A Publication of the Florida State University Alumni Association FALL 2021 Volume 13, Issue 2
Welcome Richard McCullough Florida State University embraces its 16th President.
Designing a Legacy Golf icon Jack Nicklaus makes his mark on the Seminoles’ new course.
Catching Up With Jing Wang enters as Dean of the College of Nursing.
THE MOMENT
alumni.fsu.edu
THRASHER’S TOAST Former President John Thrasher (B.S. ’65, J.D. ’72) gives a champagne toast to the Class of 2020 at an Alumni Happy Hour hosted by the FSU Alumni Association. When asked about his time at Florida State University, Thrasher replied, “It’s the best job I’ve ever had. 100 percent. It’s been just a joy in so many ways. This is such a unique place and such an incredible opportunity for anybody to have. To have had it, being an alumnus of Florida State, has just been a true honor to be the 15th president.” Thrasher and former First Lady Jean Thrasher plan to keep busy with their three children and eight grandchildren in retirement. Photo by Steve Chase
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FROM THE PUBLISHER It’s a new day! It has been quite a season of transition for both Florida State University and the FSU Alumni Association. With that comes the opportunity to reflect, redirect, and renew. We are proud to introduce our new Editor-in-Chief, Janecia Britt (B.A. ’17), to help bring this special edition to fruition. We are equally excited to introduce you to FSU’s 16th President, Dr. Richard McCullough. Likely, you have learned much about him by now, but we think you’ll enjoy learning even more directly from him as a result of our June 2021 interview.
PUBLISHER Julie Decker
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Janecia Britt (B.A. ’17)
DESIGNER
Erica Endicott
INTERNS
Emily Engle Hailey Pflaumer
CONTRIBUTORS
Ryan Barber Kelli Gemmer (B.A. ’14 M.S. ’18) Zac Howard (B.A. ’14) Brian Hudgins Kelsey Klopfenstein University Communications
UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Cowie Bill Lax Ross Obley Bruce Palmer Cody Roper
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF alumni.fsu.edu/staff
Renewed in our commitment to bring a meaningful connection to you, we are continuing to craft relevant programming, networking, outreach, and more. We look forward to being in person once again this fall. I can’t wait to share with you the excellent work of our alumni staff and volunteers. Suppose you have yet to get involved in mentoring students, supporting one of our eight alumni networks, volunteering locally, or perhaps sharing advice with our Student Alumni Association members. In that case, I encourage you to reach out and let us help you find the right spot for you. Part of our commitment to relevant programming is bringing you a two-part webinar series starting in September. On September 9, join us for “Demystifying Admissions” and September 14 for “Graduate School 101” as we help you navigate the admissions landscape with experts from the university. Further, our team continues to partner with Academic Affairs on the “Three Torches” Speaker Series to highlight the unique opportunities and careers that result from a degree from FSU. On October 1, we’ll hold our first-ever “Member Night at the Bookstore,” where our alumni association members will be treated to a private shopping event with special discounts and door prizes. You won’t want to miss this! All of our alumni events can be found at alumni.fsu.edu/events. As we enter into a jam-packed fall, I want to thank each member who has joined the Association. Your support ensures that we can develop student leaders through SAA, conduct outreach around the state of Florida and beyond, honor our alumni through recognition programs and so much more. By joining, you strengthen the brand of the FSU Alumni Association and empower us to do more for alumni and friends of the university. A critical component of membership is renewal– a metric we are focusing on with intent in the coming year. If you know a member, thank them! If you are a member, be sure to renew! Lastly, I hope the pages of this issue bring you joy as you see the faces and places that make FSU so unique. To get this issue to you during a season of transition was undoubtedly a labor of love. Seasons come and go, but one thing that will not change is how Florida State makes us feel – proud, inspired, youthful, hopeful, blessed and seen. Those are words from you to me about FSU over the last few years. I love hearing your stories. We have many moments to share. We’ll be seeing you soon! Seminoles Forever,
View VIRES Online alumni.fsu.edu/vires Contact Us vires@alumni.fsu.edu Submit Class Notes alumni.fsu.edu/class-notes Advertise alumni.fsu.edu/advertise Stay Connected alumni.fsu.edu/social
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Julie Decker President & CEO FSU Alumni Association
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
A glass-and-metal window installation by the Master Craftsman Studio that features the FSU torches. These torches are etched into the glass windows of the newly constructed state-of-the-art Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science Building. The new building has overtaken Doak Campbell Stadium at seven stories as the highest point on campus and now towers over Tennessee Street at FSU’s Woodward Avenue entrance. Photo by FSU Photography Services/Bruce Palmer
FALL 2021 Volume 13, Issue 2
An award-winning biannual publication of the Florida State University Alumni Association. Named after the first torch in the university seal, VIRES represents strength of all kinds: physical, mental and moral.
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Welcoming Richard McCullough Florida State University welcomes Richard and First Lady Jai with open arms. From Carnegie-Mellon to Harvard, take an inside look into the path of FSU’s 16th President.
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Designing a Legacy
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Ten Questions with Stefany Moncada
Golf icon Jack Nicklaus put his signature touch on the
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University News A Publication of the Florida State University Alumni Association FALL 2021 Volume 13, Issue 2
19
Welcome Richard McCullough
Catching Up With
Florida State University embraces its 16th President.
Designing a Legacy Golf icon Jack Nicklaus makes his mark on the Seminoles’ new course.
Catching Up With Jing Wang enters as Dean of the College of Nursing.
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Association News
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Seminoles Forever
54
Class Notes
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Parting Shot
Seminoles’ new course, leaving his mark on a university that his family calls their own.
Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, we sit down with the President of the FSU Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network and take a peek inside her work as a Multicultural Admission Counselor for the university.
ON THE COVER: Richard McCullough, the 16th President of Florida State University. The president has a rich background in research, entrepreneurship, innovation and spearheading diversity.
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G E T Y O U R TA G T O D AY A N D R I D E W I T H P R I D E
COMMITMENT AT I T S P E A K Your support ensures Florida State University students have the opportunity to achieve a nationally-ranked education.
mytag.fsu.edu
UNIVERSITY NEWS
UNIVERSITY NEWS FSU at a Glance
TOP GRADUATION RATE
2021 ACC ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
FSU has the best four-year graduation rate of any public university in Florida. At 74 percent, it’s also the highest fouryear graduation rate in the State University System’s history.
A school record of 312 Florida State student-athletes made the 2021 ACC Academic Honor Roll. The Spring 2021 semester saw a total of 333 student-athletes earn a 3.0grade point average or higher, 125 earn Dean’s List honors, and 43 earn President’s List honors.
This year, Florida State will honor 75 seasons of intercollegiate athletics.
Florida State continues to be a strong investment with the highest-rated credit of any public university in the state of Florida. FSU is one of only eight public universities in the United States with an AA+ rating or better from both S&P Global and Fitch, 2021.
TRIAL TRIUMPH
For the second year in a row, the FSU’s Black Law Students Association placed first in the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition at the Southern Region of the BLSA’s 2021 convention.
AGE-FRIENDLY UNIVERSIT Y Florida State is the first university in Florida and the first in the South to be named a member of the Age-Friendly University Initiative, an international effort to highlight the role higher education plays in meeting the challenges and opportunities of an aging population.
L ARGE ST FRE SHMAN CL ASS IN HISTOR Y
Comprised of about 7,200 new faces, FSU’s new freshman class is the largest in university history. More than 66,000 first-year students applied for admission to FSU for the summer and fall 2021 semesters. The cohort includes students from 66 Florida counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 49 countries. news.fsu.edu
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
TOP TOPIC New LLC On Campus FSU launches new Living Learning Community for first-generation students
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Enhancing student success is one of Florida State University’s top strategic goals. In Fall 2022, the university will commit to student success one step further by offering a home for first- generation students inside a new living-learning community (LLC). The FGEN Noles LLC is designed to provide an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, academic engagement, and campus community involvement for FSU students who are the first in their families to go to college. It will serve first-timein-college (FTIC), first-generation college students, emphasizing those not already served by existing programming. Through the interdisciplinary living-learning community, FTIC, first-generation college students from all majors
will engage in intentional development to support their college experiences, such as community events, alumni engagement, and coursework. “We know from research that a well-designed LLC is a very high-impact program for students and potentially even more impactful for historically underrepresented students,” said Joe O’Shea (B.A. ’08), Dean of Undergraduate Studies. “This LLC is going to help us live up to our promise as a public university to catalyze social mobility and prepare students for lives of service.” LLCs are small groups of students who live together, share an interest, and take one or two of their classes together — usually in a small classroom inside their residence hall. Participants will have access to academic support services, including
The Florida State University Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) provides preparation, orientation, and academic support programming for students who are among the first in their family to attend college and may face unique challenges in college because of educational or economic circumstances.
academic advising, college life coaching, tutoring, and CARE-only scholarships. The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), directed by DeOnte Brown, will oversee the FGEN Noles LLC. “The LLC is a gateway into the CARE ecosystem,” Brown said. “The way we’ve designed the FGEN Noles LLC is that this isn’t a ‘one-and-done’ experience for the students. Our staff will continue to check in with them each year until they graduate because we know the value of connection and advocacy for our first-generation students throughout their college experience. Through this LLC, these students are becoming part of a community that will support them to graduation.” At Florida State, approximately 30 percent of the undergraduate student body are first-generation college students. This significant population often needs additional support and engagement to help increase student success measures, and the FGEN Noles LLC plans to do just that. “Historically, CARE has supported a limited number of Florida State’s first-generation populations by also emphasizing Pell-eligibility,” Brown said. “This LLC is focused solely on that first-generation identity, so we’re expanding access across this student group.” FGEN Noles LLC will serve 64 students who identify as first-generation and firsttime-in-college from any major during its pilot year. At scale, FGEN Noles LLC will support 128 students. The FGEN Noles LLC will be co-located for the first year in Bryan Hall with the Academic Exploration and Discovery LLC. “We have an obligation to provide the support and opportunities for all of our students to thrive,” O’Shea said. “That means we have to invest in the kind of educational
experiences that are so powerful in transforming students’ lives and can make a difference in communities.” The FGEN Noles LLC is a joint sponsorship with Undergraduate Studies and the Division of Student Affairs. As the academic course partner for the FGEN Noles LLC, the College of Arts and Sciences will provide most of the core courses. Through this agreement, FGEN Noles LLC residents will have three English sections and one History or Ethics section to choose from in addition to the colloquium. As enrollment increases, additional course sections will be added to ensure classes remain small, with fewer than 20 students in each section. The FGEN Noles LLC will be coordinated by a selected faculty director, whose commitment to student success for
Bryan Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Florida State opened the dormitory as home to its first Learning Community in the Fall of 1997.
underrepresented students will be evidenced by their research agenda, teaching philosophy, or engagement in professional development related to inclusive teaching. “CARE is a fantastic, world-renowned program, and we are developing new ways to expand the support CARE offers to more students at the university,” O’Shea said. “The LLC is one step in that direction, and we’re going to roll out more initiatives soon to increase the programming we provide for FSU’s first-generation students.” Learn more about the CARE program: gonol.es/CARE
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UNIVERSITY NEWS Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry FSU launches bridge program to increase underrepresented students in chemistry The Florida State University Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has launched a new initiative designed to help underrepresented students achieve a master’s degree and then move on to a doctoral program. The Bridge program, funded by the American Chemical Society, launched this summer. The program provides two to three students per year with a tuition waiver and a stipend, plus research and mentoring opportunities. ACS is pitching in with $180,000 to support incoming graduate students selected for the program. This is supplemented with tuition waivers from The Graduate School and the College of Arts and Sciences. FSU and Ohio State are the only institutions to offer bridge programs in both physics and chemistry.
