Connection Spring 2024

Spring

PRESIDENT

Dr. Martha D. Saunders

VICE

Howard J. Reddy ADVANCEMENT

Claire Stewart

Katie Schutts

Robin Zimmern

Q&A

with President Saunders

In December, the University of West Florida marked a significant milestone when the 100,000th alumnus was graduated. Since its first commencement ceremony in 1968, the University has conferred more than 121,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. President Martha D. Saunders reflects on this remarkable moment in University history.

How did it feel to graduate the 100,000th alumnus at the Fall commencement ceremonies?

There was tremendous excitement leading up to it. You could really feel the Argo pride at the Pensacola Bay Center that day. Whether one or 100,000, every Argo contributes to UWF’s story.

Describe how more than 100,000 Argo alumni are changemakers worldwide.

Our 100,000 alumni have boldly entered the world and dynamically impacted their professions and communities. Our graduates are filling roles as accountants and educators, nurses and military leaders, entrepreneurs and engineers. You’ll learn more about some of them and the impact they are making on page 15.

The number of alumni and alumni engagement are on the rise. Tell us more about that.

There is an Argo living in all 50 states and 70 countries globally. UWF has nine alumni associations across the country where alumni, who despite moving away from the area, still connect with each other and celebrate their Argo spirit.

Letter from the Vice President

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,

In December, we had the honor of graduating our 100,000th alum at the University of West Florida.

Fifty-six years ago classes commenced. Since that day, our University and community have grown consistently, and through their attendance and commitment, every student has played a role in shaping who we are today.

As we celebrate this moment, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you, our alumni and friends, for your dedication to our University. Since 1967, your ongoing engagement and generosity have ensured that UWF continues to innovate and deliver a world-class teaching and learning environment.

This noteworthy milestone is a testament to our collective commitment to our noble mission and the enduring legacy of our University. Our graduates have gone on to become inspirational leaders in their fields and pillars of the communities they serve.

You have made your mark and we are honored to call you each a member of Argo Nation.

News & Notes

Recent news from the University of West Florida

SAMANTHA JEFFRIES & KAY TAPPAN ’05

UWF continues to dominate rankings

The University’s excellence continues to be reflected in national rankings. For the second consecutive year, UWF ranked in the top 10 public institutions in the region by U.S. News & World Report for 2024. UWF received badges for ranking among the top regional universities in the South in the following categories: Regional University South; Regional Public University South; Best Colleges for Veterans Regional South; and Undergraduate Nursing.

UWF came in at No. 12 on the “Best for Vets” college list released by Military Times, marking its highest ranking to date among 325 schools. UWF was also awarded the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity, or HEED, Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for the sixth consecutive year and eighth time overall. For the 11th year, UWF was named a 2023 “Great College to Work For,” with special designation as an Honor Roll institution for the fifth straight year.

Howard Reddy Vice President for University Advancement

Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment

The Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering received a $100,000 gift from the late Dr. Frank Silver to establish the Dr. Frank and Dale Silver Distinguished Chemistry Endowment. Named after himself and his wife, the endowment provides operational and scholarship support to students in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Frank Silver was a longtime supporter of the college, helping with the costs of students’ travel to conferences, research supplies and seminar attendance.

Agreement Signing Ceremony with Coastal Alabama Community College

Coastal Alabama Community College and UWF celebrated the launch of a new agreement that provides a seamless transition from CACC to UWF. The agreement guarantees acceptance for graduates of the Associate of Applied Sciences in Registered Nursing and AAS in Medical Laboratory Technology programs at CACC into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences programs, respectively, housed in UWF’s Usha Kundu, MD College of Health.

Center for Cybersecurity

GenCyber camps prepare next generation of cybersecurity professionals

The GenCyber Experience Cyber Challenge courses took place in April 2023 at the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and provided the opportunity for area middle and high school students to learn about cybersecurity, including opensource intelligence, coding, web attacks and Kali Linux.

Business students pitch stock recommendations for Argo Growth Fund and debate future of cryptocurrency

Three UWF College of Business students delivered their stock investment recommendations for the University’s studentmanaged Argo Growth Fund at a public presentation at the UWF Commons Auditorium. Luke Racine presented Nvidia Corp, Nicolas Mielke presented BYD Company and Pedro Pilli presented Kratos Defense and Security Solutions. The event also included a debate by undergraduate business students Robert Sherlock and Aaron Korel on the future of cryptocurrency.

UWF welcomes top scholars to campus

UWF welcomed its sixth class of National Merit Finalists this past fall. Julia Allgeyer, Aiden Black and Alana Davis were among approximately 15,000 students across the country who met the requirements for Finalist standing, out of an estimated 1.5 million high school juniors who participated in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship competition.

UWF teams earn top awards at HR Florida Conference Student Case Competition

A UWF graduate team placed first and an undergraduate team placed second at the HR Florida Conference Student Case Competition held during the annual HR Florida Leadership Conference in Orlando. Kaleb Libby, Will Ballew, Brianna Miller, Namrata Lotlikar and Kaylee Bartee conducted research and crafted relevant solutions addressing multiple questions from the provided case. Milena Franzini and Nikkie Galvan, two undergraduate students, conducted a 15-minute presentation, wrote a two-page summary and participated in a Q&A with a panel of judges.

