science.

Casey Hempel - Pursuing work in mass communi-

cations.

Ralph Herz - Continuing graduate studies in finance

and accounting.

Zachary Lowie - Continuing work in television

news before pursuing a Master’s degree through the

USF Muma College of Business' Sport and Enter-

tainment Management Program.

Shelby Povtak - Pursuing work in general business.

Ashante Sanders - Currently applying to German

Masters programs in international relations and polit-

ical science.

Kathryn Sprehn - Applying to the Peace Corps for

an NGO development position.

Reece Thomas - Pursuing a Master's in Accountan-

cy at USF before taking the CPA.

Savanna Williams - Working as a child protection

investigator examining child abuse and neglect

crimes before attending law school in the fall of

2017.