The Torch 2016

TORCH The Magazine of Florida State University Panama City

2016

SEMINOLES IN SERVICE ST U D E N TS C H A N G E L I V E S T H R O U G H S E R V I C E , W R I T I N G

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Q&A WITH A LASTING LEGACY: INTERIM DEAN LOCAL COUPLE DR. RANDY HANNA DONATES $3 MILLION

2015-2016 FSU PANAMA CITY ANNUAL REPORT

TORCH THE MAGAZINE OF FSU PANAMA CITY

2016 ISSUE, VOL. 23 INTERIM DEAN | Randy Hanna, J.D., Ed.D., ’83 DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT | Becky Kelly DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | Mary Beth Lovingood MARKETING & PUBLICATIONS | Erin Chaffin ’13 WEB MANAGER | Helen Johnson SPECIAL EVENTS | Casey Lathem ’12 MARKETING & SPECIAL EVENTS | Erica Martin ALUMNI AFFAIRS | Valerie Rash CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jacqueline Bostick, Erin Chaffin, Sandra de Arrigunaga, Helen Johnson, Becky Kelly, Mary Beth Lovingood, Erica Martin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Andrew Wardlow, Office of Advancement staff EDITOR/DESIGNER: Erin Chaffin

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The TORCH magazine is published once per year by the Office of Advancement at Florida State University Panama City. It is sent to alumni, donors, staff, faculty and the community.

Send address changes or cancellation requests to: The Office of Advancement Florida State University Panama City 4750 Collegiate Drive Panama City, FL 32405 torch@pc.fsu.edu

STRENGTH, SKILL, CHARACTER: Banners installed on campus this spring represent elements of the FSU seal. The three torches within the Florida State seal represent vires, strength of all kinds; artes, knowledge; and mores, the customs that build character and tradition.

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TORCH THE MAGAZINE OF FSU PANAMA CITY

INSIDE

THE ISSUE 2016 | Vol. 23

5 President’s message

6 Interim Dean’s message and Q&A 8 Campus Briefs: FSU Panama City news 62 ’Nole Notes: Faculty and alumni updates

FEATURES

13 17 18 23 26 28 32 53 54 58 60

BEHIND THE COVER SEMINOLES IN SERVICE During the 2015-2016 academic year, FSU Panama City’s campus ambassadors volunteered more than 500 hours to community projects, using their experiences to enhance their writing and promote area service organizations.

PAGE 14

WHALE DAY GOES GLOBAL Education outreach program expands to Japan

THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUILT Schools come together to build Habitat house

BEHIND THE LENS Student explores physics through photography

THE FIRST GENERATION Students achieve dream of higher education

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES Distance-learning student to develop software

2015 NOTABLE ’NOLES Alumni continue to serve their alma mater

DESIGN STUDIO

Program fosters creative messaging

NO DREAM TOO BIG Alumna pursues career in beauty industry

FSU PANAMA CITY LEGACY WALK Tour explores campus traditions

FLYING HIGH Rec student performs with the FSU Circus

NUPTIALS FOR ’NOLES

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FSU Panama City alumni wed

SPECIAL FEATURE 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT 34 Development board 44 Campaign update president’s message 45 Engineers use plants to 35 Dean’s council improve water quality chairman’s message 46 Cumulative giving 36 Key indicators

48 Seminole Sightings: 38 Endowed scholarships Annual Dinner, make dream of a higher Golf Invitational, education possible AlumNights and 40 Foundation scholarships Welcome Reception 42 Planned gift largest in campus history

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This is an exciting time for Florida State University!

U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Florida State the 38th best public university in the nation!

That’s a jump of five places from last year — the greatest gain of all the public universities in the Top 50.

That tells me that people all over the country are beginning to pay attention to the strides we have made in our pursuit of higher levels of academic excellence.

It also puts us closer to our goal of being recognized among the Top 25 public universities in the nation.

We know that rankings aren’t everything, but we understand that a higher ranking can increase the value of a degree from Florida State — whether a student took classes in Tallahassee or Panama City.

Interim Dean Randy Hanna is helping us to advance by ensuring FSU Panama City continues to deliver outstanding educational opportunities to students.

He is a respected leader who has a broad range of experience in higher education, and I know he will provide a steady hand in guiding this campus.

One of the most wonderful things about FSU Panama City is the special place it holds in the hearts of many who live in this area. So it was not a surprise to me that two local residents gave the largest gift in campus history.

Bob and Judy Fleming made a $3 million planned gift to establish the Robert H. and Jacqueline K. Fleming Endowed Scholarship Fund. Jacqueline Fleming, Bob’s late wife, was a teacher who valued education.

Although Bob and Judy have no direct affiliations with Florida State University, they wanted to support the campus and help students achieve their dream of a college degree. That’s the kind of spirit that epitomizes the unique and genuine connection between FSU Panama City and the community it calls home.

The generosity of our donors is the reason why the “Raise The Torch” campaign is set to reach the

$1 billion fundraising goal before the June 2018 end date. The money raised through this campaign will help us to implement bold ideas that will continue to distinguish Florida State as a preeminent university.

It’s clear that Florida State is on the rise. Thank you for continuing to support us on the way up!

John Thrasher, president, Florida State University

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INTERIM DEAN’S MESSAGE It is an exciting time to serve as interim dean at Florida State’s Panama City campus. I’m honored to play a role in helping our students and to be a part of Florida State University, now the 38th best public university in the nation.

Here at FSU Panama City, we serve a wide range of students. We are a strong academic institution, and students who come here are very wellqualified academically. Here, students are not just going to college; they are joining a family that will support them in their academic endeavors.

This year has been transformational for this campus, celebrating the first graduates of its first freshman class, establishing a student ambassador program to promote community service and expanding services offered by the Early Childhood Autism Program.

FSU Panama City also announced the largest gift in campus history, a $3 million planned estate from Bob and Judy Fleming to establish the Robert H. and Jacqueline K. Fleming Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The gift has the potential to provide financial aid to up to 80 students annually with preference given to first-generation college students.

As interim dean of this campus, I look forward to continuing the progress by building new relationships and strengthening ties to our community, working with Gulf Coast State College and other area educational institutions, and helping this campus grow along with the region through new programs and other initiatives.

All that we do is not about Florida State, the faculty, the staff nor the dean; it’s all about the students. Frankly, that’s how we’re going to answer every question here at FSU Panama City. The first thing we will look at with any issue that we face is what is best for the students and their success.

We are proud to be an integral part of Florida State University and its amazing network of students, alumni and donors. Thanks to each of you for being part of our family.

Q&A with

interim dean

R A N D Y

H A N N A

Randy Hanna, J.D., Ed.D., a research faculty member at Florida State’s Learning Systems Institute, became interim dean of FSU Panama City on Aug. 1.

Hanna is an attorney, who previously taught graduate courses for the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at FSU and previously served as chancellor of the Florida College System.

He succeeds Carol Edwards, Ph.D., who served as the dean of FSU Panama City for the 2015-2016 academic year.

What has it been like for you at FSU Panama City so far?

It is great being here. This campus has all the benefits of one of the greatest academic institutions in this country with a small, close-knit learning community. I have the ability to work with students on an individual basis, to work with people in this community who love Florida State and to help our faculty not only in the classroom but also with their research. FSU Panama City is a fabulous place to work and learn.

How do you see the future of this campus?

Randy Hanna, interim dean, FSU Panama City and College of Applied Studies 6 | TORCH

We’re going to see a lot of growth in Panama City and Northwest Florida.

Florida State University will be working together with our educational partners to establish programs to meet the future needs of our community. I see enrollment

growing, and I see us developing research programs to work with the great local resources we have, such as the military.

diversity of thought, diversity of income. It’s a wide range, and we will start first in recruitment.

How does this campus help students in the community?

While serving as chancellor of the Florida College System, Gulf Coast State College President Dr. John Holdnak and I worked together in the same office. We have a great partnership and work very well together. This community expects us to work together, and that’s what we’ll be doing.

A lot of students love to leave home and go away for higher education; some love to stay at home. What I think we’re going to find here is that eventually we’re going to have the best of both. We’re going to have the ability for students here to stay at home and, with future residence halls on campus, we’re going to have more students from other areas come to Panama City for our great programs.

How do you see this campus becoming more diverse?

Students should clearly understand how to work with people from different backgrounds. To instill the importance of diversity in all our students, we will have to focus on recruiting more minority students, students of low income and first-generation students. When you’re talking about diversity, it’s not just race; it’s also

How will you work with Gulf Coast State College?

How do you see FSU Panama City as more than just a “branch campus”?

I understand that we’re a smaller campus and we’re much smaller than the Tallahassee campus, but there are two terms that I ask that we not use: One is “branch campus” and the other is “main campus.” We are the Panama City campus of Florida State University, and our students get all the benefits of a major research institution with close interaction with faculty and staff from the very first day. We are not a branch campus; we are Florida State University.

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CAMPUS BRIEFS New academic programs at FSU Panama City

VIDEO: Watch a video on the B-Wet project at pc.fsu.edu.

Faculty and administrators are working to create innovative programs to offer more academic options at the Panama City campus to better serve future students and the community. Recently approved programs include: •

The graduate certificate in law enforcement intelligence is a 12hour specialty within public safety & security that focuses on human intelligence collection, intelligence analysis and criminal behavior profiling.

The certificate teaches students how to plan and carry out intelligence and surveillance operations at the federal and local level.

•

The undergraduate and graduate elementary education programs have combined to create a fasttrack bachelor’s to master’s degree. The curriculum leads to certification eligibility to teach grades K-6 in Florida public schools, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and reading endorsements.

The program is NCATE approved, and graduates are eligible for certification beyond Florida. The first cohort of students will begin in fall 2017.

Photo by Sierra Cardenas

Local high school students collect data for a NOAA-funded study on the human impact on local historical artificial reef structures.

Study researches impact on local reefs

BY H E L E N J O H N SO N

Michael Zinszer, FSU Panama City Advanced Science Diving program director, began a yearlong marine science study on the human impact on local historical artificial reef structures in July 2016. The “Preserving our Underwater Pastures” project is funded through the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration B-WET Grant.

During the first phase of the project, 17 local high school students were trained to dive to 80 feet, earned diver science certification and were instructed on scientific methods to collect baseline data on reef heights, locations and fish populations at Black Bart, the old Hathaway bridge span and Stage II, a Navy research platform.

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“What we did is look at the historical dimensions of these sites as a baseline and developed a current baseline of what these reefs look like today,” Zinszer said. “The students took height, width and length measurements of these structures, noting the deterioration of the structures and biological environment on and around the structures.”

Data collected throughout the 12-month period will study the structures and surrounding marine environment for changes.

The project will help identify measures to prevent loss of reef structure and marine life.

For more information, email Michael Zinszer at mzinszer@pc.fsu.edu or call 850-770-2203.

CAMPUS BRIEFS Event management certificate earns industry designation The International Special Events Society (ISES) has designated FSU Panama City’s online graduate certificate in event management program as an ISES Approved content provider. Developed to recognize specific content that has significance for the global creative events industry, ISES Approved is the international education standard based on the ISES Core Curriculum, which reflects the education required for today’s events professionals.

The certificate provides distance-learning advanced education to professionals responsible for managing events in a variety of settings.

The program requires 12 credit hours of course work consisting of four online classes addressing event topics of planning and management, marketing, sponsorships, ethics and risk management.

Courses can be taken as part of a graduate program or through enrollment as a part-time, nondegree seeking student.

For more information about the graduate certificate in event management, call Rosemary Prince at 850-645-9773 or email rprince@fsu.edu.

Photo by Sierra Cardenas

FSU Panama City trains NYPD public safety divers in surface supplied diving in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Florida State’s UCSI team, NYPD join forces for diver training FSU Panama City’s underwater crime scene investigation team had a change of scenery this winter training divers from the New York City Police Department.

The training focused on 12 topics, including surface supply diving, the DIDSON sonar, risk management and the CSI process. It included scenarios such as recovering evidence underwater and sweeping an area for explosives.

FSU’s UCSI dive instructors Darren DeDario, Jerome Fleeman, Mark Feulner and Mike Zinszer spent 400 to 500 man hours preparing for the trip to New York and brought more than $250,000 in equipment for use during the drills Nov. 30 to Dec. 13.

“Training is a continuous thing,” said Zinszer, director of FSU Panama City’s Advanced

Science Diving program and public safety and security faculty.

“The dynamics of what goes on throughout the world changes, your mission and your capabilities change, and if you’re not staying ahead of the curve, you’re not ready for these types of operations to be able to accomplish what needs to be done.”

This is the third time the team from FSU Panama City has trained NYPD divers. The team also has worked with divers with the military, FBI, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and other professional Public Safety Diver programs throughout the nation.

“This is a normal day at work for us,” Zinszer said. “We are the benchmark. People come to us because we keep up with the latest and greatest.”