Ascension Sacred Heart and UWF establish immersive nursing experience

Ascension Sacred Heart and UWF have launched a strategic initiative that allows 16 upper-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to complete the final three semesters of their clinical and classroom time on Ascension Sacred Heart’s Pensacola campus.

UWF receives Triumph grant to address workforce demands in healthcare

Funds from a $6,685,757 Triumph grant will help expand programs in the UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health and improve delivery of nursing credentials and related health science certifications.

UWF partners with Farcast Biosciences to research cancer treatment

UWF and Farcast Biosciences will collaborate on an innovative research program to make cancer treatment more predictable for patients. The research conducted in the program will aid the development of therapeutics, diagnostics and other treatment modalities for precision cancer medicine.

New programs meet evolving industry needs

In Fall 2023, the University launched several new programs to meet industry demands and student interest. The Usha Kundu, MD College of Health launched an Entry into Practice Master of Science in Nursing program. The five-semester, in-person graduate program is a direct pathway to the nursing profession for those who have already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

The College of Business offered two new, fully online graduate programs. The Executive Master of Business Administration: Leadership Practice and Purpose is designed for professionals with at least five years of managerial experience and is one of only a few in the nation to emphasize leadership. The Master of Science in Administration with a specialization in sport administration prepares students for careers in the growing global sport market.

Argos travel around the world, networking and learning along the way

BY ALLISON MORGAN

ore and more Argonauts are seeing blue and green, in the form of land and sea. Trips abroad have resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on international travel. The restart of trips has sparked a renewal of ideas for ways to see the world and experiences to offer Argonauts. Dr. Jocelyn Evans, professor of government and director of the UWF Kugelman Honors Program, recently introduced a new take on the “traditional” study abroad trip.

“After our Honors trip in 2022 to Washington, D.C., and keeping it relatively low cost with visiting free museums, I thought, ‘What other ways can we get students to study away and make it affordable?,’” Evans said. “I began looking into whether it would be possible for students to study abroad on a cruise ship. I started cold calling cruise lines to find out.”

After much research, Evans discovered that the study abroad cruise model was something that has seemingly never been done, but that could be. She found the only similar option was a semester at sea, but that program is run by an organization, not a university. Evans wanted to provide a broad experience of cultural immersion through the study of one topic across many different locations. “Traditional” study abroad trips provide students the opportunity to spend an extended period of time in one to two locations while earning academic credit.

For two weeks in Summer 2023, Evans and her Honors students cruised on a 14-night tour of the Greek Isles and the Mediterranean. The group flew into Athens, where they were able to see the Parthenon and the Acropolis and then boarded the ship. They visited Montenegro, Mykonos, Venice, Sicily, Rome, Florence, and flew home from Barcelona. Evans said she was blown away by the beauty of Kotor, Montenegro, but one of her favorite memories has been taking students to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.

“Students’ jaws drop and they just have a look of awe; it’s one of those moments that gives you goosebumps because you’ve shown them this,” Evans said.

It was the first time Honors student Langley Knighten, a senior biomedical major, had left North America. She said the trip has made her think about other places and realize just how big the world is.

“I’ve never been a person to travel, and I’ve always been happy to stay here because I was born and raised in Pensacola and picked a university in Pensacola, but just going somewhere else like that has made me want to travel more and do more things outside of my comfort zone,” Knighten said.

Knighten signed up for the trip not knowing who would be traveling with her. The outcome was unmatched — forged friendships and more opportunities as an Honors student as she now serves as an Honors mentor.

Many more unforgettable experiences are on the horizon for students as well as alumni in 2024. The 10th anniversary of the Irish Experience, hosted by UWF’s Dr. Grier Williams School of Music, will give music and Honors students the opportunity to explore Ireland for 10 days during the summer. An Honors seminar course during the trip will count toward students’ degrees. During the trip, students will collaborate with celebrated Irish authors and artists on individual music projects, participate in the Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and dance at the University of Limerick. They’ll sing their way through traditional Irish concerts and music sessions at the Blas Festival and take day trips to iconic locations such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

“Students’ jaws drop and they just have a look of awe; it’s one of those moments that gives you goosebumps because you’ve shown them this.”

—Dr. Jocelyn Evans, professor of government and director of the UWF Kugelman Honors Program

ALL UWF STUDY ABROAD programs include coursework and educational experiences that allow students to get ahead in their degree while traveling the world with their classmates.

UWF’s Alumni Association has several upcoming international trips offered by Collette Travel at a discounted rate for all UWF alumni and supporters. Trips scheduled for 2024 include the British landscapes of England, Scotland and Wales, Costa Rica, and the magical Christmas markets in Austria and Germany. In 2025, a trip to Portugal and a trip to Iceland are planned. Alumnus Phillip Imperial went on the inaugural alumni trip to Ireland last year.

“Traveling with fellow UWF Alumni members was hands down a one-of-a-kind experience that involved getting to know one another coupled with exploring a new and foreign land,” Imperial said. “It really broke the barriers that a normal networking event has, and by the time we were done, we were all left with a connection that was built, forged and protected by the principle that we all experienced this trip together, and we will go forth and always have the memories made on this trip.”

