usf alumnivoice winter 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Award-winning filmmaker Charles Miller remembers comedienne

Joan Rivers, Pg 14

Oscar Fraustro drives home his dream – he’s one of the newest

PGA Tour golfers. Pg 16

Samuel DuPont and Audrey Buttice are STEM superheroes to

Tampa Bay school kids, Pg 18

Eight alumni groups earn recognition for excellence, Pg 25

Sherri BergerEnsuring the CDC

has the Resources to Protect America from

Deadly Diseases

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WINTER 2015 | ALUMNIVOICE 1

C O N T E N T S

FEATURES

12 Protecting America from Deadly Diseases Sherri Berger, MSPH `96, is COO at the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention during the largest Ebola epidemic in history. She’s responsible for making sure the CDC has the resources to meet its goal – protecting Americans from health threats both here and abroad – saving lives.

14 Joan Rivers Biopic Puts USF Filmmaker in the Spotlight No one was more shocked to hear that Joan Rivers had died

than USF alumnus and filmmaker Charles Miller, who along with fellow USF alumnus Seth Keal was part of a team from Breakthru Films that produced the award-winning, cinéma vérité-style documentary, “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”

16 Former USF Golfer Earns PGA Card Oscar Fraustro dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour for years.

It became a reality for the former USF men’s golfer when he earned his PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season. The Chihuahua, Mexico native has been playing golf since age 12 and he’s been chasing after PGA Tour qualification since he turned pro in 2006.

18 Engineering Alumni Promote STEM Education in a ‘Super’ Way

After graduating with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, who would expect a full-time job as a costumed superhero visiting elementary schools to speak to kids about science? That’s exactly what Audrey Buttice and Samuel DuPont do to teach students about STEM concepts.

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18

DEPARTMENTS

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2 Five Minutes with Mike 3 USFAA Board of Directors 5 News Roundup 9 Where’s Rocky? 20 USFAA Annual Report 22 Blast from the Past 23 Love USF

23 Student Voice 25 Chapters & Societies 29 Employ-A-Bull 30 Class Notes 36 Athletics 37 Calendar

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Your Home away from Home

2 ALUMNIVOICE | WINTER 2015

Mike Griffin, `03Chair, USF Alumni Association Board of Directors

5 Minutes with Mike

Fellow Bulls,

Here it is 2015 and we continue to ride the momentum of Homecoming Week. The stories you will find in this month’s Alumni Voice reinforce that energy. A special thanks to all of the alumni, students, faculty and staff who worked diligently to “raise the bar” of last year’s Homecoming festivities. I cannot wait for this year. I know those of you who were able to make it “home” to participate agree.

I would also like to congratulate some special Bulls who were recently elected to the Florida Legislature. In addition to Sen. John Legg, who was not up for re-election this cycle, other Bulls in Tallahassee now include Reps. Danny Burgess, Shawn Harrison, Ed Narain, Michelle Rewinkel Vasalinda, Ken Roberson, Ross Spano and Chris Sprowls. I look forward to having our great university represented by such excellent leaders and I continue to be thankful for the many other “friends of USF” who also serve in the Legislature. We are compiling

a list of all elected officials, so if you are in office elsewhere, please let us know so we can keep in touch.

If you are a part of any social media platform, you likely saw something about our “Share the Love” membership campaign. I am pleased to report that we exceeded our new member goal by almost 20 percent. I hope you will take a moment to “Share the Love” you have for your alma mater – you would be surprised that some of your closest alumni friends may not yet be members. Also, there is no better gift than an annual or life membership for your favorite Bull! If you need more information, find details on our website at www.usfalumni.org/membership.

Looking ahead, our Brahman Bash (formerly Bulls Around the World) is set for Feb. 28 and will have a Mardi Gras - Night on Bourbon Street theme. Please join us for live entertainment, signature drinks and fabulous silent auction items. All proceeds support our mission to help Bulls make an impact on USF and student success.

Finally, on behalf of our Board of Directors and your fellow alums, thank you for your continued commitment to USF. I hope you will take as much pride as I do when you hear about how our University continues to grow and become more relevant on the global stage. Your participation is critical to the success of our university and your Alumni Association is your conduit to getting engaged. If you are ready to be more active at your alma mater, let the Alumni Association be your front door to your University.

Go Bulls!

Mike Griffin, `03Chair, Board of DirectorsUSF Alumni AssociationLife Member #973

USF Alumni Voice®

USF Alumni AssociationGibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100Tampa, FL [email protected]

USF Alumni Voice Editorial:Penny Carnathan, [email protected] Kroeber, [email protected]: Andrew Jordan, Connect Media Inter-national, (800) 521-5730 or Rita Kroeber, [email protected] or (813) 974-6312Design: State of Mind Design, LLCContributors in this Issue:Aimee Blodgett

Penny Carnathan, `82Ryke CordiscoRussell Coughenour, M.A.Elizabeth EngasserKarla Jackson, `88, MSM `13Rita Kroeber, Ph.D.Matt MayJordan SeeTom Zebold

Alumni Association Contact InformationExecutive Director: Bill McCausland, MBA `96Membership: (813) 974-2100 or (800) 299-BULLAlumni & Student Programs: (813) 974-2100General Alumni e-mail: [email protected]/Scholarships: Kemel Thompson, (813) 974-1891

USF Bulls License Plate: www.BullsPlate.org USF Alumni Association website: USFalumni.org

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please write to Penny Carnathan at [email protected] or mail to the address at the top of the page. Views expressed in USF Alumni Voice do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the editorial staff.

USF ALUMNI VOICE (USPS# 025203)Number 31USF Alumni Voice is published quarterly in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall as a benefit of membership in the University of South Florida Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100,

Tampa, FL 33620-5455. Periodical Postage Paid at Tampa, FL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: University of South Florida Alumni Association, Communications Department, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

New Address? Moving?Update your official USF alumni record at myUSFbio.org or email your information to [email protected]. You also may remove the maga-zine label and send it with your correct address to USF Alumni Voice, USF Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620. © 2015 All rights reserved.


Front row, seated from left: Monty Weigel, `76, Past Chair , Lisa Provenzano-Heugel, `93, `96 & MSCS `07, Secretary, Mike Griffin, `03, Chair, Betty Otter-Nickerson, `76, Chair-Elect, Randy Norris, `79, Treasurer

Second row: April Monteith, `01 & MBA `03, Vickie Ahrens, `73 & M.A. `75, Richard Hartman, `88 & Ph.D `02, Ruben Matos, MPH `92, Brian Campbell, `93, Merritt Martin, `04 & MPA `06, Kathy Dorf, `08, Jessica Leigh, `01

Back Row: Jim Harvey, `88, Mary Harper, `97, M.Ed `01 & Ph.D `07, Andy Coe, `95 & MBA `00, Bill McCausland, MBA `96, Executive Director, USF Alumni Association, Jordan See, President, USF Ambassadors, Rhondel Whyte, Vice President, Student Government, Katrina Anderson, `09 & M.A. `11

Not pictured: Franklin Biggins, `69, Andrew Cohen, `11, Sandy Pettit, `94 & MCHE `10, Ph.D `14, Amy Walsh, `85, Judy Genshaft, USF System President, Joel Momberg, USF Senior Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Affairs

2014-15 USF Alumni Association Board of Directors


STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION1. Publication Title: Alumni Voice 2. Publication Number: USPS# 025-203 3. Filing Date: 9/26/14 4. Issue frequency: Quarterly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 4 6. Annual subscription price: Free to USF Alumni Association members 7. Mailing Address of Office of Publication: 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. 8. Mailing Address of Publisher’s Business Office: 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. 9. Full Names and Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Bill McCausland, USF Alumni Association, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. Editor: Karla Jackson, USF Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. Managing Editor: Rita B. Kroeber, USF Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. 10. Owner: University of South Florida Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. 11. There are no known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders. 12. Tax status has not changed in the previous 12 months 13. Publication Title: Alumni Voice 14. Issue Date for Circulation Below: Fall 2014

16. The Statement of Ownership will be printed in the January (Winter) 2015 Issue.17. Rita Kroeber, Managing Editor

15. Extent & Nature of Circulation A) Total number of copies printed (Net Press Run): B) Requested distribution: (1) Outside County Requested Subscriptions, including written, internet, telemarketing requests, advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies: (2) In-County Requested Subscriptions, including written, internet, telemarketing requests, advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies: (3) Sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors and others paid or requested distribution outside USPS: (4) Requested copies sent through other USPS mail classes: C) Total requested circulation:D) Non-requested Distribution: (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies, including sample copies, requests over 3 years old, requests induced by a premium, bulk sales and names obtained from other sources: (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies, including sample copies, requests over 3 years old, requests induced by a premium, bulk sales and names obtained from other sources: (3) Non-requested copies sent through other USPS mail classes: (4) Non-requested copies distributed outside of the Mail:E) Total Non-requested distribution: F) Total distribution: G) Copies not distributed, including spoiled after printing:H) Total:I) Percent requested circulation:

25,000

24,495

0

0

0

24,495

0

0

0

125

12524,620

38025,00099.4%

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

23,450

22,918

0

0

0

22,918

0

0

10

221

23123,149

30823,457

99%

Did You Know?There are more than 285,000 USF alumni nationwide and dozens of chapters and societies you can join to stay connected. See page 28 for contact information.