nationwide to receive the CSO50 award, a recognition by cybersecurity publishing company CSO. Seminole Secure is an application that university units can use to build a business impact analysis and IT disaster recovery plan, perform periodic risk assessments, and maintain a continuity of operations plan (COOP). The application is designed to ensure that necessary contingency plans are in place to support the needs of the entire university in the event of a major disaster or disruption to university operations. gonol.es/CSO50
School of Theatre Graduate acting program recognized as one of the Top 25 Best College Drama Programs The Florida State University School of Theatre graduate acting program has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Best College Drama Programs worldwide
by The Hollywood Reporter, a well-established online trade journal. Considered to be one of America’s leading acting schools, the FSU/Asolo Conservatory is part of the School of Theatre and offers a Master of Fine Arts in acting where actors of the highest caliber are trained in a professional theater environment through classroom work and production experience. “It is an incredible honor for the School of Theatre to be recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as a Top 25 training program,” said Brad Brock, director of the FSU School of Theatre. “This recognition speaks to the caliber of our faculty and the education that our students receive in the MFA Acting program. We are very proud of our program in Sarasota and our continued partnership with the Asolo Repertory Theatre.” gonol.es/Top25
Cast of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone.” Photo by Frank Atura
gonol.es/BioBridge
Emergency Management Division and Information Technology Services FSU recognized nationally for Seminole Secure security project Florida State University’s Emergency Management Division and Information Technology Services have been recognized for their Seminole Secure security project. FSU is one of two universities
FALL 2021 | VIRES 9
UNIVERSITY NEWS College of Music FSU celebrates 80 years of music camps Florida State University’s College of Music hosted its 80th year of music camps this summer, one of the country’s oldest and largest summer music camp programs. Since 1942, the camps have offered 14 summer music experiences in band, orchestra, jazz, guitar, choral, chamber music, piano, elementary music, and marching band/color guard. More than 1,400 students come from around the world to meet FSU instructors, perform, learn, grow as musicians, and gain firsthand knowledge of the student experience on FSU’s campus. The program is led by Steve Kelly, a professor of music education in the College of Music and the director of the camps for 18 years. gonol.es/80years
Campers perform at the 2019 Choral Ensemble Camp Final Performance.
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This offer is unique to this solicitation. Our credit card offers may vary, and this offer may not be available elsewhere. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now. For information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this card or to apply, please visit bofa.com/fsua Residents of the US and its territories only. See full disclosure for details. *Bonus Cash Rewards Offer. You will qualify for $200 bonus cash rewards if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of purchase transactions totaling at least $1,000 (exclusive of any fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit 1 bonus cash rewards offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to customers opening a new account in response to this offer and will not apply to requests to convert existing accounts. Your account must be open with active charging privileges in order to receive this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus cash rewards offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8–12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus cash rewards to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither we, nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. By opening and/or using these products from Bank of America, you’ll be providing valuable financial support to Florida State University Alumni Association. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. ©2021 Bank of America Corporation 3669182 AD-07-21-0202.B
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship New master’s program to focus on sustainability Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has launched a new online major in the Master of Science program to prepare students to help companies meet the demands of today but not at the expense of tomorrow. The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, Social and Sustainable Enterprises offers graduates an opportunity to learn sustainable practices and good corporate governance, according to Mark McNees, faculty adviser to the program and social entrepreneur in residence at the college. “This is one of the fastest-growing aspects of corporate America,” he said. “Through millennials and young people, we see that a company’s pollution, its supply chain, whether it’s committed to ethical trade, are all part of how it’s viewed and all factor into how successful a company is.” In addition to entrepreneurial studies, the interdisciplinary program incorporates courses from departments across the university, including earth, ocean, and atmospheric science. It features an experiential curriculum taught by faculty and industry professionals in social responsibility, innovation, entrepreneurship and environmental sciences. gonol.es/sustainability
Social Sciences and Public Policy Student receives Diana Award for Type 1 diabetes advocacy work A Florida State University student is one of 400 individuals worldwide to receive a Diana Award, established in memory of the late Princess of Wales, to recognize young people’s social action or humanitarian work. Emmabella Rudd, a public health major from Sarasota, earned the award for her work on behalf of causes related to Type 1 diabetes, which she was diagnosed with at age 5. Rudd said she is excited and humbled by the acknowledgment. “I’ve been at work for the past 14 years of my life to find a cure,” she said.
Emmabella Rudd has been working to find a cure and support research efforts for Type 1 diabetes since her diagnosis at age 5.
“It is my passion. I am always working on something related to it, whether it be fundraising, shaping legislation, or educating those communities that don’t have education on it.” Since her diagnosis, Rudd has volunteered countless hours for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has organized fundraisers, support groups and has addressed Congress on behalf of diabetes research. To date, her efforts have helped raise awareness and more than $350,000 for diabetes research. gonol.es/DianaAward
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
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Center for Disaster Risk Policy Drone team assists in response to Miami building collapse
The CDRP team plans flights on July 4, 2021, before the demolition of the remainder of the Champlain Towers South. Pictured from left to right: Ph.D. researcher Austin Bush, CDRP Director David Merrick, Dr. Robin Murphy, Texas A&M University, and FSU researcher Justin Adams.
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A team from the Florida State University Center for Disaster Risk Policy (CDRP) assisted with assessment and recovery efforts at the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, which collapsed on June 24. The State of Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (FL-TF1) requested the help of CDRP’s unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) team, which can rapidly deliver incident maps to urban search and rescue teams using UAS or drones. The team consisted of CDRP Director David Merrick, researcher and geography doctoral student Austin
UNIVERSITY NEWS Panama City Campus Nurse anesthesia earns 10-year reaccreditation
Bush and CDRP researchers Justin Adams and Rayne Hawkins. The CDRP UAS team, working closely with other drone teams from state and local agencies, flew more than 200 missions, captured more than 28,000 images of the site, and created almost 700GB of data and information, including digital maps that could then be downloaded to the phone or tablet of a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) program member. FSU CDRP is housed within the Askew School in the university’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. gonol.es/surfside
College of Social Work IJRD Looks to transform the criminal justice system using science Carrie Pettus, founding executive director of the Institute for Justice Research and Development (IJRD), is leading a team of 70 researchers and practitioners dedicated to using science to create data-driven solutions to drive down reliance on the criminal justice system. IJRD is developing models for correctional systems to assist formerly incarcerated individuals struggling to re-enter society. The Institute is training law enforcement officers on identifying and addressing post-traumatic stress disorder among their colleagues. In addition, the institute is addressing trauma among men in prisons. The Institute has already partnered with eight state correctional departments, 133 prisons and jails,
IJRD Founding Executive Director Carrie Pettus speaks at a news conference in Pennsylvania about re-entry initiatives. At far left is Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.
more than 30 prosecutor offices and associations, plus countless community-based providers and probation and parole officers. Jim Clark, dean of the FSU College of Social Work, said that while many organizations examine the criminal justice system from one perspective or another, the Institute stands out because it looks at the system as a whole and tackles problems with science. Clark said the team at the Institute has genuinely made an excellent quest for justice and well-being for Americans as part of FSU’s research, teaching, and service missions. “The IJRD team is working to transform the criminal justice system with a multi-systemic, science-based approach that focuses on human thriving—and they are creating important nationwide impacts,” he said.
The directors of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) approved the reaccreditation for FSU Panama City’s graduate program in Nurse Anesthesia for ten years, the maximum a university can achieve. “Receiving the maximum 10-year accreditation demonstrates that FSU Panama City provides a top-tier education and learning environment to future nurse anesthetists,” said FSU Panama City Dean Randy Hanna. “We couldn’t be prouder of this program and the faculty who work so hard to create an exceptional education for these students.” Initially accredited in 2015, the program began at the master’s level. In July 2020, the State University System of Florida Board of Governors approved the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree, which COA reviewed in fall 2020 and granted final approval in January 2021. The first doctoral degree program was offered at FSU Panama City, with 30 students already engaged in learning this past summer. gonol.es/pcanesthesia
gonol.es/IJRD Program Administrator Dr. Stacey VanDyke (center) with NAP students at the clinical site.
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ECHOES
is a weekly show dedicated to reconnecting alumni with the FSU campus through news, opportunities to get involved, features on alumni successes, and more. SEASON TWO WILL BEGIN JANUARY 2022.
LISTEN NOW: gonol.es/echoespodcast
HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF FSU ALUMNI SUCCEED IN THEIR CAREERS There are a number of ways you can help ensure the career success of current FSU students!
Attend a Career Fair
Post Career Opportunities
NoleNetwork Recruit FSU students for your organization by attending a virtual or in-person career fair
Advertise jobs and internships for your organization using NoleNetwork
Become a ProfessioNole Mentor
Serve as a Job Shadow Host
Use your career experiences to offer career advice and guidance to students
Host a current student for one-day job shadowing experiences
To learn more about how you can contribute back to FSU students through The Career Center, please visit
career.fsu.edu/alumni
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Student Financial Success The new hub houses financial literacy tools for students To better arm students with financial knowledge, FSU has created financialsuccess.fsu.edu, an online hub of financial literacy tools for students. The comprehensive website features resources related to paying for college, planning and budgeting, banking and credit, investments, insurance, and taxes. It also offers information on financial literacy courses and training programs, events, and external resources. The new financial success online hub extends FSU’s long-standing student success initiative, said Associate Provost Rick Burnette, who led the project. The hub features easy access to the financial literacy “badge” programs at FSU, which allow students to document the skills and experiences they gain through these courses for future employers. In addition, the hub provides information from the offices of Financial Aid and Student Business Services on paying for college and securing financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. gonol.es/financialsuccess
College of Medicine Class of 2021 features 119 new physicians Gathered again for the first time since they began clinical rotations two years ago, the M.D. Class of 2021 embraced the achievement of becoming a physician while navigating an extraordinary time in world history. As class president, Brian Day noted: “Graduating from medical school under any circumstances is nothing short of a monumental accomplishment.” Doing so during a pandemic that knocked students from the clinical setting for an extended period, from doing elective rotations at hospitals with residency programs of interest, from in-person residency interviews, and with an often surreal sense of uncertainty in everyday encounters made
Fort Pierce campus dean Juliette Lomax Homier presents Jessica Gonzalez-Lorente with her academic hood at the graduation ceremony for the Florida State University College of Medicine M.D. Class of 2021. Photo by Colin Hackley/College of Medicine
the accomplishment even more remarkable. College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty boasted about the class of 2021’s performance, including a 100% pass rate on the United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 2 Clinical Knowledge. The class had a remarkable 245 average on the exam, with 70% of the class scoring 240 or above out of a total score of 300. The College of Medicine, which graduated its first class of 27 students in 2005, now has 1,601 M.D. alumni. gonol.es/NewDoctors
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
College of Law College launches a cybersecurity, privacy, and technology risk management program Florida State University College of Law has launched a new online master’s program focused on cybersecurity. The Juris Master in Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Technology Risk Management is part of the law school’s master’s in law. It enables working professionals and recent graduates to acquire legal skills to advance their careers in today’s heavily regulated industries, where cybersecurity, privacy, and technology risk management are critical to sustainable and resilient operations. Students gain a solid foundation in the U.S. and foreign laws and regulations governing cybersecurity, privacy, intellectual property, data science, and artificial intelligence. They also learn about pertinent contract law issues, including fundamental contract law, IP licensing law, government and defense contracting, and legal and risk management issues relevant to managing portfolios of contracts. The FSU College of Law’s Juris Master Program is ranked the nation’s 5th best among online master’s in legal studies programs. The program is flexible, innovative, and affordable. gonol.es/cyber
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Undergraduate Studies The Owl was accepted into the Directory of Open Access Journals The Florida State University peer- reviewed undergraduate student research journal, The Owl, was recently accepted into the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a collection of open access, high-quality professional scientific and scholarly journals. “This is a huge achievement for any student publication, making our published articles accessible on many professional databases, including Google Scholar,” said Trystan Loustau, editor-in-chief. The addition to DOAJ enhances the journal’s reputation, prominence, and visibility, furthering the credibility of its published students as budding researchers. This is the journal’s first national recognition. “The team is setting up The Owl not only to be a leader in undergraduate research publication at FSU but a national leader, as well,” said David Advent, staff adviser for SCURC and assistant director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic
Engagement. Since its founding in 2009, The Owl has published 11 volumes featuring a wide variety of disciplines. gonol.es/TheOwl
Athletics Head men’s basketball coach presented with Ross Oglesby award Leonard Hamilton, the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida State University, was presented with the 2021 Ross Oglesby Award by the Garnet and Gold Key Leadership Honorary Society at its annual Homecoming Ceremony, which was held virtually for the first time this year. Hamilton is the first Florida State coach to win the award. Hamilton led the Seminoles to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2021. Florida State is one of just three programs in the nation (also Michigan and Gonzaga) that advanced to the Sweet 16 in each of the past three NCAA Tournaments. He has been named the ACC Coach of the Year three times (2009, 2012, and 2020) and led the Seminoles to a pair of ACC
UNIVERSITY NEWS Championships (2012 and 2020). Hamilton, who recently completed his 19th season at Florida State, will watch as seven of his players earn their bachelor’s degrees from Florida State at university commencement exercises beginning April 17. Under Hamilton’s leadership, the men’s basketball program has posted a better than 95 percent graduation rate. gonol.es/OglesbyAward Leonard Hamilton, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida State University, received the 2021 Ross Oglesby Award from the Garnet and Gold Key Leadership Honorary Society at its annual Homecoming Ceremony. It is the first time an athletics coach has won the award in its almost 50 year history.