Traveling with fellow members of the UWF community certainly presents the opportunity to create lasting friendships, and Evans believes these experiences also lead to greater academic success for students.

“If you’ve never been abroad, your world is so small,” Evans said. “When you go abroad you encounter so many different cultures, languages and cuisines. Everything that floods your senses is unfamiliar and exotic. Students were able to see major civilizations that have shaped our own language, customs and cultures, and they also reflected on aspects of humanity that transcend time, space and place.”

UWF STUDENTS pose during their study abroad trip to Europe.

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS enjoy a Guinness on their Ireland trip in 2023.

GLOBAL ARGOS

STUDENTS TACKLE

REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES FOR ARMY, AIR FORCE

Military partnerships enhance computer and electrical engineering programs

BY STEPHANIE YANCEY ’96

Last year, student teams in the Dr. Muhammad Harunur Rashid Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering participated in two innovative projects with local military partners. Dr. Thomas Gilbar, chair and lecturer for electrical and computer engineering at UWF on the Emerald Coast, said partnerships with our military bases bring real-world problems to our students. “These projects are mutually beneficial — the real-world problems help to prepare our students for a successful career when they graduate as well as give our local partners access to new, fresh engineers and their creative thinking.”

“The project allowed us to encompass the full scope of our learning at UWF and see how it all comes together.”

—Eamon Anderson, ’23, electrical engineering major

BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHTENS JUNGLE TREKS

In 2022, representatives from the 7th Special Forces Group approached Gilbar to present some challenges facing the unit and collaborate with engineering students on innovative solutions.

One challenge was to develop a better method of charging batteries for the electronics soldiers carry in their rucksacks as they trek through the jungle. As a former member of the 7th Special Forces Group, student Eamon Anderson had first-hand experience with the project’s subject matter.

“Having been in the unit, I knew that carrying excess batteries is always a challenge,” Anderson said. “As you add extra weight to rucksacks, a lot more planning goes into how long it will take soldiers to maneuver around.”

During the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters, Anderson along with students Daniel Buraczynski and Paul Ruth developed a battery system that reduces charging time, extends battery life, improves rucksack weight and uses soldiers’ motion as they walk through the jungle to help charge the systems.

“In the engineering program, we learned things in blocks as we moved through the courses,” Anderson said. “The project allowed us to encompass the full scope of our learning at UWF and see how it all comes together.”

The system was enthusiastically received by the 7th Special Forces Group. The student team, who completed their Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degrees in Spring 2023, made some requested modifications last summer in advance of Army range testing.

AI IMPROVES BATTLEFIELD INTELLIGENCE

In Fall 2023, senior computer engineering students Nathan Harris and Bradley Edgar worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory to improve battlefield intelligence gathering by creating a machine-learning algorithm. As part of their capstone project, the students analyzed and trained an algorithm to automatically identify military equipment such as trucks and cars in images captured by an AFRL camera.

“We used a form of artificial intelligence to take data of an image to tune and train the algorithm so when it got a new image it could say, ‘I’ve seen that in the past,’” Harris said. “Then it could say with certainty what’s in the new picture and identify things such as military vehicles. Our software is even capable of identifying objects in environments obscured by foliage or camouflage.”

Harris said the AFRL scientists and engineers provided technical guidance and helped his team develop professional-level problem-solving skills.

“We set up biweekly tech brainstorming sessions where ideas flowed freely,” Harris said. “When we hit roadblocks, the AFRL

team dove into problem-solving mode, and together, we tackled challenges and came up with some pretty cool solutions. The whole experience was a knowledge booster shot for our team, leaving us with new skills and a confidence boost for future projects.”

The project was completed and the algorithm was provided to the AFRL last fall. The students hope the algorithm is a useful tool the military can continue to improve over the long term.

Dr. Jeff McGuirk, a lecturer of electrical and computer engineering who served in the United States Air Force for 21 years as a developmental engineer, was the project liaison between UWF and the military on both projects and served as faculty mentor to the initial student team.

“The technical knowledge and experience our students gain doing real-world projects while still in school is an incredible opportunity for them,” McGuirk said. “Our department is looking forward to future collaborations with the AFRL and the 7th Special Forces Group.”

THE RUCKSACK created by UWF students provided a better method of charging batteries for the electronics soldiers carry in their rucksacks as they trek through the jungle.

LEFT Nathan Harris worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory to improve battlefield intelligence gathering by creating a machine-learning algorithm.

Dr. Susan James

IN ADDITION TO teaching courses, James serves as the UWF Faculty Senate President and spearheads the Emerald Coast Writing Project.

UWF provides Dr. Susan James a home where she has received, and continues to give, a love of learning and literacy.

BY KAY TAPPAN ’05

or Dr. Susan James, UWF is home. James’s family moved to Pensacola in 1976 for her father’s job as a Navy Supply Corps Officer on the USS Lexington. Her mother was the president of the local Navy Wives Club where she did outreach for military wives, many of whom wished to pursue an education.

“UWF was an institute that was used in my household quite frequently,” James said. “I really became close with UWF in 1990 when my husband, who was a Marine aviator, was killed during Desert Shield. I went to UWF, and they basically scooped me up in a cup and gave me direction.”

James was trained to be an elementary school teacher, and she returned to school at UWF for student-teaching in the middle grades, where Dr. Phila Crane became her faculty advisor.

