USF Alumni Assoc. AlumniVoice_Oct08.pdf

OCTOBER-2008 a p u bl ic at ion by & f or u sf a l um ni a s s o c i at ion m e m be rs

True Bull-ievers

In the Driver’s Seat

For NHRA Summit Series Champ Dave Scigliuto, `83, drag racing is a family affair. PG 18

SuperBull XII

Come back to campus for all the Homecoming 2008 fun and games.

PG 21

Knowlege-A-Bull

You know the players’ stats, but do you know their favorite movies or shoe sizes?

Take our quiz and find out. PG 36

c Voting for the Coach of the Year is a snap and so is saving on your car insurance.

You could save hundreds of dollars a year on your car and home insurance. Call 800-317-3502 for a free no-obligation rate quote, and find out about the special group discount you could receive just for being a University of South Florida alum.* While you’re scoring savings, cast your vote for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year.

Last year nearly a million fans voted for the football coach they thought best demonstrated responsibility, integrity and excellence, on and off the field.

Be part of this year’s action by visiting coachoftheyear.com/savings.

This organization recieves financial support for allowing Liberty Mutual to offer this auto and home insurance program. *Discounts and credits are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. In Texas, coverage provided and underwritten

by Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 2100 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX. A consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and/or motor vehicle report on all drivers listed on your policy may be obtained where state laws and regulations allow. ©2008 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

JULY 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 7

CONTENTS FEATURES

10

18

21

28

18 A Need for Speed Weekdays, David Scigliuto, a Class of `83 Philosophy grad, is a white-collar wealth manager. But on the weekends, he has a need for speed and the trophies to prove it.

21 We Got Spirit, Yes We Do! Some of us more than others. We’ll show you fans who wear their Bull Pride on their skin and on their ride.

Plus, everything you need to know about SuperBull XII – Homecoming 2008!

28 USF MBA & AAA CEO If you’ve ever used AAA Auto Club South’s roadside assistance, travel service or insurance, CEO Tom O’Brien, Class of `68 & MBA `05, says “Thanks for your business.”

26

37

36

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S L L U GO B DEPARTMENTS

2008 g n i m o Homec

2 3 4 4 7 9 10

President’s Message USF Spotlight Letters to the Editor Where’s Rocky?

News Roundup Member Benefit Q&A

12 26 27 30 36 37

Chapters & Societies Blast from the Past That was Then; This is Now Class Notes Athletics Calendar

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 1

Alumni Voice USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ALC100 Tampa, Florida 33620 alumni@admin.usf.edu USFalumni.org

president’s message

Alumni Voice magazine is published four times a year in January, April, July and October by and for members of the USF Alumni Association. A $40 membership fee includes Alumni Voice magazine as a member benefit.

Alumni Voice Editorial Karla Jackson, kjackson@admin.usf.edu or Rita Kroeber, rkroeber@admin.usf.edu Advertising: Jim Gundry, profnet@aol.com or 813-286-8299; Rita Kroeber, rkroeber@admin.usf.edu or 813-974-6312 Design: Marilyn Stephens, University Communications & Marketing Contributing Writers in this Issue: • Mia Faucher • Kathy L. Greenberg • Jeffrey Jones • Dan Millott Alumni Association Contact Information Executive Director: John Harper, `76 Membership: 813-974-2100 or 800-299-BULL Alumni & Student Programs: 813-974-2100 General Alumni e-mail: alumni@admin.usf.edu Giving/Scholarships: Ron Sherman, rsherman@admin.usf.edu USF Bulls License Plate: BullsPlate.org Alumni Association website: USFalumni.org Letters to the editor are encouraged.

Please write to Karla Jackson at kjackson@admin.usf.edu or mail to the address at the top of the page. Views expressed in Alumni Voice do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the editorial staff.

New Address? Moving?

Update your official USF alumni record at myUSFbio.org or e-mail your information to alumni@admin.usf.edu. You also may remove the magazine label and send it with your correct address to Alumni Voice, USF Alumni Association, 4202 East Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620. © 2008 All rights reserved.

ALUMNIVOICE | | OCTOBER OCTOBER 2008 2008 2 ALUMNIVOICE

Hello Fellow Alumni, Homecoming is a tradition built for us. It’s a great opportunity for us to reconnect with old friends and our alma mater. If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa campus in a while, you have much to see. There’s progress and pride everywhere you turn. Be sure to visit the new 300,000-square-foot Marshall Center. It’s a showcase student union unlike anything you’ve seen before.

More important than infrastructure and size is the growing national recognition of USF. Go to any city in the U.S. wearing a USF shirt or logo, and someone will surely flash you the “Go Bulls!” horns. This visibility comes from the national prominence of our athletic teams, our academic research, our students and faculty and – most importantly – from you, the USF alumni members. If you read the Class Notes section at the end of this magazine, you’ll see how USF alumni are excelling in so many professions. And you are a member of this special community.

If you’ve been away for a while, I encourage you to use Homecoming as a means to reconnect with the University. Plan now to come back to campus on Oct. 17 and visit the Alumni Center – the lawn in front is the best spot to watch the Homecoming Parade.

Your kids will love it! On game day, be sure to attend the Bulls Roast Tailgate Party that starts three hours prior to kickoff at Raymond James Stadium, then stay to watch the Bulls squeeze the Syracuse Orange. Bulls Roast sold out last year – don’t wait to get your tickets. Visit USFalumni.org.

The Alumni Association’s mission is to “Connect Alumni, Support Students and Strengthen USF.” Our programs, events and communications are designed to help you stay current and build pride and loyalty to USF. We appreciate all of your support and involvement. If you want more information on how you can help build our legacy, please visit USFalumni.org or call 813-974-2100 or 800-299-BULL (2855).

GO BULLS!

Michele Norris, `79

ACT Committee

The purpose of the Alumni Connection Team (ACT) Committee is to advise staff and volunteers on how to engage alumni with the University via volunteer opportunities by means of continuing education, networking, career services, alumni scholarships, chapters and societies, international alumni liaisons and USF Ambassador programming.

The committee promotes USF Homecoming activities, as well as other tradition-building and tradition-keeping events and programs.The ACT Committee also reviews petitions for new chapters and societies, as well as implements the President’s Roundtable.

Ultimately, the mission of the ACT Committee is to set attainable goals that will enhance the alumni experience while increasing revenue for the Association.

Volunteers with the ACT Committee are responsible for recruiting new committee members, obtaining new Association memberships, attending events, registering on the USF alumni website and on inCircle, the Bulls Country Network, promoting brand recognition by wearing “spirit” items whenever appropriate and helping to build the alumni association’s sponsorship programs.

�

USF spotlight

University of South Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors ­— President — Michele Norris, `79 Marketing

— PRESIDENT-ELECT — Roger Frazee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CPA, `71 Finance & Accounting

— SECRETARY — Patrick Poff, Esq., `92 English

— Co-TREASURERS — Marie Edmonson, CPA, CFE, `88 Accounting, M.A. `90 Accountancy Brad Kelly, CPA, `79 Accounting

— IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT — Jeff Spalding, `87 Computer Science & Engineering

— Board Members — Brandon Aldridge, `88 Communication Janice Sands Ash, P.E.,`87 Engineering Science, M.S. `89 Civil Engineering Gene Balter, P.E.`77 B.S. Engineering Angie Brewer, `82 Management, M.S. `84 Management Shaye Benfield, `97 Marketing Bill Eickhoff, `69 Business & MBA `73 James Gossett, `98 Business Gene Haines, `97 Criminology Lizz Harmon, `82 Mass Communications/Advertising Charley Harris, Esq., `87 Business Richard Heruska, `99 Business Anila Jain, M.D., MBA `81 Biology Mike LaPan, CFE `81 Management Mark Levine, Esq.,`74 Psychology Victor Lucas, `85 Management Diana Michel, `88 Business Jim Ragsdale, `81 Management Carla Saavedra, `87 English Jim Weber, `77 Finance & MBA `82 Derek Williams, CFP `00 Finance Christi Womack-Villalobos, `92 English

— NON-VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD —

USF Ambassadors from the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus show their spirit at a recent retreat at the Gibbons Alumni Center on the Tampa campus.

Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President John Harper, `76 Mass Comm., Alumni Association Executive Director Thomas King, Student Government Vice President Leslie “Les” Muma, `66 Mathematics, USF Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Elizabeth Pitts, USF Ambassadors President Jeff Robison, University Advancement Vice President OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 3

letters editor

to the

W

e asked you what you thought of Alumni Voice and boy, did you tell us! More than 500 members completed our online readership survey.

Your comments were encouraging and will be especially useful in helping us to build a magazine that’s a valuable benefit of your membership in the USF Alumni Association. We thought we’d share some of your comments, in addition to offering a hearty “Congratulations!” to Chris Maloney, `07, who won the readership survey drawing for a pair of Club seats to an upcoming Bulls football game. Go Bulls! - Editor n “I love the magazine as it is and I look forward to receiving it in the mail!”

n “How about “A Look Back,” where every year since USF began (pick one year per issue) it features pictures, snippets from the school newspaper, etc. You could have statistics, including how many people were attending USF that year, size of the graduating class, highlights from athletics, drama dept (something for every interest) related to that specific year.” n “Scholarship information and how the alumni can boost helping those in need, especially in this community, to receive a college education. The immediate areas around USF Tampa are in dire need. I am sure there are kids that really need help.” n “More information about networking opportunities. More information about how each college is doing (for example, the College of Business, the College of Engineering, etc.)

More information about how USF is ranking up against the other schools educationally in the nation.”

n “My daughters are planning to attend USF when they grow up, and it would be nice if there was a little Bull Pen for them. It might be trivia/game related to USF in order to build an understanding of what it means to be a Bull.”

n “I think there should be a career section on tips on how to land a job after graduation for young alumni. It’s very hard to get your foot in the door, especially with the economy now a days. So it would be very beneficial for new alumni.”

n “A section in the magazine that depicts USF alumni wearing their USF apparel in unique places: Niagara Falls, in front of The Leaning Tower of Pisa, etc.”

n “I would like it to talk more about networking for new alumni w/older alumni.”

See our Chapters & Societies section, pages 12 – 16. – Editor n “Maybe include a monthly highlight of one of the benefits that we get by being an alumni member. We all forget sometimes and we all might use more of the benefits if we were reminded.”

n “I love how this school is progressing, it’s so exciting.

Keep up the good work!” n “Appeal more to young alumni and students. The momentum the University has can help make the Alumni Association better by getting the new alumni committed to the idea of being proud USF alumni.”

We’ve debuted a new Featured Member Benefit page, see page 9. – Editor

rocky?

where’s

Take Rocky with you on your next trip.

Send your photos to: Karla Jackson at kjackson@admin.usf.edu or mail them to: USF Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

4 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

San Francisco Rocky hopped a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf while he was in San Francisco this summer for a meeting with members of the new San Francisco Alumni Chapter.

not just the business professionals. Write about teachers, artists, etc.”

n “I am trying to convince my granddaughter that USF is the place for her.

More up-to-date, hip themes would foster a convincing discussion.”

n “Highlight an alumnus in every issue based on region – East Coast, South, Midwest, Colorado Rockies, Northwest, Southwest, West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii – even international alumni. These 10 regions should be represented in each edition. I live in Los Angeles. I want to know who else is making a good name for the school. I’m sure alumni in the other regions would appreciate the same.”

n “Alumni job postings; alumni singles.” n “More USF athletics coverage so we can improve alumni attendance and support for the programs.” n “The academic improvement and breakthroughs should be just as important as the athletic achievement. In order to attract good quality students, both categories have to be exposed to the public.