Longtime USF Supporters Pam and Les Muma Give $25 Million Gift to Name the USF College of Business

Les Muma, a 1966 graduate of USF and the retired chairman and CEO of Fiserv, Inc., together with his wife, Pam, both Life Members of the Alumni Association, gave the single largest individual gift in USF’s history, $25 million, to name the USF College of Business. The college will be known as the USF Muma College of Business. The gift is part of the $1 billion USF: Unstoppable Campaign.

“This gift fulfills a dream of both Pam and myself, to be able to demonstrate in a meaningful way our gratitude to USF and, in particular, to the USF College of Business for helping us build the foundation upon which our business careers grew,” said Les Muma. “Further, it is our vision and belief that this gift will provide Dean Limayem and his team the resources needed to elevate the Muma College of Business to one of the preeminent business schools in the country, giving many more young students the opportunity to kick start their own successful careers.”

“If it were not for the USF College of Business, Les and I would not be in a position to create this legacy at USF today,” Pam Muma said. “Besides our daughter and grandchildren, we have been educating college students for more than 30 years through scholarships at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Winter Haven High School and the University of South Florida. We have developed a special relationship with many of our students and we felt this was the time to endow the College of Business so we can continue to watch these young adults grow and evolve into responsible business leaders. We derive the pleasure of giving back as we watch the success of these extraordinary students.”

According to USF College of Business Dean Moez Limayem, this transformational investment will have a tremendous impact on the educational experience for students. The gift focuses on student success, faculty development and business community engagement. It also establishes the Muma Leadership Program, designed to help place students on a professional development track from their first moments at USF. New resources will allow the college to operate the program, track

student participation, and offer incentives for top participants.

USFSP Receives $10 Million Gift from Entrepreneur Kate Tiedemann

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) received a $10 million gift, the largest single gift in its history, to name the USFSP College of Business the Kate

Tiedemann College of Business.“Faculty and students are doing their part. This

gift allows me to affirm and accelerate their good work,” Tiedemann said. “I was fortunate enough to create a successful business in the U.S. and I feel strongly about creating a long-lasting legacy.”

The story of Tiedemann’s entrepreneurial success, a tale of hard work, passion and fortune, is a genuine American dream story. An immigrant from Hamburg, Germany, Tiedemann arrived in New York in 1955 – at the age of 18 – to live with an aunt. With limited English, Tiedemann worked multiple jobs before landing her first job in the surgical instrument business as an assistant in the New York sales office of Storz Instrument Co., now part of Bausch and Lomb. “I loved the work and was fascinated by the instruments,” she said. She decided this highly precise, tool-intensive industry was for her.

After 15 years in the surgical instrument field, she felt ready to start her own business and in 1975, Katena Products (short for Kate North America) was born in the basement of her New Jersey home. Today, Katena markets 1,400 products to more than 7,000 surgeons, outpatient surgery centers and hospitals in the United States and more than 110 countries around the world.

Tiedemann says she has often wondered what more she might have achieved had she had a formal education. “My highest level of education is grammar school, but I spent my whole life learning and still continue to do that,” she said. “Most of what I know I have learned from others.”

Tiedemann’s gift will support the education, research and service mission of the college, with initiatives including a faculty endowment fund and academic research, technology and training. According to Regional Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska, this gift will enhance USFSP programs and the overall student experience.

The USFSP Kate Tiedemann College of Business is one of only a few business schools across the country named for women.

news roundup


USF Sarasota-Manatee Has New Chancellor

Dr. Sandra Stone will serve as the new regional chancellor of USF Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM).

Stone comes from Dalton State College in Georgia, where she served as vice

president for academic affairs, overseeing myriad academic and outreach areas for the northwest Georgia institution. Her experience ranges across academia, state and federal government and sponsored research groups. Stone earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of West Georgia, a doctoral degree in sociology from Emory University, and a post-doctoral certificate in organizational behavior from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.

“Sandra Stone’s experience, enthusiasm and collaborative spirit will help guide USFSM toward further excellence and strategic growth,” said USF System President Dr. Judy Genshaft. “Her contributions will surely have an impact on the

entire USF System and the region that we serve.”Stone replaces Dr. Arthur Guilford, who retired

as regional chancellor in July.

Beloved Dean of Women Dr. Margaret B. Fisher Passed Away at 96

Dr. Margaret B. Fisher, the first and only Dean of Women at USF from 1962 to 1971 and a charter faculty member, passed away on Sept. 21, 2014, at the age of 96.

A confidante to administrators, her peers, and students, Fisher played a significant role in shaping the University and the lives of countless students, launching them into successful adulthood. Her students, fellow USF academicians and leaders throughout Tampa will remember her both as a fighter for minority and women’s rights and freedom of the press, and as a researcher and organizer for local, state, national and international programs that reflected her wide interests in education, religion and philosophy.

news roundupcontinued


USF Climbs to No. 88 in U.S. News and World Report Ranking

USF climbed nine spots to No. 88 in the 2015 rankings of the top national public universities by U.S. News and World Report.

The U.S. News ranking system is based on two overarching criteria. First, schools are categorized by their mission based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Once schools have been divided by category, U.S. News gathers data from each college on up to 16 indicators of academic excellence. Each factor is assigned a weight that reflects their judgment about how much a measure matters. Finally, the colleges and universities in each category are ranked against their peers, based on their composite weighted score.

USF Gets $5.3M to Hire Health Care Navigators

Health and Human Services officials announced they would give a total of $6.7 million to USF, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida to hire “navigators” to lead applicants through the health insurance marketplace’s maze of questions and documents.

USF is to receive the bulk of the money, $5.3 million. USF navigators will be hired under a program run by Florida Covering Kids & Families, an initiative of the Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies in the university’s College of Public Health in Tampa.

New Face at Your USF Alumni Association

Penny Carnathan, Mass Communications `82, is the assistant director of communications responsible for planning and managing the association’s editorial strategy for Alumni Voice quarterly member magazine, AlumNews monthly e-newsletter, and a variety of print/electronic news, features, promotional materials and publications for alumni, members and USFAA-supported student groups. She also develops, manages and creates communications for the alumni website, social media and mobile marketing channels. She replaces Karla Jackson, who recently retired.

Sources: University Communications and Marketing, USF St. Petersburg, USF Sarasota-Manatee, unstoppable.usf.edu


What’s unique about USF is that while there are some traditions that date back to the early years, like Homecoming, some are fairly recent, like the Beef Studs and Beef Babes, and others are still evolving. The latest edition of the Book of Bull, which debuted during Homecoming Week, captures all of USF’s proud traditions in one handy guidebook that is distributed to incoming USF freshmen. Your USF Alumni Association wants to thank the fellow Bulls at Rinaldi Printing, Steve Rinaldi, president, and Life Member Steve Kimbler, `84, vice president, pictured at top left and right, for printing this new edition of the Book of Bull. A big shout out also goes to Book of Bull project manager Jordan See, center, and contributors Juan Henry, right, and Christopher Mejia, `14, not pictured. Thank you all for making sure that USF’s proud traditions live on in the next generation of Bulls.

BOOK OF BULL


Take Rocky on your next trip

and send your photos to: Penny

Carnathan at [email protected]

or to her attention at the USF Alumni

Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave.

ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

Rocky?where’s

Life Members Dug and Myra Cooley, `71 & MS `74, pose with Rocky in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, one of the most famous Baroque fountains in the world.

Joy Leto, `88, took this photo of an awesome Bulls tailgate before the Maryland game at Ray Jay. Pictured from left are: Chris Leto, `85, J. Paul Pepin, Life Member Harold Astorquiza, `85, Rocky the Bull, Hank Weil, Life Member Andy Hafer, `88 & MBA `90, and Anthony Arena, `83.

Rocky accompanied Mike Young, father of Sierra Young, `13, and current USF student Savannah Young, on his 14,115-foot climb up Pike’s Peak in Colorado.



Where’s Rocky?

Life Members Kailash and Dr. Mona Jain, Ph.D `84, take a photo with Rocky in Barcelona, Spain, at the Esglesia Catedral de la Santa Creu. The Jains are both Life Members of the USF Alumni Association, U Club members and endowed scholarship donors.