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FALL 2021 | VIRES 17
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CATCHING UP WITH
JING WANG
New Dean of the College of Nursing
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recognized national leader on digital health, which uses computing platforms, connected devices, software, and sensors for health care and related uses, Jing Wang, joins the Seminole family as the new dean of the College of Nursing. “We are excited to welcome Jing Wang to Florida State University, and the College of Nursing,” Florida State University Provost Sally McRorie said. “The college is poised for growth, particularly in its research endeavors, and we are confident Dr. Wang is the right leader to move us forward.” Wang, an interdisciplinary trained researcher, educator, policy, and executive leader in nursing and higher education, previously served as the vice dean for research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing. Wang says she’s excited to join FSU during a time of rapid growth for the university. “I am very intrigued by the College of Nursing’s strong academic nursing programs and strengths on health equity research, as well as Florida State’s collaborative spirit and strong focus on student success, especially for the first-generation students, and commitment to serve underserved communities,” Wang said. Wang looks forward to bringing her expertise from two large academic health centers to the College of Nursing and plans to encourage new research and form partnerships to strengthen its research portfolio. “I hope to continue to foster excellence in research, education, clinical practice, and community engagement at the College of Nursing and to lead the college to the forefront of health and health care in the state of Florida, nationally and globally.” Read more about Wang: gonol.es/deanwang
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welcoming
FSU’S 16TH PRESIDENT An inside look at the path that led
RICHARD MCCULLOUGH to Florida State
by Kelli Gemmer (B.A. ’14, M.S. ’18) FALL 2021 | VIRES 21
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ichard McCullough has been working since he was nine years old. From paper routes
to pizza parlors, he helped support his family financially. A first-generation college student who grew up in modest means in Mesquite, Texas, McCullough saw education as the pathway forward. Today, he is Florida State University’s 16th president.
McCullough’s early days in academia focused on research. He is best known for his work in developing printable electronic materials. Above, McCullough poses in a lab during his tenure at Carnegie Mellon University.
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McCullough credits affordable public education for providing the pathway for his success. He attended Eastfield Community College for two years before transferring to The University of Texas at Dallas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1982. “I worked my way through community college selling shoes,” said McCullough. “Then I worked in a hospital for most of my junior and senior year.” In his open forum with university staff, McCullough explained how he didn’t have a car at UT Dallas, so he took all the same classes as a friend to get to and from school, nearly thirty miles away. McCullough hadn’t always envisioned becoming a university president or even working in academia. “I just wanted to get a decent job so I wouldn’t have to live this paycheck-to-paycheck life, and so I just kept staying in school.” After graduation, he left Texas to pursue his doctoral degree in organic chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. There, McCullough met his wife, Jai Vartikar, who was in the same entering class. “I still remember the exact time I met her,” reminisced McCullough. “It was outside Remsen Hall. I was totally smitten, but I had my long hair and cowboy boots and was trying to make a statement, like ‘I’m from Texas.’” After developing a friendship with her over some time – a “really, really long time,” McCullough recalls – he eventually won her heart
fast facts about RICHARD MCCULLOUGH He and his wife, Jai Vartikar, have two children, Jason and Dylan, daughterin-law, Sarah Christian, and two granddaughters, Gladys and Archer.
President McCullough’s first day may have had dark clouds thanks to Tropical Storm Fred, but Fred could not dampen his enthusiasm. At left, McCullough walks up the steps of Westcott on his first day in office.
and they have been partners ever since. “Everything that I am is because of her.” Toward the end of graduate school, McCullough thought he might be interested in academics as a profession, encouraged by Vartikar, who was his girlfriend at the time. After receiving his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins in 1988, McCullough spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University. In 1990, he became an assistant professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. McCullough loved being a professor, especially working with the students. After eight years in the chemistry department, the dean and one of McCullough’s mentors, approached him about becoming a department head. McCullough was hesitant, but she saw his potential and encouraged this momentous step in his professional career. An associate professor at the time, McCullough was promoted to both full professor and department head on the same day. “Once I became department head, I found out I was pretty good at leading academics,” he said. In 2001, McCullough subsequently became dean of the Mellon College of
Dylan Jason and Sarah
He’s a dog person. His family dog, Bodhi, is half St. Bernard and half poodle. He’s the founder of two companies: Plextronics Inc. and Liquid X Printed Metals. He loves all types of music, including jazz, classical, rock, etc. and is learning to play guitar. He loves to coach sports. He coached his children’s little league baseball and soccer teams as well as intramural softball teams while at Johns Hopkins and Columbia. In 1996 he was a visiting professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Europe, especially France and Italy, are his favorite places to travel to.
In 2013 he was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He and Jai love traveling, exploring new restaurants, and have a passion for the arts.
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Above, McCullough engages with new faculty at a reception. Below, he takes a hard hat tour of the new student union currently under construction.
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Science and served in this role for six years until he was appointed vice president for research at Carnegie Mellon. In 2012, McCullough became the vice provost for research at Harvard University, where he also served as professor of materials science and engineering. “As I started going down this pathway, I realized that I like to be in charge,” laughed McCullough. “And so it seemed like a natural pathway from Carnegie Mellon to Harvard and now to Florida State.” McCullough was unanimously selected as Florida State’s 16th president by the FSU Board of Trustees on May 24 and confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors on June 23. His first day in office was Aug. 16. McCullough can’t imagine a better job position. “You’re being welcomed into a family, and everyone wants you to be a part of that family. How great is that? Jai and I are really excited about joining the FSU family.” This unique institutional family dynamic is what drew McCullough to the position. “Family is core to
who I am,” he said. McCullough and Vartikar have two children, Jason and Dylan, who both attended Harvard, and despite demanding careers always sought to put their boys first. Though McCullough and Vartikar both have an academic background in the sciences, their sons gravitated toward the arts. Jason and his wife, Sarah Christian, live in New York City with their two daughters, Gladys and Archer. The couple, who opened an art gallery in Chelsea after graduating from Harvard, are now pursuing advanced degrees. Jason is earning his Ph.D. in art history at Stanford while Sarah is attending graduate school for acupuncture at Pacific College of Health Sciences. McCullough’s younger son, Dylan, was an economics major at Harvard and is a designer in fashion in Los Angeles. McCullough is looking forward to many things as Florida State’s 16th president, from engaging with alumni to attending athletics games, but he’s most looking forward to interacting with the students. He even hopes to get in his golf cart and drive around campus to meet the students and engage in the traditions of some of the past presidents. “I do a lot of work to enable research that changes the world, but my interaction with the students has been less than it was when I was a dean and department head,” said McCullough. “I just miss that so much, and I cannot wait to interact with the students and get to know everybody and the amazing things that are going on.” Another thing McCullough can’t wait for: the Florida weather and getting rid of his “enormously gigantic” down winter jacket. Attending athletics games in this Florida sunshine is one of the many traditions he is most looking forward to experiencing. “Everything you see, you go, ‘man, the people are great, they’re like family, their campus is beautiful, the university is on the rise, it’s in Florida, and the weather is great.’ Everything is very positive; it makes you go, ‘wow, I want to be here.’” McCullough’s first priority is to learn everything he can about FSU through a campus listening tour. “Who knows better about FSU than the people who are here?” he said. “My goal is to be an artful listener and learn as much as I can.” There’s a lot to learn, and McCullough plans to get his own understanding by directly talking to the faculty, the students, the department heads and deans, the administrative and academic leadership at the university, the alumni, the board, the athletic coaches, and players, organizations like the Atlantic Coast Conference, other presidents in the state of Florida and more. “I’m a builder,” he said. “In all the jobs that I’ve had, I come in and try to make places better.” One particular strength for McCullough is that he is an entrepreneur
when she was around five years old, and the influence her experiences had on him. The more McCullough learned from these experiences the more strongly he felt about diversity, so he started working on making his impact. He understood that it could be challenging to hire diverse faculty when there aren’t many in the field, so he needed to work on the pipeline and help students individually. McCullough created this diverse pipeline of academics by seeking out underrepresented minority graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for his research lab and co-creating the Future Faculty Workshop: Diverse Leaders of Tomorrow with a colleague from MIT. Now in its 15th year, this annual workshop helps diverse postdoctoral fellows and students obtain academic jobs. In addition to assisting students and faculty, McCullough recognizes the significant role alumni play in supporting universities. “Alumni relations are significant because that’s the backbone and the spirit of the university,” he said. “The volunteerism that comes with that is powerful and is something that I hope, and plan, to increase and try to figure out ways to get the alumni even more involved than they are now.” Though he is ambitious with his vision for the university and ready to hit the ground running, McCullough is also realistic about the timetable. “It will take us some time; things don’t happen overnight. It’s just a great opportunity for us to make Florida State even better.” McCullough praised the remarkable work and leadership of President John Thrasher. “I know I have extremely big shoes to fill, but I am very excited to continue Florida State’s amazing rise,” said McCullough. “I am delighted and ready to lead FSU to its next important chapter.”
I’m a builder. In all the jobs that I’ve had, I come in and try to make places better. and can help lead the university further into an entrepreneurial and innovative future. McCullough plans to be an advocate for students starting companies. “It’s pretty easy to start a company,” said McCullough. “I think most people don’t realize that, and I hope to bring that to FSU to help the faculty and students, to let them know that starting a company isn’t as daunting as you might think and an amazing learning experience. And with the new College of Entrepreneurship, there’s a huge opportunity. Students don’t need any convincing; they already know.” A goal of McCullough’s would be to increase the number of start-ups each year, something he did exponentially at Carnegie Mellon. In addition to being an entrepreneur, he is also a champion for diversity. McCullough grew up in a relatively homogenous and not remarkably diverse area where he didn’t have much exposure to various thoughts or different cultures. It wasn’t until McCullough attended graduate school that he met people from all over, which impacted him tremendously. “I was struck by how much diversity is the pathway to excellence,” he said. “You learn so many things from people that have different experiences than you.” McCullough also attributes part of this passion to his wife, who was born in India and moved to America
In his first few days in office, McCullough did what he enjoys most, engaging with students. At the left, McCullough poses with orientation leaders at a social on Landis to celebrate the first day of fall classes. At right, McCullough shakes hands with a member of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity while visiting students during move-in.