Since I often display my copy in my office waiting room, one never knows who might be reading it.” n “It would be great to see regular information/sections about the St. Pete, Sarasota-Manatee, and Lakeland campuses.”

n “Maybe consider a “Marketplace” listing: items to sell, or seeking job opportunities, or a special low-priced advertising section for alumni entrepreneurs.” n “More insight on campus life/Greek life and alumni interaction, and other ways to get involved in school, not just Chris Maloney, `07, won a pair of club seat donating money.”

tickets to the USF vs. Kansas game in the n “I think you should continue to reach Alumni Voice Readership Survey drawing. n “I love reading about alumni memo-

out to show the success of grads. It seems that every article written demonstrates some really strong alumni, but you should show how they are impacting their fields all over the country and the world.” n “Not every alumni makes the big time, but I do believe all of us place big value on our USF experience and how is has played into the direction our lives have taken. How can you feature more about the ‘ordinary’ alumni?” n “You need to write more about the everyday alumni,

Pittsburgh Rocky caught up on the local news while he was visiting Pittsburgh with alumnus Mark Hafen, `92 & Ph.D `01.

ries. I’m always telling stories about USF.”

n “I think the magazine has improved in the last few years.

It was part of what influenced me to go back to USF for my Masters.” n “Loved the picture of Stephen King doing the Bull horns in the latest issue!”

We want to hear from you! Send your comments and insights to Alumni Voice Editor Karla Jackson at kjackson@ admin.usf.edu or write to us at 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

Nassau, Bahamas Rocky’s smiling because he’s sailing past Atlantis and enjoying some rum punch during his visit to the Bahamas in May with USFAA Marketing Manager Rebecca Boudreaux.

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 5

6 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

news

roundup

Double-teaming to Fight Alzheimer’s

USF and the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute agreed over the summer to an affiliation designed to join their forces in the research and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The partnership will consolidate resources and services and leverage the talent of both institutions.

Dr. Stephen Klasko, dean of USF’s College of Medicine and senior vice president for USF Health, will serve as CEO of the center. Huntington Potter, Ph.D, the center’s first CEO, will remain as a senior scientist at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute and tenured professor in USF’s Department of Molecular Medicine.

High-tech Jobs Heading to USF

Massachusetts-based Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., one of the world’s leading independent research and development laboratories engaged in applied research, engineering and development, will establish a BioMEMS R&D Center at USF’s Tampa campus and a Multi Chip Module (MCM) Center in St. Petersburg. Draper will bring 165 new jobs to the Bay area, with an average wage of $75,000. The firm will partner with USF, SRISt. Petersburg and others to form the nucleus of a micro-technology cluster, which should help increase the growth of innovation workers and economic development in the region and the state.

Princeton Review Praises USF

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review. The New Yorkbased education services company known for its test-prep courses features the college in the 2009 edition of its annual book, The Best 368 Colleges (Random House.) Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are in the book.

High Tech Corridor. Florida’s 2008-09 state budget provides $15 million for construction of Phase I of a new USF Polytechnic campus, to be located at I-4 and the Polk Parkway in north Lakeland.

Researching Juvenile Diabetes

The National Institutes of Health awarded $128 million to the University of South Florida research team led by Jeffrey Krischer, Ph.D, to coordinate worldwide studies on the prevention and treatment of juvenile diabetes.

This latest funding, a seven-year award, supports Dr. Krischer’s coordination of the NIH network of clinical research centers known as TrialNet. The award adds to the $169 million received last year by Dr. Krischer, a professor of pediatrics, to coordinate studies examining the causes of juvenile diabetes. That previously funded 10-year NIH study, known as TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young), seeks to explain why the incidence of diabetes in the very young has doubled since the 1980s. The $169-million contract was the largest in USF’s history.

“Share A Corporate Suite” at NASCAR and other Sporting Events and SAVE! Ford 400 Weekend Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 16, 2008 Fedex BCS National Championship Game Dolphin Stadium January 8, 2009 Daytona 500 Weekend Daytona International Speedway Feb. 15, 2009 Tampa Bay RAYS Baseball Share a Seasonal Suite 2009

Carving a High-Tech Niche

With two strokes of his pen, Gov. Charlie Crist gave the green light to USF Polytechnic, signing a bill that gave the University of South Florida Lakeland the same autonomy as other branch campuses in the USF system and officially establishing its new name: USF Polytechnic. The new name captures the new mission of the campus, which emphasizes information technology and applied sciences. USF Polytechnic CEO Marshall Goodman said the campus’s applied science focus will make it a magnet for private investment in research and work force development along Florida’s

(USF Class of 1978)

HARDHEAD Marketing.com

Randy Sheffield Phone (772) 577-8288 www.HardheadMarketing.com

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 7

news

roundup CONTINUED

A Tribute to Dean Margaret Fisher

Dean Margaret Fisher, center, with Sally Jo Power, `69, and Bill Kalbas, `69, at the luncheon.

8 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

A small group of friends and alumni gathered in July to wish a happy 90th birthday to Dr. Margaret Fisher, USF’s first and only dean of women.

Dr. Fisher joined USF in 1960, when the University first opened for classes.

In addition to serving as dean of women, she was also assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs and a professor of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. She retired in 1975, but continued to work part-time as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education, doing research projects for the government, and as an adjunct professor for the Humanities Department. Dean Fisher was a confidante to administrators, her peers, and students, and played a significant role in shaping the University and the lives of countless students; launching them into successful adulthood.

Dr. Fisher was presented a framed tribute at a luncheon held in her honor.

It was “presented by the USF Alumni Association, her friends and former students with love, affection, and a deep sense of gratitude on her 90th birthday.”

Several years ago Dean Fisher established the Margaret Fisher Endowed Book Scholarship. Alumni who would like to honor her, should contact Ron Sherman, `74, at 813-974-1891 or rsherman@admin.usf.edu.

featured

memberbenefit Travel with Fellow Bulls In the early 1700’s Peter the Great transformed Russia into the most influential nation in Europe. This summer, USF alumni and their families and friends followed in the fateful footsteps of the legendary czar during a two-week cruise aboard the MS Repin – just one of several awesome trips that are part of the USF Alumni Association Travel Program.

With the guidance of USF Professor of Russian Victor Peppard, the group explored Russian waterways lined with medieval villages and charming dachas. In St. Petersburg, they were awed by the State Hermitage Museum, once the Winter Palace of the czars. They strolled through Moscow’s Red Square and admired St. Basil’s Cathedral and The Kremlin.

“Walking around a country once so closed off to the Western world was an experience unlike anything I could’ve imagined,” said traveler Suzanne Parks, `07. “To share the experience with a loved one and see it come alive in their eyes made the trip even more special.”

USFAA has upcoming trips planned to Peru, South Africa and the Caribbean. For details, visit USFalumni.org/travel or call (813) 974-6099.

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 9

with

Philip L. Winters

By Kathy L. Greenberg, Class of 1993

Philip L. Winters is the director of the Transportation Demand Management Program at USF’s Center for Urban Transportation Research. Last year he received the 2008 Bob Owens Transportation Demand Management Championship Award from the Association for Commuter Transportation. The award recognizes people who influence local, regional or national efforts to reduce traffic congestion, decrease pollution and improve mobility through programs such as carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling to work, flexible work hours and telework. In 2008, he was named as an emeritus member of the Transportation Research Board, one of six major divisions of the National Research Council.

Q:

The million-dollar question: How high will gas prices rise in the next year? Any predictions?

Q: Commuting is a big challenge for drivers in the Tampa Bay area. What can we do individually to improve travel conditions?

A: Small changes in behavior can make a big difference.

To deal with high gas prices, we can combine a couple of trips at one time or substitute non-motorized trips, like biking or walking. Even doing something other than driving alone to work at least once a week can make difference over the long haul. We may see more people working a compressed workweek schedule. Some may be able to substitute technology for travel by working from home or participating in a web conference.

Q: Are hybrids the better choice for consumers looking to save on fuel costs?

Hybrids are more fuel-efficient, but you also need to A: It’s going to be gradual, and I think people will gradu- A: consider the miles driven and vehicle occupancy. I think ally adapt. But the days of cheap gas are gone for a long time with the demand from other countries rising and the rate of discovery of new oil sources peaking.

Q: How will the current situation redefine the future of fuel consumption?

A: Vehicle technologies will continue to increase fuel efficiency, but we should also see technologies improve the effectiveness of demand-based strategies to help reduce fuel consumption. Under one of our research projects funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Transportation, we developed software for global positioning system-enabled cell phones that records an individual’s travel patterns, processes the data and provides recommendations about what options might be more efficient, like suggesting an alternate route or change in departure time to avoid fuel-wasting congestion.

10 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

the fixation has been on miles per gallon and not passenger miles per gallon. For instance, an SUV might be more fuel efficient when carrying four people compared to one person in a hybrid.

Q: Should people give up cars and buy scooters instead?

A: I’m not advising people to sell their car. However, you can continue to make smart travel choices. You can link trips, use transit, share the ride, bike or walk.

Q: What incentives can employers offer?

A: A lot of employee travel habits are based on what the employer provides. If an employer starts offering discounted transit passes, that gives employees an incentive to use transit. Also, if work hours set by a company have some flexibility, that may allow employees to adjust their work

hours to match public transit. Right now the federal government allows employers to provide up to $115 per month tax-free for transit or vanpool fares. So employers who offer those subsidies or allow their employees to purchase their own passes using pre-tax income can encourage more use of transit and vanpooling.

Q: Would privatization and more toll roads ease road

A: Some communities are establishing a car sharing program to provide members with convenient access to a fleet of vehicles (cars, vans, trucks) and pay an all-inclusive, hourly rate only when the member rents the vehicle. Cities that have started these car sharing programs find members use transit more often but still have easy access to a vehicle for running errands and attending meetings while saving money.

congestion and costs?

converted to managed lanes, which will let people move through a corridor quickly regardless of vehicle occupancy.

But you will have a choice: pay a toll for using those managed lanes or drive free in the regular travel lanes with some congestion. The price will be set based on how congested it is. If it’s very congested, you can expect to pay more. Transponder technology will replace tollbooths in the managed lanes. When you go through, it will charge you.

We expect to learn more about car sharing’s impacts on travel behavior and parking demand when we bring the program to the USF Tampa campus later in 2008. USF is negotiating with Zipcar (www.zipcar.com) to bring four vehicles on campus that employees, staff and students will be able to rent by the hour. In addition to the individual benefits from car sharing, we also see this program as being consistent with USF’s pledge to eliminate greenhouse gases over time as part of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Q: How well is Florida’s transportation system keeping

Q: Which city would you like to see Tampa model its

A: I think in the future we’ll see more carpool lanes

up with economic growth?

A: I think the challenges of transportation in general are getting into how it’s funded, which is largely from gas tax revenues. As they decline, so does the money available for transportation. There are big gaps in unmet needs, and capital-intensive projects take a long time from planning to construction.

Q: What else can we do in the meantime to improve transportation?

transportation system after?

A: We can learn from the experiences of many cities. It may not make sense for us to focus on a single solution or do it the same way given changes in demographics, growth patterns and financing options. From a transportation point of view, [however], Seattle is a good example of taking a very comprehensive approach for addressing transportation needs. It has an extensive network of high-occupancy lanes, ferries that service communities, rail and car sharing. Employers are actively involved in influencing how employees get to work, including offering telework.