Lynne Coris, `67, introduced Rocky to a guard at the Monumento aos Combatentes do Ultramar, a monument to the Portuguese soldiers who died during the Colonial War in Africa.

Life Member John Bunch, Ph.D `07, took Jedi Rocky to the San Diego Comic-Con, where he met Hellboy and a number of other superheroes and villains.

Life Members Connie Johnson-Gearhart, `00 & MCE `12 and Steven Janosik, `03, took Rocky along when they traveled to Madison for the Bulls game against Wisconsin.



Former School of Accountancy graduate teaching assistants had a mini-reunion. Back row, from left, Life Member Ann Wolfe `88, MAcc `91, Alistair Cooke `88, MAcc ’89, Jillanne Smith `88, MAcc ’93 and, on motorcycle, Life Member Marie Edmonson `88, MAcc `90 got together when Cooke flew in from his current posting with the U.S. State Department in Africa. He had his motorcycle shipped from Africa to Oregon and explored the U.S., ending his vacation in Florida before heading back to Africa.

Luigi Scalabroni, `95, and Rocky biked the challenging 33-mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake, Ore., which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been cited as one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the United States by the American Automobile Association.

Life Members Dr. Mike Perry, `81 and Michele Perry, `83, helped Rocky to further his science and technology education with a visit to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, near Geneva. The family is pictured here in front of the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest, most powerful particle accelerator. Pictured from left are: Matt Perry, `14, Sean Perry, Mike Perry, Michele and Josh Perry. Twins Sean and Josh are seniors at USF St. Petersburg.

Life Member Gail A. Reynolds, `69 & M.A. `72, took Rocky to visit Amsterdam’s famous ukulele shop, the Uke Boutique.



ProfileSherri Berger, `96

The recent Ebola virus outbreak – the largest in the virus’s history – has made the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one of the busiest places to work in the country.

Among those at the helm is chief operating officer Sherri Berger, MSPH ’96, a former principal epidemiologic investigator for the U.S. national public health institute.

“Things have been crazy here,” Berger said in an email interview. Protecting Americans during the deadly Ebola outbreak has tested her commitment to maintaining work-life balance.

All of her free time is spent with her 12 year-old son, Jacob. The two go to the theater and the movies, and take their dog for long walks.

COO since 2011, Berger oversees an office of 1,600 federal employees in Atlanta, the CDC’s headquarters, and thousands of contractors. She’s responsible for human resources, facilities management, budgeting and making sure the CDC has the resources to meet its goal – protecting Americans from health threats both here and abroad – and saving lives.

Her job also includes hosting visiting elected officials and their staffs, which recently included President Barack Obama, who stopped in to support the CDC’s efforts fighting Ebola.

“Each day offers a chance to build on our successes and figure out what we can do better,”

Sherri Berger, MSPH `96, is COO at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

during the largest Ebola epidemic in history.

By Elizabeth Engasser, Class of 2015

Protecting America from Deadly Diseases


she said. “Still, many times the things I deal with are unique and unpredictable. Regardless, I try to approach each conversation, each meeting and each issue the same way: listen, evaluate and then act.”

Berger joined the CDC in 1996 after being one of four graduate students selected to participate in the federal agency’s Experiential Learning Program. Assignments ranged from serving as a project officer to conducting her own research, and gave her an advantage when she applied for a position as an epidemiologist after graduating USF.

She eventually found herself in the business management side of the organization in positions of increasing responsibilities and leadership.

Working in the public health sector wasn’t always Berger’s plan. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida, and pursued graduate school after her mother advised her to “get more education” under her belt. She applied to USF’s College of Public Health with a plan to pursue a career in hospital administration.

“I spent a lot of time in hospitals and doctor’s offices when I was growing up” because her

father spent years fighting cancer, she said. “I also did volunteer work in a hospital while I was in college. It’s a setting I felt comfortable in and I found medical care fascinating.”

But two professors, Dr. Thomas Mason and Dr. Charles Mahan, turned her interests to epidemiology.

“(Mason’s) love for teaching was so inspiring, and his ‘on the ground’ experience in the public health service impassioned me to follow in his footsteps,” Berger said. “(Mahan) was able to bring public health to a state and local level for me. He helped me apply what I learned in the classroom to real-life experiences through my projects with

the local health department and volunteer work.”

She feels lucky to have her dream position at the CDC, and to be part of work that’s both exciting and gratifying.

“(The researchers’) work has been portrayed a lot lately in the media, and it’s really just as amazing in real life as it is in the movies,” she said. “They are working 24/7 to track down deadly diseases, and to prevent and respond to the next possible outbreak.”

®

Pictured left is Berger with a small bandage on her arm from a CDC promotion for annual flu shots.

Berger with her 12-year-old son Jacob.


No one was more shocked to hear that Joan Rivers had died than USF alumnus and filmmaker Charles Miller, `99, who was part of a team from Breakthru Films that produced

the award-winning documentary, “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.”

“I couldn’t believe it,” Miller said of the death of the 81-year-old comedienne during a surgical procedure in September 2014. “I would’ve thought she’d outlive anybody with the amount of energy she had.”

Miller and fellow USF alumnus Seth Keal spent about 15 months filming with Rivers in the cinéma vérité style – a type of observational, fly-on-the-wall filmmaking in which the crew follows the subject around and becomes part of his or her daily life. In the process, they learned that behind Rivers’ acerbic comedy was a warm, intelligent woman who became “like our adopted Jewish grandmother,” Miller said.

“She could not have been a sweeter person. She cared about everybody,” he said. “She would have her house manager make us grilled cheese. She was always handing out Fig Newtons.”

Rivers also gave the filmmakers the one thing they needed most: unfettered access to her life.

“As a documentarian, it’s a tremendous gift in that she never told us to turn off the camera. She was never like, ‘Get out of here.’ She was a dream to work with,” he said.

The film premiered to critical acclaim in June 2010, won the U.S. Documentary Editing Award at the Sundance Film Festival and was accepted at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival and the San Francisco International Film Festival that year. Miller was awestruck by the recognition.

“I just felt honored to even be taking pictures of her and making a movie out of it. So if you would’ve said ‘Sundance,’ I would’ve probably shrugged it off,” he said. “It was the first documentary I’d ever shot, so it certainly set a bar.”

The posh glamour of the Sundance festival was quite a contrast from Miller and Keal’s days as students at USF in the late 90s. They were part of a small group of novice film students who experimented with avant-guard techniques using

Miller’s empty apartment as a studio. Opening night premiers featured hors d’ouevres of potato chips and boxed wine.

“We thought we were going to be the next Stan Brakhages,” Miller said with a chuckle, referring to one of the most famous American experimental filmmakers of the 20th century. “It was a great time because we were all really, really passionate about what we were doing.” Their mentor was a graduate instructor by the name of Jamal Currie.

“He was a great influence, especially on me,” Miller said. “He had a strong footing in the technology … but he (told us) ‘Don’t forget your art history and your influences from painting and sculpture and the mixed media.’ ”

ProfileCharles Miller

Joan Rivers Biopic Puts USF Filmmaker in the Spotlight

By Karla Jackson, `88 & MSM `13


®

Charles Miller, left, with Joan Rivers and Seth Keal.

®

After leaving USF, Miller got a job at a production studio in Minneapolis. He worked his way up from production assistant to director of photography over the course of about seven years, then struck out on his own as a freelance filmmaker. He was working steadily when Keal contacted him about directing the cinematography for Piece of Work.

Although Miller lives in Brooklyn and Keal in Los Angeles, the old friends keep in touch frequently. After the Rivers movie, they collaborated on another documentary called “Cat Cam,” about a cat name Mr. Lee that roamed around rural North Carolina with a camera attached to him. Mr. Lee won an international photography award and created a media sensation.

As Miller said about documentary work, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

“Cat Cam” was selected for several important film festivals in 2012, including South by Southwest, where it won the Audience Award, and Tribeca, where it won an American Express Online Award.

Miller is currently working on a “docu-reality” show, “First 48,” for the A&E television network in which the film crew follows an Atlanta homicide unit on its investigations. It’s quite a departure from the lighter fare he’s used to filming, but he said he loves the documentary style of filmmaking no matter what the topic.

“I had worked on some feature films in Minneapolis and it just wasn’t the kind of work I wanted to be doing,” he said. “With documentaries … every day is going to be different. There’s travel. I’ve shot in South America and Africa and all over Europe. I’ve filled up two passports since I graduated from USF.”

Wherever the work may take him next, Miller is living the dream that came into focus during his time at USF.


Oscar Fraustro dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour for years and the dream has come true for the former USF men’s golfer.