“It is not lost on me that ‘p-h-i-l’ comes from the Greek verb meaning love,” James said. “Dr. Crane walked me through it and said, ‘You’re a master teacher, and you’re going to be a great educator.’ I don’t know if I would have had that belief in myself.”

James ended up back at UWF in 2005 after she was displaced from her New Orleans home by Hurricane Katrina. With her knowledge of children’s and young adult literature, educators in the community encouraged her to become a literacy coach, so she enrolled in the M.Ed. program at UWF.

She took a course with Dr. Ann Agnew. “She had more knowledge about children’s and young adult books than any person I’ve ever come in contact with. I sat in her classroom, and I learned how to be an educator who wrote with students instead of an educator who assigned work to students. I sat there and thought to myself, ‘I want to be her.’”

James went on to earn a Ph.D. at Florida State University and joined the education faculty at UWF in 2011.

Today she provides the same sense of love, encouragement and community to UWF students that Crane, Agnew and others provided for her.

UWF senior education student Fiona Morris said James always emphasizes the importance of building a community in their classrooms. “She teaches us to establish healthy relationships with our students, and she exemplifies that in class.”

In addition to teaching courses in the School of Education, James serves as the UWF Faculty Senate President and spearheads the Emerald Coast Writing Project, a summer professional development opportunity for area teachers she established in 2015.

Former student Amanda Ditto helped James with the ECWP launch. Ditto is now an assistant principal at a high school in Redmond, Oregon, and still consults the ECWP for virtual resources and connections.

“Dr. James has been one of the most influential mentors in my educational career,” Ditto said. “Her wisdom and tenacity toward learning has been a guide for my own evolutionary journey from a student to an educational leader.”

James said UWF instilled in her a love of literacy and a firm belief in herself. Now she hopes to pass that torch on to her students.

“As educators, it’s all about the kids. Every single decision we make, we need to make it thinking about those faces in front of us. Every single one. And if we do that, we will always make the right decision.”

“Dr. James has been one of the most influential mentors in my educational career. Her wisdom and tenacity toward learning has been a guide for my own evolutionary journey from a student to an educational leader.”

—Amanda Ditto, UWF alumna, Assistant Principal

“I went to UWF, and they basically scooped me up in a cup and gave me direction.”

ONE ARGO NATION

The stories behind the number

BY STEPHANIE YANCEY ’96

The best stories are about people who have unique perspectives, transform themselves in pursuit of a dream, possess an abundant spirit of compassion and serve as sources of inspiration to others.

The alumni of the University of West Florida embody these qualities.

In December, UWF officially surpassed 100,000 alumni, having conferred more than 121,000 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees since its first commencement ceremony in 1968. The impact of this important milestone is best told by sharing the captivating stories of our alumni who have carried the Argo spirit into the world and made it their mission to change it.

UWF felt like home for Stephen Wright ’81 long before he became a student. As a child, he often accompanied his dad, Ronald ’69, to campus as he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University. Stephen Wright met his wife, Mona ’79, at UWF and their daughter, Jamie ’18, followed in their footsteps and chose to pursue her master’s degree in political science at the University.

Stephen and Mona Wright have dedicated their lives to others by supporting scholarship endowments at UWF and through many philanthropic endeavors, such as Coastal Connection, a nonprofit they helped establish that focuses on addressing domestic and international development goals.

A three-generation UWF legacy began for Olivia Ashcraft ’18 with her grandmother Sue Hicks Dyess ’69, ’82 and was passed down by her mother, Cheryl Dyess Ashcraft ’93. Olivia Ashcraft now puts her education and talents to work professionally in UWF’s Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs and proudly displays a nautilus shell painted by her grandmother in her office.

“The UWF connection the three of us have is meaningful to me because of the lineage of strong women in my family,” Olivia Ashcraft said. “I want them both to know that I’m very proud of them.”

For some, UWF sparks something beautiful that profoundly impacts the lives of others. That was the case for Dustin ’11 and Rachel ’12 Brenton, who met in a team sports class at UWF and later married.

“We wanted to expand our family through adoption and initially, we thought we would adopt from foster care, but we never planned on being foster parents,” Dustin said. “Our church reached out about a little boy who

OUR 100K ALUMNI inhabit all 50 states, 70 countries and collectively hold 121,006 degrees.

would need foster care for a short time, but would soon need an adoptive family, so we said ‘Yes!’”

That first experience led the couple to decide they had room in their hearts and home to become full-time foster parents. Since that time, the Brentons have fostered 19 children ages three to 17, including nine kids who were in their care during the coronavirus pandemic. They became the forever parents through adoption to two of those children and will continue to provide more foster children a safe and loving home in the future.

“Sometimes people tell Rachel and me how lucky our foster kids are to have us, and we always tell them, ‘We’re the lucky ones,’” Dustin said.

When William W. Fontaine ’79 met a young U.S. Marine in dress uniform at a family wedding, he learned first-hand the impact of a device he designed that attaches to the front of military vehicles and detonates anti-tank mines.

“He told me he and a fellow Marine had been in a convoy in Afghanistan driving

a tactical vehicle pushing a Panama City Mine Roller when they hit an improvised explosive device that destroyed the entire front of the truck,” Fontaine said. “I told the Marine I had designed that mine roller. He burst into tears and hugged me because he and his buddy walked away from the explosion without any injuries.”