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CAMPUS BRIEFS Print collection moves to FSU PC Recent improvements to the FSU Panama City Library and Learning Center include a new cashless printing system, circulation system, enhanced campus library collection, upgraded computers and express delivery with same-day service from Tallahassee.

“The request and delivery service is one of many examples of how Florida State libraries work together to support the research and teaching mission of the university,” said Shaun Saxon, Library and Learning Center branch director.

This summer, the entire FSU Panama City print collection, previously housed at Gulf Coast State College, was relocated to the Library and Learning Center.

RELOCATED: FSU Panama City’s print collection is now housed at the Library and Learning Center.

Using a space-saving shelving system, thousands of print books and DVDs, including reference and course reserves, are now available for check out.

The collection was combed for outof-date books and resources, which were donated or decommissioned to ensure students have access to the highest quality research materials.

Heritage Protocol acquires FSU Panama City records FSU Heritage Protocol & University Archives (HPUA) recently acquired records from FSU Panama City.

Dating back to the 1970s, this collection contains records documenting the history of FSU Panama City, photographs, AV materials and other memorabilia about the campus.

HPUA is digitizing FSU Panama City’s records, which will be available at the FSU Heritage Protocal Digital Collections (http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/).

Heritage Protocol is a campus-wide initiative to document and preserve the history of Florida State University. Collections include photographs, documents, audio-visual materials, scrapbooks, memorabilia and related materials about the history of the university and its predecessor institutions.

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The FSU collection gives instant access to hundreds of thousands of e-books, online articles from nearly 80,000 journals and same-day delivery for millions of print books and journal articles.

“The relocation of the FSU Panama City print collection means improved access and faster delivery for all FSU students, staff and faculty,” Saxon said.

Faculty researches Zika As Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses are spreading worldwide, medical and veterinary entomologist John Smith, Ph.D., B.C.E., is researching the most effective way to combat the insects.

The 12-month study funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will test the effectiveness of five types of lethal ovitraps, which lure and contaminate fertile female mosquitoes by replicating an ideal breeding habitat.

Each one-month trial from October to December and March through May will consist of separate 15-day tests of mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are attributed to the spread of emerging diseases dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

CAMPUS BRIEFS

Milinda Jay Stephenson, Ph.D.

Novelist, faculty member published NOW OPEN: The FSU Early Childhood Autism Program Parent Resource Center opened January 27.

Great Give benefits ECAP clinic FSU Panama City kick started an expansion of the Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) clinic through FSU’s Great Give April 14-15.

During the 36-hour online campaign, 62 donors contributed a total of $5,386 to the $100,000 project that will add six therapy rooms to the existing clinic.

ECAP is a non-profit 501(c) 3 early intervention and community outreach program that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to local children with developmental delays or disabilities. It is the only local nonprofit ABA program to provide in-home, in-school and in-clinic services.

ECAP currently helps about 40 children (aged 2-21) learn language, cognitive, self-help, academic, social and communication skills. The additional therapy rooms will allow the clinic to assist local families currently on a wait list for ECAP’s services.

Thanks to Great Give funds and grants from the Bay Health Foundation and the Community Services Foundation, about $35,000 has been raised.

For more information about ECAP, call Director Amy Polick, Ph.D., at 850-770-2252 or email apolick@pc.fsu.edu.

Mercer University Press recently published “Annie Laura’s Triumph,” a novel by FSU Panama City English professor Milinda Jay Stephenson, Ph.D. Written under the name Milinda Jay, Stephenson’s novel is a re-imagined story of her family’s history and focuses on a fictionalized account of the life of her great-grandmother.

“In order to understand who I am, I have to look carefully at where I came from,” Stephenson said. “I write to learn who (my ancestors) were, and I try to preserve their wisdom in the hopes that my own children and grandchildren, and my readers, will have an easier way of it.”

Stephenson teaches Creative Writing at FSU Panama City and writes for national sewing magazines Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery.

“Annie Laura’s Triumph” can be purchased through Mercer University Press, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com.

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CAMPUS BRIEFS

Photo courtesy of Paige Rentz

James Durham (top row, second from left) was named the 2016 Humanitarian of the Year for FSU’s College of Applied Studies for his devotion to helping those suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Communication alumnus’ non-profit aids brain injury survivors, caregivers After a 2011 motorcycle crash, James Durham was left with an invisible disability: a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Instead of becoming an obstacle, his injury left him with a purpose in life.

In 2015, Durham created TBI One Love (www.tbionelove.com/), a nonprofit organization that connects TBI survivors and caregivers to provide support and increase TBI awareness.

Because of his social media, speaking engagements, volunteering and fundraising, Durham was named the 2016 Humanitarian of the Year for FSU’s College of Applied Studies.

“I’m on positive steroids times a million,” he said. “I just keep giving 12 | TORCH

my all every day no matter what, and I just try to lift others up.”

TBIs are caused by blows to the head or penetrating head injuries that disrupt normal brain function.

Every day, about 138 people die in the U.S. because of a TBI, contributing to about 30 percent of all injury deaths, according to the organization’s website.

Durham now sees his TBI as “this beautiful injury,” which has taught him to appreciate the simple things that often get overlooked.

“If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I would do it all the same way,” he said. “My TBI adventure has been amazing.”

Durham earned his bachelor’s degree in professional communication in December 2015.

Blog showcases campus life Students in the professional communication program used their internship requirement this summer to start Four Crossed Logs, a blog that showcases the talent, communication and insight of FSU Panama City students.

The blog is named after the brick pattern on the back patio of the Holley Academic Center, which originates from the Seminole tradition of searching for a better place for the community to live.

Once scouts found a suitable place, they would leave a marked trail of four crossed logs, to lead the rest of the tribe. The pattern notes the responsibility of each member of the academic community to make a path to a new place and to bring others along.

Contributing writers must be students, faculty, staff or alumni at FSU Panama City.

To submit an article, email fsupcfourcrossedlogs@gmail.com.

Visit the blog at fsupcfour crossedlogs.blogspot.com.

WHALE DAY goes

G L O B A L Education program makes its way to Japan W

BY ERIN CHAFFIN

meet the needs of the Japanese school’s elementary unit.

hale Day, which has become a staple for elementary education majors, went global this year.

Throughout the spring, the Japanese students traveled the world with “Flat Nolee,” a letter-exchange program similar to the Flat Stanley Project, created crafts, read articles, engaged in discussions and visited the aquarium.

Students even received their own Whale Day T-shirts.

FSU alumni Jose and Patricia Gabilondo brought the project to an elementary school in Honshu Island, Atsugi NAF, Japan, where they work for the Department of Defense as Sure Start teachers.

Elementary education instructor Cristina Rios created Whale Day in 2007 as a way to combine her passion for conservation and teaching children whose primary language is not English.

As part of Teaching English Language Learners (TSL 4081), Whale Day gives future educators the opportunity to interact with local elementary education school students through curriculum that combines scientific facts and information about whales with fun games and activities.

“We are working to make a difference in our community,” Rios said. “It’s important to give our teachers tools to connect to English language learners in the classroom.”

Recalling his experience with Whale Day, Jose Gabilondo contacted instructor Rios, who modified the event to

“Our students were engaged and challenged with many marine-life related activities which sparked their interest in science, literature, geography and math,” Patricia Gabilondo said. “The activities were enriching to our students and thought-provoking to our parents and staff.”

The Gabilondos will be stationed in Cambridge, England, next year and plan to bring Whale Day with them.

This spring, the class also brought Whale Day to students from Northside Elementary School.

“The level of authentic student engagement displayed during the event was remarkable,” Northside Principal Amy Harvey said. “Our English language learning students enjoyed this event and were thrilled to share their knowledge with their classmates.”

Last year, Whale Day expanded beyond the classroom with “Project Blue” — a program that provides blankets to ill children at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center.

WHALE DAY: Students in Cristina Rios’ Teaching English Language Learners (TSL 4081) worked with a group of students from Northside Elementary for Whale Day. The education students combined scientific facts and information about whales with fun games and activities.

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SEMINOLES

in SERVICE

Students change lives through service, writing

BY ERICA MARTIN

S

tudents in Research, Genre and Context (ENC 2135) have become campus ambassadors for FSU Panama City, combining community service and the power of the written word.

During the 2015-2016 academic year, the students volunteered more than 500 hours to community projects, using their experiences to enhance their writing and promote area service organizations.

ENC 2135 is the second of two required composition courses at Florida State University. The course focuses on incorporating outside sources in writing through drafting, collaboration and revision to compose in a variety of genres for specific contexts.

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English professor Milinda Stephenson, Ph.D., said she required at least 10 hours of community service to give students an emotional attachment to their work.

“When students believe that what they are writing matters, they write better,” she said. “Working on modes as diverse as print newsletters and YouTube video ads, students learned that words matter.

Effective communication can literally change lives.”

With each hour volunteered, students had a stronger sense of well-being and purpose to add to their projects.

Working with Special Events Coordinator Casey Lathem, the campus ambassadors have served

regularly throughout the community caring for shelter animals, spending time with nursing home residents and tutoring middle school students.

“When the students began this volunteering journey, we were just casting votes on where to give back and when. It never occurred to us that volunteering could influence us and others so much,” said Guy Korvig, a civil engineering major. “When we all volunteered each had a sense of happiness, felt complete and pride that we completed and gave back to the community.”

“The first-hand experience from the volunteer projects

only served to enhance the range of depth I could achieve when writing as I had first-hand sources and antidotes at my disposal,” civil engineering major Wiatt Lewis said. “The class was an excellent opportunity to get involved in the community and make a difference.”

Student ambassadors also have served as friends and mentors for abused, neglected and homeless youth seeking emergency shelter in Hidle House, which is part of Anchorage Children’s Home.

The interaction between the college students and

CAMPUS AMBASSADORS: Student Wiatt Lewis, left, Savannah Tanney, Betul Adalier, Alex Hall, Alessandra Feria and Matthew Spradley started volunteering throughout the community as part of Research, Genre and Context (ENC 2135).

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at-risk teens through games and other activities has helped motivate Hidle residents to think about their futures, said Brooke Bullard, development director for Anchorage Children’s Home.

“Thoughts of attending college are often a far-away dream for many of the kids we serve. Often they are in a ‘survival’ mentality focusing on their basic needs being met, such as where their next meal with come from or where they will lay their head to sleep,” she said. “The FSU Student Ambassadors have provided insight to college life and helped youth think about their futures and the possibilities each one of them has.”

“It has provided me with such joy that we have been able to provide such hope to those around us,” Lathem said. “It’s great to see that students are becoming friends and supporting each other, changing lives in the community by providing a helping hand.”

The reward of serving has prompted some ambassadors to continue volunteering past the required hours.

“Each and every family that I have helped has had an abundance of joy and gratitude when we give them the food items,” said Matthew Spradley, a computer science major who served at the Living Word Church food pantry. “In volunteering and seeing the reactions of these families, it really humbles my thoughts.”

It’s great to see that students are becoming friends and supporting each other, changing lives in the community by providing a helping hand.

“I wanted to assist to the best of my ability and make a change that would outlast my volunteer hours,” said Alessandra Feria, who worked with the aftercare program at Fusion Fitness Center. “Volunteering taught me that no voice is too small and there is always a little extra something you can do to help those around you.”

Savannah Tanney said her experience tutoring students in the Take Stock in Children Program was a great life skill that she hopes other students will experience.

“I believe more classes should start making [community service] a requirement,” the anthropology major said.

“Volunteer work is so important, but most students cannot find an organization that they are passionate about, or they don’t know how to get involved at all.

This gives students an incentive to volunteer, and once finding their passion, they can continue their work beyond the class. The first-hand volunteer service has helped me solidify connections in my community and given me evidence for my research.”

“My service made me a better person in the end,” said Lewis, who has continued serving weekly at Brookdale Senior Living. “It felt rewarding to be helping someone and genuinely making their day better.”

“I would encourage others to find something they are passionate about around the community and pursue their own ventures,” Spradley said. “There is and always will be someone somewhere that needs willing volunteers.”

SERVICE DAY: Education instructor Cristina Rios and Garnet Key Society volunteers work at the Humane Society.

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For more information on FSU Panama City service projects, contact Special Events Coordinator Casey Lathem at 850-770-2168 or clathem@pc.fsu.edu.

the HOUSE EDUCATION built

Schools come together to build Habitat home

BY ERIN CHAFFIN

S

tudents, staff and faculty from FSU Panama City, Gulf Coast State College and Tom P. Haney Technical Center worked together to construct a Habitat for Humanity home dubbed “The House that Secondary Education Built” throughout the 2015-2016 academic year.

Thanks to the schools’ hard work, Jasmine Martin, a hospice nurse and mother of four, moved into her new home on May 14, 2016.

“This experience was by far one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had,” Martin said. “To be able to be hands-on with the building of our home was a pleasure. Not only did I obtain construction skills, I also had the opportunity to meet such wonderful people from our community who came together to help my family’s dream of being a homeowner come true.”

Before the build, a variety of efforts helped raise more than $62,000. Students and employees from FSU Panama City volunteered at Gulf Coast State College’s Bizarre Bazaar community sale, put on Karaoke for a Cause and sold specially designed T-shirts.

“It was such a rewarding and humbling experience to help make the dreams of a family come true,” said mathematics instructor Parmjeet Cobb, Ph.D., who served as project lead for FSU Panama City. “I loved feeling and seeing the joy and excitement brought to each workday. I’m honored that our campus was able to help this beautiful family.”

What began as a way to meet the community service requirement for Students in Research, Genre and Context (ENC 2135), quickly became a call to help others for

computer science major Matthew Spradley.

“Being involved with the Bizarre Bazaar sale and seeing the passion the volunteers had for this organization inspired me,” he said.

Though no longer a class requirement, he volunteered for build days the following spring.

“Hearing about people’s experiences and what led them to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity was great,” Spradley said. “The opportunity to meet and work beside the future homeowners and see that the community’s hard work pay off was so rewarding.”

The response during the construction phase was so great that volunteers also worked on two Habitat homes adjacent to the Martin home, helping three families. Throughout the two-day build, teams of 35 worked in shifts.

Construction complete, the Martin family is settling into their new home.

“It is a pleasure to have what is now a home for my children and myself,” Martin said. “I sit in awe thinking about the many people who walked through our home and helped build it for us. It was an altogether amazing experience.”

“Habitat offers a hand up, not a hand out,” said Leslie Fuqua, executive director for Habitat for Humanity for Bay County. “Becoming a homeowner offers a path out of poverty. The family is building equity as opposed to paying high rent.”

Volunteer opportunities are available for Habitat houses and ReStore, a non-profit donation center. Visit habitatbay. org and sign up for emails to learn about upcoming projects.

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CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?: Civil engineering student Andy Rodriguez takes breathtaking photos in his leisure time. In this photo, Rodriguez captured a glass orb in the surf contrasting with the sun. “I garnered a lot of attention from curious people on the beach while taking this photo,� he said.

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BEHIND THE

LENS

Civil engineering student explores engineering and physics through photography B Y J AC Q U E L I N E B O S T I C K P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A N DY R O D R I G U E Z

W

hen you look closely at photos by Panama City native Andy Rodriguez, you will encounter a little bit of engineering.

“When you compose a photo, you have to plan ahead and be aware of the settings,” the civil engineering student said.

“They both involve creativity and problem solving.”

Modeling after his father, an electrical engineer, Rodriguez said he always knew he wanted to work in engineering.

However, cautious not to “be behind a desk all day,” he chose to major in civil engineering — which deals with designing and building systems, such as roads and canals — “because it involves more traveling and having to be on site.”

Rodriguez’s desire for the tangible, coupled with his adventurous character, led him to take advantage of the natural scenery of Puerto Rico in 2011.

“That’s where I grew to love photography,” Rodriguez said.

“I took like 2,000 photos.”

PC.FSU.EDU | 19

THE PURSUIT OF TAKING NEW PHOTOS ALWAYS ELICITS AN ADVENTURE. Rodriguez’s photography has come a long way since he used his first camera, an iPhone 4 he received as a Christmas present shortly before the trip to Puerto Rico.

His favorite location to shoot locally is Scenic 30A. “I have visited 30A for photographyrelated purposes more times than I care to admit,” Rodriguez said. “Every visit brings about a new experience. The pursuit of taking new photos always elicits an adventure.”

Although committed to photography for leisure purposes only, Rodriguez’s dream is to photograph an engineering project he designed.

“A milestone I look forward to is the uniting of my two greatest passions: engineering and photography,” he said. “I often photograph urban landscapes I find to be interesting.

Photographing a structure I helped design, whether it be a bridge, highway, building or even a parking lot would be an absolute honor.”

“For now,” he added, “I’m just happy with friends and family having my photos hung up on walls and framed.”

For more photos by Andy Rodriguez, follow him at andy_rodriquez on Instagram.

GRAVITY DEFYING FEATS: An example of levitation photography created by tossing a Ball jar filled with water in the air. “My attempt at defying physics,” Rodriguez said of the image. “This photo is a true test of the capabilities of my camera’s shutter speed. It took about 30 attempts to get right, but the end result was well worth the many trials.” IN MOTION: At top, right, Rodriguez used long-exposure photography to capture a Ferris wheel. “In addition to capturing motion, the long-exposure also revealed a rather cool pattern from the lights that would otherwise go unnoticed by the human eye,” he said. PLAYING FAVORITES: At bottom, right, Rodriguez captured his friend and fellow student Trevor Madden while on an FSU Panama City-sponsored trip to Miracle Strip. “The perfect gold lighting, the fun carnival vibes and bright colors makes this photo a favorite of mine,” Rodriguez said.

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DOUBLE-TAKE: At top, Rodriguez captured this photo of the interior of a classic Ford Falcon during downtown Panama City’s Friday Fest. “The glass of the window gives the photo a double-exposure type effect reflecting the traffic and street lights,” he said of image. IN THE DETAILS: Above, “Macro photography, in my opinion, is the most engaging form of photography requiring a lot of patience,” Rodriguez said. “The frog in the photo is roughly about the size of a penny. He did not appreciate me invading its personal space.” MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA: At right, “I definitely feel much more comfortable behind the camera rather than in front of it,” Rodriguez said. The portrait of was taken on 30A at Alys Beach by a friend.

22 | TORCH

the first

GENERATION Students achieve dream of higher education

C

BY ERICA MARTIN

aroline Jackson worked during her senior year of high school to provide extra income to her family after her parents lost their Ozark, Alabama, business in the economic downturn. Their financial struggle made Jackson look toward her future.

In fall 2017, she will become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Pursuing a degree in public safety and security along with a certificate in underwater crime scene investigation at FSU Panama City, she works as a rescue diver for the Houston County Search and Rescue team.

FIRST IN THE FAMILY: Above, students Caroline Jackson, Martin Dvorak and Renata Stewart-Chambers share their college journey.

PC.FSU.EDU | 23

She earned her associate’s degree from Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama.

“By watching the struggle that my family went through, it made my vision of an education that much stronger,” Jackson said. “My parents always pushed for me to get my degree. … They always told me that a degree is something that you can take with you anywhere and also something that no one can take from you.”

Jackson is one of many who will be the first in their families to carry the prestigious torch of higher education. About half of the students in U.S. colleges and universities are first generation, according to a 2010 study by the Department of Education.

For Martin Dvorak, going to college was part of the American dream.

Dvorak’s father emigrated from the Czech Republic in 1999, seeking political asylum because of his involvement with anti-communist parties. Since then, the family has been plagued by paperwork, court appearances and fees, leaving a financial strain.

“I was given a gift when my parents brought me to this country,” the electrical engineering major said. “I left a country where the thought of attending a top-level university like FSU was only a dream. The importance of earning my degree is not only to better myself and my future, but also to validate the sacrifices my parents made.”

Dvorak plans to graduate in spring 2017.

“I wouldn't trade my past for anything; it has made me a stronger and more resilient person,” he said. “[It has] made me that much more motivated to use my education to help others. I know in my heart that is what my future holds.”

Others, such as Hector Baptiste, focused on higher education after serving in the military.

“A good education is not only essential, but critical SAVING LIVES: At top, public safety and security major Caroline Jackson works as a rescue diver for the Houston County Search and Rescue team. LIVING THE DREAM: At bottom, going to college was part of the American dream for electrical engineering major Martin Dvorak.

24 | TORCH

...I had a vision and will not stop until I fulfill my dreams — Caroline Jackson and necessary to one’s foundational development in society today,” the retired airman said.

Baptiste earned his degree in business administration in fall 2015, following in his older brother’s and sister’s footsteps to become the first generation of college graduates in his family. He hopes to open his own business.

“Although my mother’s education never excelled past high school, she made certain that we knew right from wrong, obeyed our elders and the laws of the land, and received a good education,” Baptiste noted.

Renata Stewart-Chambers, who is pursuing her second master’s degree, majoring in social work at FSU Panama City, said her academic accomplishments have inspired other family members.

“The more I can accomplish, the brighter the future will be for the upcoming generations in my family,” she said. “Soon, higher education will not only be the norm in my family, it will be the expectation.”

Stewart-Chambers also has a master’s degree in criminal justice from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, and hopes to earn a Ph.D. She decided to pursue social work after working as child protective investigator in prisons and detention centers.

“I was always on the consequences phase and wanted to be a part of prevention and rehabilitation,” she said.

AN INSPIRATION: Social Work master's degree student Renata Stewart-Chambers' academic accomplishments have inspired other family members.

and save them from all the mistakes I made.”

Jackson agreed, saying she hoped her younger brother will follow in her footsteps.

“Since my parents did not go to college, I could not go to them for advice on the first day of class,” said Jackson, who hopes to see her younger brother go to college. “They knew that I had a vision and will not stop until I fulfill my dreams.

“College is not easy, and at times I question myself.

There were times when doubt had overtaken me and I was not able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

However, at the end of the day, it is a great feeling to be able to say ‘I made it.’”

To the first-generation students, earning a college degree is like a badge of honor.

She said she hopes she can use her college experiences to encourage the next generation.

“It gives me an opportunity to be an example for my children,” Baptiste said. “I will have the chance to prove to myself that I can obtain this degree, and I would be able to regain some lost confidence in my abilities.”

“My first year of college was like exploring a foreign world with a new culture,” Stewart-Chambers said. “I made all the mistakes you could imagine, but it was necessary and worth it because I was able to assist other family members in their educational pursuits

“The college experience was never a guarantee for me, and the knowledge of that always weighs at the back of my mind,” Dvorak said. “The gratitude felt being a first-generation student is something others might not get to enjoy. It is a humbling thing to experience.”

PC.FSU.EDU | 25

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

Student plans to use computer science degree to create software for people with disabilities

BY ERICA MARTIN

J

onathan VanSteenburg proves a disability doesn’t have to limit you.

VanSteenburg, who has cerebral palsy, uses adaptive communication devices to interact with people in person and online. He hopes to use a degree in computer science through the FSU distancelearning program to design software that is more userfriendly for people with disabilities.

“I hope to make the world of disabled people better as I strive to bring them into the age of computer programming,” VanSteenburg wrote in a bio to classmates.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that can affect speech, body movement, coordination and balance. It generally is caused by neurological disorders in infancy or early childhood that affect the part of the brain that controls muscle movement, according to the National Institutes of Health.

“I never know what my arms and legs are doing until 26 | TORCH

they do it,” VanSteenburg noted.

With his current computer system, Jonathan types using a single button rather than a full keyboard.

A communication program scrolls through rows of characters, actions and program shortcuts on the screen in half-second intervals. When the desired row is highlighted, Jonathan pushes the button nestled between his knee and the chair’s arm. He then repeats the process through sections within the row and finally single characters, requiring three or more pushes to the button for a single keystroke.

“It takes twice as long for me,” VanSteenburg said of the process.

VanSteenburg’s affinity for computers developed while exploring his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.

“What he figured was that he could get in space and CP wouldn’t matter as much,” his father, George VanSteenburg, said. “He figured out that he was

probably not going to be a pilot but could be a mission specialist.”

While in grade school, he began testing adaptive communication devices through a school lending closet. VanSteenburg quickly learned which options work best for his unique needs.

Since then, technology has helped shaped Jonathan’s life and interests, making him more of an advocate for people with disabilities.

VanSteenburg designs websites and blogs about his experiences. He also hopes one day to open an assisted-living facility.

“My mission for my assisted-living facility is to have a fun and relaxing atmosphere for people with disabilities,” he said. “They do not have to be in their wheelchairs all day.”

To release the tension in his muscles, VanSteenburg swims as much as he can during the warmer months and does daily floor stretching exercises with his father. He is scuba-certified, has zip lined and hopes to be able to try a zero-gravity treadmill. He relies on his computer daily for education and social interaction via Facebook.

Working through the distance-learning program, VanSteenburg has the flexibility to work from home with occasional help from an aide to type homework assignments. He often begins working on coursework before the semester begins, asking for the syllabus early to learn material.

“The distance-learning option allows him to deal with other students in the class on a totally equal basis,” said computer science professor Steve Leach, Ph.D. “Other students in the class typically have no idea he has a disability.”

Although online courses help ease transportation strains on the family, VanSteenburg sometimes misses interacting with students and instructors in the classroom. He previously took face-to-face classes, graduating from Rutherford High School in 2009 and Gulf Coast State College in 2014.

“You’d think that somebody who had speech and CP issues would go to class and just sit there and listen. Not him. He’s in class, and he’s trying to really participate,” his father said. “He’s kind of oblivious to the fact that people have a hard time understanding him. He’s just trying to communicate and be a part of the class.”

“He is a very strong student. He communicates regularly with his instructors, often with challenging questions that go beyond the current material that is being covered in the class,” Leach said. “His passion for technology is inspiring. There is no doubt in my mind that he will get a job in computer science.”

VanSteenburg said he is just like anyone else.

“Even though I have CP, I’m a normal student,” he said. “Disabled people can and will do anything they desire or dream of.”

ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION: At left, computer science major Jonathan VanSteenburg plans to make the world better for by people with disabilities designing user-friendly software. Below, left, a close up of the communication program VanSteenburg uses for his distance-learning courses. Below, right VanSteenburg types using a single button nestled between his knee and the chair’s arm rather than a full keyboard.

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NOTABLE

’NOLES CONTINUE TO SERVE THEIR ALMA MATER

BY ERICA MARTIN

F

SU Panama City’s 2015 Notable ’Noles have different backgrounds, but they share a dedication to their alma mater and the Northwest Florida community.

FSU Foundation STEM Liaison Ginger Littleton, FSU Panama City faculty member Amy Polick, Ph.D., and Preble-Rish president Cliff Wilson were named Notable ’Noles during the campus’ Seminole Celebration Thursday, Nov. 12. The award is given to FSU Panama City alumni who demonstrated excellence as students and have made outstanding contributions to the community and within their careers.

28 | TORCH

GINGER LITTLETON, ’92 Littleton, who earned her master’s degree in elementary education in 1992, is dedicated to the educational needs of the region. Through the FSU Panama City STEM Institute, her work has impacted more than 300 teachers and 2,000 students in Northwest Florida.

She also serves on the Bay County School Board and attempted to disarm a shooter during a School Board meeting in 2010.

“My mom has committed her adult life to service to our community,” daughter Gayle Littleton wrote in the nomination letter. “She is a life-long educator who has worked tirelessly to make sure her students excelled and thrived.”

Ginger Littleton is the past president of the Bay Arts Alliance, a former board member for the Visual Arts Center, a charter member of the Krewe of St. Andrews and a board member for the Bay Education Foundation. She also is a member of the Panama City POPS Orchestra and served as a guest conductor during the POPS Battle of the Batons. She has been named an influential woman of Panama City by Panama City Living and a Woman of Distinction for the Girl Scouts of America.

“The tradition of excellence that just being a ’Nole brings is noteworthy enough,” Littleton said. “Being in the company of previous Notable ’Noles who have contributed so much to our community is such an honor. I am both thrilled and humbled to join their ranks.”

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AMY POLICK, Ph.D., BCBA-D, ’01, ’04 Polick earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from FSU Panama City. After earning her Ph.D. at Auburn University, Polick returned to FSU Panama City in 2010 to teach psychology and applied behavior analysis. She earned the Undergraduate Teaching Award at FSU in 2012 and appeared several times on the Provost’s List for Teaching Excellence.

FSU PC should be proud to have as a graduate and an employee.”

As director of FSU Panama City’s Early Child Autism Program, Polick annually serves more than 30 families affected by autism annually. With her help, the clinic has expanded to include more therapy rooms for children and a parent resource center.

Polick has excelled in service to her profession, Weathers noted. She is president of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis and has been asked to serve as executive director at the end of her presidency. Polick is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Panama City and the chairwoman for Bay Young Professionals. She has served as the chairwoman of the Junior League’s Elderly Outreach committee and still serves on this committee by volunteering regularly at a local nursing home. She also has been on the Board of Directors of the Bay Arts Alliance for the past three years.

“Amy’s tireless attention to detail and ability to think long term have been crucial to promoting the Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) and making it the growing resource it has become today,” Polick’s husband, Rusty Weathers, wrote in the nomination letter. “I have never seen Amy back down from challenge and she is an excellent example of what a Notable ’Nole truly is. She is someone that

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized as a Notable ’Nole,” Polick said. “My degree from FSU Panama City opened so many doors for me and was pivotal for my career development. Because FSU gave me so much when I was a student, I have always strive to give back to FSU and to others in the community. Being part of this elite group of FSU Panama City alumni is wonderful and inspirational.”

30 | TORCH

CLIFF WILSON, ’05 Wilson, who was part of FSU Panama City’s inaugural graduating class of civil engineering students in 2005, continues to give back to the campus as a mentor for senior design projects.

Formerly serving as deputy secretary and secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Wilson helped implement programs to help streamline the department to offer a more customer service-based culture among its more than 4,000 employees. He was confirmed by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Board of Trustees, serving as staff to the governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture.

Wilson has served as a member, past secretary, past vice president and past president of the Lynn Haven Rotary.

He is a volunteer baseball coach for Bay High School, has been nominated to attend the Florida Engineering Society Leadership Institute and was named the 2010 Rotarian of the Year and the 2011 Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Recipient. He also tutors students in high school math and calculus.

“The world would be a much stronger place if there were more people like Cliff Wilson,” Richard Dodd wrote in the nomination.

“I would say it is not a measure of an individual act or achievement, but more of a lifestyle,” Wilson said. “Each day is an opportunity to add value to those around you. The focus should always be outward on helping others achieve their goals and success. It has been my experience, when you live and work each day in this manner, your success will generally take care of itself. Our future and quality of life is dependent on how we help each other.”

PC.FSU.EDU | 31

Design studio

FOSTERS

creative messaging

BY ERICA MARTIN

F

SU Panama City students welcomed a new space dedicated to cultivating creative ideas and conveying messages in innovative ways. Thanks to a grant funded by Florida State’s student technology fees, the Digital Design Studio provides students the tools and skills to share information through posters, websites, videos and more.

“A crossroads for faculty and students, the Digital Design Studio provides a creative space, fostering innovative practices for teaching and learning with digital technology,” said English professor Milinda Stephenson, Ph.D., who manages the studio.

The Panama City campus was awarded a $32,705.27 grant to purchase Apple and PC workstations outfitted with design software, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premier Pro. The studio also includes large-format printers that can print on fabric and vinyl, a 3D printer and interactive drawing tablets.

“As technology evolves, there is a growing demand for graduates trained and capable of working with a variety of software platforms,” Stephenson said. “The goal of this project is to provide instruction and access to modern communication and information technology, enhance curriculum through critical thinking and

make graduates more marketable in the workforce.”

Because class time is limited, students need guidance and instruction outside of the classroom on how best to utilize the resources available, she noted.

Two student managers are available to assist students during open hours from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5-9 p.m. Mondays in Office Building, room 120. Workshops will be offered periodically to highlight best practices and uses for the most requested software.

The Digital Design Studio is modeled after two labs housed within Florida State’s English department.

The original Digital Studio opened in the Williams building in 2008 as courses began to rely more on technology to convey messages. Because of its success, a second studio opened in 2011 in the Williams Johnston building.

“Students are learning both about adapting their messages for specific situations and about how to use digital tools to do so in the process,” said Stephen J. McElroy, Ph.D., the director of Tallahassee’s ReadingWriting Center and Digital Studio. “The Digital Studio is a place where a lot of that multimodal composing work gets done, where students learn by doing, by asking questions and by witnessing the work that others are doing as well.”

SHARING SKILLS: Joshua Bittel and Matthew Spradley work as student managers in the studio.

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SPECIAL

FEATURE

2015-2016

ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Michelle Ginn, president ERA NEUBAUER REAL ESTATE, INC .

MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD PRESIDENT

Jason Crowe, vice president

COMMUNITY BANK

Tony Bennett, past president HEALTHSOUTH EMERALD COAST REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

DEVELOPMENT BOARD Nicole Barefield

WASHINGTON COUNTY NEWS

Bill Cappleman

TSYS MERCHANT SOLUTIONS

Robert Carroll

MCNEIL CARROLL ENGINEERING, INC.

Debbi Dial

TYNDALL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Richard Dodd

RELIANTSOUTH CONSTRUCTION GROUP

Ray Dubuque

BAYSOLUTIONS

Leah Dunn

DUNN PROPERTIES

Jorge Gonzalez

THE ST. JOE COMPANY

Griff Griffitts SUGAR SANDS

Randal Hamilton

SELECT SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

Trey Hutt

HUTT INSURANCE AGENCY

Glen McDonald

APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Rebecca Pierson

BAY HEALTH FOUNDATION

David Southall

INNOVATIONS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Dustin Stokesbary CENTENNIAL BANK

Joe Tannehill, Sr.

MERRICK INDUSTRIES

Brittany Trumbull

From the business who sponsors a table at the Annual Dinner or a team at the Golf Invitational to the faculty and staff who contribute through payroll deduction or the alumnus who answers the call from our student call center, I am sincerely grateful to our supporters for keeping our focus on what is most important: our students.

The Development Board’s mission is to promote FSU Panama City through advocacy, outreach, participation and fundraising. We serve as campus ambassadors in the community, building enthusiasm for university initiatives and informing administration of the needs of the community. We also identify opportunities for FSU Panama City to be represented in the community through event sponsorships and speaking engagements, and we participate in campus events such as press conferences and other development-related activities.

Finally, and of utmost importance, we assist in fundraising and have made a commitment that 100 percent of our board members will give either personally or through their businesses.

As president of the Development Board, I am a firm believer in saying thank you. Stewardship is important, as it ensures our donors have a positive giving experience that promotes continued support and influences perspective donors.

Thank you to all of our donors for your generosity. I also want to encourage everyone to say “thank you” to those who you know have supported and continue to support this wonderful institution.

With gratitude,

ANCHOR CEI ENGINEERING & INSPECTION

Elizabeth Walters

BURKE, BLUE, HUTCHISON, WALTERS & SMITH, P.A.

Victoria Williams

VBA DESIGNS, INC.

Paul Wohlford

THE RESORT COLLECTION

34 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Michelle Ginn president, FSU Panama City Development Board ERA Neubauer Real Estate, Inc.

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN’S COUNCIL CHAIRMAN As a Florida State University Panama City alumnus, parent, donor, Notable ’Nole and former member of the Development Board and Alumni Association National Board of Directors, I am honored to serve as chairman of the newly formed Dean’s Council. Members of the Dean’s Council, who serve as the dean’s advisers, have a long history with and passion for the Panama City campus.

The council was created in January 2016 to serve the dean in the following capacity: • advise on policy issues raised by the dean or those identified by the council • undertake projects that will benefit FSU Panama City • reinforce important messages from the dean to the community • act as a sounding board or research arm on issues of interest to the dean • identify and drive opportunities for the campus to engage in economic development • assist the dean in making and maintaining contacts with community leaders

DEAN’S COUNCIL COMMITTEE Frank Hall, chairman SUMMIT BANK

Allan Bense

GAC CONTRACTORS

Jim Cook

RETIRED CARDIOLOGIST

• assist the dean in identifying, cultivating and/or soliciting current and prospective donors for transformational gifts

Ray Dubuque

I share the council’s duties and responsibilities as an invitation to members of the community to contact council members with ideas, concerns or issues relating to the Panama City campus. It is our goal not only to serve in the best interest of the campus and its students but also the community and its needs, specifically from a higher education and economic development standpoint.

THE ST. JOE COMPANY

BAYSOLUTIONS

Jorge Gonzalez Becca Hardin

BAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

Rebecca Pierson

BAY HEALTH FOUNDATION

Glen McDonald

APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Thank you for your support of FSU Panama City.

Sincerely,

Sandy Sims GULF POWER

Floyd Skinner

SKINNER TAX CONSULTING

Gary Walsingham

WALSINGHAM INVESTMENTS LLC

Frank Hall chairman, Dean’s Council executive vice president/ COO, Summit Bank

Elizabeth Walters

BURKE, BLUE, HUTCHISON, WALTERS & SMITH, P.A.

PC.FSU.EDU

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35

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

KEY INDICATORS

W H E R E O U R A LU M N I R E S I D E 1%

3%

The Foundation’s return for fiscal year Santa Rosa Washington County County ending June 30, 2016, was -2.9 percent. The 1% 2% 3% 2% Foundation’s investments in U.S. equities, Escambia Holmes Jackson Calhoun fixed income funds, and private equities County County County County provided single digit positive returns while the global equities and alternative investments provided negative returns. This combination led to a total negative return for the Foundation.

3% The long-term investment portfolio continues Walton to outperform the primary benchmarks on a County long-term basis for the trailing three-, five- and 47% 1% 29% 10-year periods. During the past five years, the Bay Franklin Outside of endowment has grown 27 percent resulting in County County the FSU 3% 2% Panama a nearly $95 million gain. The increase in the Okaloosa Gulf City service endowment is mainly attributed to additional County County district gifts raised by the Foundation during the Raise the Torch Campaign.

WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE FROM 52%0.........Bay County...........

7%.........Non-Florida..........

1%.........Non-U.S................

50%

961

FSU PANAMA CITY

1,000 850 600 450 300 150 0 ’13

’14

19% 26-30

22% 23-25

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

ON-CAMPUS HEADCOUNT FALL ’12-’15

’12

20% 31-40

10% 20 & below 17% 21-22

12% 41+

50%

92%0.........in Florida..............

Full-time students

STUDENTS BY AGE

STUDENT GENDER RATIO

’15

in on-campus 11% increase enrollment since fall ’14

HEADCOUNT BY COLLEGES College of Applied Studies Arts & Science Business Education Engineering Social Sciences Social Work Undecided/Other

28% 31% 11% 6% 11% 4% 4% 5%

the College of 28% inApplied Studies

HEADCOUNT BY GRADE

2% freshman 3% sophomore 23% junior 56% senior

11% graduate 5% unclassified

students 56% ofareourseniors * for fall 2015

36 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

FOUNDATION INDICATORS

2014-2015 2015-2016 Endowed Funds Balance*

$5,303,710

$5,242,611

Endowed Funds Spendable Cash

$285,483

$252,925

Non-Endowed Funds Balance

$359,293

$321,213

Number of Scholarships Awarded

252

273

Amount of Scholarships Awarded

$269,400

$253,485

*Principal + Accumulated Net Return

VA BENEFITS

FALL 2014

FALL 2015

Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill — Active Duty)

3

4

Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation)

12

5

Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill)

49

50

Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)

7

7

Chapter 1606 (Reserve GI Bill)

1

3

n/a

1

72

70

Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) TOTAL STUDENTS SERVED

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

FALL 2014 FALL 2015 Student Headcount

856

961

Undergraduate Degrees Awarded

293

295

Graduate Degrees Awarded

77

34

VA Students Served

72

70

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

76.5

69

Students with Disabilities Served

67

48

PC.FSU.EDU

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

beautiful MORE

MOMENTS

Endowed scholarships make dream of a higher education possible for young couple 38 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Every textbook it earns me, every class fee it pays means one less day staying late at work and one more beautiful moment in the arms of my daughters.

BY E R I CA M A R T I N

B

randon and Heather Adams have a life motto: “Be happy with what you have while you work for what you want.”

For the young couple, what they want is more time at home with their daughters Ainsley, 7, and Kinley, 5. Both plan to become teachers after earning their bachelor’s degrees in elementary education.

Brandon and Heather met while working together at a restaurant and began dating in 2008. The next year, they became parents. They married in 2012.

“Brandon and I had barely begun dating when we learned that we were expecting, just two kids with incomplete educations and poor family backgrounds,” Heather said.

Now in their fourth year of marriage, the couple still work in the restaurant industry. Heather works as a server from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Brandon leaves for a job in bartending just an hour later. Often crossing paths coming and going to work, the couple said they don’t want to miss any more of their daughters’ lives.

two-thirds of the family income, he has taken classes at FSU part-time for the past year. This year, with both daughters in school and financial assistance from the Century 21 Bay Brokers Council Endowed Scholarship, he was able to afford a full-time course load.

“I don’t want money to be the reason I am held back from achieving my goal,” Brandon said.

For Heather, earning the Brenda Gail Robbins Endowed Scholarship means moments.

“Every textbook it earns me, every class fee it pays means one less day staying late at work and one more beautiful moment in the arms of my daughters,” she said. “It means more time kissing boo-boos, more time reading just one more bedtime story, more time begging them to eat their green beans and less time worrying about how I’ll pay for my daughter’s school supplies in addition to my own.”

The couple expects to graduate in fall 2017.

With the future in sight, Brandon said he looks forward to giving back to the next generation of students.

“While we are making ends meet, we agree that just isn’t enough,” Heather said. “The house is asleep when I leave and asleep when he returns.”

“I love to share my knowledge about anything, and where else would be better to share that knowledge than our future minds?” he said.

“It makes me hurt inside almost every day when I think about not being home when my children go to bed,” Brandon said.

The couple also hopes to set an example for their daughters, pushing them to follow their own dreams in life.

Brandon, who earned an associate’s degree in drafting in 2006, went back to Gulf Coast State College with a new degree in mind. He and Heather earned their associate’s degrees from Gulf Coast in 2014. Both transferred to FSU Panama City the next year.

“I want them to understand that it is never too late to make a plan and seek better things for yourself,” Heather said. “I want them to understand the importance of believing in their own path, no matter the twists and turns. I want them to understand that they can truly be whatever they dream if they’re willing to work for it.”

Because Brandon’s bartending job provides about

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SUPPORTING SCHOLARSHIPS Endowed scholarships at Florida State University Panama City recognize and encourage superior academic accomplishment, outstanding leadership and exemplary character among student recipients. FSU Panama City is extremely grateful to the donors who have stepped forward to support our campus and the students we serve.

2015-2016 FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AAF Panama City Camerin Dixon Adam P. Arias ABA Autism Mary-Margrete Somers Alfred I. duPont Foundation Betul Adalier Jason Barton Hunter Baumgardner Joshua Bittel Nicholas Byrne Brittany Carr Matthew Dinan Jeremiah Dinan Camerin Dixon Katelynn Donovan Taylor Epstein Sarah Evans Carson Flowers Colin Fortner Alicia Gainer Christopher Gaines James Garman Bridget Granville Olivia Guettler Alexandria Hall Alicia Harvey Brandon Hayes Kelsey Hennessy Eliana Kleimeyer Avery Little Kristen McKay Stephanie Milliser Leslie Mollet Olivia Mulligan Rebekah Noser Neet Patel

Micayla Remar Mariah Rinehart Steven Roy James Shaw Samantha Smith Elizabeth Sponseller Matthew Spradley Lacey Strickland Cana Sylvester Elizabeth Vermette Hank Williams Justice Wobser Angel David Endowed Memorial Kelsey Shuman Anita Darlene Freeman Joseph Speed AT&T Employees Emily Hennessy Bay County Teacher of the Year Angela Law

College of Applied Studies Adrienne Davis Sarina Di Calogero Kaylyn Douglass Kevin Fair Kelli Fields Dmitry Greznev Maxim Hoehn Caroline Jackson Jessica Kim Katherine May Spencer Nguyen Mary Phelan Michael Rimes Rebecca Winge Colonel William W. Wood Sabrina McAlister

Berg Steel Pipe Corporation Dylan Reed

Community Services Foundation of Bay County Kaitlyn Harris Elisa Liegel Michael Stephens

Bob Barth Underwater Research Farron Collins

CW Roberts Contracting Trevor Madden

Brenda Gail Robbins Melody Cobb

David and Trish Warriner Michael Russell

Century 21 Bay Brokers Council Cady Mercer Charles W. Clary, III Tina Lambert

40 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

David F. Green Memorial/ NAMI Bay County Dakota Januchowsi

David Skinner Memorial Christopher Pennington Death by Chocolate/ Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association Anne Palmasani Dempsey Barron Memorial Joshua Toole Don Crisp Seungjin Lee Dr. Hulon and Dinah Crayton Hector Baptiste Dr. Robert L. Young/ First Union Bank Kristen McKay Edward Mayer Memorial Heather Chester Edward N. and June G. Wright Mariah Dodd Estelle Cawthon Starling Memorial James Garmon FICPA Miracle Strip Chapter Allison Gross Marlia Jordan Yajie Tao Flo Bilelo Social Work Dakota Januchowsi

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT Frank Brown Memorial/Optimist Club of the Beaches Lateasha Petty Fredericka Berger Benton Memorial Hannah Mocilan GAC Contractors Jonathon Wright Gary and Hollis Bliss Maria Scicchitano George G. Tapper Memorial Josie Doll Gulf Power Foundation James Harper Innovations Federal Credit Union Angelina Shmidt Jacqueline Isler Memorial Katherine Mapp Jean Cockrell/Gulf Coast Woman’s Club Caleb Coleman Jeff Berberich Family Christina Vickers Jerry J. Rosborough/ STEM Brandon Sparks Joanne Crawford/Gulf Coast Woman’s Club Rhonda Richey John A. Centrone Memorial Presidential Daniel Vickers John Hutt, Sr. Memorial Kathryn Molina

Junior League of Panama City Taylor Smith Karen Hanes Wendy Davis

McDonald Family in honor of Martha McDonald Caleb Bennett

Kassi Blakeley Eudaley Tara Owens

McNeil Carroll Engineering Harry Davis

Kelly L. Ayers and Kenneth L. Ayers III Daniel White

Optimist Club of the Beaches Joseph Gibson

Larson M. & Beverly J. Bland Kristina Price

Optimist Club of the Beaches Law Enforcement Ashley Mueller

License to Learn Katheryn Barbosa Jason Barton Cynthia Collyer Jared Degler Carson Flowers Melissa Garred Gerald Gladney Rachel Granger Hunter Hambright Tracey Howland Madison Hughes Dylan Reed Jullian “Dean” Revell Mariah Rinehart Somayee SafdariSadaloo Kyle Vinsh Richard Wallace Linda Arnold Christoff Memorial Lauri Tyeryar Mabelle Williams Benton Memorial Mallory Edwards Mary Ola Reynolds Miller Renata StewartChambers

Panama City Area Seminole Club Colton Bond Panama City Campus General Heather Adams Diane Crockett Alicia Gainer Christopher Pennington Daniel White Panama City Downtown Rotary Club Orlando Morales Panama City Housing Authority Book Grant Donovan Katelynn Griggs Renee Stone Jessica Panhandle Educator’s Federal Credit Union Michael Adams Panhandle Engineering, Inc. Jonathon Wright

Regions Bank Danielle Middleton Richard “Dick” Locher Memorial Maryann Roberts Society of American Military Engineers Panama City Post Martin Dvorak St. Joe Community Foundation Denis Belevitin Colin Fortner Maxim Hoehn Delbert Horton, II Elizabeth Sponseller Mariano Villanueva-Cruz Student Government Council Presidential Katherine Hobbs Kathryn Molina Cana Slyvester Sussex-Bay Foundation William (Trey) Williams Thomas G. and Donna P. McCoy/Optimist Club of the Beaches Justice Wobser Transfer Scholarship Ashleigh Bragiel Wesley Chevillot Sayer Forbes Gerald Gladney Madison Harrwell Caleb Hendry Jesed Ilelaty Jared Klemm Jeremy Myers Kolton Sellers

Patronis Brothers Foundation Rowena Curnin

Wally Jenkins Memorial/Optimist Club of the Beaches Stephanie Decker

Preble-Rish Harry Davis

Walter B. Hall Memorial Mariano Villanueva-Cruz

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

‘education

M A K E S all the D I F F E R E N C E ’

Planned gift largest in FSU Panama City history

BY ERICA MARTIN

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

“We want to help deserving students who need [support] and would be appreciative of it.”

A

Panama City Beach couple with no direct ties to Florida State have made history at the university’s Panama City campus.

City Director of Development Mary Beth Lovingood said. “With this gift, we’re going to be able to help a lot of deserving students.”

Bob Fleming has named FSU Panama City as the benefactor of an estate estimated at $3 million. The planned gift, which is the largest in campus history, would establish the Robert H. and Jacqueline K. Fleming Endowed Scholarship Fund.

“Providing affordable access to a quality education is a priority at Florida State, and this generous gift from Bob and Judy Fleming will help change the lives of many talented and aspiring students,” said Tom Jennings, Ph.D., vice president for University Advancement and president of the FSU Foundation. “This gift from the Flemings — who are not alumni of Florida State — illustrates the strong support our Panama City campus has within the community.”

Jacqueline Fleming, Bob’s late wife, was a teacher who valued education.

“Education makes all the difference in the world,” said Bob Fleming, who earned his bachelor’s degree in textiles from NC State University. He credited his college education with a successful career that spanned from apprentice to salesman to business owner. He also was integral in developing fabrics better equipped for athletic uniforms for well-known athletic companies, such as Champion, Wilson and Russell.

“This gift is to help our community and the people in the surrounding area who really want an education and need a little support,” said Judy Fleming, Bob’s current wife. “We want to help deserving students who need it and would be appreciative of it.”

Judy earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines.

“Through the years, just knowing that I went to college, it just gives you that little step above,” she said. “It gives you confidence. It gives you a little sophistication that maybe you wouldn’t have. It gives you a step in a door that might be closed.”

Although the couple have no direct affiliations with Florida State, they said they have always been Seminole fans and wanted to give back to the campus in their local community.

The Fleming scholarship fund has the potential to provide financial aid to up to 80 students annually with preference given to first-generation college students.

“Gifts like these are so transformational,” FSU Panama

Bob Fleming, who has vacationed in Panama City since he was a boy growing up in Blakely, Georgia, said he always has had a fondness for the area.

“It was a big deal for us to come down 120 miles and spend a week or two weeks with my cousins. It was just a fishing village then,” he said. “I knew from day one I was going to retire in Panama City.”

The community benefited when FSU Panama City was established in 1982, Bob Fleming said.

“I was really impressed because I knew there was a foundation starting right there,” he said about the campus.

“I just felt like it would really amount to something.”

“I am so happy to have been a part of this transformational gift to FSU Panama City,” said Carol Edwards, who was dean of the Panama City campus when the gift was announced. “The Flemings are such dear people with a sincere desire to help deserving students achieve the dream of a college degree. Their generosity will help students for generations to come.”

Interim Dean Randy Hanna said the gift will help the campus draw more students who otherwise might not be able to afford college.

“Being a first-generation student myself, I appreciate that this scholarship will serve this particular student population, allowing FSU Panama City to grow and better meet the financial needs of our students,” Hanna said. “A gift like this sets us up for a bright future.”

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

CAMPAIGN UPDATE Raise the Torch: The Campaign for Florida State is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Florida State University history.

With a goal of more than $1 billion, the campaign seeks to implement bold ideas that will continue to distinguish Florida State as a preeminent university and positively affect the future for students, faculty and alumni.

FSU Panama City’s Raise the Torch goal was established at the beginning of the campaign as $5 million. We have experienced great success since our public launch in September 2012, raising $6.6 million from generous alumni, friends and businesses in the local community and beyond.

With the campaign slated to end June 30, 2018, FSU Panama City commits to raising an additional $3.5 million, bringing our total campaign goal to $10 million, the largest fundraising goal in campus history.

F S U P AN A M A C I T Y R A I S E THE TORCH CAM PA IGN TOT AL S CAMPAIGN GIFTS BY FISCAL YEAR $3.6M

GIFT PURPOSE

$3,328,754

$3.3M $2.7M $2.4M $2.1M $1.8M

$600K

other restricted purposes

$33,507

property, bldgs & equipment

$5,630

CAMPAIGN GOAL

$990,346 $835,144 $557,560

$300K $0 BACKCOUNT $100K

$1,970,875

GIFT TOTAL

$1.5M $900K

$4,639,246

academic divisions

$3M

$1.2M

student financial aid

has increased from $5 million to

$10

$406,591 $357,572 $73,293

FY ’11 FY ’12 FY ’13 FY ’14 FY ’15 FY ’16 FY ’17

GIFT TYPE $ 2 ,0 1 1 ,757 ............ cash.......................... $44,049............ gift in-kind................ $3,035,000............ planned gifts............ $1,411,332............ pledge....................... $147,122............ stock/property.........

MILLION

$6,649,259 total gifts from ’11-’16

the largest fundraising goal in campus history

GIFT SIZE

$

2,699

total number of contributions made to the FSU Panama City Raise the Torch campaign 2,409

194

1 2 3 10 25 28 27

$1M+ $250K - $499K $100K - $249K $50K - $99K $25 - $49K $10K - $24K $5K - $9K $1K - $4K less than $1K

* as of September 21, 2016 44 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Environmental T R A N S F O R M AT I O N Engineers use invasive plant to improve water quality

BY ERICA MARTIN

S

tudents and instructors from FSU Panama City’s civil engineering program have determined how to use an invasive plant to remove water pollutants.

In the study, professors Dr. Hafiz Ahmad and Dr. Korhan Adalier and graduate students Brandon Madden and Douglas Brown tested methods to superheat and steam oxidize the Albizia plant, also called a silk plant or mimosa, to produce an activated carbon that best removes phenol from waste waters.

Phenols are toxic organic pollutants commonly found in wastewater from oil refineries, coal tar plants and pharmaceutical and steel industries. It also is used to make plastics, pesticides, insecticides and disinfectants.

“Phenol removal from water using biochar and activated carbon from Albizia: an invasive plant evaluation” won second place for Outstanding Paper Award at the Eighth International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology in Houston this June.

Comparing the adsorption performance, the study suggests that phenol removal can be enhanced significantly when biochar is activated with steam and converted to activated carbon. The material produced by activating biochar with steam at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes removed the most phenol from water and was 1.5 times more effective than the biochar produced without steam. Even a small dose of 100 milligrams per liter removed more than 96 percent of the phenol.

Because the activated carbon produced in the study is carbon-negative, the research also could help reverse climate change, Ahmad noted.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists phenol as a priority pollutant, with regulations called for lowering its content in wastewater to less than 1 milligram per liter.

Brown is continuing research on the effects of using the activated carbon as a soil additive or amendment in agriculture.

“We’re taking an invasive species — something that is a bane to society — and transforming it into something that’s useful,” Madden said.

“Because it has lots of pores, if you use it as a fertilizer it can not only increase water-holding capacity but also microbial activity in the soil,” Ahmad said.

WASTE REMOVAL: Top, left, instructors Dr. Hafiz Ahmad and Dr. Korhan Adalier and graduate students Brandon Madden and Douglas Brown tested methods to superheat and steam the Albizia plant, also called a silk plant or mimosa, to produce an activated carbon that best removes phenol from waste waters. Top, right, the process of turning Albizia plant pellets into activated carbon.

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

FSU PANAMA CITY CUMULATIVE GIFTS & PLEDGES Recognizing cumulative gifts and pledges through June 30, 2016. Bold type indicates a gift of pledge between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. New donors or those who have reached a new giving level are noted with +.

Hubert M. Green Hutt Insurance Agency, Inc. Innovations Federal Credit Union Marion G. and Barbara W. Nelson Private Foundation Optimist Foundation of the HERITAGE SOCIETY Beaches, Inc. ($500,000 & ABOVE) Panama City Housing Authority St. Joe Community Foundation, Inc. John S. and Gail W. Robbins/ George A. Butchikas Foundation Jason S. and Carol J. Robbins for Autism + George G. & Amelia G. Tapper Foundation LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ($100,000-$499,999) CORNERSTONE CIRCLE Alfred I. duPont Foundation, Inc. (25,000-$49,999) AT&T Advocates for Children, Inc. Community Services Foundation Arthritis & Infusion Center of Bay County, Inc. Atkins, Inc. James T. and Jana L. Cook + Kenneth L. Ayers Gulf Power Foundation, Inc. Berg Steel Pipe Corporation Thomas G. and Donna P. McCoy Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick The News Herald/Washington GMC, Inc. County News/Holmes County Gary D. and Hollis H. Bliss Advertiser/Port St. Joe Star William C. and Carolyn A. Cramer Floyd D. and Gloria D. Skinner Donald R. and Tyrene Crisp Tyndall Federal Credit Union Thomas E. David Ray E. and Sharon G. Dubuque LOYALTY CIRCLE Facility Leasing, Inc. ($50,000-$99,999) FICPA Miracle Strip Chapter + Bay Health Foundation + GAC Contractors, Inc. Centennial Bank + Comcast Cablevision of Panama City GFWC Gulf Coast Womans Club, Inc. + Durden Foundation, Inc. Gulf Coast Medical Center Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association Frank A. and Chris C. Hall LEGACY SOCIETY (DEFERRED & PLANNED GIFTS) Allan G. and Tonie L. Bense Robert H. and Judith C. Fleming + Jim L. and Nadia D. Smallwood

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HDR Engineering, Inc. Nan G. Locher Glen R. and Katrina R. McDonald/ Gerald G. McDonald McNeil Carroll Engineering, Inc. The News Herald Panama City Area Seminole Club Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Panama City Junior League Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union Panhandle Engineering, Inc. Patronis Brothers, Inc. Jimmy T. and Helen C. Patronis Preble-Rish, Inc. Pyrolysis Tech, LLC Regions Bank Resort Collection C. W. Roberts Contracting, Inc. WestRock Skinner Tax Consulting, Inc. Society of American Military Engineers Panama City Post Stantec Summit Bank Walsingham Investments, LLC James L. and Frances M. Wood

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT’S CLUB (10,000-24,999) Adam P. Arias Memorial Golf Tournament Margit A. Arias Bay County Chamber of Commerce/Junior Leadership Bay John J. Benton Century 21 Bay Brokers Council Charles W. Clary Lorenzo N. and Nancy N. Dantzler Ecological Resource Consultants, Inc. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 130 Ruth S. Glenn Patrick D. Greany and Jonita E. Stepp-Greany Hancock Bank Isaac W. Byrd Family Foundation, Inc. ITT Excelis, Inc. Jimmy T. Patronis, Jr. Campaign John A. Centrone Memorial Scholarship Fund JR Foods, Inc. Terri-Jo Kennedy Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. L-3 Communications Marine Maintenance of Bay County, Inc. Lesley L. Miller Panama City Jr. Woman’s Club Panama City Downtown Rotary Club Jimmy T. and Katie L. Patronis Gregory E. and Janna Pape Register’s Enterprises of Bay County, LLC Reynolds Smith and Hills, Inc. Sallie Mae, Inc.

Kenneth L. and Ann K. Shaw Jerry F. and Mary S. Sowell John G. Starling Sussex-Bay Foundation TECO Peoples Gas Company Elizabeth J. Walters Leon L. and Glenda J. Walters Caroline R. and David P. Windham Edward N. and June G. Wright

Charley A. and JoAn Gramling Granite Construction Company Gulf Coast State College Foundation HealthSouth Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Hospital Hutchison Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. Charles S. Isler Shirley G. Jackson + JRA Architects, Inc. CHARTER CLUB Michael S. Kennedy ( $5,000-$9,999) Key Electrical Supply, Inc. AAF Panama City Applied Research Associates, Inc. Lamar Advertising Robert C. and Kathleen T. Lacher ARINC Stephen P. and Linda C. Leach Bay Solutions Wayne G. and Rhonda G. Lindsey Nicole P. Barefield Robert F. and Patricia Barnard Thomas O. and Margarita I. Myers Barron & Redding Nichols & Associates of Bay County Correction Bay County, Inc. Facility - CCA Office Max Bay County Land and Panama City Beach Convention & Abstract Company Visitors Bureau, Inc. Bay County Sheriff’s Office Panama City Toyota Scion Bay Walk-In Clinic, Inc. Pilot Club of Panama City Allan G. and Tonie L. Bense Michael W. Reed Beverly J. Bland William B. Robinson John L. Bozarth Harriet B. Rosborough Burke, Blue, Hutchison, Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q Walters & Smith, P.A. Spartacus Marketing Consultants, Inc. Captain Anderson’s Restaurant Sun Harbor Marina Melissa A. and Rufus G. Carlton Consumer Credit Counseling Service Sunshine Piping, Inc. SunTrust Bank George N. DePuy and Trustmark National Bank Kathleen L. Valentine WellsFargo Neal P. and Leah O. Dunn Wildcat Creek Educational Emerald Coast Association Center, Inc. + for Behavioral Analysis + Farrell Realty & Insurance Agency WJHG-TV First American Title Insurance Company

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SEMINOLE SIGHTINGS

2015 FSU PANAMA CITY ANNUAL DINNER THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

1 2 3 4 5 48 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

1. Mercedes Ardley-Madrid, Jessica Haley, Crystal Figlinski, Alex Hall and Elizabeth Rios 2. Mick McAlister, Sabrina McAlister, Jean Thrasher, FSU President John Thrasher 3. Ryan Mason 4. Barbara Robinson, Dean Carol Edwards, Lisa Walters 5. John Thrasher, Caroline Jackson

GOLD SPONSORS Drs. Riyad and Rashda Albibi Community Bank Dr. James T. Cook III GAC Contractors Gulf Coast State College Foundation Gulf Power Company HealthSouth Emerald Coast Rehabilitation Hospital Innovations Federal Credit Union Skinner Tax Consulting The St. Joe Company Summit Bank/Neal and Leah Dunn Sunshine Piping, Inc. Tyndall Federal Credit Union Elizabeth J. Walters, Leon L. Walters, and Dr. Glenda Walters WestRock

GARNET SPONSORS Applied Research Associates Ken Ayers SGC President Bay Solutions Berg Steel Pipe Centennial Bank Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort ERA Neubauer, Inc. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. Kerigan Marketing Associates McNell Carrol Engineering/ Sugar Sands The News Herald, Port St. Joe Star, Holmes County Times-Advertiser & Washington County News Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union Jimmy Patronis Jennifer and Arianos Polous Preble-Rish, Inc. Representative Jay Trumbull Select Specialty Hospital Trustmark Bank VBA Designs, Inc. WOW! Business

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

SEMINOLE SIGHTINGS

2 6 TH A N N U A L FSU PANAMA CITY GOLF INVITATIONAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

1 3

2 4 6 1.

5 7

Rick Holt, Wes Burnam, Paul Wohlford 5. Victoria Williams and Justin Perryman and Jon Ward 6. Floyd Skinner and Charles Voorhis 2. Coach Bobby Bowden and Ray Walker 7. Kristopher McLane, Lance Allison, 3. Scott Campbell, Dustin Stoksbary, ChrisThomas and Richard Holt Mickey Mabre and Joey Ginn 4. Jim Allen, Clint Mizell, Darren Golema and Frank Hall

TOURNAMENT SPONSORS AT&T Centennial Bank TOURNAMENT SOCIAL SPONSOR Firefly GOLFER GIFT Tyndall Federal Credit Union BREAKFAST SPONSOR Waffle House LUNCH SPONSOR Sonny’s BBQ HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS Hattie Marine Services Summit Bank PREMIERE HOLE SPONSORS Miss Newby’s Shuckums PCB Cigars HOLE SPONSORS Burleson Wealth Management Edgewater Beach Resort GAC Contractors Gulf Power Granite Plus Harrison Sale McCloy Harley Restaurant Group Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Ron Phillips/Granite Plus Pinnacle Housing Group Rainbow International RCM Interiors Reliant South Segers, Sowell, Stewart, Johnson and Brill, PA Select Specialty Hospital The St. Joe Company Skinner Tax Consulting Walsingham Management GARNET & GOLD SPONSORS Community Bank Carol and Joe Edwards Neal and Leah Dunn HealthSouth Nichols and Associates

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2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

1

2

3 SEMINOLE SIGHTINGS

1.

Evgeniya Stetsenko and Charone 5.

Leonard 6.

2. Once alumni, always alumni 3. Lauren Broadwell, Faith Woerner and 7.

Olivia Banks 4. Michaelean Stewart, Lorne Brinson and Grace Watford

6 50 | 2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

4 ALUMNIGHTS

Connie Warren and James Warren Julia Chrencik, Russ Chrencik and Cam Ford Elizabeth Rios, Julia Chrencik, Sarina Di Calogero, Taylor Dorrough, Mary Sue Woodruff and Sabrina McAlister

5

7

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

1

2

SEMINOLE SIGHTINGS

3

1. Amy Chen, Catie Feeney and Mike Wallace 2. Margaret Neubauer, Tom Neubauer and Michelle Ginn 3. Interim Dean Randy Hanna 4. Tanya Deal, Nicole Barefield and Pamela Kidwell 5. Jason Crowe, Kristopher McLane,

WELCOMING THE DEAN RECEPTION

Randal Hamilton, Carlton Ulmer and Trey Hutt 6. Bob Flemming, Judy Flemming, Mary Beth Lovingood, John Robbins, Gail Robbins and Don Crisp 7. Brittany Trumbull and Tem Fontaine

4

5 6

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Thank YOU

for RAISING THE TORCH for FSU PANAMA CITY FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY PANAMA CITY pc.fsu.edu | 850. 872.4750

NO DREAM TOO BIG

Business administration alumna pursues career in the beauty industry B Y S A N D R A d e A R R I G U N AG A

J

amie Lynch proves no dream is too big if you work hard.

After graduating with a degree in business administration from FSU Panama City in 2015, Lynch went on to pursue her dream of working in the beauty industry. She is now the youngest person working for Redken 5th Ave, a professional hair care brand owned

by L’Oreal.

Transferring from a private university in New York, Lynch enjoyed FSU Panama City's hands-on teaching style. On her first day, she was forced out of her comfort zone to make a presentation about herself in Dr. Leslie Lipton’s business communication course.

“This is something that absolutely terrified me because I’m naturally an extremely shy person,” Lynch said.

“My face gets beet red if I have to be in front of people for any reason.”

Throughout the course, she became more comfortable with public speaking, which helped her career.

“At my job I have to be in front of people and make multiple presentations a week. If it wasn’t for all of my hands-on classes I would have never been able to do this,” she said.

To succeed in a competitive market, Lynch completed three internships while pursing her degree. She was an editorial intern at Daily Makeover in New York City, a beauty intern at Seventeen Magazine and interned with College Fashionista, where produced online news articles and street-style fashion blog posts.

While in college she began Allthingzglam, a beauty

Photo @allthingzglam1

Don’t ever let anyone one tell you that your dreams are too big. Whatever it is that you want in your life, you can achieve it as long as you put in the work. and fitness YouTube channel. Her beauty vlogger and internship experiences reinforced her desire to use her business degree in the beauty industry.

At Redken 5th Ave, Lynch markets new and existing United States product launches. Working with the creative department, her team creates and executes advertising materials related to the brand.

Lynch credits hard work for her success.

“Don’t ever let anyone one tell you that your dreams are too big,” she said. “Whatever it is that you want in your life, you can achieve it as long as you put in the work.”

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Legacy

FSU PANAMA CITY

Walk

TOUR EXPLORES CAMPUS TRADITIONS

I

S TO R Y & I L LU S T R AT I O N

BY ERIN CHAFFIN

5

6

4

n 2015, Florida State University Panama City began its first phase of the Legacy Walk, a historic campus tour that focuses on architecture, sculptures, green spaces and Seminole influences.

Guiding visitors throughout the campus, plaques with important information are located at intervals along the walk.

The walk begins with the “Everlasting Flame” — a Seminole pattern representing the symbolic passing on of knowledge — and concludes with “Community Fire” — a gathering place for students to share educational, social and civic experiences.

The second phase of the Legacy Walk, projected to begin in spring 2017, will feature a newly established FSU Panama City brick program. Students, alumni and friends will be able to celebrate their Seminole pride by purchasing a personalized commemorative brick. The bricks will then be placed along the walkway between the Holley Academic Center and Barron Building.

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START HERE

7 3

2 8 10

1 FUTURE HOME OF THE BRICK PROGRAM

9 PC.FSU.EDU | 55

FSU PANAMA CITY LEGACY WALK PHASE 1 STOP 1: EVERLASTING FLAME The diamond brick pattern in the front of the Holley Academic Center represents the Seminole story of the everlasting flame. In the story, the gods gave fire to the chief, who shared the flame with the rest of the community. The ideas of the flame and community harmonize with western thinking about education and the passing on of knowledge throughout the university.

STOP 3: VETERANS HALL The Veterans Hall is located on the second floor of the Holley Academic Center. Adjacent to the hall is the James Skinner and Cameron Skinner Veterans Study Room, a quiet space for veterans, dependents and friends to study and relax, which was dedicated in 2013.

STOP 2: ECLIPTIC Located in the Holley Academic Center Allan G. Bense Atrium, “Ecliptic” is a ceramic tile assemblage created by artist Chris Gryder in 2009. The work pays tribute to the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the sun and the ocean’s relation to the horizon.

STOP 4: STEEL CONNECTIONS This tree-like structure illustrates the most common methods of steel framing and their connections in modern construction. Located between the Holley Academic Center and the Bland Conference Center, the teaching aid was donated to the Civil Engineering program by E&H Steel Corporation in 2016.

STOP 5: BLAND MEMORIAL TREE Planted in 2014 in memory of Dr. Larson “Larry” Bland, this orange tree represents the cheerful and giving spirit of the first dean of FSU Panama City.

STOP 6: FOUR CROSSED LOGS Located at the Holley Academic Center back patio, this brick pattern originates from the Seminole tradition of searching for a better place for the community to live. Once scouts found a suitable place, they would leave a marked trail of four crossed logs to lead the rest of the tribe. The pattern notes the responsibility of each member of the academic community to make a path to a new place and to bring others along.

56 | TORCH

STOP 7: LIPTON MEMORIAL TREE This tree was planted in 2016 in memory of Dr. Leslie Lipton, an adjunct professor with the College of Business at FSU Panama City.

STOP 8: MABELLE BERGER BENTON MEMORIAL The landscaping between the Technology and Office buildings was made possible by long-time donor Dr. John Benton in memory of his mother, Mabelle Berger Benton.

The space celebrates Mabelle’s love of gardening while providing a beautiful space for students to enjoy as they walk to class.

STOP 9: SUPER CHIEF Super Chief is an art installation that welcomes visitors from the Barron Building entrance. The welded and painted steel structure was created by sculptor Mac Whitney and commissioned through the Florida Art in State Buildings program in 1987.

FSU PANAMA CITY BRICK PROGRAM PHASE 2 In spring 2017, the second phase of the Legacy Walk will begin a new tradition — a commemorative brick program. Alumni, students and friends of FSU Panama City can leave a lasting legacy with a personalized brick inscribed with their name and graduation year.

•

Bricks cost $200 and all proceeds benefit campus enrichment.

•

Legacy bricks will be permanently installed in the courtyard between the Holley Academic Center and the Barron Building.

•

Brick purchases are 100 percent tax deductible and covered by a lifetime warranty.

STOP 10: COMMUNITY FIRE The community fire was an essential part of life for the native Seminoles, offering a source of light, warmth and food preparation. It also served as a centerpiece to the village, cleansing and renewing social relationships.

Located at the east entrance of the Holley Academic Center, this place gives students the opportunity to share their educational, social and civic experiences like the fire at the center of a traditional Seminole village.

For more information about the FSU Panama City legacy brick program or to purchase call 850-770-2168 or email alumni@pc.fsu.edu.

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“ THIS EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME THAT IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, NEVER GIVE UP ON IT, NO MAT TER WHAT.”

Flying

HIGH

Recreation, Tourism & Events student performs with the FSU circus

58 | TORCH

environment science and policy as well as a certificate in urban and regional planning.

While exploring employment opportunities in parks and recreation, Quarrie realized she wanted to know more about the recreation field and reapplied to FSU after learning about the bachelor’s degree in recreation, tourism and events offered at the Panama City campus.

BY ERIN CHAFFIN

W

ith a lot of hard work and perseverance, dreams can come true.

Recreation, tourism and events student Sosonia (Sosie) Quarrie knew from a young age she wanted to be in the FSU circus.

“The first time I saw the FSU Flying High Circus I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Photo by Sarah Sweat “Sosie is such a vibrant, involved and

While in high school, the south Florida native took a college tour of Florida State and knew she had found her place. “I walked around campus and felt like I was at home. When you get that feeling, you shouldn’t ignore it,” she said. “FSU was the only Florida college I applied to. I was so ecstatic when I got in.”

Determined to be part of the Flying High Circus, she auditioned but didn’t make the final cut. Undeterred, she joined the production team. “I never gave up. I worked hard, trained throughout the year and auditioned one more time,” Quarrie said.

The hard work paid off, and she eventually became part of the Bicycle Built for Five act.

During her time at the circus, Quarrie has been a part of the Triple Trapeze as well as a production manager. “Both acts are big on teamwork,” she said. “Everyone has to come together as a team to put on the most amazing performance they can.”

Involved with the FSU Flying High Circus camp for the past five years, she completed fieldwork for her major with the camp last summer. “This camp is by far the best and most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” she said. “I love working with kids and doing fun and unique activities.” Children age 7-17 work on the same acts performed by the FSU performers, such as the flying trapeze and juggling.

Having called FSU home for the past eight years, Quarrie has bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies and

exuberant student,” recreation, tourism and events instructor Donna Trafford said. “As her advisor for the Garnet and Gold Scholar Society, I know she’s a good student as well. She’s a leader among her peers.”

Because the majority of RTE courses are offered online, Quarrie has spent the her time in Tallahassee working for the Florida State University Reservation (The Rez), performing with the circus and volunteering for Dance Marathon at FSU. She began commuting to FSU Panama City this fall.

“I’m in love with the campus so far,” Quarrie said. “The first thing I went crazy over the view of the water at the back of campus. It’s beautiful!”

Wanting to be involved on the Panama City campus, Quarrie joined the Panhandlers Club, a student organization that explores the Florida Panhandle through hiking excursions and paddling trips.

“Sosie is tremendously committed to her field,” recreation, tourism and events instructor John Crossley, Ph.D., said.

“She highly involved, particularly with anything to do with natural resources.”

Planning to graduate in May 2017, the next step is to move to Nashville. “I went there for the first time last summer and fell in love with it. It felt just like when I toured FSU – like home,” she said.

Quarrie’s heart remains with the circus. “The FSU Circus has become my home away from home,” she said. “This experience has really brought something out of me and taught me that if you want something, never give up on it, no matter what.”

Photo by Bryant Villasana

SHE FLIES THROUGH THE AIR WITH THE GREATEST OF EASE: Recreation, tourism and events student Sosie Quarrie (top, right) performs the Triple Trapeze aerial act for the FSU Flying High Circus.

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Photo by Kevin Gans | Gans Photo + Cinema

Nuptials for ’Noles B Y B E C K Y K E L LY Navy veteran Patrick Stewart ’15 was focused on getting his education and didn’t have plans to meet or marry anyone while studying at FSU Panama City. A month after meeting Michaelean Dyer ’14 in “Introduction to Recreation, Tourism and Events” (LEI 3004), plans changed. He had found “the one.”

“She was a bit of a distraction during that class, but we both managed to still get an A,” Stewart said.

Stewart majored in recreation, tourism and events (RTE) and minored in communication, while Dyer majored in communication and minored in RTE. “Dating a classmate was fun,” Dyer said.

“It gave me that extra urge to want to go to that 8 a.m. class. We were able to study together and work on projects while still spending time with each other.”

Both were hired within a week of each other at the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, with Stewart as sports marketing and special events coordinator, and Dyer as marketing coordinator.

Out of school and established in a good career, Stewart secretly began saving for a ring. He even went the extra mile to distract her, buying a boat a week before proposing.

“I wanted a boat, and I knew that buying

one would make her think that I wouldn’t be buying a ring anytime soon,” Stewart said.

Stewart proposed during an evening walk on the beach where they had their first kiss.

Along the way, they passed a staged romantic scene with a sign that read “Amy, will you marry me?” Once they passed, friends and family accomplices switched the name on the sign to say Michaelean, leaving it facedown as if it had fallen over.

“Knowing the person she is, I knew that she would have to go fix the sign before ‘Amy’ showed up and the proposal was ruined,” Stewart said.

Dyer picked up the sign, noticing the new name, and turned to see Stewart on one knee holding the ring.

“I still can’t remember what I said to her,” Stewart recalled. “I prepared a great proposal and when the time came, I couldn’t remember a word.”

The two married May 14, 2016, three years after they first met.

“I really had no intention of meeting anyone nor did I have a plan of getting married anytime soon,” Stewart said.

“I guess the right person changes everything.”

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’NOLE NOTES ENGAGED ’NOLES

2011

TAYLOR DORROUGH (’15) & JEFF MADISON (’15) Walking across the graduation stage a year ago, two Seminoles soon will walk down the aisle.

Jeff Madison and Taylor Dorrough, both graduates of the Business Administration program, will marry Sept. 30, 2017, in Destin.

“Ultimately, neither of us ever imagined meeting the love of our life in a finance college class,” Taylor said. “We are so blessed to have everything that has been given to us. Everything truly does happen for a reason.”

The two met in 2014 in a class of six students where the seating was intimate enough to spark a handful of short conversations. By the next semester, Jeff and Taylor were dating.

“There were and still are a lot of

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things that make me gravitate towards Taylor,” Jeff said. “A few that stick out the most though are her personality, sense of humor, how easy she is to talk to and that we have so much in common.”

KATIE HAIR (B.S., Elementary Education) celebrated her engagement to Bay County native Brandon McKenzie on Aug. 6, 2016. Katie teaches fifth grade at Patronis Elementary.

Jeff proposed on the beach in Destin on May 7.

“We were looking out at the gulf talking when all of the sudden Jeff grabs my hand and gets down on one knee,” Taylor said. “The two of us went to dinner, then Jeff had a surprised engagement party planned after at my parents’ house with both of our families and our favorite out of town relatives. It will always be a night to remember.”

The couple plans to remain in Northwest Florida, where they will start a business and a nonprofit organization for adults with disabilities.

— by Jacqueline Bostick

2015 JAMES DURHAM (B.S. Professional Communication) proposed to ALINA KALPOV (B.S. Professional Communication) on Sept. 8, 2016. James is a sales manager at Sequence Fitness and founder of TBI One Love. Alina is a manager for Maui Waves Surf Shop.

’NOLE NOTES NEWEST ’NOLES

DO YOU HAVE NEWS? Tell us at torch@pc.fsu.edu or #fsupcalumni

ALUMNI NEWS 2000

2012 KALAB HOOVER (‘12, B.S. Criminology, ‘14 B.S. Public Safety and Security Law Enforcement Operations) and LINDSEY (GODDIN) HOOVER (‘12 B.S. Criminology and B.S. Psychology) both work for the State of Florida.

They were married in 2014 and are expecting their first child in 2017.

JASON CROWE (’00, B.S. Business Administration, ’04, MBA) was promoted to Florida Market President for Community Bank.

2005 TED RANDALL (B.S. Psychology) moved back to Panama City and is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

He plans to eventually start a private practice in Bay County.

2014 ADRIAN BROWNING (B.S. Social Science Interdisciplinary) has been teaching for two years, recently purchased a new home and will complete a master’s degree in Educational Leadership in February.

2015

Photo by Dena Powell Everyday Moments Photography 2013 KRISTIN EVANS (M.S. Corporate and Public Communication, graduate certificate in event management) and husband Chad welcomed daughter Courtney Kristin Evans on Aug. 29, 2016.

TAYLOR DORROUGH (B.S. Business Administration) was engaged to JEFF MADISON (B.S. Business Administration) on May 7, 2016. The wedding is set for Sept. 30, 2017. Dorrough plans to complete a master’s degree in Corporate and Public Communication from Florida State University Panama City in May 2017.

PATRICK STEWART (B.S. Recreation, Tourism & Events) is the sports marketing and

special event coordinator for the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Stewart married MICHAELEAN (DRYER) STEWART (B.S. Professional Communication) on May 14, 2016. Michaelean is a marketing coordinator for Visit Panama City Beach.

FACULTY NEWS HAFIZ AHMAD, PH.D., P.E., (CIVIL ENGINEERING), KORHAN ADALIER, PH.D, (CIVIL ENGINEERING) and Civil Engineering graduate students BRANDON MADDEN and DOUGLAS BROWN’s paper “Phenol removal from water using biochar and activated carbon from Albizia: an invasive plant evaluation” won second place for Outstanding Paper Award at the Eighth Annual International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology in June 2016 in Houston, Texas.

JOHN BAILEY, PH.D., (PSYCHOLOGY), and M.R. Burch published “Ethics for Behavior Analysts,” Third Edition, New York: Routledge, Inc. in 2016. Bailey gave invited address “Dealing with realworld dilemmas regularly met in practice” at the 10th Annual Conference of the PSI Division of Behavior Analysis at the National University of Ireland on June 10, 2016, in Maynooth, Ireland.

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‘NOLE NOTES MELISSA CARLTON, M.S., PH.D. CANDIDATE ’16, (COMPUTER SCIENCE), Y. Levy, M. Ramim, and S. Terrell presented “Development of the MyCyberSkills iPad app: A scenarios-based, hands-on measure of non-IT professionals’ cybersecurity skills” at the Proceedings of the 10th Pre-ICIS Workshop on Information Security and Privacy on Dec. 13, 2015, in Fort Worth, Texas. Carlton and Y. Levy presented “Expert assessment of the top platform independent cybersecurity skills of non-IT professionals” at the Proceedings of the 2015 IEEE SoutheastCon on April 9-12, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

PARMJEET COBB, PH.D., (MATHEMATICS), received the 2015 Office of Distance Learning Excellence in Online Teaching award and the 2015 Office of Distance Learning Excellence in Online Teaching Online Course Design award from Florida State University. Cobb received the Valdosta State University’s Math and Computer Science Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015.

LYNETTE GRANDISON, PH.D., (SOCIAL WORK), was hired as social work resident faculty in fall 2016.

BANYON PELHAM, M.S., (PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY), presented the Chief’s Award at the Florida Police Chief’s Association’s 64th Annual Summer Training Conference & Exposition from July 31 to Aug. 3, 2016, at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs,

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Florida. Pelham attended the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Information Services Annual Training Symposium in July 2016 in ChampionsGate, Florida, and the Institute of Police Technology’s Deviant Sexual Behavior and Related Criminal Activity training Aug. 8-12, 2016, in Jacksonville, Florida.

CHARLA PERDUE, M.S., (PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY), attended and spoke at the 56th annual Florida Division of the International Association of Identification in October 2015 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Perdue also attended a Field Methods Training Course at the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center Research Facility (known as The Body Farm) in June 2016.

ROSEMARY PRINCE, M.S., CPRP (EVENT MANAGEMENT), received the Florida Recreation and Park Association’s Distinguished Service Award on Aug. 31, 2016.

CRISTINA RIOS, M.S., (ELEMENTARY EDUCATION), attended the American Association of French Teachers’ Annual Convention July 3-6, 2016, in Austin, Texas.

CARR SMITH, PH.D., DABT, (NURSE ANESTHESIA), presented “Comparison of lung tumor formation in mice and rats, analysis of 58 agents tested via inhalation by NTP” to the European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society on Aug. 15, 2016, at the University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

JOHN SMITH, PH.D., (ENTOMOLOGY), presented “Comparative repellency of commercial products against aedes aegypti utilizing the K&D in vitro bioassay system” at the 63rd Annual Meeting Entomological Society of America Nov. 15-18, 2015, in Minneapolis. Smith was the workshop coordinator and speaker for the Mosquito Control Entomology Workshop on Dec. 7, 2015, at FSU Panama City and the Northwest Florida Mosquito Control Workshop March 9-10, 2016, at FSU Panama City. Smith was event moderator and presented “Exploiting the K&D in vitro bioassay system for evaluating new mosquito control product” at the Eighth Annual Meeting American Mosquito Control Association Feb. 7-11, 2016, in Savannah, Georgia. Smith presented “Mosquito repellent research at Florida State University” at the International Congress of Entomology Sept. 23-30, 2016, in Orlando, Florida. Smith has contributed to “Weekly Panhandle Mosquito, Arbovirus, Precipitation and River Reports” since 2002.

THOMAS STEGEMAN, M.S., (ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING), was hired as electrical engineering resident faculty in fall 2016.

TYLER TOWNE, M.S., (PSYCHOLOGY, PH.D. CANDIDATE ’16), was hired as psychology resident faculty in fall 2016.

GANG-RYUNG UH, PH.D., (COMPUTER SCIENCE), was hired as computer science resident faculty in fall 2016.

‘NOLE NOTES STACEY VANDYKE, DNP, CRNA (NURSE ANESTHESIA), was named program administrator for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program at FSU Panama City in August 2016.

She received the University of Alabama’s distinguished School of Nursing’s 2016 Jo Ann Barnett Alumni Award for Compassionate Care in Clinical Care in October 2016.

UNIVERSITY TEACHING AWARDS The University Teaching Awards program recognizes faculty for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching. This is a student-oriented award with nominations submitted by students and alumni.

The following faculty were nominated for 2016: • Teaching nominees: Korhan Adalier, Ph.D., P.E., (Civil Engineering); Hafiz Ahmad, Ph.D., (Civil Engineering); Harry “Al” Murphy, Ph.D., (Psychology); and Michael Wallace, Ph.D., (Communication) • Distinguished Teacher Nominees: Sandra Halvorson, Ph.D., (Communication); and Kelley Kline, Ph.D. (Psychology)

STUDENT GOVERNMENT COUNCIL AWARDS Each year, the FSU Panama City Student Government Council recognizes Florida State University Panama City students, faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to help students program the campus. For the 2015-

PROVOST’S 90% LIST The Provost’s 90% list recognizes instructors who receive outstanding teaching evaluations at the end of each semester.

Student evaluations of teaching are a measure of student satisfaction and confidence. Excellent student evaluations are indicative that students feel they are receiving a high-quality educational experience.

FALL 2015: Elizabeth Bailey, M.S. Jerome Barnes, Ph.D. Melissa Carlton, M.S. Suzanne Clark, M.S.W. James Dever, Ph.D. Nikki Dickens, BCBA Kevin Elliot, M.S. Kevin Ervin, M.S. Rifat Fatema, Ph.D. Lynn Givens, M.Ed. Sandra Halvorson, Ph.D. Daniel Hinz, MBA Lucas Hopkins, Ph.D. Dorothy Imperial, Ph.D. Charles Jordan, DBA Kelley Kline, Ph.D. Stan Lindsay, Ph.D. Leslie Lipton, Ph.D. Denise Montford, M.S.W. Jeff Paterson, Ph.D. Carr Smith, Ph.D., DABT Milinda Stephenson, Ph.D. Charles Vacchiano, Ph.D., CRNA FAAN Michael Wallace, Ph.D. Michael Zinszer, Ed.S. 2016 school year, the Student Government Council recognized the following recipients for: • Faculty Member of the Year: Michael Wallace, Ph.D. • Adjunct of the Year: Leslie Lipton, Ph.D. • Staff Member of the Year: Casey Lathem • President’s Choice Awards: Carol Edwards, Ph.D., and Trina Jackson • Coram’s Spirit of Service

SPRING 2016: Hafiz Ahmad, Ph.D., P.E. Jerome Barnes, Ph.D. Parmjeet Cobb, Ph.D. Rebecca Hall-Cary, M.S. Kevin Elliot, M.S. Sandra Halvorson, Ph.D. Lucas Hopkins, Ph.D. Clay Hughes, Ph.D. Dorothy Imperial, Ph.D. Charles Jordan, DBA Al Murphy, Ph.D. Charla Perdue, M.S. Nicholas Quinton, Ph.D. Cristina Rios, M.Ed. Donna Trafford, M.S. Chris Thomes, M.S. Michael Wallace, Ph.D. Jennifer Wilson, M.S.

• • •

•

Award: Brenda Distasi, Waffle House Registered Student Organization of the Year: Communication Club RSO Advisor of the Year: Trina Jackson Student Government Council Representative of the Year: Mercedes ArdleyMadrid Brandon Harmon Spirit Award: Alexandria Hall

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SPEAR IN THE SAND: Seminole pride on our sandy beaches. To see community and student life photos of your hometown university, visit FSU Panama City's Storify page at storify.com/fsupc.

This is your story. Tag your photos, tweets and updates with #fsupc to be featured.

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