Fraustro, 32, earned his PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 seasons by finishing in the top 50 on the Web.com Tour. The Chihuahua, Mexico native has been playing golf since age 12 and he’s been chasing after PGA Tour qualification since he turned pro in 2006.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Fraustro said. “I’ve

Former USF Golfer Earns PGA Card

Oscar Fraustro, `04, after his win in the Gira Negra Modelo golf tournament in 2011. Photo from Portencia Deportiva

By Tom Zebold, USF Athletics

ProfileOscar Fraustro

been looking for my PGA Tour card for so long. It was a dream, a goal I set even before going to USF.”

Fraustro’s path to the pros started at Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) and continued at USF, where he played from 2003-04.

“He was a really good player, a smart player, and it was good to have him in the lineup to teach some of the younger players how to play smarter. Oscar made a big impact on our program,” said 1985 USF grad Jim Fee, a former All-American, who coached the Bulls from 1996-2010.



Fraustro still ranks third all-time at USF with a 73.35 scoring average and he posted a tournament victory on the way to graduating with a degree in management information systems in December 2004. Fraustro also ranks 12th in program history with 206 birdies.

“Five minutes into (visiting USF) I fell in love with the place. Coach Fee was great to me and they welcomed me with open arms,” Fraustro said. “It was an amazing opportunity and an amazing time. I still remember that as one of the best times in my life.”

Fraustro was the top-ranked amateur in Mexico from 2003-05 and he earned rookie of the year honors on the Mexican Tour in 2006. Fraustro also spent time on the Gateway Tour and the Asian Tour and he competed on the Web.com Tour since 2013 after excelling on PGA Tour Latinoamérica.

“I never stopped looking at my goal,” Fraustro said. “There were some moments throughout these eight years or so that have been very difficult in many different ways. My wife and my parents helped show me the big picture and showed me what is ahead. If I put the work into it and if I stayed patient, I knew that it was going to happen when it was the right time for me and it

finally did.”Fraustro punched his ticket to the PGA

Tour by collecting three top-10 finishes on the Web.com Tour, including a tie for fourth at the Chiquita Classic that placed him 43rd on the money list. Fraustro got to celebrate the huge feat with his wife of three years, Nilufer, and their toddler son, Lucas. The Fraustros now live in Jupiter, Fla., after spending six years in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“To finally reach the PGA Tour it’s hard to describe,” he said. “I’m very excited, very proud of it, and I’m looking forward to the new challenges.”

Fraustro said he plans to come back to campus for a visit when the PGA Tour swings through the Tampa Bay area later in the season. He’s excited to be a part of the USF program

that was ranked No. 8 nationally by Golfweek.

“Because of what those guys are doing, more people

are learning about USF and the golf program,” he said. “Now when they realize that I went there, people are like, ‘Oh, you guys are doing so well.’ That’s a good feeling.”

“Five minutes into (visiting USF) I fell in love with the place.... I still remember that as one of the best times in my life.”

®



Bullseye:STEM Super Heroes

fter graduating with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, one wouldn’t expect a full-time job to consist of donning a superhero costume and visiting elementary schools to speak to kids about science.

But that’s exactly what Audrey Buttice and Samuel DuPont do.

Buttice, Chemical Engineering `09, MSCH `09, Ph.D. `12, and DuPont, Chemical Engineer-ing `06, Masters in Environmental Engineering `08, Ph.D. `12, met in graduate school at USF while participating in the National Science Foundation’s Students, Teachers, and Resources in the Sciences (STARS) Research Fellowship program, which pro-vided them the opportunity to visit classrooms and tutor students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

“If it wasn’t for the STARS program, we never would have even gone into helping the education

system at all,” Buttice said. “That put us in class-rooms and opened our eyes to what is going on in our education system, and how badly (schools) need influence from people in science careers.”

The duo created The Scientific League of Su-perheroes and The Superhero Training Network to help fill this need. The story behind how their characters gained their super powers is that a lab accident caused Buttice’s alter ego, Sublimation, and DuPont’s character, Megabyte, to come to life. The heroes fight alongside fellow USF engineer-ing graduate student Robert Bair to save the world from the evil Dr. Entropy, all the while teaching students about STEM concepts. Students can be-come part of the action by joining the League’s Superhero Training Network and using their new-found STEM skills to help fight Dr. Entropy.

Buttice and DuPont also film video segments that supplement their school appearances and serve as training tools for the network. The videos and other educational materials the team creates

By Elizabeth Engasser, Class of 2015

The Superhero Training Network meets with a fifth-grade class at Tampa Palms Elementary School. The team includes, from left, graduate student Robert Bair, Audrey Buttice and Samuel DuPont, whose superhero identities are Superconductor, Sublimation and Megabyte. They visit schools in the Tampa area in their superhero costumes to meet with students who have watched their videos.

AEngineering Alumni Promote STEM Education in a ‘Super’ Way


®

Engineering Alumni Promote STEM Education in a ‘Super’ Way

DuPont and Buttice create video materials for teachers to use in their classrooms when teaching about STEM-related subjects. The videos are used to introduce students to the field in a fun and memorable way.

When the team visits the schools their videos are used in, they perform hands-on experiments with students to reinforce the material.

are then purchased by the schools for use in the classroom, and are being used in more than 100 schools in the Tampa area.

DuPont said the first time they visited a school, they weren’t sure how students would react to meet-ing them in person after having watched their clips.

“The teachers kept tell-ing us the students loved it, but we hadn’t actually seen it for ourselves, so we didn’t believe it,” he said. “We get in (the classroom) and … all of a sudden they were like ‘Oh my god! It’s Megabyte! It’s Sublimation!’ and then they all start singing our theme song that at this point in time they have only heard twice in their life.”

Buttice said while they may not be going the traditional route with their education, they’re mo-

tivated to keep the Superhero Training Net-work alive and growing because of the

reactions they get from students. “It’s funny because they’ll

recognize us in public and we don’t expect it,” Buttice said. “I think that helps motivate us a lot because we hear a lot of positive feedback about the program. When things get a little hard, we know we’re making a big difference in the teachers and the kids in the schools, and their ability to move forward in their science educations. So it’s worth it.”

Students from all over the Hillsborough County School District quickly recognize Superconductor, Sublimation and Megabyte whenever they make an in-person appearance.


Aahh.....room 803....1970/71....omgoodness it was FUN....if I had stayed there another year.....probably would have flunked out of USF! Too many good time people around..... and that Boone’s Farm for $.79 was trouble, too. Cindy Roberts Miller, `74, Life Member

Lived there late 60s to early 70s. Great memories, but gained too much weight on the meal program at Fontana Hall. Graduated USF in 72 & was an SAE. Go Bulls! Ronald Postma, `72

I lived in Fontana Hall when I first went to USF. Loved it! Great memories. Marilyn Priola Peter , `74

Fontana Hall 1973, some GOOD times were had, third floor rocked. Glenn Schooley, `73

Omg!! I haven’t thought about Fontana Hall in many many years!! I lived on campus in the dorms, but lots of parties in Fontana Hall. Sheryl Josephson, `75

USF Fontana Hall

Blast from the Past

Hundreds of Student Alumni Association

(SAA) members turned out during

Week of Welcome for the Luau Par-Tay

where they also picked up their Beat

WCU shirts before the game.

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968,

USF

LIB

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TAM

PA


Last fall, Pam and Les Muma presented the University of South Florida with one of

the most transformational gifts in school history: $25 million. This incredible donation will be used to help build professional-development opportunities and further propel the Muma College of Business onto a national scale. For a burgeoning university, donations are the seeds sown for future success. But the act of giving can take on many forms. For example, members of the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors have chosen to donate some

of their spare time to mentor undergraduate students. The Alumni Mentoring Program is a pilot initiative that pairs USF Ambassadors, some of the brightest students on campus, with board members to cultivate meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships.

All students are influenced in one way or another by their elders, but I believe only a select few are ever given the privilege of having true mentors. During my career as a USF student, I know that so many of my successes can be attributed to the advice and guidance of my mentors. Having a role model I could look up to and whose candor could be relied upon when I had tough questions was invaluable to me. The board’s initiative to mentor the Ambassadors aims to expand these experiences. Even for students who have a firm grasp on where they want to go after graduation, having access to someone who has been where they are now can only benefit them in the years ahead.

While the advantages to the student are evident, it is easy to forget that any meaningful relationship provides a mutual benefit. In a statement to the board, one of its members, Randy Norris, spoke of his experiences with one of his student mentees: “The opportunity to sit down one-on-one with a student that is engaged and wants to develop further is profound. Not for the student but for me! I can tell from just the first meeting that my opportunities and experiences are going to be enhanced as well.”

For the mentors, this is a chance to stay current and exchange ideas. What’s more, this is also the opportunity to really invest in the successes and failures of an individual student and play a larger role as an active alumnus.