OCTOBER JULY 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 11

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

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

Societies Architecture Alumni Adam Fritz adam@cgharchitects.com Black Alumni Felecia Brantley lbtdfmu18@hotmail.com Brian Campbell bcamp10331@aol.com

Bulls fans celebrate with Coach Jim Leavitt at the Pinellas Alumni Chapter Preseason Tailgate at Capogna’s Dugout.

12 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

Business Alumni Jamie Ellison jamie.ellison@memberstrust.com

Jewish Alumni Nicky Spivak nsspivak@tampadsl.net

Brian Buckley bsbuckley@tecoenergy.com

Kosove Alumni Justin Geisler justingeisler@hotmail.com

Education Alumni Freda Abercrombie fabercro@pasco.k12.fl.us Engineering Alumni Gene Balter gene.balter@hdrinc.com Entrepreneurship Alumni Chris Kluis ckluis@hotmail.com Geology Alumni Mike Schackne mschackne@gore.net Honors Alumni Lisa Provenzano Heugel lproven1@tampabay.rr.com

LGBT Alumni Marion Yongue myongue@wedu.org Lynne Carlson lcarlson@tempest.coedu.usf.edu Jerry L. Miller jerry.miller@db.faneuil.com Marine Science Alumni Bruce Barber bbarber@terraenv.com Beau Suthard bsuthard@coastalplanning.net

Charles “Buddy” McPherson, `95, took this photo of his wife, Dr. Christine McPherson, `95, displaying her Bull Pride while visiting a friend at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Florida Chapters Tampa Dennis Evans dennis.evans@wachovia.com Brevard John Carpenter j-carpenter2@ti.com Barbara Lyn barbaralyn.com Broward Sara DuCuennois usfbrowardalumni @hotmail.com Fort Myers Sanjay Kurian Skurian@becker-poliakoff.com

Jacksonville Louis B. Richardson louinjax@comcast.net

Ocala/Marion Kathleen & William Bellamy icchoice-kathie@earthlink.net

Pinellas Audrey Gilmore usf1@tampabay.rr.com

Ellen Rosenblum ellenmarkmatt3@yahoo.com

Jerald “Jerry” Grimes Donnajer958@embarqmail.com

Manatee/Sarasota Ross Allen Rva34238@yahoo.com

Orlando Kevin Krause kkrause2@hotmail.com

Polk Randy Dotson randy.dotson@gmail.com

Miami Ruben Matos captram02@yahoo.com

Palm Beach Scott Teich scott.teich@raymondjames.com

Carlos Rodriguez rodvoll@aol.com

Pensacola/Spanish Fort/ Mobile Nick Kessler nickess@aol.com

Monroe (Key West) Kristen Condella kristnine@hotmail.com

St. Lucie Frank Pennetti franker@adelphia.net Tallahassee Tara Klimek taraklimek@yahoo.com

Hernando Belinda Nettles bnettles8@gmail.com

There’s another Bay Area on the West Coast where lots of Bulls live. Members of the San Francisco Alumni Chapter met at Perry’s on Union Street to quaff a few libations and flash the Bull horns. From left to right are: Ellen Salcines-Leahy, `84 & Ph.D `90; Clay Engel, `68; Maggie Subudhayangkul; Art Ringness, `90; John Arch, `03; Kristina Hagerstrand, `03; Simone Ghirlanda, MSEE `06 and Suzanne Aabicoff.

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan, center, visited the USF SarasotaManatee campus in June for the opening of the Vernon G. Buchanan College of Business Wing, which was made possible by a generous gift from the congressman. It was the first major gift for the regional campus. With him are USF SarasotaManatee Ambassadors Yash Shah, left, and Jon Moore.

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 13

chapters & societies National & International Chapters Atlanta Denise Dimbath Denisuela@hotmail.com Austin Lisa Sortevik lhwalker@austin.rr.com Brad Heath bradh@virtexassembly.com Barbados Junior Browne junior.browne@gmail.com

Chicago Karla Stevenson karla.stevenson@gmail.com

Dallas Lisa Lacy lisa.lacy@tx.rr.com

Nashville Jen Thompson JenThompson08@yahoo.com

Nolan Shaeer nshaeer@yahoo.com

Rob Smith Rob.Smith@atmosenergy.com

Columbia, SC Doug Currier ColUSF@aol.com

Denver Mile High Mark A. Thompson Brahman95@msn.com

New York Valerie Berrios valerieberrios78@hotmail.com

Camille Thompson Camille.E.Thompson@gmail. com

Houston Nohra Martinez chemng1874@yahoo.com

D.C. Regional Rajiv Dembla rajiv.dembla@gmail.com

Indiana Jeremy Sims jsims@shepherdins.com Los Angeles Catherine Clinch catherine@MomsDigitalWorld. com Troy Dunmire Troy_Dunmire@gap.com

Michael Simpson Michael.Simpson@gs.com Philadelphia/South Jersey Joe Ebner jebner@tollbrothersinc.com Pittsburgh, PA Robb Myers ruther44@yahoo.com Portland, OR Scott Chamberlain sc28372@msn.com Raleigh, NC Bob Cohn Bob.Cohn@smithbarney.com San Francisco Arthur Ringness ak@ringness.net

Living in Seattle is a little like living in Tampa; it rains a lot and the traffic can be a nightmare. Maybe that’s why these Bulls feel so at home there. Members of the Seattle Alumni Chapter gathered at a popular pub, Buckley’s on Queen Ann, to raise a few pints in preparation for this fall’s tailgate parties. Pictured are, back row, left to right: Jared Capouya, `99 & M.D. `03; Margaret Austin, `79; her husband Mark Austin; Patty Roberts, `92; Mo Sin, `94 & M.S. `95 (standing); Sherene Shalhub, `98, MPH `99 & M.D. `03; her friend, Donald Mato and Jay Stark, `92. Bottom row, from left to right, are: Jared’s wife Mary Capouya; USFAA Director of Chapters and Corporate Relations Merrell Dickey; and Jay’s wife Dixie Stark.

14 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

USFAA Life Member Ken Lettre, `81, wore his USF cap while running the 2008 Disney Marathon. He finished in 4:40:45, placing 328th in his division. Ken, who lives in Frisco, TX, is pictured here with his wife, Karen Lettre.

Seattle-Tacoma, WA Jared Capouya jcapouya@hotmail.com St. Louis Mark Greenspahn markgstl@aol.com

Anthony Rogers, `85 & MSW `88, and Troy Dunmire, `00, were among a group of about a Corporate Affinity Group Lockheed Martin – Oldsmar dozen USF alumni in Los Angeles who got together at Maggiano’s at the Grove to talk some Bull business.

Barbara Julian barbara.julian@lmco.com

Incoming freshmen Katie Chin, left, and Dionelly Bernabel were among the brand new USF Bulls from the South Florida area who were treated to a student send-off party by members of the Broward Alumni Chapter and Undergraduate Admissions before the start of the fall term.

Jeff Murray, `08, flashes a big smile and the Bull horns as he works inside the space orbiter during his co-op internship with United Space Alliance at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. He is an orbiter handling engineer in the center’s Orbiter Processing Facility.

Ariane Stalé Swiss, `96 & M.A. `05, enjoyed her waterfront view of the Big Apple during a cruise of New York Harbor with about 15 other members of the New York Alumni Chapter.

Orlando Chapter leader Kevin Krause waves the Green & Gold before attaching the flag to his golf cart during USF Athletics’ Verizon Around the Horns golf tournament at Eaglebrook Golf & Country Club in Lakeland. Similar golf and dinner receptions were held in Bradenton, Belleair and Tampa, featuring appearances by Coach Jim Leavitt and Athletic Director Doug Woolard.

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 15

chapters & societies

Christina Burke, `04, and Georgia Windham, `05, get a hug from Rocky at the annual USF Faculty & Staff Appreciation event.

Christina is a marketing coordinator for Tampa Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and Georgia is the associate director of special events for USF Health.

Members of the South Carolina Alumni Chapter share a laugh during their first meeting at Damon’s Grill in Columbia. Standing on the right is Daniel McGregor, `00, and on the left is Alisa Cooney, `95.

You never know where you’ll run into other Bulls. These alumni couples met up in Naples, Italy. From left to right are: Kim Lego; her husband David Lego, `88; USF Chief of Staff Cynthia Visot, EDD `00 and her husband, Executive Director of USF’s Joint Military Leadership Center, U.S. Army Brigadier General Luis Visot.

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OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 17

A Need for Speed

A Need for Speed

By Jeffrey Jones, Class of 2007

L

ike a lot of men, David Scigliuto is passionate about his hobby.

Unlike a lot of men, the Class of `83 Philosophy grad doesn’t golf, collect coins or manage a fantasy football team.

During the week, he is all business as president of David A. Scigliuto Wealth Management in Seminole, helping people manage their assets so they can live comfortably during their golden years. But come Friday, he trades his business suit for a jumpsuit and cuts loose on the drag strip, blasting from zero to 180 mph in 7.4 seconds in his mean machine.

Scigliuto is an avid drag racer and has become quite successful since entering competitive drag racing in 1997. In fact, Scigliuto, 50, seems to be improving with age, winning his first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Summit Racing Series Super Pro National Championship at Pomona, California in 2007.

“I had no idea – it never crossed my mind that I would do this,” Scigliuto said of winning the title. “I

18 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

knew what I had to do and I gave it my best shot. Things went my way and it was enough.”

Scigliuto’s fascination with racing stretches back to his days as a teenager in his hometown of Syracuse, N.Y.

“Even when I was a kid I had a drag car – a GTO,” Scigliuto said. “In high school I used to go to the drag strip with my friends and we used to race.”

When Scigliuto joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1976, he honed his need for speed, fixing up cars and racing them when he had the opportunity. “It was a lot of fun back then,” Scigliuto says of his early days as an amateur.

When he got out of the service in 1980, he enrolled at USF, after previously attending the University of South Carolina.

He remembers USF fondly, even though he dealt with some of the same hassles as students do today.

“I really enjoyed my time there. I used to enjoy walking around campus and just talking to people,” Scigliuto

recalled. “It was a great campus, but I always remember fighting for a parking spot.”

After graduating in `83, he had aspirations of going to law school and becoming a judge advocate with the Marine Corps, which is essentially an attorney for the armed forces.

But life is full of twists and turns.

Along came his first daughter and, before he knew it, Scigliuto found himself working as a financial advisor

for A.G. Edwards. He stayed with the firm for 17 years before leaving to work for an independent firm, LPL Financial.

“It’s developed into a really great business,” Scigliuto said. “From being a retail broker to this, it’s like night and day. I’m able to keep expanding my business and redefining it over time.”

His career wasn’t the only thing that changed around that time.

An accident in 2003 left him with

six dislocated discs in his spine, dramatically altering his active lifestyle.

Until then, Scigliuto played golf, racquetball and softball on a weekly basis. The accident put an end to all that, but not to drag racing.

After a year of physical therapy, Scigliuto was back in the driver’s seat with a special support system designed by his surgeon to help his body handle the three G’s of force inside the cockpit. He discovered, much to

his surprise, that the pressure actually helped his back.

“Every time I ran, it would feel like I was in traction, and it would loosen up my back and neck, and it ended up being a physically therapeutic thing.”

Ironically, it was then that Scigliuto started a winning streak that has continued into 2008.

“My success rate has skyrocketed,” Scigliuto said. “I’ve won three track championships, a division OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 19

A Need for Speed

championship, and a national championship. I think now that I have less things on my plate, I have become master of a few.”

Scigliuto estimates that he’s won about $40,000 from drag racing in 2007, which has paid for his “big car” more than twice over. And he’s not the only Scigliuto with a penchant for racing. His wife and daughters share his passion.

Kecia, Scigliuto’s wife of six years, also races a pro car dragster. His two oldest daughters, Nina, 22, and Samantha, 20, both race their Trans Am street cars at a track in Orlando on the weekends. Younger daughter Siena, 12, races in the junior dragster class, running up to 76 mph in 8 seconds.

Nina is finishing her Master’s degree in high performance engineering at the University of Central Florida. Samantha, a Junior Dragster Track Champion in 2002, is in a premed program at UCF and hopes to become a plastic surgeon. Siena has

20 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

twice finished No. 2 in points in the junior dragster class at Bradenton Motorsports Park. In spite of their busy schedules, the family manages to compete in the same races about four times a year.

“Once, in a race in Gainesville, it just so happened that Nina and Kecia faced each other and they made a big deal about it,” says Scigliuto. “It was so close, like seventhousandths of a second, but Kecia won.”

Scigliuto has same personal philosophy for both his career and his hobby: “Believe in yourself. Find what your passion is, find out what you love to do, and go for it. You never know what the limits are.”

He often visits local schools to talk about motivation and goal setting.

He takes his National Championship

trophy to drive home his point. He tells the students: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Dave Scigliuto and his wife, Kecia. She also races dragsters, as do his daughters, Nina, Samantha and Siena.

Bull Pride

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 21

Wearing their Pride on their Hides

We’re students for a time; alumni for life, as the saying goes. These alumni made a lifelong commitment to USF by branding their bodies with their Bull Pride.

Brad Sufficool, Brooksville, Bull by Marriage Got his tattoos in 2007 & 2008 “I’m president of the South Florida Bulls Tailgating Association.

Check it out at www.BullsTailgating.com. My whole family, my mom and my brothers, graduated from USF, and so did my wife, Vanessa. I went another route. I’m a Captain for the City of Brooksville Fire Department. But I’ve always been a Bulls fan, since the first game. I wanted a big tattoo and I figured there was plenty of room on my back. I also have the BullsTailgating logo on my arm.”

Dan McLean, Tampa Mass Communications, `03 Got his tattoo in 2008 “I decided to get the tattoo as a tribute to my USF experience.

USF gave me much more than a degree to hang on the wall, and, as an alumnus and season ticket holder, that experience continues to stampede on. I am, and will always be, a Bull! ... Although I braced myself for some criticism, it’s been quite the opposite.

Friends, family and even a few strangers have loved it!”

Rick Scialdone, Tampa, Management & Marketing, `92 Got his tattoo in 2007 “I started college in 1987 at USF, and we began the march for a football team with then-President Frank Borkowski.

Ever since, I have been a die-hard fan of both the basketball and football programs, as well as the entire Bulls Athletics program. When the football program started, the Bulls mascot emblem at the time served two purposes for me: I am a Taurus, and the mean-looking Bull was just cool at the time. Then USF changed the emblem to the “U” with the Bull horns. After procrastinating for a while, and then especially after beating my brother’s alma mater, Auburn University, last year, it was time to finally get the tattoo and show off my Bull Pride, both for academics and athletics.”

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Nicholas DelVacchio, Tampa English, `03, Cum Laude Got his tattoo in 2006 “I was waiting because they had just switched the logo and I was getting up the courage to do it. It also took me a while to convince my fiancé to let me do it. She was like, ‘It’s got to be somewhere where you can cover it up.’ But now that I have it, she loves it. She’s a USF grad too, as is her whole family. It cost about $300 and took about 3 ½ hours. The worst part was the shading because they use the big blade and scrape and scrape and scrape. The guy was careful to get the green just right. I’m really glad it’s held up so well – sometimes they fade. When we tailgate all my friends are like, ‘You’ve got to see my boy’s tattoo.’”

David Brown, Lakeland, Political Science, `03 Got his tattoo in 2005 “I figured it was something that was going to be with me for life, so it better mean something. And I’ll always be a graduate of USF. I actually took the license plate off my car and they made a photo copy of the plate and took the design from that. ... I usually get some free beers out of it, especially if I go to bars around campus. They’ll say: ‘Who has on something from USF?’ and I’ll show them my arm. ... I’m dean of a charter school and the kids really like it.

They’ll see it when I’m playing basketball or something with them – and they’re always like, Go Bulls!”

John Arch Oakland, California Finance, `03 Got his tattoo in 2003

Ashli Hugill Wemett, Piedmont, Alabama English, `02 Got her tattoo in 2007 “I decided to get the Bulls tattoo, because I was trying to think of something that had special meaning to me that was never going to change. I picked the back of my neck because I already had five other tattoos and I was running out of places.

It was BY FAR the most painful. ... I get comments about it in the most random places. I was at a wedding last April in Corpus Christi, TX, of all places and I was asked about it by about five different people! ‘Is that the South Florida logo you have on your neck?’ So then, of course, I would get to launch into my speech about how great USF is.”

Bullioneers House

3417 Leroy Ave., Tampa Owner: The Bullioneers, a nonprofit formed by Greg Todd, `89, and a group of USF alumni and friends.

Edward Buschelman takes a soak in the hot tub attached to the SAE party bus.

“It’s just two blocks from Raymond James Stadium and has plenty of parking.

There’s a tiki bar, three bathrooms, a full kitchen and a kids playroom. There are 10 flat-screen T.V.s with Direct T.V., a high-fi stereo system, commercial ice machine, two keg coolers with taps and commercial catering equipment. ... We have had incredible turnout for the Bulls games. The house is only available to our annual sponsors and their prepaid guests. We used to allow people to pay at the door, but we’ve decided not to do that anymore. It’s available to rent for private parties and a lot of the proceeds go to local children’s charities. ... Our organization was founded by 10 guys with a passion for sports, especially football, tailgating and giving back to the community. The house was purchased in the summer of 2006 and completely renovated just in time for football season. The 10 guys include myself, Marshall Smith, Tye Swenson, Rich Mize, Jay Mize, Fernando Juan, Tony Rocha, Matt Powell, Mark Newkirk, and Jim Zimrich. Marshall and Jay played football on the inaugural team at USF. Other USF alumni include Tony Rocha and Tye Swenson. We received our non-profit 501 (c) (3) designation in July of 2007.”

– Greg Todd, `89

SAE Party Bus

Owner: USF Society of Automotive Engineers SAE President: Dustin Bride “We travel the country in this bus – it’s a 1991 International school bus that we have converted to an RV: full kitchen, bathroom, bunk beds, patio on the roof, train horn, diesel generator, hot tub, etc. It’s painted like a race car, and we live on it for two months, traveling to four or five Formula and Baja SAE events.”

Green & Gold Guys Walter Price, `04 & Brian Hope, `03

“One of the things I am most proud of is the fact that Brian and I started the Green & Gold Guys, aka The Towel Boys in 1999 as freshmen. We decided the football games needed more excitement so we had my grandmother sew us up some towels with USF stitched into

them and we bought some paint to paint our bodies half green and half gold. It was a hit from the beginning and we did it for four years at every home football and basketball game.

Brian and I are happy to see so many people follow in our footsteps.”

– Walter Price, `04

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 23

Bull Pride on their Rides

If we are what we drive, then these Bulls fans are “True Bull-ievers!” They’ve spent hundreds or thousands of dollars to show their allegiance and make their vehicles worthy of a spot in the Homecoming Parade.

From left to right are: Jason Shelton, Edwin Maisonet (aka DJ Wingo SI), Julie Jones, Art Jones, `73 & M.A. `75 and Jason “Mutt” Hubbard, `04.

The Bulldorado

Owner: Edwin Maisonet, also known as DJ Wingo SI “This is a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado, customized into a ‘Bulldorado.’ It took me a year to complete it. When I received the car, it had been sitting for 7 years. I did a complete overhaul of the motor and all other mechanical components. The headliner was held up by pushpins, safety pins and thumb tacks – now it’s covered in green crushed velvet. It has a custom, two-tone paint job of gold, with gold dust, and hunter green, with green metallic flakes. The trunk holds two 12-inch subwoofers and a 2000 watt amp. The interior is custom green and gold with a mahogany wood-grain steering wheel.

There are 6 speakers inside the car to play the fight song loud and proud! It’s got 20-inch custom chrome wheels with a 4-inch custom lift, along with the green LED neon lights underneath. I have custom gold “Bulldorado” emblems on the car that replaced the original Eldorado emblems.”

“I consistently get offers from USF students and graduates, as well as non USF’ers, to buy the car. When I got the car, it was worth $100 and ready for the junk yard – today it’s valued at $15,000!”

“I did this car because the former owner, Jason Hubbard, was a USF alumnus and it’s a tribute to my girlfriend, Julie Jones, who is a current USF student on the St. Petersburg campus, and for her family. Everyone is proud of the car and enjoys boasting about it. Dr. Karen White, Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg, is going to ride with me in the Homecoming parade this year.”

24 ALUMNIVOICE ALUMNIVOICE| |OCTOBER OCTOBER2008 2008

Caption: Brittany Link, right, with her boyfriend Brandon Faza, `05, the owner of the original BullDozer, lean on the BullDozer2, which is all decked out for football season.

BullDozer2

Owner: Brittany Link, `09 (expected) “The original Bulldozer was a big Dodge Ram truck with USF logos all over it. When that student graduated, the BullDozer2 was born. It’s a Toyota Scion XB covered with USF pride. Also nicknamed the BullBox, it’s been to every USF home game since its creation and is featured at the Student Government tailgate. It debuted at the Meineke Car Care Bowl, USF’s first bowl game and was featured at the USF Alumni tent where fans could take pictures. On Game Day, the BullDozer2 sports an authentic set of Bull Horns on the front of the vehicle, the original set from the first BullDozer.”

“Every football season, a new Bulls design is debuted, but the original sticker, a 4-foot USF logo on the hood, has remained the same and is autographed by Lee Roy Selmon, President Genshaft, and Coach Leavitt. Though the signatures have faded since our first bowl game, the love and excitement that surrounds the car has not. My favorite line is ‘Did USF buy that for you?’ or ‘Do they pay you to drive that?’ The answer is, ‘No! I did it all on my own because I love my University and it’s a fun way to bring it to the community.’”

Homecoming 2008 SuperBull XII Go to www.USFalumni.org or http://ctr.usf.edu/homecoming/ for details.

Monday, Oct. 13

Homecoming Kick Off

Kick off Homecoming Week with a cake-cutting ceremony and the passing of the Syracuse mascot from alumni to the students. President Genshaft and Coach Jim Leavitt will speak.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Carnival

An old-fashioned, fun-filled carnival on the Tampa campus with games, free food, and rides, including a Ferris wheel.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Rocky’s Swinging Safari Social Join the Pinellas County Alumni Chapter for light refreshments at this Homecoming tune up event to be held at the Coquina Club from 6-8 p.m. on the beautiful USF St. Petersburg campus.

Friday, Oct. 17

Alumni Center Meet & Greet

Stop by the Alumni Center for coffee and a walking tour of select campus sites, including the new state-of-the-art Marshall Center. Tours leave at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. RSVP by Oct. 10 to tgray@admin.usf.edu.