The story of impactful Argos would be incomplete without honoring the thousands of UWF military and veteran alumni whose service to our country has ensured our safety and guarded our freedom.

With eight years in the U.S. Army as an infantry team leader and a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart, Jason Crawford ’04, ’10 understands the unique challenges facing active duty military personnel and veteran students pursuing their educational goals.

Crawford said UWF and the Military and Veterans Resource Center have always done a phenomenal job and taken ownership of “getting it right” for military students.

TOP 5 Undergraduate Degrees

1. Psychology

2. Management

3. Elementary Education

4. Accounting

5. Social Work

“The UWF connection the three of us have is meaningful to me because of the lineage of strong women in my family. I want them both to know that I’m very proud of them.”

— Olivia Ashcraft ’18

SUE HICKS DYESS ’69, ’82, holds a nautilus shell she painted which is displayed in her granddaughter, Olivia’s, office on the UWF campus.

THREE GENERATIONS OF ARGOS: Olivia Ashcraft ’18, with her grandmother Sue Hicks Dyess ’69, ’82 and mother, Cheryl Dyess Ashcraft ’93.

“It can be a daunting process coming off active duty and understanding how to register for classes and access tuition benefits,” Crawford said. “The MVRC is always there to help, step by step. When my unit got deployed in 2002, the MVRC took care of school-related issues for the affected student-soldiers so we could focus on the important work ahead of us.”

Many alumni remind us of the transformative nature that higher education brings to a community. Shining examples of this include Dick Appleyard ’74, ’75, Darrell Gooden ’73, the Honorable Jerry Maygarden ’74, ’75, ’13, Mort O’Sullivan ’73, Sandy Sansing ’69 and brothers Charlie ’81 and John ’89 Switzer. Each has embraced the opportunity to give back to the University, our students and the community through their generous gifts.

Then there are the alumni who are making their mark in really cool jobs.

Six alumni have made “star sailing” their profession as NASA astronauts on space

100KALUMNI

Ginny Cranor ’12 is responsible for seven divisions, six fire stations and more than 130 members of the PFD. Mya Clark ’20, ’22 was recruited directly from UWF to join the FOX 14 television news anchor team in Amarillo, Texas, a rare industry feat. When he isn’t working his full-time job producing live, gavel-to-gavel programming for Court TV, Adelin Gasana ’08 creates social, political, historical and cultural documentary films from concept to completion.

ONE ARGO NATION

and by serving as trustees, board members, advocates and mentors.

The impact of alumni who share their time and talents through volunteerism at the University and the greater UWF community is immeasurable. Pam Schwartz ’69, ’78 is representative of the hundreds of volunteers who have empowered the University to showcase the authentic and diversely rich history of Northwest Florida through the UWF Historic Trust and its properties. Countless alumni leaders lend their wisdom and advance the mission of the University through business partnerships

UWF Alumni Association president Whitney Fike ’07 said the 100,000 alumni milestone symbolizes a vast network of success stories, shared experiences and continuing connections.

“Each graduate contributes to the University’s legacy, and together, we celebrate the collective impact of knowledge, achievement and lifelong connections forged within the UWF community.”

UWF President Martha D. Saunders said UWF’s 100,000+ alumni have boldly entered the world and dynamically impacted their professions and communities.

“We are proud of their many accomplishments, and their support of the University as alumni tell us they are proud of their

HISTORIC $1.6M GRANT EXPANDS

FOR STUDENT-PARENTS

High-quality, on campus childcare becomes more affordable for eligible students

BY ALLISON MORGAN

TOP: UWF student, Hanna Klump, poses with her four children at UWF’s Educational Research Center for Child Development.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Hanna’s son shows off his photos through the years at the ERCCD.

Many more student-parents at the University of West Florida are able to wipe the worry of affording childcare from their minds, following a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The cost of care at UWF’s Educational Research Center for Child Development won’t keep student-parents like Hanna Klump, a mother of four, from having to choose between staying at home with her children or continuing her postsecondary education.

Before the grant, Klump, who earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in Fall 2023, chose not to pursue her master’s degree because of the continued expense of childcare for all four of her children, who are all enrolled at the ERCCD. After learning of the grant and financial support last year, she was thrilled she would be able to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science at UWF in Spring 2024.

“Being a full-time student and mother of four, working full-time to pay for childcare would be an added challenge to an already full schedule; my husband works full-time as well,” Klump said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the center and the financial security of this grant.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the center and the financial security of this grant.”

—Hanna Klump ’23

The four-year Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant, known as CCAMPIS, assists Pell-eligible and Pell-recipient student-parents. In addition to securing the grant, UWF’s Educational Research Center for Child Development also accomplished the near-impossible feat of a perfect review panel. Kaley Dawkins, director of the ERCCD, played a big role in the application process and securing the largest grant UWF’s ERCCD has ever received.

“The CCAMPIS grant allows studentparents to persist in their degree while si multaneously laying a lasting foundation for their child’s future education and develop ment without the financial burden of rising childcare costs,” Dawkins said. “This is a great accomplishment for the center.”

Klump is not only thankful for the finan cial support, but also the support of staff

members, who she says have become like family to her.

“When I was in and out of the hospital pregnant with twins, everyone was so helpful, and we really relied on their care for our other two children,” Klump said. “They have been like family to us, and I would say all the families that use the center would say the same. Every day my kids are around people who really care about them, and it will be bittersweet when they outgrow the center.”

The UWF grant supports ERCCD parents with 50 to 90% off childcare fees. The total financial support is dependent upon several personal factors including the number of classes the student is enrolled in, how many children are enrolled at the center and whether they are the single head of the household. Students must be in good academic standing.

UWF’s ERCCD was established in the early 1970s and has been the first education-

LEFT: Director Kaley Dawkins helps secure largest grant in ERCCD history. MIDDLE: Hanna posing with her daughter and ERCCD teacher. RIGHT: Hanna’s son playing in his classroom.

LIVING OUT DREAMS

ON THE DIAMOND

Father-son duo shares special bond on the bases and beyond

BY ALLISON MORGAN

UWF’s Jim Spooner Field is practically a second home for Head Baseball Coach Mike Jeffcoat and his son, shortstop Trent Jeffcoat. Trent’s first memory of visiting UWF’s baseball field was in 2005, when he was five years old — the same year his father, a double alumni, was elevated from pitching coach to the head coach after longtime coach and mentor Jim Spooner retired. Nearly two decades later, it is a dream come true for both to be a part of the program and pursue their

“It has always been a dream of mine to play at UWF, and I wound up playing for my dad,” Trent said. “It has been a lot of fun. He definitely knows how to push my buttons at times, but I enjoy it a lot, and I get to see him everyday.”

Like his father, Trent picked up playing baseball from a preschool age. Starting with t-ball, Trent never missed a year in his life playing ball. At just 11 years old, he had the rare opportunity to travel with UWF to the Division II College World Series with his father.

“For him to be able to grow up around the college game at a young age and experience being in the dugout with the 2011 national championship team; certainly had an impact on his passion and development for the game,” Mike said. “I think that gave him great insight on what it takes to be a college player.”

Following high school, Trent received an offer from Ole Miss, but it was not meant to be. He signed and played two seasons at Tallahassee Community College before transferring and choosing to play at UWF and sharing the diamond with his dad in 2021.

“It could be a precarious situation as a head coach bringing your son in to play the most important position on the field, shortstop,” Mike said. “He had the skills and athleticism to play, but the difficult part for Trent was proving to his teammates that he was a hard worker, not entitled, and wanted to win, regardless of me being his dad. And he has done that and then some, as the first player in program history to receive the National Gold Glove honor. I am very proud of him, and I know Coach Spooner is looking down smiling saying, ‘Way to go “Little Red,”’ as he affectionately called Trent when he was young.’”

Mike’s days on the baseball team date back to 1990 when he was a standout reliever. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after graduating from UWF, and

he pitched for the Cardinals’ rookie league affiliates in the Appalachian League and the Arizona League in 1991. He returned to his alma mater in 1993 and served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons. In 2001, he was named pitching coach at UWF and since his return has been a pillar of the program, earning Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honoree six times, as recently as last year, and leading the Argonauts to be one of the premier NCAA Division II baseball programs in the nation. This year, he begins his 19th season as head coach of UWF’s baseball team, and the last one coaching his son.

“This 2024 team has a lot of veteran players that won the GSC title and came up short in the regional last year, and they want to go to the World Series,” Mike said. “That’s what you hope to accomplish. We’ve got as good a team as any and as good of a shot as any.”

Trent, a sport management major, said it will be bittersweet playing his last season of baseball, but he hopes to continue to inspire others who share his passion for baseball in a baseball coaching or management position. Before that, he has another goal he wants to achieve.

“The biggest goal for the 2024 season is to win the national championship,” Trent said. “And we’re definitely going to try to win the GSC tournament.”

“It has always been a dream of mine to play at UWF, and I wound up playing for my dad.”

—Trent Jeffcoat, son of Head Baseball Coach, Mike Jeffcoat

EVEN AT A YOUNG AGE, Trent Jeffcoat supported his father and Argo Baseball.

UWF shapes the future of

SSuccess and impact of cybersecurity education at UWF reaches new heights

BY ALLISON MORGAN

ecuring partnerships, grants and recognition has resulted in an exceptional year for UWF’s Hal Marcus of College of Science and Engineering and UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity. The college and center have expanded their education offerings and exposure, and are making significant progress in their efforts to help close the country’s cybersecurity skills gap.

“The UWF Center for Cybersecurity had a recordbreaking year with over $12.8 million awarded in external grants and contracts,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president for UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity. “More importantly, the center further established itself as a national leader in cybersecurity workforce development and expanded its innovative education and training programs.”

UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity was awarded its second largest grant to date when it received an $8.3 million grant to launch the UWF Florida Cybersecurity Training Program. The program provides free cybersecurity training for state and local government personnel. It is part of the CyberSecureFlorida program led by Cyber Florida and funded by the Florida Legislature, which aims to bolster cybercrime prevention in Florida and equip state and local government personnel with up-to-date cybersecurity knowledge, skills and credentials. UWF faculty will teach the online courses through 2024, with an additional 38 courses scheduled through June 2024. Between July 2023 and December 2023, the center offered 29 courses and trained over 760 Florida personnel.