The mentor relationship is just one method by which USF alumni are choosing to give back. As the years go by, it is clear that there is a certain blossoming culture of altruism here in Bull’s Country. So many people touched by this university feel compelled to give back to the place that gave them so much. In the ceremony following the Mumas’ historic announcement, President Judy Genshaft reminded the audience, “Here at USF, first we learn. Then we earn. Then we return.”

Student Voice

Jordan See, Class of 2015USF is the reason I am

successful in business and life. I did not realize how little I really knew until I started at USF. The “EE” department has the highest standards and requirements for granting degrees, and by committing to these, you commit to becoming a success in your chosen field. PLEASE show your

support as I do and join your USF Alumni Association in showing your spirit! Go BULLS! Russ Holt, `86

I have often said that USF “raised” me. USF opened my eyes to a world beyond me, introducing me to ideas and people that I never knew existed. I learned about art, theater, music, history, philosophy and so much more. In 1979 I returned and earned a degree in social work, which opened my eyes to the suffering of others and ways of empowering people to fulfill their dreams. What more can you ask of an education and an institution? Bette Boddy, `74, Life Member Why I love USF: Staying in touch with what is going on at the university, remembering the freedom of being a student, staying in touch with classmates and networking opportunities. Connie Johnson-Gearhart, `12, Life Member

USF not only provides exemplary education, but also provides pertinent life skills to help graduates succeed. I appreciate USF because they prepared me for my career and future - even after all these years! Paige Brough, `89

Why I Love USF: Great school pride and commitment to academic excellence. Ryan McCune, `12

Our Members Love USF!Your USF Alumni Association asked members why they love USF and here’s what they said:

Russ Holt, `86


chapters&societies

Atlanta Chapter Chair and Life Member Louis Struikman, `07, and member Kelley Jones, `11

College of Business Society Vice Chair Mike Keller, `99, Life Member

Life Member Kimberly Choto, `92 & M.A. `02, left, and Engineering Alumni Society member Bob Andrew, `89 & `92, left, and Life Member Sheila Carpenter Van Dijk, `96

Geology Alumni Society members Bruce Nocita, center, and Matt Wisler, M.S. `03

Music Society members Tanya Bruce, `96, left, and Arupa Gopal, `07

Greater Tampa Area Chapter Vice Chair Scott Burgess, `95

STAR AwARd College of Business Alumni Society Atlanta Alumni Chapter Engineering Alumni Society Geology Alumni Society

CoMMuNiCATioNS Los Angeles Metro Alumni Chapter

Washington D.C. Regional Alumni Chapter Music Alumni Society Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter

PRoGRAMMiNG Washington D.C. Regional Alumni Chapter Music Alumni Society

Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter

MEMBERShiP Los Angeles Metro Alumni Chapter Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter

STuDENT SuPPoRT Los Angeles Metro Alumni Chapter Music Alumni Society

GRouP oRGANizATioN Washington D.C. Regional Alumni Chapter Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter

uSF ALuMNi ASSoCiATioN Associate Executive Director Kimberly Choto, `92 & M.A. `02, recognized several uSF Alumni Chapters and Societies for their achievements in communications, programming, membership, student support and group organization at the uSF Alumni Association National Board of Directors meeting on oct. 10. The uSF Alumni Association Group Recognition program launched in 2011 as a way to recognize groups for achieving outstanding results. Groups that earned an Excellence rating in all five content areas are recognized as a STAR (Successful Team Achieving Results) group.

Congratulations to these fantastic alumni groups! See page 28 to find a chapter in your area or a special interest society that shares your interests.


chapters&societies

Members of the Psychology Alumni Society joined together at Raymond James Stadium before the homecoming Game on oct. 11. From left to right: Co-Chair Monica Jackson, Psychology Department Alumni Liaison Dr. Vicki Phares, Co-Chair Kim Read, `01, and Young Alumni Coordinator Sara Surgeon, `10.

uSF Sarasota Manatee Alumni, Ambassadors, Student Government Association, Student outreach and Student Services hosted 100 “Littles” and “Bigs” from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the SunCoast before heading to the first uSF football game of the season.

Members of the Jacksonville/St. Augustine Alumni Chapter met at Culhane’s irish Pub in Atlantic Beach to watch the uSF v. Maryland game.

Members of the Miami Alumni Chapter met at World of Beer in Midtown Miami for their uSF v. Maryland football watch party.


The Broward County Alumni Chapter joined together at Duffy’s Sports Grill to watch the USF v. Maryland game.

A young fan shows Bull pride at the Broward County Alumni Chapter’s watch party for the USF v. Maryland game.


No matter where you live, you’ll always be a Bull!

The USF Alumni Association has alumni chapters all over the country. We also have college and special-interest societies for like-minded alumni. It’s easy to get involved. Just email the contact person of the group you’d like to visit.

Societies

Anthropology AlumniBrian [email protected]

Architecture AlumniDavid [email protected]

Black AlumniShomari [email protected]

Clinical Psychology AlumniDemy [email protected]

College of Behavioral and Community SciencesPatty [email protected]

Manley [email protected]

College of Business AlumniMaegan [email protected]

Engineering AlumniPete [email protected]

Entrepreneurship AlumniJennifer [email protected]

Geology AlumniBruce [email protected]

Honors AlumniDan [email protected]

Kosove AlumniJustin [email protected]

Library and Information Science SocietyWilliam (Bill) [email protected]

Medicine AlumniCatherine [email protected]

Music SocietyKeith [email protected]

Nursing AlumniEdwin [email protected]

Pharmacy AlumniPatti [email protected]

Psychology AlumniMonica JacksonKim [email protected]

Public Administration AlumniMike [email protected]

Public Health AlumniNatalie [email protected]

Student Government AlumniCordell [email protected]

Theater AlumniKimberli [email protected]

USF St. PetersburgCasey [email protected]

Women’s and Gender StudiesZoe [email protected]

Florida Chapters

BrowardRuth [email protected]

Alan [email protected]

HernandoRobert [email protected]

Miami-DadeCarlos [email protected]

OrlandoHeather [email protected]

Palm BeachScott [email protected]

PinellasJulie [email protected]

Sarasota ManateeJay [email protected]

TallahasseePhil [email protected]

Jessica [email protected]

Greater TampaMegan RentzScott Burgess [email protected]

National Chapters

AtlantaLouis [email protected]

AustinBrad [email protected]

BostonAndrew CohenLoren [email protected]

CharlotteMarisa [email protected]

ChicagoBlake [email protected]

Columbus, OHJason [email protected]

D.C. RegionalAlex [email protected]

DallasAshlea [email protected]

DenverJosh [email protected]

HoustonAngela [email protected]

Los AngelesJanet [email protected]

NashvilleMelinda [email protected]

New OrleansHeather [email protected]

New YorkNate [email protected]

PhiladelphiaAdam [email protected]

PhoenixJillian [email protected]

Raleigh, NCBob [email protected]

St. Louis, MOMark [email protected]

San DiegoJosh [email protected]

San FranciscoJenna [email protected]

Corporate Affinity Group

Lockheed Martin – OldsmarBrent [email protected]

chapters&societies


Many early to mid-career professionals often ask me if it’s time to change jobs, companies, careers or all of the above. Preparing for and

finding the right new job is time consuming and certainly warrants extra effort and energy to be done correctly. So, is it time for you to consider a change? The answer is a resounding maybe! Although every situation is unique there are some common indicators that it may be time to look for something new.

It’s simply time

One of the most misunderstood aspects of leaving a job for another is that it may simply be time! You may be a rising star in your organization only to find that there is no room for growth available with your current employer. You’ve worked hard and you’re loyal, but you’ve plateaued! In addition, you’ve gotten signs that others may be interested in what you can do for them and you’ve often wanted to test the waters. It may simply be time for you to take your skills, experience and energy and move on to an organization that is better prepared to provide opportunities for your career to grow.

Bad match for career field

This is an under-rated reason why early to mid-career professionals struggle. The sense of being in the wrong career field often results from an individual choosing a career field for the wrong reasons. It’s common for people to have chosen occupations because of high pay, advancement opportunities or the geographic location where the occupation predominates instead of their

Considering a Job Change?

Employ -A-Bull

Russ Coughenour, M.A., is USF’s Assistant Vice President Career Services, Student Affairs

personality, skills and values. Some find the original reasons they were attracted to a career field are not sustainable long term. These original motivators soon prove unimportant when the person compares them to their happiness, work-life balance or in some cases, the ability to start and/or raise a family. If your career is getting in the way of your personal happiness or value system, it may be time to look for something that is a better fit for you.

Change of leadership/bosses According to DailyInfographic.com, the No. 1 reason people leave positions is because of their bosses (75%). Sometimes due to no fault of your own there is a leadership change and/or a reorganization and you suddenly have a new supervisor. Breaking in a new boss is one of life’s major stressors. Even proactive communication, time, effort and energy on your part won’t stop the new boss from wanting her/his own team. Your fit with the new boss or the new system may not be a good one. As time goes on, you do the job but it doesn’t feel the same and the boss doesn’t seem interested in you or your future with the organization. Your rewards for a job well done aren’t as satisfying as they used to be and your team notices you haven’t had the same energy or creativity. In this situation, a job search is most likely warranted. A change of environment is often exactly what you need to start feeling vital again and get your professional juices flowing.

Not feeling challenged/boredom

Can you be busy and bored on the job at the same time? The answer is a decisive yes! Many employers are starting to examine the concept of “engagement” of their workers on the job and recent surveys have indicated that up to 70% of workers, while technically doing their jobs, are not engaged in their work. This type of workplace behavior is not only unproductive, it can also be dangerous. If you find yourself dreading going to work and going through the motions each day and feel as though your work is beneath your capabilities, a job search may be your best remedy!

In closing, each situation and career path is different and there are numerous other reasons for feeling as though the grass may be greener elsewhere! It’s always best to share your concerns about your employment situation with an Employee Assistance Program, a career counselor or a workplace mentor.


To represent the care partner perspective, his wife Marilyn, a retired physical therapist, was also selected.

Stacy Prouty, Business ‘89, was recently hired as chief operating officer for the Institute for the Ages. She will oversee day-to-day operations of the organization.

Kirby Salgado, Finance ‘87, has joined Aaron’s, Inc. as vice president of merchandising. He will focus on sourcing and cost efficiency for the company.

Stuart Schecter, M.D. `89, has been named director of The Mount Sinai Health Network’s Cardiac Device Remote Monitoring System. The program tracks the status of implanted cardiac rhythm devices and provides secure data to hospitals, satellite practices, affiliates and Mount Sinai-owned practices through each patient’s electronic health record. Dr. Schecter, who spent almost two decades in practice at St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center in Roslyn, NY, will work with the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Institute leadership to continue building world-class electrophysiology services. Throughout his career, Dr. Schecter has implanted more than 8,000 cardiac devices and has been issued 18 U.S. patents.

90sKerry O’Malley Cerra, Special Education `94, published her first novel for middle grade students, A Drop in the Water. The story follows a middle school boy as his life is turned upside down by the events following 9/11. The book can be ordered online from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Chuck Chucri, Finance `92, is a financial professional with The Prudential Insurance Co. of America’s Sunshine State Agency. Chucri qualified to attend the company’s prestigious

President’s Conference held recently in Maui, Hawaii. The conference is held each year to honor a select number of top performing producers from across the country who qualify based on outstanding production results in the prior year.

Frank Chavez, Theatre Design `94, was recognized by Creative Loafing in September for his work as a set designer.

Jose Colon, Microbiology `98, M.D. `03, MPH `05, published his third bedtime storybook for very young children, Sometimes I Dream, A Book for Infant Sleep. Dr. Colon is a pediatrician specializing in Pediatric Neurology and Sleep Medicine. He currently lives in Estero, Fla.

60sRaymond Gross, Political Science `69, Life Member, was awarded the Distinguished Jurist Award by the Clearwater Bar Association as part of its annual Law Day celebration. Judge

Gross ended nearly 20 years as an active circuit judge with his retirement on Dec. 31.

Robert Helgeson, MSE ‘68, retired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where he was a senior safety engineer. Helgeson facilitated the safety process for the first commercial unmanned aircraft (UA) operation approved by the FAA. Prior to retiring, he facilitated other UA operations for non-commercial applications approved by the FAA.

70sJohn Burford, Elementary Education `73, joined Langley Federal Credit Union in Virginia as a real estate loan officer. Burford was named as a loan officer after working as a senior mortgage loan officer at Fulton Mortgage Co. in Williamsburg, Va. Burford also worked at Towne Mortgage/TowneBank Mortgage from 2008 to 2013. He is an active member of the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors and the Virginia Mortgage Lenders Association.

John Harper, Mass Communications `76, Life Member, was appointed president of the board at Florida Medical Clinic (FMC) Foundation of Caring in Tampa. FMC Foundation of Caring supports individuals, children and families who are in need and at risk in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Stephen Lienhart, Engineering `79, joined Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm located in Tampa, as a market segment leader in the water resources group. With more than 38 years of experience in the field, he will be responsible for managing and technically supporting nationwide projects addressing water supply, storm water and water quality challenges.

Myra Sload, Physical Education `74, is now president of Coastal Properties Group International/Christie’s International Real Estate in Clearwater Beach.

Vey Weaver, General Business Administration `77, was inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, Kan., in October. Weaver has given to the greyhound racing industry for decades and is president and chairman of the board at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg.

80sMichael Flannery, Chemistry `83, M.D. `88, was among eight people from throughout the Tampa Bay area to be named a 2014 Health Care Hero by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The award recognizes individuals and organizations in the community who have a major impact on the quality of health provided to area residents. Dr. Flannery, a professor of medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, won his award in the Community Outreach category for his efforts in starting the St. Andre Free Clinic, a “medical home” for underserved patients that provides them more efficient care and improves outcomes.

Ram Kancharla, Business Administration ‘85, MBA ‘87, has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness. Kancharla is currently the vice president of planning and development for Port Tampa Bay.

Jocelyn Lane, Communication `88, joined Foundation Bank as executive vice president/market president in Bellevue, Wash. Prior to joining Foundation Bank, Lane was the executive vice president, for Gulfstream Business Bank in Palm Beach County, and earned numerous awards and recognition by developing relationships, exceeding goals and driving initiatives.

Richard Mancini, Political Science `87, was elected to the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Mancini is an attorney in Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt,

P.A.’s Bonita Springs office, and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, banking/financial institutions, and mediation and arbitration.

Jay Phillips, M.A. Accountancy `88, was recently selected by the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) to serve on its People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council. After a competitive selection process, he now joins 15 others from around the country in helping to advance PDF’s goals of supporting families and ultimately ending Parkinson’s disease.

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send your information to: [email protected] or mail your information & photo to:

Penny Carnathan USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620-5455

classnotes


HartTools.com. Previously, Morris was at Black & Decker, Irwin – a division of Newell Rubbermaid and Cooper Industries.

Mike Pease, Mathematics Education `98, a Largo High School math teacher, received the Yale University Educator Recognition Award. The award was presented to him for positively

influencing a member of the university’s freshman class.

Trudy Pettibone, Religious Studies `95, Life Member, had her second book, The Paradigm Pastor, published by Nurturing Faith. The book looks at the life and ministry of Jesus in relationship to the pastorate today.

Kimberly Ross, Accounting ‘92, Life Member, has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer of Baker Hughes, an oilfield services company. Ross previously worked as executive vice president and CFO of Avon Products, Inc. She began her new role on Oct. 22. Ross is also a recipient of the 2013 USF Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Constance Rossi, Accounting `95, joined Stahl Consulting Group as a Tax/Litigation Manager. Stahl Consulting Group, located in Central Florida, provides forensic accounting and litigation consulting services.

Eileen Sarris, Accounting `91, M.A. Accountancy `92, Life Member, has been selected as the 2014 “Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive of the Year” by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals. Eileen received the highest score on the certification exam during the Aug. 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014 time period. She was presented with the award at the HFTP Annual Convention and Tradeshow in New Orleans in October. Eileen is the Chief Financial Officer at The Field Club, a private yacht and tennis club in Sarasota, as well as a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association.

Luigi Scalabroni, Computer Science ’95, has fulfilled the requirements established by the American Society for Quality for professional attainment in Software Quality Engineering and is now

a Certified Software Quality Engineer. Scalabroni has been working with Honeywell International for the last 19 years. In 2008 he transferred from Honeywell Clearwater to Honeywell Aerospace in Torrance, Calif., as a Product Development Quality Assurance Engineer. Luigi lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., with his wife, Nancy.

Douglas Stein, Finance `96, was elected president of the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) in Florida. As president of NHSCA, Stein will serve as an advocate for the home warranty industry and work to further educate consumers about the value home service contract providers deliver.

Brian Tannebaum, Political Science `91, published an American Bar Association (ABA) book titled The Practice: Brutal Truths About Lawyers and Lawyering. The book is an assortment of posts from “Above the Law” and “My Law License,” two of the most acclaimed law blogs for which Tannebaum has written. A past president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Tannebaum is now in his 20th year of practice. His professional ethics blog, www.mylawlicense.com, was honored as one of the top 100 legal blogs by the ABA in 2011.

Michael Walker, Marketing `96, is the newly appointed chief financial officer for Allen & Co. of Florida Inc. in Lakeland. He joined the investment firm in 1999 as a client services associate. A longtime resident of Polk County, Walker is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland XXVII class, and volunteers with several community organizations. He served for six years on the board of directors of the United Way and is on the finance committee. He also mentors and volunteers at St. Paul Lutheran School.

Meredith Zdon, Accounting `98, is COO of Power Design, an electric design company located in St. Petersburg that was slated to add approximately

Colleen Fitzgerald, Political Science `95, was selected as a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star. The designation recognizes attorneys who are 40 or younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less, and who have shown exemplary work in their field. Fewer than 3 percent of Florida attorneys are named to the Rising Star list. Fitzgerald practices business litigation for GrayRobinson in Tampa.

Life Members Paul Gigante, Economics ‘91, and Brenda Pirro Gigante, Sociology ‘90, now have two children who are also part of the Bulls family. Their son Nicholas is a junior

at USF and their daughter is a freshman. Paul and Brenda Gigante’s company, Gigante Productions Inc., was a recipient of an inaugural Fast 56 Alumni Award in 2013.

David Jenkins, Theatre Performance `95, was recognized in the September issue of Creative Loafing as the Reader’s Choice for Best Local Stage Director.

Brian Lamb, Accounting `98, Life Member, and the president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (North Florida), has been elected vice chair of USF’s Board of Trustees. Lamb is a recipient of the

2007 USF Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and the 2013 USF Donald A. Gifford Service Award, and a former captain of the USF Basketball team.

Andy Mayts, Political Science `93, was named to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Mayts is a shareholder in the Tampa office of GrayRobinson handling

banking and finance litigation and construction litigation matters in state and federal court from Miami to Pensacola. He has represented clients in class action defense and complex litigation issues. He is a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association.

Brian McComak, Business `97, recently joined The Walt Disney Co. in Los Angeles as director of enterprise human resources. McComak is the former vice president of human resources for Christie’s Auction House, and a former operations manager for AMC Theatres in the Orlando area, during which he supervised the opening of the company’s flagship 24-screen theater in Downtown Disney.

Jason Morris, MBA `93, is SVP/GM at Techtronic Industries, and has launched a new range of hand tools under the HART brand. This new range complements the other Techtronic brands: RYOBI, RIDGID, HomeLite, Stok and Arctic Cove. This new platform can be found at Home Depot and online at

Life Member Brandon Aldridge, `88, and his daughter Caroline had a ball at the welcome home party, Running of the Bulls Parade and pre-game tailgate during this year’s USF Homecoming weekend.


classnotesfor challenging, engaging, and inspiring students both inside and outside the classroom.

Max Moreno, Ph.D. `08, is an assistant professor of environmental health science at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. Moreno was previously an adjunct course director and lecturer in contemporary health science and guest lecturer in environmental and occupational health at the USF College of Public Health, adjunct faculty in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University and a post-doctoral fellow at NASA’s Global Hydrology and Climate Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Jessica Muroff, Mass Communications `01, was selected by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce to be a part of the Leadership Tampa Class of 2015. Established by the chamber in 1970, Leadership Tampa is the third oldest leadership program in the nation and strives to identify and develop future leaders in Tampa and Hillsborough County.

Amar Nayegandhi, Computer Science `01, was promoted to associate vice president and director of remote sensing at Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, in its Tampa

office. With more than 15 years of remote sensing experience, he is a recognized expert in topographic and bathymetric LiDAR data acquisition and processing, having authored 15 referred manuscripts in various research and technical journals and more than 65 reports for the U.S. Geological Survey.

Deanna Obregon, MHA `03, has been named vice president of administrative services at DACCO, Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, Inc. In her new position, Obregon will oversee Quality

Improvement, Risk Management, Medical Records and Information Technology. Obregon has more than 20 years of experience in senior roles in health care. In her most recent position, she was Vice President of Clinical Business Operations at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. Previously, she spent more than 14 years as Vice President of Quality Management at Operation PAR in Pinellas Park.

Kara Partin, Psychology `07, was hired as the new national outreach representative at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Tampa.

Aakash Patel, Biomedical Sciences `09, was appointed chairman of the board of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough. Patel is president of Elevate Inc., which has clients in community and public relations, social media, target networking and government affairs. The coalition specializes in funding and delivery of early childhood care and education and after-school programs to Hillsborough children and families.

Aprel Phelps Downey, Marketing `01, has published her first book, Mending the Broken Parts, an inspirational self-help book to help people overcome challenges in their everyday lives. More information on the book can be found on Downey’s website at www.aprelphelpsdowney.com.

Jason Salemi, Biology `00, MPH `05, Ph.D. `14, joined Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston as an assistant professor with the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Prior to this position, Salemi was recognized for numerous accomplishments, such as publishing more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in national and international public health and medical journals, a National Institute of Health scholarship for participation in a special initiative at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, three USF Latino Fellowships, two College of Public Health Scholarships, an Outstanding Student Merit Scholarship and the Successful Latino Student Award.

Abraham Salinas, MPH `07, Ph.D. `13, is a post-doctoral research fellow through the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in a collaborative project with REACHUP, Inc. and Central Hillsborough Healthy Start. For a post-doctoral optional practicum training, he is the project manager of a community-based participatory research project. Entitled Toward Eliminating Disparities in Maternal and Child Health Populations, the project is being funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

400 new jobs by the end of 2014. Zdon was recently featured in the Tampa Bay Business Journal for her work in job creation within the company.

00sMusab Al-Yahia, Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences `04, joined the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County as a medical professional. Al-Yahia brings pediatric emergency room experience and will be working with families in Gulf County.

Joyonna Gamble-George, MHA `05, was one of two alumni from the USF College of Public Health chosen to attend the 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany. Only 19 scholars from the United States were invited. A doctoral student in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University, Gamble-George joins 600 of the most qualified young researchers from around the world selected to represent their countries at the meeting.

Carissa Giblin, Chemical Engineering `95, MBA `02, Life Member, is the co-founder of newly formed business Voyager Leadership Training, LLC. The organization’s mission is to help local businesses develop confident, competent leaders by transforming what they learned during their careers into simple, practical tools and techniques. The company provides leadership training seminars that can be applied in a variety of industries. Prior to starting this company, Giblin attended the Small Business Development Center and took courses to prepare for starting a business.

Chris Harden, MBA `07, has cofounded an educational toy startup in Orlando called TROBO, The Storytelling Robot. TROBO is a plush robot toy that also has an interactive application for

children to play with to encourage them to become more interested in STEM fields.

Ismael Hoare, Ph.D. `07, an associate professor in the USF College of Public Health’s Department of Global Health, was invited by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Office of Caribbean Program Coordination and the Ministry of Health in Grenada to develop a National Human Resources for Health Policy document for Grenada. Since 2008, Hoare has also served as an active member of PAHO’s Caribbean Human Resources for Health committee, and was involved in drafting the “Road Map for Strengthening the Caribbean Workforce, 2012-2017.”

Kevin Jansen, Biology `01, has received the Drury University Faculty Award for Leadership. Jansen, an associate professor of biology at Drury University, was selected for the award

Logan Lindstrom, daughter of Board Member and Life Member Merritt Martin Lindstrom, `04 & MPA `06, and her husband Rick Lindstrom, took advantage of a rain delay at a football game to get in a little nap.


Melody Schiaffino, MPH `08, chartered and co-founded PhDMoms, a student organization dedicated to supporting student-parents through their doctoral journey. She cofounded the group with Dr. Hannah Siburt, USF professor of audiology in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. The award-winning group has been featured in numerous publications, and for her part, Schiaffino has won the 2013 Point of Light and 2014 Hall of Fame awards.

Amit Sharan, Marketing ’03, MBA `05, is head of marketing for LiveRail at Facebook. Sharan drives all strategic initiatives spanning from branding, conference sponsorship and events,

online advertising, content generation, corporate communications and product marketing. Prior to joining LiveRail (acquired by Facebook), Sharan led the marketing efforts for companies in the online education industry, where his responsibilities included overall branding, product development and launches, lead generation and managing sales teams.

Brian Vesely, Biology `07, MPH `08, Ph.D. `13, presented research at USF’s sixth annual Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Research Symposium last March, and won a $500 postdoctoral travel award for his poster entitled “Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Miltefosine Resistance in Leishmania Donovani.” Since graduation, Vesely has continued his research in Dr. Dennis Kyle’s lab in the College of Public Health, and has been seeking out opportunities to teach as a professor.

10sDiane Andrieux, Music Education `10, performed as a singer in a sold-out performance of the Straz Center’s production of “Saul’s Juke Joint,” in August. Andrieux, a professional performer and songwriter, is also ranked No. 4 on the top 10 Christian/Gospel chart by ReverbNation.

Melissa Anduiza, Dance `10, shared her experiences with weight gain and dieting in Dance Magazine. A performer at the North Carolina Dance Theatre, Anduiza recently took part in a project titled “Strength and Beauty,” a documentary featuring ballerinas’ personal accounts of dealing with issues like weight, motherhood and personal relationships.

Candace Braun, Mass Communications `10, has published a second edition of Collegiate Cook: USF game Day Recipes. A portion of the sales from the book will be given to the Dr. Stuart Silverman Endowed Scholarship. The book may be purchased at www.collegiatecook.com.

Brian Brijbag, Anthropology and Religious Studies `12, was recently appointed as a board member to the Health Disparities Interest Group of AcademyHealth. AcademyHealth is

a national organization that seeks to advance health research, policy and practice. Brijbag will be assisting with two board objectives within the Health Disparities IG: professional development and networking for those working in the field of

health disparities and the development of a Policy and Practice Health Disparities Conference to focus on applied work and connecting practice to research. Brijbag works in the Health Policy and Management Department at USF Public Health as a health policy research assistant. He is also anticipating completion of an MA in Applied Medical Anthropology and an MPH in Health Management in May 2015.


Matthew Casey, Accounting & Finance `13, has accepted a position with Logan Circle Partners as a junior research analyst. Logan Circle Partners is an asset management firm in Philadelphia.

Hanifa Denny, Ph.D. Public Health `12, has received a Satya Lencana medal from the president of Indonesia for her work in public health. She also has received Diponegoro University’s Distinguished College of Public Health Alumni Award and a James P. Keogh Scholarship from the American Public Health Association. Denny is an associate professor of occupational health at Diponegoro University in Indonesia, where she also directs public health undergraduate studies.

Steven Fage, Entrepreneurship `12, was recognized as a 2014 Tampa Bay Technology Forum Young Professional of the Year. Fage was presented the award at the 11th Annual Industry Achievement Awards Gala in November, where individuals and organizations in the technology community are honored for their achievements.

Cathy Hakes, EDD `10, was appointed Director of Research, Sponsored Programs and Accreditation at Georgia Gwinnett College. Dr. Hakes is also an associate professor in the School of Science and Technology. She joined Georgia Gwinnett College in 2007 in the Student Affairs Department.

Christina Hudson, Accounting `11, was hired as a tax associate at CBIZ MHM LLC, a business advisory, tax and financial consulting office located in Tampa.

Tia Jemison, Theatre & Psychology `10, was featured as Best Actress in Creative Loafing’s “Best of the Bay” issue in September. She was also recognized at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival for a Best Short Play and as a Best Play winner.

Andrew Ketcher, Political Science `10, MPA `12, was named as a 30 under 30 rising star in Florida politics by the SaintPetersBlog. Ketcher is deputy legislative affairs director for the Florida

Department of Environmental Protection, and has previously worked for U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and Gov. Rick Scott.

Janine Kiray, Psychology & Biology `13, Life Member, was featured as a rising star in Florida politics by the Liberty Partners of Tallahassee. Kiray is campaign manager for State Rep. Chris Latvala and is also president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans.

Jean-Frederic Monod, Architecture `12, joined Wannemacher Jensen Architects with a specialty in Building Information Modeling, revit, digital design visualization and the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality. Wannemacher Jensen is an architecture firm in St. Petersburg that designs memorable and optimally functional spaces for working, living, and playing. Monod most recently completed Augmented Reality models for the cities of Madeira Beach and Doral.

Travis Nead, Business Administration `10, has joined Western Carolina University as assistant

classnotes


In MemoriamLara Carr, `96, Sept. 15, 2014Gregaroy D’Neil Chapman, `90, MBA `94, Aug. 19, 2014Paul J. Ficarrotta, `88, Sept. 22, 2014Margaret Fisher, Ph.D., Sept. 21, 2014Anthony Girgenti, M.S. `68, Ph.D `72Fred T. Hanzelik, `72, Oct. 24, 2014Rebekah Hatmaker, `05, Oct. 9, 2014Lillian Lenhoff, `71 & M.A. `73, Sept. 20, 2014Caroline G. McMaster, `84, Sept. 9, 2014Donna Paroski, M.A. `85, Sept. 12, 2014David Wayne Touchton, `08, Sept. 2, 2014

volleyball coach. Nead joins WCU with more than 13 years of playing experience in varsity high school volleyball, men’s club, collegiate club and continued play in indoor and beach adult tournaments.

Malinee Neelamegam, MPH `14, conducted a two-day Introduction to Epidemiology workshop sponsored by the Malaysia Ministry of Health on July 10-11 in Penang, Malaysia. The 42 workshop participants included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, research officers and Ministry of Health officials. The ministry has extended an open invitation for Neelamegam to return to Malaysia to conduct similar workshops in the future.

Jessica Schoenfeld, Theatre & Sociology `14, started her own theater company, Show on the Road, which teaches dancing, singing and ballet, as well as other forms of theater. Schoenfeld works with kids throughout Hillsborough County, running several classes a day and traveling frequently.

Robert Shreffler, Civil Engineering `14, joined Biller Reinhart Structural Group, Inc. in Tampa as a project engineer. Biller Reinhart Structural Group, Inc. provides licensed professional structural engineering services throughout Florida.

Amy Scott, Management `10, is a client services associate at AdvantaIRA Trust LLC in the Fort Myers/Naples area. Scott performs daily accounting transactions for the real estate team.

Lauren Tice, Communication `11, was hired as the new director of development at Working Women of Florida in Tampa.

Mike Wood, Theatre `10, was recognized in Creative Loafing’s September “Best in the Bay” issue as the Reader’s Choice for Best Local Lighting Designer.


USF Student-Athletes’ Graduation Success Rate Hits All-Time High

athletics

Regardless of the sport, everyone wants to see a W in the win/loss box, and 2014 delivered the biggest W USF has ever seen from its student-athletes collectively on the academic front.

Based on NCAA’s Graduation Success Rates (GSR) announcement for all Division I institutions, Bulls student-athletes achieved an all-time high 83 percent GSR over a six-year stretch starting with freshmen who enrolled in 2007. That is a 6 percent increase over the prior year. Also in 2014, the Bulls saw all 18 evaluated teams earn an Academic Progress Rate of 950 or better – only 36 Division I-A football-playing schools accomplish that feat.

Here are some of the highlights:


Source: USF Athletics

®

86% GSR Men’s Soccer

83% GSR among all Bulls student-athletes

86% GSR for Hispanic student-athletes, well above the 79% national average

75% GSR for African-American student-athletes, well above the 68% national average

3.04 USF student-athletes’ cumulative grade-point average (as of Spring 2014)

184 student-athletes earned Academic All-Conference honors, including

93% Average GSR of all 8 Women’s programs

100% GSR Women’s Basketball - 3 straight years

100% GSR Softball - 3 straight years

100% GSR Women’s Tennis - 4th time in program history

69%

88% GSR Women’s Volleyball 8 points

^

8% Average GSR of all Men’s programs

^

a record 23 football players.

GSR Football, a program high 12%

^

Calendar your membership in action

February 28 Brahman Bash 2015 (formerly known as Bulls Around the World), 6 p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center, USF Tampa campus. Join us for a Night on Bourbon Street - Mardi Gras style with live entertainment, culinary delights and a silent auction. For details, contact Jenny Cater at [email protected] or 813-974-9127.

March 2 – 7 USF Spring Break. No classes.

8 Bull Explorers: Emperors and Empires Cruise, Beijing to Tokyo, March 8-27, stops in China, South Korea and Japan. For details, visit usfalumni.org/travel.

13 Bulls on Broadway: Madama Butterfly, 8 p.m., Straz Center. For more information, contact Jenny Cater at [email protected] or 813-974-2100.

21 Bullarney 2015, presented by the College of Engineering Alumni Society, USF Gibbons Alumni Center. Enjoy the fun of a Las Vegas style casino, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, drawings and more. Visit USFalumni.org for details as they develop.

April 9 – 10 Class of 1965 50th Reunion. For details, contact Jenny Cater at [email protected] or 813-974-9127.

13 Bulls on Broadway: PIPPIN, 7:30 p.m., Straz Center. For more information, contact Jenny Cater at [email protected] or 813-974-2100.

24 USF Fast 56 Awards Reception and Presentation, 6 p.m., Marshall Center Ballroom. Visit USFalumni.org for details as they develop.

USF Alumni AssociationGibbons Alumni CenterUniversity of South Florida4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100Tampa, FL. 33620-5455 Membership Renewal Date:

PERIODICALS

usf alumnivoice winter 2015

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