USF Alumni Association Parade Watch Party

Gibbons Alumni Center front lawn 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Bring the family out to the Alumni Center before the Homecoming parade to enjoy music, carnival games and children’s activities and set up for the best bead-catching seats along the parade route. Stay for the Parade After Party with a live concert and lots more fun.

Saturday, Oct. 18

USF Alumni Association Bulls Roast Tailgate Party

Across from Raymond James Stadium Located in the fenced lot outside of Gates A and B at the north end zone side of the stadium.

Be a part of the Alumni Association’s jungle-themed Homecoming celebration. It’s the biggest party of the year! We’re planning a barbecue with Budweiser beer, music, games, free spirit supplies, children’s activities and appearances by the Herd of Thunder, Rocky, the USF Sun Dolls and Cheerleaders.

USF Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange Raymond James Stadium Time TBA Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for details.

OCTOBER OCTOBER 2008 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE | ALUMNIVOICE 2525

1986 A Blast from the Past !

U.S.PRESIDENT: Ronald Reagan

VICE PRESIDENT: George H.W. Bush AVERAGE INCOME: $24,897 UNEMPLOYMENT: 7% FIRST CLASS STAMP: 22 cents

IN SCIENCE:The first personal computer virus, Brain, spreads;The Voyager 2 probe passes Uranus, returning images and data; K. Alex Müller (Switzerland) and J. Georg Bednorz (Germany) discover superconductivity in a ceramic material at -397ºF, a higher temperature than ever before.

IN THE ARTS: Out of Africa wins an Oscar for Best Picture; Two weeks after it was stolen, the Picasso painting Weeping Woman is found in a locker at the Spencer Street Station in Melbourne, Australia;The first theatrical film version of Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker is released to mixed reviews.

26 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

IN THE NEWS:The first federal Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed; Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrates 73 seconds after launch, killing the crew of 7 astronauts; In Ukraine, a reactor explodes at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, resulting in the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

At USF:The Institute on Black Life is established; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute opens; Ground is broken for the Polk Community College/USF Center in Lakeland.

By Mia Faucher Class of 2010

B. C. N. M. W. C. B. L. While today’s USF student body may not be able to decipher this code, it likely stirs fond memories for some of you. Remember those dorm room message boards informing you that a “Boy Called, No Message, Will Call Back Later” while you were in class? Back then, to communicate with a friend or family member, you would speak in person or find a pay phone.

How times have changed.

Now that advances in technology have made on-the-go communication almost a necessity, our Bulls are in constant and instant touch with anyone they would like, whether by cell phone, text message, email or instant message.

“Having instant communication available is so much more efficient; you can find anything you want to know immediately,” says Judy Kane, Director of Development for USF’s Honors College.

Sophomore psychology major Becky Killik seconds Ms. Kane’s feelings, but maintains that the most efficient mode of communication is texting.

“You can do so many more things in less time with quick communication and in textual form, what you need to say will be that much clearer.”

According to junior biomedical science major Javier Gonzalez-Cotto, this texting craze is simply cultural, as he explains that “In Puerto Rico,” where he’s from, “people don’t text at all — we call each other even for a 10-second conversation.”

Others can see the benefits of such direct contact but believe that it detracts from our socialization, which is immensely important, especially for first-year students who are newly living on their own.

“People can do so much online and with their hand-held electronic devices now that they run the risk of becoming increasingly isolated from those around them,” says Erin Monahan, sophomore creative writing major at USF. “With a student’s ability to be in constant communication, it is more difficult to make the natural break from their parents that is necessary for them to be successful on their own,” Kane explains, “especially when they can now walk around everywhere with their iPod buds or Bluetooth ear pieces in place of human-to-human contact.”

Sharon Geiger, academic advisor and USF alumna since 1992, agrees that the convenience of such technology is nice, but worries that it is impinging on our privacy; not only for what we say to others, but also our privacy from the conversations of those around us.

“If I’m walking around in the grocery store, I don’t want to hear other people’s phone conversations — it’s amazing what people will talk about in the middle of a busy public place.”

While it is easy to see the many pros and cons of such instant, digital communication, we cannot predict how it will affect our world until time passes. If there is anything we can conclude from these deliberations, it is that such advances have been realized through the knowledge and expertise of those that came before us. So, here is a thank you to all of our USF alumni for setting an example for us to aspire to.

MemorE y SAHAR Excerpts of memories from members of the USF Alumni Association.

My favorite memory was of the snow on Jan. 19, 1977. Even though I grew up in snow, it was fun seeing everyone’s reaction, such as streaking, several minor accidents and, the best, a car with surf racks with a snowman on top.

Jeffrey Pafunda, `79 Annual Member I remember attending the first-ever Bulls football game and our Homecoming game, as well. Also, being a USF Ambassador and our special weekend at Chinsegut Hill Manor.

Catherine L. Roberts, `98 Annual Member USF gave me the friends and the love of a lifetime. I met my future husband while studying in Washington, D.C. (The Washington Center Internship.) Our memories start with USF! Meghan (Powell) Settles, `04 Annual Member

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 27

USF MBA AAA CEO

AAA

&

USF MBA AAA CEO

By Dan Millott

AAA

Auto Club South’s CEO Tom O’Brien has made the most of every leadership opportunity that has come his way.

When he enrolled at USF’s Tampa campus in the fall of 1966, O’Brien signed on as a resident assistant in one of the dorms. He did it to help defray his college costs, but he wound up testing his fledgling leadership skills by organizing the intramural sports teams for his residence hall. He was also president of the accounting club.

O’Brien, whose bright blue eyes and quick wit mask an intensely competitive spirit.

He carried those experiences with him when he returned to Price Waterhouse after his discharge in 1970, and later, with AAA.

“The Army was a great experience.

It was important for me because you learned about teamwork,” says

28 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

“At first, I didn’t want to leave Price Waterhouse, but I knew to make partner, I would have to move to New York or Chicago and I didn’t want to do that,” said O’Brien, who was married and raising a family in Largo.

His wife Pat, a Class of `67 Accounting grad, was the second woman ever hired by the Big-8 accounting firm, Arthur Andersen.

O’Brien went to work for AAA in December 1976 as director of finance.

By 1980, he was a vice president. He claims he had no idea that the Tampabased motor club would climb to its present heights.

Those leadership skills caught the eye of College of Business professor Bob West who had developed close relationships with Tampa’s major accounting firms. One of those firms, Price Waterhouse, hired O’Brien right after his graduation in 1968, on the power of West’s recommendation.

No sooner had O’Brien entered the Price Waterhouse Tampa office, than he received his draft notice. He served two years in the height of the Viet Nam War, one in Southeast Asia, attached to the U.S. Army’s famed 101st Airborne Division. He attained the rank of sergeant and won two Bronze Medals for valor, three air medals and a combat infantry badge.

so impressed AAA executives that they offered him a job.

“When I started here, we had 230,000 members. Now we have 4.1 million.

Our travel agency did $3 million a year. Now, it’s $250 million. Insurance totaled about $3 million and now it’s over $1 billion,” he said, with a mixture of pride and awe at the company’s fortunes.

Tom O’Brien, `68 & MBA `85

While at Price Waterhouse, O’Brien was chosen to lead a study for AAA Peninsula Motor Club of its administrative operations, including cash management and investments. His findings

He leads an organization with 3,100 employees working in 90 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.

While climbing the corporate ladder at AAA, O’Brien entered USF’s MBA program, taking courses on Fridays

O’Brien and his wife, Pat `67, recently marked their 40th anniversary with a trip to Italy and Spain.

and Saturdays over a two-year period and earning his degree with honors in 1985.

“I did a paper on the marketing of our travel agency and Professor Jim Hensel, an expert at consumer marketing, was a great help to me,” O’Brien recalled.

and auto manufacturers that include roadside service with the purchase of a car. The travel industry has changed drastically too. AAA Travel Agency shifted its emphasis to selling cruises and tours rather than airline tickets now that the airlines no longer pay

quarters, O’Brien also serves on several national AAA committees and task forces. He is on the Florida Commission on Tourism, the Tampa Bay & Company Board of Directors and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer & Research Institute Board of Advisors.

O’Brien and his wife recently marked their 40th anniversary with a trip to Italy and Spain, where they enjoyed the local cuisine, especially the authentic tapas in Barcelona. Travel is a perk of his job that they both enjoy. They have a married daughter and three grandchildren. O’Brien likes to play a little golf and it’s not unusual to find him at The Claw at USF.

He leads an organization with 3,100 employees working in 90 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.

Professor Hensel is an award-winning marketing professor who still teaches in the College of Business and leads a successful “marketing boot camp” program for Bay area executives. O’Brien says he still calls on Hensel and another professor, Paul Solomon, for advice.

O’Brien became chief operating officer of AAA Auto Club South in 1999 and was named president and CEO in 2002.

He relies on his education and experience to manage the challenges facing AAA, such as competition from smaller motor clubs linked to oil companies

commissions on ticket sales.

“We still sell air tickets, but we do it only as a service to our customers and members,” O’Brien said. “Customer service is key to everything we do.

When you have as many people as we have and in as many locations, you have to have something to rally around.”

In addition to his busy schedule at AAA Auto Club South’s Tampa head-

OCTOBER 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 29

classnotes 60s

Ken Rollins, `64, retired from his post as interim executive director of the Tampa Museum of Art (TMA) in mid-July. Rollins joined the museum in October 2005 with the charge of securing the organization’s financial stability while preparing the museum for a new facility, among other key initiatives.

Under his leadership the museum selected a new museum site, hired San Francisco architect Stanley Saitowitz, raised the capital funds to construct the new building, and developed a sound business plan for TMA’s future. During Rollins first year as interim executive director, TMA experienced an increase in annual attendance and membership, corporate and foundation support, museum educational tours, and expanded community partnerships – while mounting several important exhibitions.

Dave Vogler, `68 & M.A. Geology `71, and his wife Barbara, `71 & Mathematics `81 were

proud to watch their son, Daniel, graduate from high school this year. Their daughter, Laura will be a high school sophomore in the fall.

David Dre’ Solomon, formerly David Elman, `69 & M.A. Clinical Psychology `74, is an

author, columnist and founder of MotorWatch, a nonprofit transportation and automotive safety organization based in Butler, MD. Solomon’s automotive articles have been published in BottomLine, an advertising-free informational journal, since 1990 and he sits on the periodical’s panel of experts.

He conceived the concept of MotorWatch while volunteering at WUSF radio and conducting a selfhelp course for the USF Co-op Garage. Under the guidance of Phyllis Marshall, director of the student union, Solomon formed several student organizations in the 1970’s, including the Head Theatre, Coop Garage and the Co-op Store. He was president of the USF Karate Club and helped to found the first call-in crisis hotline at USF.

70s Dr. Terry Hill, `72, is a professor of Biology and

the James T. and Valeria B. Robertson Chair in Biological Sciences at Rhodes College. He has expertise in cell biology, microbiology, and the biology of fungi. Hill’s publications have appeared in the International Journal of Medical Microbiology, Fungal Genetics and Biology, Mycologia, Microbiology, Fungal Genetics Newsletter, and the Canadian Journal of Microbiology, among other journals. Hill holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University

30 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER JULY 2008 2008

of Florida. He is part of a team that was recently awarded a $472,992 research grant, which is effective through March 31, 2012, from the National Science Foundation.

William Orr, `72, is principal of Hills-

borough High, which was ranked 34th in Newsweek’s list of “America’s Top 100 Schools.”

Libby Allison, `74 & Ph.D `93, co-authored Writ-

ing for the Government with Miriam F. Williams. The book is published by Pearson Education, 2008.

Rosemary Orlando, `74, is a successful local actor and director who was recently profiled in Creative Loafing magazine.

Dr. Larry Flegle, `75, was selected to receive

a prestigious Wagner Leadership Award from the Distance Learning Administration Association. Dr. Flegle will receive Wagner’s Distance Education Leadership Award, which goes to the individual who has embraced and significantly impacted distance education and distance learning practices. It is the association’s top annual award.

Pam Stewart, `75, is the Florida Department of Education’s Deputy Chancellor for K-12 Education.

Ellie Potts Barrett, `76, recently received the

School of Law, Indianapolis and Emory University School of Law, receiving her J.D. from Indiana University in 1979.

Judge Delano practiced before the state and federal courts of California for 14 years. In 1994, she returned to her hometown of Tampa, where she most recently practiced law with the firm of Addison & Delano, P.A. She concentrated her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation.

She is a member of The Florida Bar, The State Bar of California, the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Federal Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association. Judge Delano was appointed by the United States Circuit Court for the Eleventh Circuit, which appoints all bankruptcy judges in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. She and her husband have three children.

George Reyes, `76, has joined the six-person board of directors of LifeLock, guiding the strategic growth of the leading identity theft protection firm. Reyes is also currently a director of Symantec Corporation. An experienced leader, Reyes’ business acumen has come from financial posts with ONI Systems and Sun Microsystems. He recently retired from Google, where he helped negotiate the organization’s innovative IPO. He earned his MBA from Santa Clara University and his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from USF.

2nd Annual Central Florida Dance Award presented by the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theater. On April 24, she debuted “Barrettwerks,” a program showcasing her diverse choreography, including a 12-minute dramatic dance based on the story of Opal Petty, a Texas woman who was committed to a mental institution for 51 years for dancing against the wishes of her fundamentalist family. Also on the program were “Cantata Sonata,” “Yet Another Tango” and “Two for Tutu.” The performances were held in the Johnny Holloway Theatre at the Harwood-Watson Dance Studio in Orlando.

Emilio T. Gonzalez, `77, will lead the worldwide expansion of Indra Sistemas as president and CEO of Indra USA, the company’s new United States subsidiary. Indra Sistemas is Spain’s leading information technology and defense systems company. Prior to joining Indra USA, Gonzalez was director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. He also served as director for western affairs at the National Security Council. He has Master’s degrees from Tulane and the U.S. Naval War College and a Ph.D from the University of Miami.

Barrett, who grew up in Central Florida, lives in St. Augustine with husband Ken Barrett, a photographer, and is also on the faculty of Flagler College in St. Augustine and the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville. She returns to teach weekly at the School of Performing Arts in Fern Park.

Barbara (Lasater) Vogler, `71 & M.A. Mathematics `81, was re-elected to another

Caryl E. Delano, `76, was appointed

as a bankruptcy judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, in June. She graduated from USF, cum laude, in English and attended Indiana University

term as a school board trustee for the Red Oak Independent School District in Red Oak, Texas, just south of Dallas. Vogler and her husband, Dave, `68 & M.A. Geology `71, were proud to watch their son, Daniel, graduate from high school this year. As a school board member, Vogler got to hand Daniel his diploma. Their daughter, Laura, will be a high school sophomore in the fall. Vogler is an assistant professor in the Mathematics department at Northwood University.

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: kjackson@admin.usf.edu or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center ALC100 University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33620-5455

Bonnie Merrill Limbach, `79, was named senior counselor, public affairs, for Clarke/Eric Mower and Associates in Sarasota, Florida. In this role, she will focus on reputation management, crisis communications and media training, as well as public relations.

Prior to joining Clarke/EMA, she was an editorial and public relations consultant.

with Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps, which became a No. 1 show in Los Angeles for several years. She moved from California to Taos, N.M., after adopting a daughter, then to South Florida, with a brief stay in Boston.

Betty J. Davis, `83, taught school in the Bahamas

80s

for almost five years. She’s recently published a book about her experiences called Adventures in the Bahamas. It’s published by Publish America and available by order from Barnes & Noble.

Peter Baronoff, `80, is a 3-time CEO, Councilman

Tony Horrnik, `83, is a senior engineer for Pinellas

& Deputy Mayor of Boca Raton.

Dr. Lori Sue Grieb-Severino, `80, M.A. `88 & Ph.D `00, is the reading coach at C. Leon King High

School in Temple Terrace. This summer, she won the Just Reads Florida High School Reading Coach of the Year award at the Just Reads conference held in Orlando. She is the only teacher from Hillsborough County to receive an award at the conference. GriebSeverino has been a reading coach since 2000. As well as teaching staff development in reading and learning to the teachers at King, she also is a consultant for Hillsborough County Public Schools and teaches the Florida Reading Endorsement classes to teachers that need certification in reading, as well as writing new curriculum for the county.

Jon Hull, `80, was re-elected to serve his third

term on the board of directors of QORE Property Sciences. He will serve as chairman of the board.

Jon is based out of QORE’s Tampa office. He has been with the firm since 1987 and has a total of 26 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry.

Tom Bonfield, MBA `81, was named city manag-

er of Durham N.C. in June 2008. He was previously city manager in Pensacola, FL, for 10 years. He’s a native of St. Petersburg, FL, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. Leo University and an MBA from USF.

Ken Lettre, `81, ran the 2008 Disney Marathon

in 4:40:45, placing 328th in his division. Lettre, a Life Member of the USF Alumni Association, makes a point of wearing his Bulls cap when he races.

He and his wife Karen live in Frisco, TX. He was recently promoted to supply chain manager at J.C. Penney Company, Inc., in their corporate office in Plano, TX.

Nicole Sandler, `81, is the morning drive-time host for WINZ/Miami, a Clear Channel station. Sandler worked at WUSF and WMNF during her years at USF. She left Tampa to move to NYC as a producer at WMCA and WPLJ. She left New York for Los Angeles, where she produced and hosted a variety of radio shows, including the KLOS Morning Show

County who has worked on more than 50 bridges, including serving as principal designer of the Bunce’s Pass Bridge on Tierra Verde and overseeing the work on the Belleair Beach Causeway. He was profiled this summer in the St. Petersburg Times about his expertise on bridges.

Jim O’Drobinak, `83, and Liana O’Drobinak, `85 & MBA `92, are Tampa accountants. Jim is a consultant at Universal Health Care.

Robert Tiller, `83, and his business partner Irene

Thompson, built their business, Full Circle Financial, around the philosophy of empowerment. A few years ago, they participated in a self-created “Endurance Challenge” to raise money for the U.S. Marine Corps Trikes for Tykes program. Tiller competed in a half-Ironman triathlon and Thompson played 45 consecutive holes of golf. They raised enough money to donate more than three dozen hand-peddled tricycles to children who can’t use their legs. Tiller also ran the 2008 Boston Marathon to raise money for the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Tiller served briefly on the Pinellas County Alumni Board and helped initiate the campaign to raise money to start USF’s football program. He has been a financial planner for 24 years and is a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Fund Specialist and Registered Financial Consultant. He co-authored 21st Century Wealth, Essential FInancial Planner Principles and teaches professional continuing education courses for CPAs.

Bonnie Yegidis, Education Measurement & Evaluation Ph.D `83, was named vice president

for academic affairs and student success for the University of Tennessee system. In her new position, Yegidis will oversee academic and student affairs for the UT system. Previously, Yegidis was vice president for academic affairs and provost at Florida Gulf Coast University from 2004 to 2007 and associate vice president for academic affairs and associate provost at the University of Georgia from 2003 to 2004. In 2005, Yegidis received the Distinguished Alumna Award for the School of Social Work at West Virginia University, where she earned a Master’s degree.

Dr. Sue Currier Golabek, `84, was named the University of South Carolina, Beaufort Campus’ new director of human resources. Dr. Golabek has 17 years experience in the areas of human resources recruitment, immigration issues, benefit administration, employee relations, and employee training and development, working for BB&T, First Virginia Bank, ACA and Chelsea Catering/Continental Airlines. Additionally, she has taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels in business and human resource management for Webster University, University of Phoenix and Strayer University.

Dr. Golabek earned her B.A. in Social Sciences from USF, an M.A. in Human Resources from Webster University, and her Ed.D in Workforce Development from George Washington University. Dr. Golabek is married to Doug Currier II, `87, who is the city planner of Newberry, SC. She has one son, Tripp, who is 5 years old.

Lisa Ann Junkerman, `84, was

appointed as director of marketing for the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. She will be responsible for marketing strategy and execution of marketing efforts associated with the business school.

Junkerman previously served as international marketing manager for Motorola, Inc., where she conceptualized and managed brand strategy and execution associated with global markets and a variety of the company’s product portfolios. Prior to working for Motorola, Junkerman was a regional marketing manager for Progress Energy where she was responsible for all facets of marketing for the Fortune 250 energy provider during her 13-year tenure, including branding, marketing communications, product marketing, market research and public relations.

Junkerman has a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing from the University of South Florida. She is a graduate of Leadership Orlando.

Susan Rock, `84, joined CSC as vice president of business development for its North American Public Sector (NPS) business unit’s Applied Technology Division. CSC is a leading information technology services company. Rock is responsible for developing strategy and managing account teams as they identify and pursue new opportunities in managed services, aviation maintenance, infrastructure services, and base and range operations. In addition to her USF degree, Rock also has a Master’s degree in management from Troy State University.

OCTOBER JULY 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 31

classnotes Roger Cox, `85, was named 2008 Urban Engineer of the Year by the Florida Association of County Engineers and Roadway Superintendents (FACERS). FACERS awards are the most prestigious professional performance recognition presented in Florida. To qualify for the Urban Engineer Award a nominee must have performed his/ her services in a municipality of 50,000 population or greater.

Liana O’Drobinak, `85 & MBA `92, and Jim O’Drobinak,`83, are Tampa accountants. Liana

is vice president for the south region at Jefferson Wells, a global provider of accounting and financial services.

Douglas Trueblood, `85, was named general

manager, marketing & sales, for Universal Studios Singapore. He will assist in the development of a studio similar to the one in Orlando for the next two years.

Manley E. Jaquiss, `86, is a correctional proba-

tion senior supervisor with the Florida Department of Corrections in Ft. Myers.

Karen Brewer Hagood, `87, is the manager of

the new environmental education center at Circle B Bar Reserve, a 267-acre county environmental preserve near Lakeland. Previously, she taught science at Lake Region High School.

Jill Jaquiss, `87, is a vice-president at Colonial Bank in Fort Myers.

Pamela J. Masten, MBA `87, of Celebration, Florida, received the Master of Divinity and The Arthur Paul Rech Memorial Award in Theology and Pastoral Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary at the school’s 196th Commencement Exercises in May 2008. The Master of Divinity is a three-year graduate degree that is the basic professional degree for ministry.

Reid Sheftall, M.D. `88, was profiled in MIT’s

Technology Review. He recently authored Striking It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros, based on his experiences as a surgeon and professional golfer. In 2003, Sheftall opened a clinic for child burn victims in Cambodia, the American Medical Center in Phnom Penh. He is also a cardcarrying member of the Malaysian PGA Tour, which he earned in 2005 in the tour’s qualifying school.