In addition to contributing to the needs of the state of Florida, the center is strengthening the nation’s cyber workforce. The National Cybersecurity Workforce Development program, CyberSkills2Work, led by UWF, got a big boost in 2023. A $2.5 million grant from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity and a $1.5 million contract from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known

“The center further established itself as a national leader in cybersecurity workforce development and expanded its innovative education and training programs.”

Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president for UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity

as CISA, will expand the program’s offerings and those eligible to participate in it. UWF leads a coalition of 10 NCAE-C designated institutions in the national program addressing the critical shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals in the U.S.

“We are honored that the NSA NCAE-C program and CISA have committed to expanding the CyberSkills2Work program,” El-Sheikh said. “We aim to strengthen our nation’s cyber workforce by expanding the program to include 22 additional training pathways that prepare over 1,500 individuals for 16 cybersecurity work roles and 17 core industry certifications over the next two years. We will also diversify the workforce by expanding eligibility to include transitioning military, veterans, first responders, military spouses, women, underrepresented minorities and government personnel.”

The importance of upskilling through CyberSkills2Work was put on a global stage when the program was included in the White House’s first-ever National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, which seeks to transform cyber education. The strategy advocates for more robust skillsbased cyber career pathways and more extensive collaboration between employers, educators, government and other key stakeholders to meet both urgent and longterm workforce needs.

In addition to enhancing its programs, UWF is adding partnerships to bolster its cybersecurity education. A partnership with Leidos, a Fortune 500® science and technology leader, led to the launch of the Leidos Cybersecurity Infrastructure Lab. In

the lab, Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering students are getting hands-on cybersecurity education in realistic digital environments. Through the partnership, Leidos teaches an introductory cyber investigations course utilizing lab tools. The lab includes a cloud-based, enterprise platform that is modeled to represent an unclassified government enterprise platform. Students also gain familiarity with Amazon Web Services and multiple other vendor training tools and training modules. This exposure to application development and testing environments enables valuable industry experience and positions students for internships supported by Leidos with the University’s collaboration.

“Our students have an opportunity to engage in the cybersecurity work most relevant to our country’s defense,” said Dr. Jaromy Kuhl, provost and former dean of the college. “Whether through our UWF Cyber Range, competing in cyber competitions, or working for Leidos in the Cyber Infrastructure Lab, our students are being prepared to tackle the most challenging cybersecurity issues we’re facing as a country.”

THE UWF CENTER FOR CYBERSECURITY continues to create partnerships that enhance programs offered at the center and improve the skills of students working to become cybersecurity professionals.

BE A PART OF SOMETHING

bigger.

This spring, the University of West Florida will be announcing something big. This will be a proclamation and promise – to expand the passion of our people and unleash the best of UWF. Your support and spirit have gotten us to where we are today. Will you join us in the next part of our journey?

SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 18, 2024

Join us for Day of Giving 2024 as we jumpstart a movement and aim to raise the most money for our students, our campus and our community.

Head to dayofgiving.uwf.edu to learn more.

ALUMNI EVENTS

ARGOS,

With the growth of the UWF community to more than 100,000 alumni, we are more energized than ever to expand and engage our alumni network.

In the last year, we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support, impressive attendance and Argo spirit displayed by our graduates. We enjoyed football games together, celebrated the successes of classmates at the Spirit of UWF Awards, attended Homecoming events, cheered at watch parties and engaged through social media and email.

If we missed you in 2023, we hope you can find an opportunity in 2024 to reconnect with your alma mater. Make sure to check out alumni.uwf.edu to learn about all of the benefits, programs and discounts you have at your fingertips as a UWF graduate. Connect with the Alumni Association and your fellow classmates on social media through Facebook, Instagram and in our LinkedIn group.

We have big plans and announcements slated for 2024, and we hope that every alum can join us in celebrating these milestones and embarking on a new chapter in our University history, together.

Whitney Fike ’07 President UWF Alumni Association

PAST ARGOS enjoy tailgating before the homecoming football game.

Smile!

Whether we gather at commencement, a banquet, network event or tailgate, our events provide the perfect opportunity to show our appreciation of your continued support. They are also a wonderful chance for you to socialize with fellow alumni, current students, staff, faculty and friends of the University.

Don’t miss out! We continue to add new events to the mix. For a look at upcoming events, visit alumni.uwf.edu

Homecoming 2023

Alumni, students and fans joined UWF for a week of homecoming festivities leading up to the football game on Pen Air Field on Oct. 7, 2023.

Cardboard Boat Race

Teams of students and staff participated in the Cardboard Boat Race on Oct. 4, 2023, in the UWF Aquatic Center. Participants created boats made out of only cardboard and duct tape. Captains paddled their boats across the pool in hopes of being the fastest vessel in the water and to not capsize.

BEST Robotics competition

UWF hosted the BEST Robotics competition on Nov. 4, 2023. The mission of BEST Inc. is to inspire middle and high school students to pursue careers in engineering, science and technology through participation in a sports-like, science and engineering-based robotics competition each fall.

Alumni Homecoming Breakfast

The UWF Alumni Association hosted members of the alumni community for a breakfast and social gathering on the Museum Plaza in downtown Pensacola on Oct. 3, 2023.

Argos Edible Campus Arbor Day Tree Planting Students and faculty gathered to plant various fruit-bearing trees on the UWF campus as part of the Argos’ Edible Campus program on Oct. 12, 2023.

College of Business Hall of Fame Banquet

The UWF College of Business inducted its 2023 Hall of Fame class on Nov. 9, 2023, at the UWF Commons Conference Center. The 2023 inductees included Brian and Kimberly Pennington, James Hosman, Emily Ley, Jason Crawford and Brian Wyer.

Argo Band Day

The first annual University of West Florida Argo Band Day was held on Nov. 11, 2023. The Argo Marching Band invited members from local high school band programs to participate during the UWF Football home game at Pen Air Field.

Men’s Soccer GSC Championship

The UWF men’s soccer team defeated Delta State with a score of 2-0 on Nov. 12, 2023, to claim the 2023 Gulf South Conference Championship.

GSC Championship

Japan Culture Day

The Office of International Affairs held an event celebrating the culture of Japan on Nov. 18, 2023, at the Japan House and International Center on the campus of UWF.

Volleyball

The University of West Florida volleyball team competed against the University of Alabama Huntsville to win the GSC Conference Championship on Nov. 19, 2023.

Class Notes

1970s

’74 Sarah M. Clemmons (Martin), B.A. English Education; Clemmons was appointed to the Jackson County, Florida Hospital District by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Clemmons is currently the president of Chipola College.

1980s

’83 Anthony Waylon Graham, B.S. Management; Graham was appointed to the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

’83 Charles W. Wolfe, MBA; Wolfe joined Heritage Financial Consultants, LLC as a financial planning professional.

’86 & ’87 Timothy W. Reinschmidt, B.A. Accounting & MAcc; Reinschmidt was named executive vice president, COO and CFO for University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians, Inc.

’88 & ’93 David J. Arner, B.A. Management & MBA; Arner was appointed to the Georgia United Credit Union board of directors.

1990s

’90 Charles H. Hudson, B.A. Management; Hudson was appointed to the Jackson County, Florida Hospital District by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

’90 Lorna M. Carnley, B.A. Elementary Education; Carnley was named assistant principal of Florala High School in Florala, Alabama.

’91 Brian P. Wyer, B.S. Management; Wyer was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

’91 Brian S. Pennington, MAcc; Pennington was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

’91 Mubarak R. Al-Mansouri, MBA; Al-Mansouri was appointed chairman of the board of directors for the Dubai General Pension and Social Security Authority by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai.

’92 David R. Benson, M.Ed. Educational Leadership; Benson was named long term substitute teacher at Hull High School in Hull, Massachusetts.

’92 Kimberly A. Pennington (Sylvain), MAcc; Pennington was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

’92 Pete A. Gomenis, B.S. Marketing; Gomenis was recognized by BestAgents.us as a 2023 Top Agent for his work as a real estate agent in Tampa, Florida.

’95 Petar Andrich, MA IndustrialOrganizational Psychology; Andrich was named chief human resources officer of Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc., the largest manufacturer of exterior building products in North America.

’95 Ronald C. Bramhall, B.A. Criminal Justice; Bramhall published his first nonfiction book, “Haunted War Wales: True Military Encounters With the Bizarre, Paranormal and Unexplained.”

’95 Thomas A. Herald, MBA; Herald was named regional director of Clark University’s Small Business Development Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

’95 & ’00 Stephen Edward Whiting, B.A. Accounting & MAcc; Whiting was named director in training for the board of directors of Gulf Winds Credit Union. Whiting is currently the executive director of technology operations at Pensacola State College.

’99 & ’01 James Paul Hosman, BSBA Marketing & MBA; Hosman was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

2000s

’01 Gina Reannon Morrison (Perez), B.A. Interdisciplinary Humanities; Morrison was named director of recruiting and team development at Westmount Realty Capital, a private, national real estate investment firm.

’04 Master Sgt. Benny Dominic Casalina, B.A. Criminal Justice; Casalina was a member of a sixperson Cyberspace Operations Group team that placed first in a recent skills validation exercise hosted by the Tennessee Air National Guard. Individually, he won “Best Report” for the exercise.

’04 & ’10 Jason Douglas Crawford, BSBA Marketing & MBA; Crawford was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

’04 Lauren Danielle Hinote, B.S. Information Technology; Hinote was selected as Chumuckla Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year.

’05 & ’07 Emily Cowan Ley, B.A. English & MSA; Ley was inducted into the UWF College of Business 2023 Hall of Fame class.

’05 Dr. Karen Alice Ochoa (Leitenberger), B.A. Legal Studies; Ochoa joined Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia as an assistant professor of education.

’05 Laura Nicole Watford, BSBA Accounting; Watford was honored as a Rising Star of Banking 2023 by Business Alabama magazine. Watford is the regional credit officer for the South Alabama region at SmartBank.

’08 Dr. James Braswell Henderson, MSA; Henderson was appointed as the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University. Prior to this position, he served as the University of Louisiana System President.

’09 Adam Ross Myers, B.A. Communication Arts; Myers joined the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce as vice president of economic and talent development.

’09 Dr. Eileen Marie Linnabery, M.A. