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The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg
Mar 21 - Mar 27, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue25
New dean named for College of Business
Hulk Hogan wins $115 million in sex-tape lawsuit
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From 220 feet, he oversees the campus By JEFFREY ZANKER Staff Reporter
Courtesy of Ronny Howell
Samantha Putterman / Crow’s Nest
Since December, a 220-foot construction crane has hovered over the Salvador condominium building site at 199 Dali Blvd. Northside residents of USF St. Petersburg’s Resident Hall One have had a clear view of the enormous –and loud– machinery from their dormitory windows. Lenny Ross, a longtime crane operator, sits atop the machine from 9 to 5 throughout the week with a bird’s-eye view of downtown St. Pete, Tampa Bay and the university campus. The seven-story building will tower over neighboring RHO when it opens in January.
From her office in Bayboro Hall, Regional Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska oversees most of the activities on campus. But Lenny Ross has a better view. He’s the guy who sits atop the 220-foot construction crane hovering overhead as the fancy Salvador condominium tower goes up across Fifth Avenue S from Residence Hall One. When he is not lif ting and maneuvering heavy material to workers below, Ross has a bird’s-eye view of downtown St. Petersburg to the north and west, Tampa Bay to the east, and the university campus to the south. Since December, he’s been up there from 9 to 5 on weekdays, sometimes longer and sometimes on weekends. But Ross doesn’t want to talk about it. He declined an interview with the Crow’s Nest. So it fell to Roddy Howell to describe what it’s like to ride the crane high in the sky. It’s “like being on an airplane,” said Howell, who as project superintendent for the builder, Kellogg
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University says goodbye to staff member By Ryan Callihan Staff Reporter The USFSP community bade an emotional farewell to alumna Melanie Bullock. More than 50 people attended Bullock’s going away party in a University Student Center ballroom to celebrate her time with the university. For three years, she served as the assistant director of leadership and student organizations. Bu l lock took a new job at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, her last day at USFSP was March 17. She worked behind the scenes on school events such as homecoming, TEDx discussions and Week of Welcome. Her duties ranged from working with various
programming teams to strategic planning and promoting student involvement. Bullock said working on homecoming was her favorite, but when asked what she would miss the most, it was the people. “I don’t think you all realize how you’ve impacted me and helped me grow as a person,” Bullock said, addressing the room. The party began with a few words from Matthew Morrin, Director of Student Life & Engagement, who praised Bullock, and said that she was the core of the organization. “I think she is the backbone, but I don’t think backbone is the right word. I’m going to go with the heart,” said Morrin. A short video followed that featured Bullock ’s friends and
coworkers saying goodbye and congratulating her on the new position. Those who couldn’t be in the video spoke their heartfelt goodbyes at the party, many pointing out how Bullock changed their lives for the better. “I’m going to miss her positive spirit, and how when she walks into a room, it lights up,” said Iannah Johnson, a student and friend of Bullock. Bullock said that working at USFSP changed her life. “Everyone has been a blessing and has enriched my life the people, the students, my colleagues,” she said. “Having known these people, especially in this space, makes my heart warm.”
Courtesy of Gardiner Tucker
Friends and co-workers of USFSP employee Melanie Bullock (center, second to last row) throw a going away party for the alumna. Bullock accepted a position at Wake Forest University in North Carolina; her last day was March 17.