Deborah Sheridan, `89, was a finalist in the 2008 Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Business Woman of the Year Awards. Sheridan, a senior vice president at Synovus Bank, was nominated in the Financial Services category.

32 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER JULY 2008 2008

90s

Dr. D. Rob Haley, `90, was recognized

as a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Global and Public Health by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State, and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Dr. Haley is collaborating with international governments on a variety of initiatives involving healthcare reform.

In November 2007, he worked with the Chinese government and traveled to Beijing, Jinan, Qingdao, Hong Kong and Macau to discuss various healthcare initiatives. In July 2008, Dr. Haley implemented a series of healthcare summits for the Egyptian government to provide a global perspective of healthcare reform, leadership and financing.

Ed Lizarraga, `90, was named associate producer for Slate Media, Inc., in June. Lizarraga has extensive experience in sales and marketing, particularly in the wireless telecommunications industry. Most recently, he managed all aspects of a retail wireless outlet. As an associate producer, Lizarraga will work directly with national advertisers to provide opportunities for product placement and enhanced exposure through sponsorship of Slate Media’s nationally aired television shows. He also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Michael Palasick, `90, joined SupportSave

Solutions, Inc. as chief financial officer. SupportSave is a provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) services in the Philippines. Palasick, 39, brings nearly 20 years of experience to SupportSave Solutions. He has served in management roles at several leading financial institutions, including Bank of America and Barnett Banks, specializing in mortgage banking, capital markets and pricing strategies. Most recently, he served as a consultant to mortgage companies seeking to optimize their pricing, liquidity and profitability during this current housing downturn. Palasick holds an MBA from the University of Tampa.

Jeff Knott, Executive MBA `91,

has written Navigating the Healthcare Maze, published by DC Press, which he wrote to empower patients to become informed consumers of health care. The book is available at all major book stores and on Amazon.com.

Pippin Moreau Mebane, `91, co-founded Hiptotz.com, an online store for the children of Generation X-ers who want children’s clothing with a more hip, urban sense of style.

Steve Morris, M.D. `91, traveled to Myanmar this summer in the wake of a devastating cyclone to offer medical and humanitarian aid in spite of the military junta’s refusal of help. He stayed several weeks, doing what he could with only the most rudimentary supplies.

Morris, a USF professor of nursing, is a disaster relief expert with a long history of volunteering to respond during crises. He worked in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina and returns on weekends to work in rural hospitals there. He has responded to natural disasters all over the world and was featured in an article about his work this summer in The Tampa Tribune.

Janet M. Borchers, `92, a former USF Ambassador, is proud to announce the birth of a second granddaughter, Jaelyn Alyse, born February 6, 2008.

Borchers was also elected in March 2008 as vice president of the Teachers’ Association of Lee County and represented the county as a state delegate to the National Education Association convention in Washington, D.C. in July.

Stacy Carlson, `92, joined the Helios Education Foundation as vice president and director of transition years. Carlson works in conjunction with the Foundation’s community investment team to identify new partnership opportunities and implement the Foundation’s strategic investment goals in Florida. She has nearly10 years of experience in foundation development, educational advocacy and nonprofit capacity building. She is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at the University of Florida and holds a Master of Education from Harvard University. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from USF. Dana Perez Rodriguez, `93, is director of educa-

tion for the Connecticut Ballet and a member of the Dance Education Advisory Committee for the state Department of Education. After graduating from USF, Rodriguez moved to New York City to pursue a career in the dance field. She has been performing, teaching dance, and working at various performing arts organizations ever since. From 1994-1998, she toured extensively with Shari Lewis’ Lamb Chop & Friends. Rodriguez has taught master classes at various schools in Connecticut and New Jersey, as well as New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

She is an advisory board member of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance’s Young Artist Program and an arts education consultant. She also teaches jazz and lyrical dance at Monroe Dance Academy and is the co-artistic director of Monroe Dance Company.

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: kjackson@admin.usf.edu or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center ALC100 University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33620-5455

Montana Stambaugh, `93, passed the PACE

exam to become a registered paralegal. Stambaugh works for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. in Greenville, SC. She is one of only two registered paralegals in Greenville. The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam is offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations to test the competency level of experienced paralegals.

Thomas J. Temeyer, `94, has been awarded the Investment Management Consultants Association’s Certified Investment Management Analyst designation. Temeyer is a vice president in Franklin Templeton Investments’ New York Stock Exchange Division and Independent and Bank Division. Temeyer joined the company in 1995 and is based in St. Petersburg.

He’s responsible for promoting Franklin Templeton investment solutions to financial advisors in West Virginia and Kentucky.

Dr. Frances Vaughn Wilder, MSPH `94 & Ph.D `98, is presenting

research at the 2008 World Congress on Osteoarthritis in Rome, Italy, on behalf of the Arthritis Research Institute of America. She is presenting research on diabetes and osteoarthritis during the international conference to be held Sept. 18-21. The congress is the annual meeting of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI).

Gabe Lang, `95, is part of the leadership team for

Falcon Engineering, a Cary, NC-based firm formed recently as a result of the merger of Falcon and Tierra North Carolina, Inc. The firm offers engineering services, including geotechnical and environmental services, materials testing, inspections, including third-party and special inspections, and agency construction management. Lang will serve as vice president and geotechnical engineering manager.

He is also president of the Eastern North Carolina chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Daniel Ontengco, Jr., `95 & MPA `00, has

written a new science fiction adventure, The History of Man’s Future. This is Ontengco’s fourth published work. The others are Portrait of a View, The Heresy of Hearsay, and The Land of Green Eyes.

Dr. Peter Sedgwick, `95, is a sports medicine specialist in Lewiston, Maine. He practices with Central Maine Sports Medicine. Sedgwick earned his medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. He served residencies in family medicine and sports medicine at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Dr. Kathleen Armstrong, School Psychology Ph.D `96, and her husband Rich, a former College of

Education professor, were thrilled to attend the USF

graduations of both their sons in May 2008. Michael Armstrong graduated from the College of Medicine and Daniel Armstrong graduated from the College of Engineering.

David Quilleon, `96, and his wife Debbie, had twin boys, Blake Terence and Brody John on April 17, 2008.

Linda Courtney Clark, `97, has been

appointed to serve a three-year term on The Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee. Clark is an attorney with a private general practice that includes marital and family law, business/civil, personal injury and criminal law. She has been a resident of Hillsborough County for over 40 years and raised four children before entering USF and Stetson University College of Law. Clark volunteers regularly in many areas, including the 13th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Project, the Juvenile Attorney ad Litem Program and many other worthwhile causes.

Adam Daniels, `99 & MACC ‘01, was promoted

to audit manager at Pender Newkirk & Company.

Matthew Hudkins, `99 & M.D. `03,

is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, serving with 33 ERQS, a rescue squadron based at Moody AFB in Georgia that is on duty at Bagram AFB in Afghanistan.

Capt. Hudkins flies dangerous missions on HH-60 helicopters supporting MEDEVAC missions to help injured soldiers and Afghani citizens. He plans to return to the U.S. to complete his residency once his military commitment has ended.

Sherri Seidman, `99, works at Boca Raton Community Hospital teaching hearing babies ages 6 months to 2 years old and their parents how to use a modified sign language in order to communicate with each other. After graduating in 1999 from USF, Seidman moved to Scottsdale, AZ, and began working for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind as a transcriptionist for hearing-impaired students on an American Indian reservation. She also went back to school to receive her teacher training. In 2002, she returned to Florida and took a job teaching students at a satellite school for the deaf in Broward County before moving to Palm Springs Middle School.

00s Troy Dunmire, `00, is regional director for Banana Republic’s Los Angeles region, which includes Hawaii, Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Derek R. Williams, `00, has opened Williams Wealth Management, offering customized, concierge-style net worth advising for individuals and business owners. The offices are located in Bradenton, FL. George Bastable, `01, wrote a touching guest

column for the St. Petersburg Times about his experiences teaching middle school students about the Holocaust and the consequences of tacit complicity.

It was published May 18, 2008.

Jenifer A. (Markley) Boswell, `01, and her sister Jill (Markley) Chalkley, `01,

have joined forces as partner realtors for Re/Max. Jill has been successfully selling residential, commercial, and business real estate for more than three years and Jenifer has over 11 years of marketing experience and client management.

Nikole Collins-Puri, `01 cum laude,

was named as a Rising Star by Women in Technology, a 1,000-member not-forprofit organization for women in the technology industry. The Rising Star award is one of eight annual Leadership Awards bestowed by the organization. Collins-Puri is a former USF Alumni Association Outstanding Senior award winner and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She is a global business services diversity and inclusion senior manager for AT&T.

Danielle Chandonnet, `01, received the City of Mount Dora’s annual Above and Beyond award. Chandonnet earned her MPA with honors from Troy University in 2006, and now works in the public sector for the City of Mount Dora Community Redevelopment Agency as the marketing and business development director. Most recently, Chandonnet has been charged with the task of coordinating a $1 million fundraising campaign that will serve to renovate a cornerstone structure in the city – the Mount Dora Community Building. She organized a successful campaign kickoff event, produced a short film, has coordinated numerous direct mail campaigns, written several grants, manages monthly steering committee meetings and proactively maintains a full schedule of public speaking events.

Jacqueline Chandonnet, `01,

completed her MPA with honors from Northern Michigan University and recently joined Hillary Lyons Associates as senior associate, traveling to numerous healthcare facilities throughout the nation’s Midwest implementing successful fundraising programs.

OCTOBER JULY 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 33

classnotes Chandonnet spent several years as a broadcast journalist for WLUC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Negaunee, MI. She co-produced a feature-length historical documentary film, “The Enemy in our Midst: Nazi Prisoner of War Camps in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” which won a prestigious Award of Merit, the highest honor given by the Michigan Historical Society.

Chandonnet then began a career in the field of healthcare philanthropy. She served as foundation executive director at Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, MI, where she established a sustainable philanthropy program and led a successful campaign raising $5 million for the construction of a new facility in just one year.

Lisa Peake, M.Ed. `01, received the 2007

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She and 99 other honorees met Vice President Dick Cheney, had breakfast in the U.S. Capitol, dined at the State Department and won a $10,000 grant. Peake teaches Chemistry at Wesley Chapel High School. At 28, she is one of the youngest teachers to win the honor and the only Florida teacher to win.

Jill E. Reagan, `01 & MBA `06, has

joined Panther International of Clearwater as director of Communications & Marketing. Panther International is an application development and technology firm with offices in Tampa Bay, Tallahassee and San Francisco.

Jeff Fairbanks, `02 & M.M. Jazz Composition `05, was awarded the

BMI Charlie Parker Award on June 25th at the annual BMI Jazz Composer Workshop showcase concert at New York’s Merkin Hall. A noted creative forum for musical exploration and development, the BMI Jazz Workshop admits only the top jazz composers in the world. This award, given annually to only one composer from this group, includes the prestigious Manny Albam Commission that, in addition to the cash award, will result in a new work to be premiered next summer by the BMI/NY Jazz Orchestra.

Jeff also received a composer assistance grant from the American Music Center to help support the premiere of a new piece at the Brooklyn Lyceum in August by his own ensemble, the Jeff Fairbanks Jazz Orchestra.

In addition to all of this recognition, he is also a new father!

Jamie M. Knapp, `02 & M.A. Social Science Education `05, is the marketing coordinator for Engineering Matrix in St. Petersburg. She is also

34 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER JULY 2008 2008

working towards a second bachelor’s degree from USF St. Petersburg in business and marketing.

Rachel Lazinsk, `02, is a partner in Economical

Quality Products (EQP), an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) distributor. EQP, based in Windemere, FL, is a privately held, woman-owned company that has been providing quality promotional products for 16 years. Clients include automobile dealerships, Circle K convenience stores, KB Home and many others. Products include embroidered and screened wearables, give-aways, office products and much more.

Kim Scheeler, MBA `02, was named CEO and president of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Scheeler has served as the CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce since 2001. He began his post at the Greater Richmond Chamber in Virginia in August.

Deena G. Kemp, `03 & M.A. Mass Comm. `07, is the associate director for stewardship and

communications for USF Health Development at USF. She is responsible for communication with alumni and community supporters of the University’s colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health. She was formerly a community relations specialist for the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast.

Cosme Herrera, `04, had artwork included in the exhibition “How Soon is Now?” at the Bronx Museum in New York City this summer. He is one of only 36 artists in the exhibition selected from 300 applicants.

Christy J. Talbott, M.M. `04, recently

received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. In March of this year she presented a paper on aural training at the regional conference of the College Music Society. A mentor to other graduate teaching associates at Ohio State, she compiled a very helpful guidebook of significant pedagogical practices designed to instruct the new T.A. with little classroom experience or little background in educational methodologies.

Shari Deanna Wilson, `04, was

named Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2008 and competed in the Ms. Wheelchair America competition this summer in Rockville, MD. Wilson volunteers as a Children’s Ministry teacher at Joyful Noise Tabernacle and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She was disabled in 1990 at age 7 by the onset of Dermatomyositis, a muscular autoimmune disorder.

Chantel Mijo, `05, magna cum laude, founded Divide and Conquer, a tutoring service for students who are struggling academically. Most of her clients are high-schoolers preparing for college exams and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Francisco Blanquicet, `06, won the Ethernet

Alliance University Program 2008 White Paper Challenge. Blanquicet presented his paper on “PAUSE Power Cycle for Energy-Efficient Ethernet” alongside USF graduate advisor Dr. Ken Christensen at the Interop conference in Las Vegas in the spring of 2008.

Blanquicet’s paper received several press accolades, including Network World, EE Times, and TechTarget.

He also received a cash prize of $3,000. Blanquicet is currently a grad student at USF.

Jeanette Chase, `06, of Wesley Chapel, is coleading a team traveling to Casablanca, Chile, to participate in a Habitat for Humanity Global Village volunteer work team from September 29 to October 12. Jeanette worked on a Habitat Global Village build team in Kuching, Malaysia in October 2007.

She is on the advisory board for Hands on Tampa Bay and works with Kids Charity of Tampa Bay. Ashley Evans Hilton, `06, was one of three cho-

reographers from USF to be selected to participate in Moving Grounds, an annual concert series that presents the best in music and dance from all over Florida and the Southeast. Typically only about onethird of the applicant’s make the cut to appear in the series. The performances were held May 16 and 17 in Theatre II on the USF campus.

Meghan Sheehan, `06, is the associate editor of Nursery Retailer magazine, Garden Chic magazine, both national garden retail trade magazines, and Interiorscape magazine, a national interior “plantscape” trade magazine, based in Clearwater.

Edward C. Woodward, MLA `06,

did a radio interview with Bill Dudley of the Florida Humanities Council, in a statewide broadcast promoting the new book Rivers of the Green Swamp, an Anthology. Woodward is co-founder of Paddle and Path, LLC, a print and web publishing enterprise designed to celebrate Florida’s trails and waterways.

The book, published by the Tampa Bay Writers Network, is the culmination of two USF graduate studies programs. Students under the tutelage of assistant English professor Tom Hallock wrote about their explorations of four rivers – the Hillsborough, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha, and Peace – that comprise what is known as the Green Swamp. At the same time, Woodward and several of the other participating writers were involved in the Florida Studies program co-developed by USF professor Gary Mormino, also an anthology contributing writer.

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: kjackson@admin.usf.edu or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center ALC100 University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 33620-5455

Ashley Butler, `07, was the first female franchise owner of Ice Cold Air on W. Hillsborough Ave. She now owns the larger shop on S. Dale Mabry Highway.

Stephen Deucker, MBA `07, joined the new

Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain resort in Tucson as the head of sales and marketing. He previously was in the same position for the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Melanie Hackney, `07, is pursuing a Doctorate

degree at Louisiana State University, where she was recently elected president of the Department of French Studies Graduate Association. In February, she presented a paper at an International Medieval Graduate Conference and was elected to the board of directors for the conference. She is also president of LSU’s petanque club, Petanque Louisianaise, and she recently received the Eliot Dow Healy memorial fellowship, a $1000 award for excellence in Medieval Studies.

Carissa Caricato, `08, is the new

director of marketing and communications at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2008 with a major in Public Relations and minors in both Business Administration and Communications.

Adam King, `08, received a Fulbright Grant to teach English in Taiwan. King graduated in May as a King O’Neal Scholar, an honor given to graduates with at least a 4.0 GPA. Brianne Northcutt, `08, went to South Africa this summer to work at a new child care center near the University of Limpopo that was developed by USF Associate Professor of Educational Psychology Darlene DeMarie, Ph.D.

Jason Richards, `08, is a news photojournalist with WFTX-TV, a Fox affiliate owned by Journal Broadcast Group, in Cape Coral.

Julie Salomone, `08, is a reporter for WXOW television, the ABC affiliate in La Crosse, WI.

Corina Van Wicklin, `08, joined Intelligent Targeting as an account executive. She is responsible for the day-to-day coordination of agency services for clients’ direct marketing programs, managing timelines, providing account service, solving problems, and reporting progress. She also assists in business development. Intelligent Targeting is a Tampa-based direct marketing and interactive firm.

In the Bulls Eye… Devin Hammer, Criminology, `97

Chandler, AZ

Hammer, a field systems engineer for Eaton Powerware, turned down endorsement money so he could wear his Bulls T-shirt when played in the World Series of Poker, held in Las Vegas this summer.

“I dedicated my whole Main Event experience to my grandfather, José Lopez. He passed away Jan. 4, 2008. He taught me the basics of poker when I was younger. I cut out a picture of him wearing a USF shirt, put it in a plastic cardholder and it sat in front of my chips throughout the tournament. He meant the world to me.”

His progress during the series was followed closely by USF supporters on TheBullsPen.com message boards.

“Every day after playing, I’d get on the boards and tell them what was going on – how many chips I had and stuff like that. On breaks, I text them and they’d post the updates. It was pretty great.”

He hung in until Day 3 of the tournament, finishing in the top 1,300 out of more than 6,800 players.

“I did all right for the first time playing in the Main Event. Next year I hope to improve. Hopefully, I’ll get to the final table. Then USF will be all over T.V.

José Lopez

OCTOBER JULY 2008 | ALUMNIVOICE 35

athletics Knowledge-A-Bull Sure, you know their stats on the field, but how much do you know about your USF Bulls off the field? Take this quiz and see if you can match the player with his personal info. (You can visit www.GoUSFBulls.com to “confirm” your answers or you can just check at the bottom of the page.)

A

Class Year: Sophomore Height/Weight: 6’ 4”/212 lbs.

Shoe Size: 12 Birthday: 4/6/1988 Siblings: 1 sister Favorite Movie: “Finding Nemo”

B

Class Year: Junior Height/Weight: 6’ 0”/209 lbs Shoe Size: 11.5 1. Delbert Alvarado ____ 5. Carlton Mitchell ____ Birthday: 1/3/1989 Siblings: 1 brother; 1 sister Favorite Movie: “Crash”

C

Class Year: Senior Height/Weight: 6’ 5”/320 lbs Shoe Size: 14 Birthday: 8/30/1986 Siblings: 1 brother; 1 sister Favorite Movie: “Shooter”

2. Matt Grothe ____

6. George Selvie ____

Be Respect-A-Bull The University of South Florida in partnership with the student body, alumni and fans has initiated the "Be Respect-A-Bull" campaign aimed at promoting a higher level or pride, sportsmanship and honor.

Please welcome the players, coaches and fans of our opponent with great respect and the wonderful hospitality that can and will be the hallmark of Bulls everywhere. Our goal is to create a first-class environment to lend support to our team while maintaining a safe and fun atmosphere for visiting fans as well.

E

3. Taurus Johnson ____

7. Ryan Schmidt ____

Class Year: Junior Height/Weight: 6’ 4”/245 lbs.

Shoe Size: 13 Birthday: 3/6/1987 Siblings: None Favorite Movie: “Waterboy”

F

Class Year: Senior Height/Weight: 6’ 1”/205 lbs.

Shoe Size: 12 Birthday: 4/13/1986 Siblings: None Favorite Movie: “Remember the Titans”

G

4. Tyrone McKenzie ____ Key: 1-B; 2-D; 3-F; 4-G; 5-A; 6-E; 7-C

36 ALUMNIVOICE | OCTOBER 2008

D

Class Year: Junior Height/Weight: 6’ 0”/205 lbs.

Shoe Size: 13 Birthday: 9/8/1986 Siblings: 2 brothers Favorite Movie: “Daylight”

Class Year: Senior Height/Weight: 6’ 2”/235 lbs.

Shoe Size: 12.5 Birthday: 12/11/1985 Siblings: 3 sisters Favorite Movie: “American Gangster”

calendar

your membership in action

OCTOBER

2 USF vs. Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

2 “Hair” opens, 8 p.m., USF Theatre Hall, USF Tampa campus. Visit http:// www.arts.usf.edu>Arts Events Calendar for ticket info.

14 SuperBull XII Homecoming Carnival, TBA, USF Tampa campus. Visit http://ctr.usf.edu/homecoming for details.

15 USF St. Petersburg Homecoming Social, 6 p.m., Contact Donna Brickman at dfox3@tampabay.rr.com for details.

17 Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center Open House, 9 a.m., USF Tampa campus, RSVP to tgray@admin.usf.edu 17 USF Alumni Association Awards Luncheon and Board of Directors Meeting; Gibbons Alumni Center, Traditions Hall, USF Tampa campus, RSVP to Jenny Cater at jcater@admin.usf.edu 17 USF Alumni Association Homecoming Parade Watch Party, 6:30 p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center, USF Tampa campus. Visit www.USFalumni. org>Events for details.

18 Bulls Roast Tailgate Party, 3 hours prior to kickoff, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa.

18 Homecoming SuperBull XII, USF vs. Syracuse, TBA, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

23 Great Book Series: The March by E.L. Doctorow, 6:30 p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center, USF Tampa campus, RSVP to bjewesak@admin.usf.edu 25 USF vs. Louisville, TBA, Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

30 Columbia SC Chapter Watch Party, TBA, Visit www.USFalumni. org>Events for details on this and other watch parties locally and across the country.

30 USF vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m., Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH. Visit www.

GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

NOVEMBER

15 USF vs. Rutgers, TBA, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. Visit www.

GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

23 USF vs. Connecticut, 8 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

DECEMBER

6 USF vs. West Virginia, TBA, Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV. Visit www.GoUSFBulls.com or Ticketmaster.com for ticket info.

USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC 100 Tampa, FL. 33620-5455 Membership Renewal Date:

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT NO 923