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Photo by FSU Creative Services
Legacy
DESIGNING A
Golf icon
JACK NICKLAUS put his signature touch on the Seminoles’ new course leaving his mark on a university
By Zac Howard (B.A. ’14)
that his family calls their own. FALL 2021 | VIRES 27
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n a cool, windy day last March in Tallahassee, dozens of Seminole fans stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting to watch golf icon Jack Nicklaus send off an inaugural tee shot from the newly renovated Don Veller Seminole Golf Course at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club. “Boom!” Nicklaus shouted as his driver struck the ball. The crowd cheered and clapped for the Golden Bear, who was sporting a garnet sweater, khakis, and an FSU cap with the words “Go Nick” and number 35 stitched into the side. Many Seminole fans know that Nicklaus’ grandson, Nick O’Leary, played tight end for the Seminoles from 2011 – 2014. Nicklaus, 81, is a longtime resident of North Palm Beach. Many of his children and grandchildren attended FSU. Seminole Legacy Golf Club is a fitting name, given the Nicklaus family’s generational representation at the university. “We’ve got a pretty good legacy at Florida State to start with, so may as well put it on the golf course too,” Nicklaus said at the course unveiling. Nicklaus heads the leading golf course design company, Nicklaus Design, alongside his eldest son Jack Nicklaus II. The father-son duo agreed to redesign the university-owned course for a fee of $1. Ordinarily, the figure would be around $2 million. The course is the first Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course in North America. The ‘Legacy’ branding represents a passing of the baton from father to son. “The University has embraced us. It has been so much a part of our family,” Nicklaus II said. “I am so proud of the golf course and the way it ended up.”
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About the Golf Course
The golf course was originally designed by Bill Amick and opened to the public in 1962. For years, the Club has served as the home of Florida State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams. The renovation project has effectively positioned Seminole Legacy among the top collegiate golf clubs in the U.S. Stretching out to 7,800 yards from the back tees, the golf course offers surprising elevation changes of up to 50 feet, and offers stunning visuals highlighted by 100-year-old live oaks and stately pine trees.
Jack Nicklaus hits a tee shot at the grand opening of the Seminole Legacy Golf Course. Director of Golf and FSU Men’s Golf Head Coach Trey Jones converses with Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus Jr. on the course. Photos by Ross Obley
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he renovation scope includes a complete redesign of the golf course, with only one hole remaining from the original routing. The design enhanced all tees, fairways, rough, bunkers, greens, and cart paths. The course formerly sat on about 210 acres, including two driving ranges, a small short game area for the golf teams, and a 7,147-yard par-73 golf course. The new course is 7,800 yards and a par 72, sitting on 174 acres, including the two ranges and a unique 12-hole par-three courses for the golf teams. The course is distinct but compares favorably to professional courses. “There are some combinations of different places that, if you look hard enough, you’ll see,” said Trey Jones, head coach of the FSU men’s golf team. “You’re going to see more of an Augusta national, hilly, with large pine trees. When you see the green complexions, you’re going to see more Pinehurst.” In addition to the aesthetic improvement, the course offers significant challenges that require strategic shots on every hole. Both Jones and Amy Bond (B.S. ’97, M.S. ’99), head coach of the FSU women’s golf team, appreciate the versatility the course offers their teams at practice. “Every single time they go out and play, it’s a different golf course,” Bond said, noting the different tee boxes that create shot angle and yardage flexibility. “I want this to be the absolute hardest golf course they ever play so that when we’re on the road, the other courses look easier.”
The first-year results were outstanding, as the men’s golf team finished the 2021 season ranked No. 5 in the country, and the women’s team finished at No. 10. The course hosted the NCAA Men’s Regional tournament in May, in which the Seminoles won first place. These achievements increase exposure and attract the most talented recruits from across the country. The club announced the course renovation in 2017, so current team members chose FSU before seeing the finished product. Beyond helping current and future Seminoles, the club brings many other benefits to the university. Memberships and monthly seven-course dinners led by the club’s gourmet chef bring in revenue. Other amenities include: • An outdoor lounge area. • The Burr Family Renegade Grill. • A state-of-the-art clubhouse. • A fully stocked Golf Pro Shop. • On-site PGA-certified staff who can assist players of all ages and abilities. Additionally, students enrolled in the Golf Course Management elective attend class at the club. “We quickly became the best course in Tallahassee,” said Jaxon Hardy (B.S. ’02), the club’s general manager. Hardy said the club has several members from Tampa who fly their private planes up to Tallahassee to play the course. “This is one of the top-tier courses in Florida. It’s worth traveling to.” Jack Nicklaus with the 2019 FSU Golf Teams. Photo by Ross Obley
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Student Taylor Roberts tees off on the 13th hole of the course. Photo by Ross Obley
Seminole Legacy Golf Club 2550 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310 Email: info@seminolelegacygolfclub.com Contact Lori Wilkey for membership information: 850-645-7228
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E
Trey Jones
ntering his 19th season, Trey Jones has lifted the sport of golf at Florida State to new heights. Top national finishes, All-Americans, professional success and academic achievement have become synonymous with the Florida State men’s golf program under his leadership. He is responsible for attracting nationally ranked recruiting classes, upgrading the Seminoles’ schedule to where it is ranked among the nation’s toughest on an annual basis and creating one of the most functional player development facilities in all of college golf on one of the Seminoles’ five home golf courses. Jones continues annually to build on the Seminoles’ success in developing the nation’s top talent into national contenders and collegiate golf ’s elite players. He has led the Seminoles to 15 consecutive NCAA post-season appearances. His teams have now finished in the Top 5 of tournaments 85 times in the last 127 tournaments played entering the 2021-22 season. Jones also co-hosts a radio show on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio called Beyond The Tips, airing on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Head Coach, FSU Men’s Golf Director of Golf, FSU men’s and women’s programs How did the new course impact the team’s success this year? Well, both teams had great years. The golf course definitely had something to do with that. The common denominator is a great golf course that helped our players prepare, in addition to our great coaching staffs, Boosters and support staff.
How does the course impact player development and recruiting? Golf is supposed to be fun, that’s why we play it. When people come out and see something, they want to play it. They play it once and then after they play it once they want to come back and play it again, because it’s fun. The byproduct of that is that it’s going to identify and develop skills. From that standpoint, the team is going to improve and when the team improves, that will help recruiting. It all starts with something challenging that they can have fun with.
What’s the value in hosting the NCAA regional tournament? There’s no better advertisement than word of mouth. The more times you can bring in people for high level events, it gets out that the product we have here is one of the most elite in college golf. That was some off the tee box chatter that went around during this year’s regionals – once our golf course
matures, a lot of people believe this will be one of, if not the top university golf courses in the country.
What does it mean to have Nicklaus name attached to the course? When you think Florida State University athletics, you don’t ask if it’s good or not. You expect it to be good, because it’s been earned. When you look at Nicklaus Design, there’s also that standard of excellence. They’re not going to put their name on anything that’s average. Everything they do is first class.
What is your favorite hole, and why? #17. It’s a very natural looking golf hole. They just fit it with the property perfectly. When you stand there on the back tee box, it is absolutely striking. It looks like it’s been there 100 years.
Toughest hole, and why? #18; It has length, some accuracy strategy and a challenging green. Jack wanted the golf tournaments to be earned.
What’s your favorite feature? The greens. The putting surfaces are phenomenal.
How would you describe the course in one word? Fun.
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS Two-time ACC Coach of the Year (2008, 2015)
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Six straight NCAA Championship Finals appearances from 2012-17
30 tournament wins (most in school history)
15 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances
13 All-Americans and 27 All-America honors in his tenure
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my Bond (B.S. ’97, M.S. ’99) has guided 11 Seminole teams to the NCAA Championships. Including her four years as a Seminole player (199499), her five years as a Seminole assistant coach (2001-06), and 11 as Florida State’s head coach, Bond has participated in 17 of 20 NCAA Regional Championships while wearing the Garnet and Gold. The Seminoles will look to play in their school-record 16th consecutive NCAA Championship Tournament in 2022. Bond joined the long and illustrious list of Florida State alumni who had returned to coach their alma mater when she was named the Seminoles’ head coach on June 25, 2010. She returned to her Seminole roots after an outstanding playing career at Florida State (1994-99). She finished in 30th place in the 1999 NCAA Championship Finals and a five-year career as an assistant coach (2001-06).
Coach
Q&A
Amy Bond Head Coach, FSU Women’s Golf
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS 2017 ACC Coach of the Year President, Women’s Golf Coaches Association of America (2013-16) 11 straight NCAA Championship appearances 22 tournament wins (14 at Florida State) Eight All-Americans/ Five All-Regional Selections 16 All-ACC Academic Selections
How does the course change the FSU golf program? It’s the main draw for student-athletes. I wanted to see a practice facility that allowed us to practice any shot that you would have to hit in a game of golf. And we are thrilled with the final product. We recruited our freshmen and sophomores on photos and design paperwork. They said, ‘We want to be Seminoles because this is going to be outstanding when it’s done.’
What about now that it’s done? It is literally one of the top university courses in the country, even at a year and a half old. That is what brings the kids in, they hear about it, and it gets them to visit Tallahassee. If we can get a kid on campus, we feel we can keep them here. The addition of a championship-quality golf course and practice facility makes it a lot easier.
What will you remember about the renovation process? One of the most memorable moments for me was riding around with Jack and Jack II as they were looking at the rawness of what the golf course originally was. To sit there and listen to Jack go, “This is what I see with this hole,” and
there’s a bunch of trees in the way. So, he’s thinking through the trees and has that vision of what it will look like. As a golf coach, I don’t see it like that. You let them do their stuff, and we are thrilled that we have this product.
What is your favorite hole, and why? #5. We’ve never had a golf hole going that direction towards the back part of the property. It’s a beautiful green that sits with the tree line in the background.
Most challenging hole, and why? #18. It’s a demanding tee shot with an uphill second shot and a multi-tiered green. If you need to make a birdie, it’s going to be complicated.
What’s your favorite feature? It requires you to think your way around the course. If you’re at the top of your game and can execute the shot so you can see, then you’ll be rewarded for it. But if you get too aggressive and miss, it’s going to hurt you.
How would you describe the course in one word? Challenging.
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FLORIDA STATE GOLF
Highlights FSU has made 15 consecutive NCAA Regionals appearances.
MEN’S TEAM
Florida State earned four tournament victories in 2021.
Florida State secured its first NCAA Regional victory when it won the 2021 NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
Freshman Brett Roberts became the third FSU freshman ever to earn All-America status in 2021.
Florida State finished second in the final Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll in 2021.
Senior John Pak (above, center right) (B.S. ’21) swept all three National Player of the Year awards in collegiate golf, winning the Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Fred Haskins Awards.
The Seminoles tied for fifth at this year’s NCAA Championship held in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Seminole men and women are undefeated on the new Seminole Legacy Golf Course — two wins by the men (2021 Seminole Intercollegiate and 2021 NCAA Tallahassee Regional) and one win by the women (2021 Florida State Match-Up).
After Brett Roberts (above, left) and Vincent Norrman were named All-Americans in 2021 (along with John Pak), FSU now boasts 33 All-Americans in its program history.
WOMEN’S TEAM Rising senior Beatrice Wallin was named the ACC Golfer of the Year in 2021.
Florida State won the NCAA Louisville Regional Championship in 2021 — the first regional championship in school history. The Seminoles have finished in the top three in the NCAA Regional Championships in five consecutive regionals
Florida State finished in a tie for 9th in the final standings at the 2021 NCAA Championship Finals – the highest NCAA Championships finish in school history. Head Coach Amy Bond has led the Seminoles to a school record-tying 14 tournament titles — including three in 2021 — The Florida State Match-Up, the Pinetree Collegiate, and the NCAA Louisville Regional Championship.
Florida State earned the nation’s No. 1 ranking for two weeks during the 2021 season named by Golfweek. Under Head Coach Amy Bond (right), the Seminoles are one of just six programs in the nation to play in the National Championship Finals in each of the last five years.
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Head Coach Amy Bond has coached 24 of the top 25 golfers in school history. She has recruited and coached five of the top six Seminoles in terms of stroke average. Photos by Ross Obley “Ticket Punched” and Beatrice Wallin courtesy of the Florida State University Athletic Department
A GOLF EXPERIENCE BEYOND COMPARISON Experience one of Florida’s premier golf courses – right in the heart of the Florida State University campus. Home to the FSU Men’s and Women’s golf teams, Seminole Legacy Golf Club is a membership club highlighted by a signature Jack Nicklaus design.
Non-Resident Memberships Available seminolelegacygolfclub.com 850.645.4653
ASSOCIATION NEWS 1 ABOUT US The FSU Alumni Association serves the university’s more than 377,000 alumni, including our 26,000 members. Your Alumni Association membership helps connect Seminoles all across the country, shape the future through student leadership development, and strengthen alumni programming.
Our programs, events and services do more than bring alumni together to share memories and good times. They strengthen our university’s traditions and the Seminole spirit that resides in every graduate of Florida State University. Whether an alumnus, friend or fan of FSU, we’re all #SeminolesForever.
OUR GOALS 1. Connecting the university’s growing network of more than 377,000 alumni 2. Fostering alumni engagement through events, services and programming 3. Highlighting and sharing alumni success stories with the community 4. Supporting students and future alumni through programs and scholarships
Seminole Service Days are held annually during March and are led locally by the over 50 Seminole Clubs™ nationwide. This opportunity to give back while representing Florida State is steeped in tradition and shows the outstanding character of Florida State Alumni. For 2021, this effort was renamed Seminole Support Days as we adapted to the pandemic and pivoted back to serving campus in Tallahassee. Seminole Clubs was ecstatic to support an exceptional group of Seminole Students, our Unconquered Scholars. A division of the CARE program, these outstanding Seminoles are students who come to Florida State from the foster system, are wards of the state, in relative care, or experience homelessness. Seminole Clubs led the effort and invited all alumni to join in on providing an “FSU Scholar Starter Pack.” This 22 item box equipped these students with the basics for dorm life, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, laundry bags, and other necessities. 1. Volunteers unload several Starter Packs made possible by the generosity of our Seminole Community.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS 1
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1. Spring 2021 Ring Ceremony: The traditional President’s Ring Ceremony was adapted to be COVID-safe in Spring 2021, and was a fun and festive success. Former President Thrasher (B.S. ’65, J.D. ’72) attended, spending time taking photos with graduates while they admired their new class rings. After receiving their rings, students completed the tradition of dipping their rings into Westcott Fountain. The event included music, FSU-themed favors, and beverages from the Fizz & Foam Tap Truck (an FSU alumni owned business).
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STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is a student organization that fosters spirit, tradition and pride throughout the university. Composed of current undergraduate and graduate students, it provides activities and programs that assist its more than 2,800 members in their development as leaders, scholars and future alumni. The FSU Alumni Association supports SAA’s membership, activities and events such as the Homecoming Parade and Court, Countdown to Graduation, and Speaker Series.
Interested in learning more about FSU Class Rings? Head to balfour.com/fsu
SUPPORT SAA
You can support SAA by signing your student up anytime throughout the year or by sponsoring an SAA event or Beat T-Shirts. Learn more at gonol.es/saa-sponsorships.
gonol.es/saa Facebook.com/FSUSAA
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Twitter @FSUSAA Instagram @fsu_saa
Spring 2021 Homecoming: SAA Executive Board dedicated their spring semester to crafting the Homecoming Court experience, from the application to their big moment during Homecoming Live. 2. 2020 SAA Director of Homecoming Parade, Chief, and Princess, Jimmy Cannon, (left) and 2020 SAA President Kenneth Cagnolatti (B.S. ’21) (middle) take the stage to explain SAA’s role in the FSU Homecoming tradition. 3. Homecoming Chief Andres Salas and Princess Hannah Kelsey 4. The Florida State Marching Chiefs perform at the Homecoming Live event. Photos by Steve Chase
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
ALUMNI PROGRAMMING The Alumni Association hosts events, awards and programs annually to engage alumni worldwide and strengthen the Seminole spirit in every FSU graduate. Despite the pandemic, our team has worked tirelessly to continue building relationships and facilitate multigenerational connections within our broad alumni base.
Watch past Webinars at alumni.fsu.edu/webinarresources
CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2020 The FSU Alumni Association and the FSU Division of Student Affairs partnered together to offer a weekend of fun and celebratory events for the Class of 2020 in honor of their belated commencement.
Stay up to date with future events at gonol.es/events
FSU ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR The Alumni Association hosted live entertainment, snacks, and Tallahassee food favorites in our courtyard to celebrate the class of 2020. The event culminated with the traditional champagne toast to salute their success upon graduating and becoming official Florida State alumni.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS DIPLOMAS AND DOUGHNUTS During graduation day, students and family dropped by for a photo op with friends and family at the iconic Westcott Fountain. Doughnuts and other favors were provided, making for a sweet enduing to a beautiful celebratory weekend. This event was co-sponsored with the Division of Student Affairs.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS SEMINOLE CLUBS® AND CHAPTERS The Alumni Association’s network of Seminole Clubs® and Chapters unite alumni, friends and fans of FSU in certain geographic areas, fostering a continued bond of collegiate fellowship and connection to Florida State University. Volunteer-driven and alumni-oriented, they offer year-round programming and alumni engagement opportunities throughout the country such as game-watching parties and networking events.
SEMINOLE CLUB SCHOLARSHIPS Many Seminole Clubs® and Chapters award annual scholarships to FSU students from their local areas or home states. The criteria, number of scholarships offered and amount of each award varies by club and chapter. Currently, 22 Seminole Clubs® have endowed scholarships through the FSU Foundation.
Andrés Felipe Gil Arana
Jerry Truong
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia Major: Clinical Professions Awarded by the Seminole Club of North Texas
Hometown: Tampa, Florida Major: Theatre and Asian Studies Awarded by the Tampa Bay Seminole Club
Macy Butz
Emarryah Wilson
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Major: Risk Management and Insurance Awarded by the Charlotte Seminole Club
Hometown: Lake Placid, Florida Major: Applied and Computational Mathematics Awarded by the Highlands Seminole Chapter
For the 2021-2022 academic year, 36 Seminole Clubs nationwide have awarded 95 Florida State students $111,536.69 in tuition awards.
gonol.es/clubs Facebook.com/SeminoleClubs Instagram @seminoleclubs
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ASSOCIATION NEWS 1 ALUMNI NETWORKS In cooperation with the Alumni Association, chartered affiliate groups called Alumni Networks serve and represent FSU’s diverse alumni population. These volunteer-led groups create avenues for alumni to connect based on the mission to sustain each network through meaningful programming, mentoring, and scholarships for students while advocating for representation and professional development opportunities.
2
3
NATIONAL BRUNCH DAY Since 2018, Black Alumni around the country have gathered each year to partake in brunch on the same day at the same time. At these events, Florida State Black Alumni enjoy delicious food, reconnect with friends and build new meaningful relationships, all while showcasing their love and spirit for their heritage and alma mater. This year’s event saw an impressive turnout with over 700 Black Alumni gathered in various parts of the country for fellowship, laughter and, of course, brunch.
THE FSU ALUMNI NETWORKS • Emeritus Alumni Society • FSU Asian American Alumni Network • FSU Hispanic/Latinx Alumni Network • FSU Jewish Alumni Network • FSU National Black Alumni • FSU Pride Alumni Network • Veterans Alumni Society • Young Alumni Network
Want to join one of the alumni networks? gonol.es/networks
4 Black Alumni Network members gather at various restaurants across the nation: 1. Washington D.C., 2. Jacksonville, 3. Los Angeles, and 4. Miami.
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Stefany Moncada in the Florida State University admissions office. Photo by FSU Photography Services/Bruce Palmer
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TEN QUESTIONS
Stefany Moncada, M.S.Ed
S
tefany Moncada (B.S. ’13) believes in the power of community. From Miami, Florida she currently serves as the President of the Hispanic and Latinx Alumni Network (HLAN) and works at the university as a multicultural admissions counselor. We caught up with her ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month to talk admissions, the HLAN scholarship fund, and her legacy. 1
What led you to work in admissions? I’m passionate about education and previously worked as a teacher for young children, so I started looking for careers to advise and counsel others in an educational setting. Admissions is the perfect combination of the two. In my role, I help first-generation students realize that their dream of going to a large, prestigious university like FSU is possible for them like it was for me; that is where I find my joy.
that keeps alumni connected to FSU. I also want to help establish a support system for current Hispanic/Latinx students that includes mentorship and scholarships. We want nothing more than to see them be successful at FSU. 5
Who inspires you in the work you do? My family and the students I work with inspire me every day. I look forward to getting excited phone calls when students have been admitted or talking first-generation students through the nerves they experience moving away from home. 6
What do you want those in your community to know about the HLAN? I want our community to know that now that HLAN is here, it is here to stay. The FSU Hispanic/Latinx community is a global community, and we want to continue expanding our outreach and connecting with alumni from all over the world. 7
What inspired you to lead HLAN in FSU’s 10th Annual Great Give? I knew participating would help get our name out, and hopefully raise funds. We were able to surpass our goal, and we’re already looking forward to the next one!
2
What do you want people to know about inclusion in admissions? Many underrepresented students need guidance throughout the entire process. For first-generation students and their families, they are navigating each step independently for the first time. It is vital to the equity of our admissions process and our university community that we provide support for our students throughout this exciting yet often unfamiliar process. 3
What does it mean to you to be President of the Hispanic/ Latinx Alumni Network? Being President of HLAN is an enormous responsibility I certainly don’t take lightly. It is an honor to advocate for and speak on behalf of so many incredible individuals. I will continue to try and make a difference as President of this growing organization. 4
What do you hope to accomplish as President? As President, I hope to create a sustainable network that alumni and students can depend on. I want to provide resources and build a community
f
In her role as multicultural admissions counselor, Stefany is able to help first-generation students actualize their dream of going to a prestigious university like FSU.
8
With the funds raised, you hope to start an FSUHLAN scholarship fund. Tell us about that. A lot of students’ success depends on their financial freedom throughout college. The Hispanic/Latinx student body consists of international, undocumented, and first-generation students and students of all races; it is a vast and diverse community with many opportunities for us as alumni to lend a hand. 9
What do you want your legacy at FSU to be? I want to ensure I have amplified Hispanic/Latinx voices and helped to create spaces where people who share common values, challenges, and lived experiences can come together. 10
How will the HLAN be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month? We hope to host our first in-person event, participate in the Latinx Cultural Celebration on campus, and continue to provide virtual events to connect with people all over the country. Learn more about HLAN: gonol.es/hlan
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
EMERITUS ALUMNI SOCIETY The Emeritus Alumni Society is a constituency organization of the FSU Alumni Association that was organized to encourage the continuing interest and participation of alumni who have reached emeritus status, e.g., those who graduated from the university 50 or more years ago. All alumni of Florida State University who have reached emeritus status constitute members of the Emeritus Alumni Society. At the 50th anniversary of each succeeding class, the class members are automatically admitted to the society.
DON’T MISS THE EMERITUS ALUMNI SOCIETY HOMECOMING REUNION October 22–24, 2021 Catch up with your alma mater and relive your Seminole memories at the Emeritus Alumni Reunion honoring the classes of 1970 and 1971 during Homecoming Weekend. We invite you to participate in a weekend of events tailored to all Emeritus alumni during Homecoming 2021 as we induct the classes of 1970 and 1971 into the Emeritus Alumni Society.
Friday, October 22 9:15 a.m. | Guided Bus and Walking Campus Tour A guided bus and walking tour of the Florida State campus and view many of the changes that have taken place over the years. 10:00 a.m. | Guided Bus Campus Tour
To register for the Emeritus Alumni Society Homecoming Reunion visit: gonol.es/reunion21
A guided bus-only tour of the Florida State campus and view many of the changes that have taken place over the years. 11:30 a.m. | Welcome Luncheon Pick up your welcome bag, enjoy lunch with fellow alumni and hear from guest speaker Sandra Varry, University Archivist at the FSU Alumni Center. 2:00 p.m. | Homecoming Parade Get a front row seat to the FSU Homecoming Parade with reserved seating at the corner of College Avenue and Copeland Street.
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5:30 p.m. | Alumni Association Awards Gala Honoring the 2021 recipients of the Bernard F. Sliger Award and Circle of Gold Awards.
Sunday, October 24 10:00 a.m. | Classes of 1970 and 1971 Induction Brunch and Emeritus Alumni Society Awards Ceremony Celebrate the induction of the classes of 1970 and 1971 into the Emeritus Alumni Society. Join us in welcoming the recipients of the Emeritus Alumni Society Commitment to Excellence Award, Conradi Award, and Dean Eyman Distinctive Service Award recipients.
Cement Your Place in FSU HI
S TOR Y
Buy a Commemorative BRICK at WESTCOTT PLAZA Visit gonol.es/BRICKVF21 to get started! FALL 2021 | VIRES 45
ONCE A SEMINOLE ALWAYS A SEMINOLE!
FSU BOOKSTORE
SEMINOLE SPORTSHOP
Alumni Association Members Receive 10% Off*
ShopFSU.com
*Exclusions apply, see store for details.
Visit ShopFSU.com to see all the newest styles. Join our email list for exclusive deals, offers and promotions. 46 alumni.fsu.edu
ASSOCIATION NEWS
2021 ALUMNI AMBASSADORS Today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders. The development of future leaders is a priority of the FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors, which recognizes that leadership is inspired by an outstanding educational experience. To that end, the board has established the Alumni Ambassadors Award, which will financially support the process of leadership development.
Learn more about the alumni ambassadors: gonol.es/ambassador
Chris Hagemeyer (B.S. ’18)
Madison Fitzpatrick
Chris is a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical sciences. He plans to also pursue an M.D. in order to increase his capacity to help those affected by cancer. His research focuses on pediatric brain cancer and he is funded under a grant from the Live Like Bella® Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Madison is a student in the College of Communication and Information and is working on a combined pathways Masters degree in Communication and Media Studies. Additionally, she is captain of the No. 2 nationally ranked FSU Beach Volleyball team.
Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Legacy Scholarship recipients: Charlotte Calvert Pensacola, FL
Mary Moshos Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Alec Cao Sunrise, FL
Hogan Nease Parrish, FL
Sabrine DeSilva Oviedo, FL
Julie Powers Key Largo, FL
Mikelynah Erinac Miami, FL
Riley Ratto Tampa, FL
Parker Folino Lake Worth, FL
Grace Robins St. Augustine, FL
Nathan Hardie Tampa, FL
Victor Stephens Seminole, FL
Tyler Hockett Sarasota, FL
Julia Van Arsdale Coral Springs, FL
2021 LEGACY SCHOLARS The FSU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship program was established in 2010 to recognize the commitment and support of students choosing to follow in their families’ footsteps and attend Florida State University. Legacy scholarships are funded by gifts to the FSU Alumni Association and awarded to first-year students.
Give to the Legacy Scholarship: gonol.es/GiveBack
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS The National Board of Directors is the chief governing body of the FSU Alumni Association and represents the interests of the Association’s members and constituents. The board is composed of a group of distinguished alumni and staff who give back to the university with their time and talent, to support Alumni Association initiatives.
View board member bios at gonol.es/board
2021-2022 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Les Akers (B.S. ’94)
Andy Jhanji
Melinda Benton (B.S. ’77, M.S. ’78)
Ramiro Jose Inguanzo (B.S. ’91, M.P.A. ’94)
B. Dan Berger (B.S. ’89), Immediate Past Chair
Altony Lee (B.S. ’02)
Javi Borges (B.S. ’97)
Shannon Libbert (B.S. ’93, M.P.A. ’97)
Chris Bosler (B.S. ’83) Cyd Bougae (B.S. ’75) Jeffrey D. Boykins (B.S. ’92, M.S. ’93) Eleanor Connan (B.S. ’63) Staci Cross (B.S. ’04) Jeanne Curtin (B.S. ’92, M.B.A ’99, J.D. ’01) Julie Decker Susan Delgado (B.S. ’91, M.Acc. ’92) Kyle R. Doney (B.S. ’07), Seminole Tribe Designee Ashley Folladori (B.S. ’04) Jacey Hanley Glen Hallowell (B.S. ’09) Jim Henderson, (B.S. ’69), Board of Trustees Chair Designee
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Dazi Lenoir (B.A. ’02, M.S. ’03), Vice Chair Benjamin McKay (B.S. ’91) Bruce W. McNeilage (B.S. ’88) Colleen Dean Miller (B.S. ’02), Treasurer Jeanne Miller (J.D. ’95) Ahli Moore (B.S. ’93, M.S. ’95) Mahogany Newell (B.S. ’02) Joe Paul (B.S. ’02) Cameron Pennant (B.S. ’15, M.P.A. ’17) Alexander Quince (B.S. ’92) Laura C. Russell (B.S. ’05) Anne Smith (B.S. ’87) Michael Stephens (B.S. ’91) Joshua Tyler (B.S. ’02) Jessica Washington (B.A. ’04)
Zach Heng (B.S. ’07), Secretary
Scott Wiegand (B.M. ’90), Chair
Cecil Howard (B.S. ’81)
Allisson Yu (B.S. ’00)
ASSOCIATION NEWS MEET YOUR 2021-2022 CHAIR OF THE FSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NATIONAL BOARD Scott Wiegand (B.M. ’90) Denver, CO Scott E. Wiegand is an attorney with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a leading law firm headquartered in Denver, with a large Las Vegas office. Wiegand earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Florida State University, graduating magna cum laude. At Florida State, he also received a minor in law and society and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
MEET THE NEWEST DIRECTORS OF YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NATIONAL BOARD
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES The 13-member governing board for the university Edward E. Burr, Chair Maximo Alvarez Kathryn Ballard Dr. Eric Chicken Peter Collins Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz Jorge Gonzalez Jim W. Henderson Nastassia Janvier Craig Mateer Deborah Sargeant Bob Sasser John Thiel *As of 8/1/2021
Glen Hallowell (B.S. ’09) Tampa, FL
Jim Henderson (B.S. ’69) Longwood, FL
Ramiro Jose Inguanzo (B.S. ’91, M.P.A. ’94) Miami Lakes, FL
Thank you to following FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors who concluded their service on the board in June 2021: Samuel Ambrose (B.S. ’91, M.S. ’92) Stephen T. Brown (B.S. ’68) John M. Crossman (B.S. ’93) Rose M. Naff (B.S. ’80) Charee L. Williams (B.S. ’06)
Shannon Libbert (B.S. ’93, M.P.A. ’97) Pensacola, FL
Ahli Moore (B.S. ’93, M.S. ’95) Lithonia, GA
Cameron Pennant (B.S. ’15, M.P.A. ’17) Port Charlotte, FL
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#SEMINOLES
FOREVER
“Jaclyn Roero (B.S. ’12) and I met at Florida State University in Cawthon Hall during the fall semester of 2008. We both majored in Exercise Science and graduated in 2012. Since then, it’s been an adventure that I couldn’t imagine going through with anyone else. We both pursued a career in health care; Jaclyn became a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and I, an Emergency Medicine Physician, am currently completing my last year of residency in North Carolina. Since graduating, we hadn’t had a chance to come back and visit Florida State. After thinking about how I would pop the question to the love of my life, it became a no-brainer that we had to return to our roots. Having served as a Student Alumni Association Leadership Council member during my four years at Florida State, I remembered the Westcott Brick Program available to students and alumni. I couldn’t imagine a better way of popping the question while at the same time remaining as a permanent fixture at our alma mater. It’s a moment we will be able to relive forever, not only together but with our family and, God willing, future children. We want to thank everyone involved with the proposal, including Renita Smith, Director of Membership and Marketing at the Florida State University Alumni Association, Kristi Sanders with At Last Florals for setting the backdrop, and Carolyn Allen for capturing our day.” — Gabriel Gomez (B.S. ’12) Photographer: Carolyn Allen (@CarolynAllenPhotography) Videographer: Scotty Pham (@okayscotty) Florist: Kristi Sanders with At Last Florals (@atlastflorals)
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL gonol.es/social
50 alumni.fsu.edu
SHARE YOUR FSU STORY AT
#SeminolesForever
Thank You
to Our Life Members We’re so excited to announce that we’ve had a record number of life memberships since our last issue. We’ve had so many new life members we couldn’t list them all! Their support creates opportunities for our students, alumni, and members who are and will always be #SeminolesForever. Meet our newest Life Members: gonol.es/LifeMembers Give the gift of membership: Membership in the FSU Alumni Association strengthens our university, increases the value of your FSU degree, and provides programs and services for fellow alumni and students nationwide. All alumni, friends, and fans are encouraged to join the FSU Alumni Association as a way to stay connected to Florida State. Additional perks of membership: • Access to the FSU Alumni Reward Zone, where new members receive a special FSU Alumni Association gift, and all members have the opportunity to purchase exclusive alumni apparel and accessories • VIRES magazine • Two priority points toward FSU athletics season tickets • Discount on the purchase of a commemorative brick at Westcott Plaza • Discounts for many major entertainment attractions, rental cars, and hotels across the United States • Eligibility to serve on the Florida State University Alumni Association National Board of Directors Lifetime members also receive an autographed replica of the FSU Fight Song and a vehicle license plate frame. Give the gift of membership today! For more information, contact us at memberships@fsu.edu or 850.644.2761.
#SEMINOLES FOREVER
FALL 2021 | VIRES 51
Fall 2021 Events Times listed in Eastern Time | Events/dates subject to change | alumni.fsu.edu/events
September:
9
Admissions Webinar: Demystifying Admissions | 6:00 PM | Zoom
14
Admissions Webinar: Graduate School 101 | 6:00 PM | Zoom
14
Asian American Alumni Network Networking Night | 7:15 PM | Zoom
15
HLAN Navigating Life After Graduation | 7:00 PM | Zoom
22
Student Alumni Association Speaker Series Event
TBD
Three Torches Speaker Series Event
October: 1
Member Night at the Bookstore | 5:00 PM | FSU Bookstore
4
Student Alumni Association Networking 101 Event | 6:00 PM | FSU Alumni Center
18 - 24
FSU Homecoming Week | FSU Campus
22
FSU Homecoming Parade | 2:00 PM | Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
22
Alumni Awards Gala | 5:30 PM | FSU Alumni Center Ballroom
22 - 24
Emeritus Alumni Society Homecoming Reunion | FSU Alumni Center
22 - 24
FSU National Black Alumni Homecoming | FSU Alumni Center
TBD
Three Torches Speaker Series Event
November: 4
Student Alumni Association Legacy Forum | 6:00 PM | FSU Alumni Center
5
Young Alumni Awards and Reception | 5:30 PM | FSU Alumni Center
5 - 6
FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors Meetings | FSU Alumni Center
5 - 6
Young Alumni Weekend
16 29 TBD
Asian American Alumni Network Networking Night | 7:00 PM | Zoom
Student Alumni Association Speaker Series Event | 6:00 PM | FSU Alumni Center
Three Torches Speaker Series Event
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 2022 SIGNATURE EVENTS
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL APRIL
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100 Days til Graduation
Seminole 100
Inspire Awards Ceremony
Spring Alumni Awards
FSU Ring Ceremony
FALL 2021 | VIRES 53
CLASS NOTES Emeritus
published by Mcfarland Publishing in North Carolina. He recounts the tales of all 50 bowl games from 1907 through 2019.
1980s Ernie Garcia (B.S. ’84) was promoted to managing director, wealth management and named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.
Dale Jensen (B.M.E. ’58, M.M.E. ’62) was honored by the Manatee Arts Education Council as the first recipient of the Dale Jensen award, named after him. Similarly, he was awarded the Ella Scoble Opperman Award in 1966, named after the first director of the School of Music at the Florida State College for Women in 1911.
James W. Carr (M.S. ’71, Ph.D. ’75) was named to the U.S. Commissioner on International Religious Freedom. Along with nine other members, he will monitor the world’s countries concerning how they treat religious minorities. He is also currently serving as Chair of the Higher Education Board in the state of Arkansas.
Neal Golden (Ph.D. ’77) wrote “LSU Bowl Games: A Complete History,” recently
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Rafael J. Roca, Esq. (B.S. ’84), civil trial attorney, has been named Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Human Resources Council, Inc. (HHRC). Roca, a board-certified attorney who joined the firm in early 2020, has volunteered with HHRC for over twenty-five years. His efforts in the courtroom are matched only by his work serving the Hispanic community. Roca will lead the organization in their efforts to advance the rights of the Hispanic community in Palm Beach County.
Football Team’s 2021 season. He has played nine seasons in the NFL and went on to work in the office for the Detroit Lions, the New York Giants, and the Forty-niners. He will now return to a team that led him to a Super Bowl title in 1991, during his career in Washington.
Omar Franco (B.A. ’88), a federal lobbyist for Becker Lawyers, announced as new senior director, which provides equity shareholder-like privileges. He is the first nonlawyer to receive this title.
1990s
ational Board of Directors’ Immediate N Past Chair, Dan Berger (B.S.’ 89), was recognized as a 2021 Distinguished Alumni in The College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. As president and CEO of the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions, he is responsible for the association’s overall advocacy, management, operations and strategic direction. He acts as its chief advocate before Congress, the White House and federal regulatory agencies.
Martin Mayhew (B.S. ’87) has been named the general manager for the Washington
Traci Timmons (B.S. ’90) published “The New Art Museum Library,” addressing the issues facing today’s art museum libraries through a series of scholarly essays written by top librarians in the field.
John Crossman (B.S. ’93) has been chosen as an honoree for the Orlando Business Journal’s 2021 Diversity in Business awards. Crossman is the owner and president of CrossMarc Services, a privately held commercial real estate advisory, brokerage and investment firm operating in Central Florida.
CLASS NOTES Kenneth O’Reilly (B.S. ’21)
K
enneth O’Reilly received a B.S. in aeronautics from Dowling College in Long Island, New York in 1975, so enrolling at his alma mater to seek an additional degree late in his career seemed like the obvious choice, but when Dowling lost its accreditation and closed its doors, it was Florida State University that was ready and waiting with the right program for him. O’Reilly, a Levittown, New York native, grew up in a Long Island suburban atmosphere where many GIs settled following World War II. His upbringing provided the basic blueprint for his future career and was the genesis of the import he placed on education as well. With his path forged since childhood, O’Reilly’s work in defense began in the U.S. Air Force, where he served from 1978-2005. His primary responsibilities in the Air Force involved in-flight refueling. “It was a big gas station in the sky,” O’Reilly said. “Everybody is always looking for fuel.” Following his retirement from the Air Force, he spent 15 years at the Pentagon in the U.S. Department of Defense where his positions as a security operations specialist, and later, a senior management analyst were departures from his previous professional roles. It was his desire to hone his skills within his area of expertise coupled with his deep-seated passion for education that led O’Reilly to seek an additional degree during the last years of his career at the Pentagon. After his alma mater ceased operations in 2016, O’Reilly was unsure of where to continue his education, and then he found the Interdisciplinary Social Science program at the FSU College of Social Science and Public Policy. The courses offered in the major were well-aligned with his role at the Pentagon at the time. O’Reilly enrolled at FSU in 2017 and earned his Bachelor of Science in 2021. “The FSU program dovetailed into what I was doing,” O’Reilly said. “The professors were great.” Upon his retirement from The Pentagon, O’Reilly and his wife Ginger moved to Bonita Springs, Florida. He stresses that even though he endured the rigors of a 42-year career in defense, he did not have the most challenging job in his family, Ginger did. “My wife and I have been married for 43 years,” O’Reilly said. “The toughest job is being a U.S. Air Force spouse. Taking care of the kids – our son is a financial analyst, and our daughter is a teacher. Education is paramount in our family.”
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CLASS NOTES
Christopher Monts (B.S. ’96) founded his law practice, Monts Law, P.L., focusing on automobile and truck crashes. Elizabeth E. Thomas (B.A. ’91, J.D. ’97) a cum laude graduate appointed to the Financial Accounting Foundation’s Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council. She represents the National Association of Bond Lawyers on the Council.
Shannon Estenoz (B.A., B.S. ’94) was named U.S. Department of Interior principal deputy assistant secretary, overseeing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. With 24 years of experience working on issues of conservation, Shannon’s experience will help lead the Department’s efforts to strengthen local economies, tackle the climate crisis, ensure equitable access to the outdoors, and protect and conserve public lands and wildlife.
Lavariega Monforti (B.A ’97) now holds the Dean College of Arts & Sciences position at California Lutheran University, President of the Western Political Science Association, and Vice President of kidSTREAM Children’s Museum.
Erica H. Sirrine (B.S.W. ’99) has been named the director of social work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After serving as the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences dean at Southeastern University for the past 14 years, she is grateful to be returning to the healthcare field.
Julian Hills (B.A. ’98) was named Deputy Press Secretary for the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Communication.
Ben Crump (B.S. ’92, J.D. ’95), a leading civil rights attorney from his national law practice, Ben Crump Law, was ranked No. 1 on Lawyers of Color’s list of the 10 Most Influential Black Lawyers of the Decade. He is being honored for fighting for the families of Martin Anderson, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and George Floyd.
Kimberly K. Archer (B.M.E. ’96) was selected by the president’s own United States Marine Band to compose a new fanfare to underscore the program for Biden’s Inauguration ceremony.
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Jasmine Trice (B.F.A. ’98), assistant professor of cinema and media studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote “City of Screens: Imagining Audiences in Manila’s Alternative Film Culture.”
Alex Brauer (B.S. ’99), a co-founder of litigation boutique Bailey Brauer PLLC, was recognized among the top attorneys in Dallas by D Magazine for the sixth consecutive year. He was selected to the peer-nominated 2021 Best Lawyers in Dallas.
Dr. Marshall Shepard (Ph.D. ’99) was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer or scientist. He is receiving this honor as the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. As a faculty member at UGA since 2006, he has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, and his research has been supported by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Among his accomplishments are his recent role as chair of the NASA Earth and Science Advisory Committee and as the second African American to serve as President of the American Meteorological Society in 2013.
CLASS NOTES Angelic Rountree B.S ’05
A
ngelic Rountree’s original target was to become a crime scene investigator. However, the prospect of many hours spent outside in sweltering conditions prompted the FSU biological sciences grad to consider other possibilities. “I knew I wanted to go into forensics, and I initially enrolled in criminal justice,” Rountree said. “But I didn’t have a gauge of what I needed to get into the field.” Rountree was a resident at Bryan Hall when a discussion with a Florida Department of Law Enforcement representative gave her new insight into those requirements. “That discussion guided me to change to a hardcore science major, so I changed to biology.” Rountree is a latent prints analyst at the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. Before she stepped foot in a Washington D.C. lab, Rountree made the rounds at both Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for seven years and as a crime scene specialist/latent prints examiner for Prince William County Government in Virginia. “FDLE had an awesome training program! I learned a lot,” she said. “Also, at Prince William, I spent a lot of time examining latent prints and working their MorphoTrak system.” Now, Rountree works with a larger pool of peers, including the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Police Department. “I never had such a diverse working relationship with so many agencies before,” Rountree said. “Most federal forensics departments are housed in D.C.” Those interactions with other agencies have provided Rountree insight into how local and regional information can be shared – since the caseload intersects with Maryland and Virginia. The capabilities of the work tools have improved since the days Rountree was with the FDLE. “When I started at FDLE, the latent impression had to be very clear with few distortions to be put into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS),” Rountree said. “I used to make my manual comparisons through the glass. The technology to enhance latent prints is much better than 12 years ago.”
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CLASS NOTES 2000s
Jeffrey Quasha (B.S. ’00) was promoted to Director of Retail Culinary Innovation for Morrison Healthcare. As a chef, he launched over 38 pop-up restaurants, food halls, ghost kitchens, and virtual kitchens across over 900 hospitals in the U.S. He was inducted into the American Academy of chefs in August. He also won Food Management Magazine’s best concept in 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2016. Josh Baxley (B.S. ’02) and Justin Ford (B.S. ’07), professionals with Dewberry, were promoted to associate vice president in the Blountstown office and associate in the Port St. Joe office. Grasford Smith (B.S. ‘02), litigation partner at Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm, has been selected by the National Bar Association (NBA) as the recipient of the Clive Bailey Award and elected as the organization’s Region XI Chair. The NBA was founded in 1925 and is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges.
Barry Jenkins (B.F.A. ’03, B.A. ’03) and Mark Ceryak (B.F.A. ’03) were the executive producers for “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.” Adele Romanski (B.F.A. ’04) produced and Tatiana Bears (B.F.A. ’13) co-produced this nominee for Best Feature at the Independent Spirit awards. This collaborative work also brought together Michael Kefeyalew (B.F.A. ’13), Austin Smoak (B.F.A. ’05), and Rob Bevis (B.F.A. ’18). Barry Jenkins (B.F.A. ’03, B.A. ’03) was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie – 2021 for The Underground Railroad.
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Marquita Gooch-Voyd (M.A. ’11) was named public librarian of the year for Georgia. She implemented a hotspot checkout program for patrons and grew the library’s presence on social media as assistant director of the Clayton County Library.
he Underground Railroad was nominated T for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series — 2021. We have several alumni who worked on this series including Barry Jenkins (B.A. ’03), James Laxton (B.F.A. ’03), Joi McMillon (B.F.A. ’03), Adrienne Rush (M.F.A. ’15), and Adele Romanski (B.F.A. ’04). Emily Klipp (B.S. ’03), project manager for the Dewberry Tampa office, was promoted to associate in geospatial and technology services.
David Albright (M.S.W. ’06, Ph.D. ’12) currently holds the Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health Research in Social Work. He has been appointed a Distinguished Research Professor by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Lauren Hite (M.B.A. ’08), the marketing manager for Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, was recently promoted to associate.
Melanie Griffin (B.S. ’03, M.B.A ’06, J.D. ’06) was named President of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers Board of Directors after being recognized for continually uplifting women lawyers.
Rachel Rossin (B.F.A. ’09), FSU’s Young Alumni Award winner, was the subject of an ART21 film, “Digital Homes,” which premiered
CLASS NOTES Naomi Elizée (B.S. ’16)
N
aomi Elizée’s grand entrance in New York worked out because she didn’t stop to smell the roses. “I graduated from FSU on a Friday and moved to New York full time that Sunday,” Elizée, a Broward County native, said. “Through the program work and internship I did in my final semester, I already had my luggage. I was moving so quickly; I just adapted. I was in it and living my dream.” The big shock to her system already happened when Elizée was an intern at Seventeen Magazine between her sophomore and junior year at FSU. That was her second time living in the city. She didn’t even have a kitchen. “I made it my mission to come back the following summer,” she said. Elizée’s dream has taken her to Vogue, where she is a market editor. In this role, she serves as a liaison between stylists and the public relations team. Elizée works hard to build lasting relationships while staying on top of current trends that can be reflected in the magazine. It has been a 4-year journey that saw Elizée start as a fashion market assistant in the fall of 2017. The trek from assistant to editor has enabled Elizée to form bonds with her peers. “It is great to connect with my community, and we bounce thoughts off each other,” she said. Connecting has taken different forms during the last year – a process Elizée notes has been educational as people ease back into fuller in-office schedules. “The pandemic has forced us to recognize how we can be more efficient and deal with factors we don’t have control over,” she said. Elizée’s schedule will sometimes include four shoots in a week, a fast pace that has prompted her to take a look around the city when she has some downtime. Galleries, botanical gardens, or other outdoor spots are the top options. That has been part of the learning process, too. “You can take breaks … take 30 minutes or an hour and relax,” Elizée said. “There is always something to do here. It can be overwhelming. Sometimes you just want to take time for yourself.”
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CLASS NOTES
on May 5. This film comprises a year-long collection of releases that participate in the Feminist Art Coalition initiative. Specifically, her film describes how her sculptures, paintings, and virtual reality works reflect a desire for escape, safety, and neutrality.
2010s
lending, and land use law. Bickford specializes in construction litigation with a focus on federal administrative litigation. Ashley Bittle (B.S. ’12) not only works for IBM in the Salesforce consulting space but is a recognized speaker for IBM. Troy Lowry (M.A. ’12) joined the Institute for Defense Analyses as a research staff member in the Operational Evaluation Division of I.D.A.’s Systems and Analyses Center. Pamela McCreless (M.S. ’12) has been working as a school librarian and media specialist for the past three years and was recently named Teacher of the Year, 2020-2021 for Ridgecrest Elementary School in Phenix City, Alabama.
Rebekah Hammond Dorworth (B.S. ’10) was promoted to President of Kyra Solutions, Inc., a company dedicated to offering better technology that connects the government agencies and the communities they serve. Clayton Osteen (B.S. ’11, J.D. ’14), Benjamin Bush (J.D. ’03), and Patrick Bickford (J.D. ’17) have joined Ausley McMullen as attorneys on the construction, real estate, and litigation teams. Osteen primarily focuses on construction law, licensing issues, and business litigation. Bush is a shareholder whose practice includes transactional real estate law, commercial and agricultural
Violet Mileva (B.A. ’14, M.S. ’16) developed the business model and formulas for her organic skincare line, Champion by Mileva. With FSU’s chemistry labs, she has created a vegan plant-based product, synthetic-free and made with cold-pressed ingredients. Brandon Brown (B.S. ’19, M.S. ’20) competed in the Beaudry Competition to join Georgetown’s Appellate Advocacy Team. He was one of four finalists from a starting group of 180 competitors. He won the Best Oral Advocate Award, the competition’s highest honor, by the panel of judges that heard the finalists’ arguments for their case.
2020s Myron Morgan (B.F.A. ’12), aka Serena ChaCha, is returning to RuPaul’s Drag Race for the All-Stars 6 season after making an appearance on Drag Race, Season 5.
Robert Walters (J.D. ’20) has joined Stearns, Weaver, Miller’s Tallahassee office as an associate in the Government & Administrative group. He will focus on administrative litigation, civil litigation, appeals, and Florida administrative law. Formerly Assistant Public Defender for the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
Tevin Wooten (B.S. ’18) is an Emmy Award-winning Black LGBTQ meteorologist for The Weather Channel, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved to Atlanta in 2018 to join The Weather Channel full time and paved the way for other young members of the Black or LBGTQ community. He is broadcasted nationally as a forecaster and a field anchor.
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Dr. Lily Guerrero (Ph.D ’20), as well as doctoral candidates Devan Moore (M.A ’16), and Khyle Wootan have been selected for the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Future of Music Faculty Fellowship, which is a career development initiative will engage 35 Black and Latinx music professionals who are pursuing or considering academic careers, preparing them with the skills, insights and networks to flourish professionally and influence generations of musicians.
CLASS NOTES Cecilie Woie (B.S. ’18)
C
ecilie Woie’s experiences at FSU prepared her well for championships ahead. She graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, though it was her tutelage in Tully Gym that helped keep Woie at the top of her game. “Committing to Florida State was the best decision I ever made,” says Woie with a smile. “I never really questioned it. I was so intrigued to experience a place so far away and very different from what I was used to. Growing up in northern Norway, I had only seen palm trees and temperatures above 80 degrees a few times in my life. It wasn’t just the language and culture that was completely new to me.” During her term at Florida State, Woie was the starting Libero for the Nationally ranked FSU Women’s Volleyball team. A Libero defensive specialist often gets the “first touch” and excels at both passing and serve-receive. A Libero also wears a specific jersey due to alternate rules for the position. A Libero can only play in back-row defense and may substitute in-and-out freely. The alternate jersey makes Woie’s exceptional play harder to miss. “FSU will always feel like home. I am forever indebted to the program for giving me some of the best years of my life. I’m grateful to coach Chris Poole for believing in me and the entire staff for doing everything they could to help me and the other girls succeed.” said Woie. After graduation, Woie returned home to Norway to reconnect with her twin sister (Lisbeth) and childhood teammates, who shared her goals for winning new national volleyball league titles. It is an extraordinary group of young women who make up the “BK Dammer Ballklubb” roster in Tromsø, Norway. These ladies compete in Norway’s elite division of women’s volleyball and will be participating in the league Cup Final Championship this coming September. Maintaining optimism and excelling at the highest levels of competition has been especially challenging this year following the disappointment of BK Tromsø’s (2019-2020) season, halted due to the global pandemic. “Having a record-breaking season cut short due to the Coronavirus was pretty tough on the team, but it also gave us a unique perspective on our sport,” said Woie. “Not everyone is fortunate enough to have something to put their all into, and not having that outlet for a while makes you appreciate it in a new way.” This year, despite COVID-19 restrictions, Woie and her team vowed not to waiver
in their training, determination, or intentions to finish at the top of their league. In the interest of player and fan safety, championship play was suspended at the end of what would have been the regular season. It is hoped and expected to resume this September. There has been no rest for Woie during the forced league-season hiatus. She is also the starting Libero for Norway’s National Women’s Volleyball Team. This summer, she participated in
training camps held in Slovenia, Greece, and Austria, where several other national teams took part in the European Championship qualifications. While it is still uncertain as to whether Woie and her teammates will be granted an opportunity to play for the league title (due once more to imposed government regulations), as it stands today, the match dates have been set. Woie and her BK Tromsø teammates eagerly await the opportunity to seize gold.
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IN MEMORIAM
"The FSU Alumni Association deeply mourns the passing of Coach Bobby Bowden. On behalf of 377,000 FSU Alumni, we are grateful for what he meant to not only Florida State University Athletics but to Florida State University as a whole. Our prayers are with Ann and the Bowden family. What happiness and pride he brought to us; may we aspire to his highest ideals."
Julie Decker, President/CEO, FSU Alumni Association
Coach Bobby Bowden 1929-2021
Editor’s Note: This issue was in production prior to Coach Bowdens’ passing. We look forward to sharing more of his legacy in the Spring 2022 issue of VIRES.
Rosa L. Tomberlin (B.S. ’48) passed on January 15, 2021. She attended the Florida State College for Women and was in the first graduating class of Florida State University in 1948. She was a seven-time letterman, most notably in women’s basketball. She served as President and past President of FSU’s Emeritus Alumni Association and was awarded the prestigious Circle of Gold. Tomberlin is survived by her husband Edgar W. Tomberlin, two children, two honorary sons, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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Stella Schmahl Cottrell (B.A. ’71) passed away March 23, 2021. A talented pianist who served as the chief rehearsal accompanist for the Voices of Liberty singing group at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT for more than 20 years, Cottrell enjoyed sharing her musical gifts at countless FSU events and gatherings. Many remember her lovely rendition of the “Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold.” She was a founding member of Women for FSU. She participated actively in the Alumni Association and Seminole Boosters and was a docent at the FSU President’s House. The Alumni Association acknowledged Cottrell’s many contributions in 2015 by presenting her with the prestigious Circle of Gold Award. Her husband, Raymond, and her two children— both FSU alumni — daughter, Catherine Studemeyer and son, Keith Cottrell, who serves as the FSU Alumni Association’s director of Seminole Clubs survive her. Other survivors include her granddaughters, Grace and Merritt Cottrell; brother, Matthew; and sister, Patricia Blumel. Read More: gonol.es/rememberingstella
IN MEMORIAM
Darryl Jane Grace Dockster Kasler (B.S. ’58) passed away on March 29, 2021. She was a member of Women in The Visual Arts, participating as a creator, vocalist, and artist at every stage of her life. Her sister, daughter, and two grandsons survive her. Shirley Parrish (B.S. ’62) passed in June 2021. She worked for the Department of the Army while living in Heidelberg, Germany, where she created the Master Menu used by more than 2,000 Army dining facilities. She later worked for the U.S. Army Troop Support Agency at Fort Lee, Virginia. Her husband, a son, and a daughter survive her.
Glenn Leslie Fuller (B.S. ’63) passed away in February 2021. He served in Korea and Vietnam and worked as the assistant director of operations for communications at the Air Force Global Weather Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and Korean War Service Medal are among his awards. His wife, siblings, children and grandchildren survive him. Glenn Wayne Stillion (Ph.D. ’64) received his Ph.D. in higher education administration, his most treasured educational accomplishment. He served as director of the counseling center at FSU and finished his career after 23 years as the vice-chancellor of student development at Western Carolina University. His three children and one granddaughter survive him.
and worked as an executive assistant, litigation, and real estate paralegal before serving as Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of Development and Gift Planning for the Georgia Institute of Technology for the past decade. Her sister, Shirley, nephew, Weston, and many longtime friends survive her.
Billi Jo Jones (Ph.D. ’71) passed away on February 7, 2021. She was a former women’s volleyball and softball coach for FSU. She led the volleyball team to the AIWA National Championship Tournament in 1973, 74, and 75. She also coached the 1971 softball team to the state championship and the 1974 team to a runner-up position. Jones was selected in 1982 for the Herb Morgan award winner, recognizing her service to FSU’s women’s athletics. Joan Earnest Skup (B.S. ’74) passed away on December 2, 2020. She earned her degree in the communications department and served on the DSO Board as a part of the FSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Army Intelligence from 1971 to 1974. He worked for the U. S. Justice Department from 1976 to 1979. Snider was a career officer in the CIA’s Clandestine Service and served in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Balkins, and the Middle East. He undertook intelligence missions in a number of countries and participated in 7 wars/conflicts across the globe. He retired from the CIA in 2000.
Kelsey Tatum (B.S. ’17) She was a bright spirit treasured by many; she received her honorary Doctorate in Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in 2021. Her light survives in her parents Bill and Diane Tatum, brother William Tatum, extended family and dear friends.
View the full “In Memoriam” list at gonol.es/in-memoriam
George G. Snider, Jr. (B.S. ’78) passed away on December 16, 2020. He served in U. S.
SHARE NEWS WITH THE FSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION You may submit: Career milestones | Publications | Awards/honors | In Memoriam Updates may also be featured in FSU publications and social media channels. Due to space limitations, submission does not guarantee inclusion in VIRES magazine. To submit news for Class Notes, fill out the online form at alumni.fsu.edu/class-notes or email vires@alumni.fsu.edu.
Susan Irene Sinot (B.S. ’68) passed away December 28, 2020. She was a talented teacher
View Class Notes Stories at gonol.es/class-notes-stories.
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2021 WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES The FSU Softball team huddles up in game three of the Championship Series of the College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK. FSU went toe to toe with the number one team in the nation, the Oklahoma Sooners, and found themselves one win away from national title number two in program history. Dani Morgan, Elizabeth Mason, Caylan Arnold, Anna Shelnutt, and Cassidy Davis stand out as five seniors who were instrumental in making this season a success. The Seminoles are set up to bring back a solid core from that team in 2022. Stay tuned!
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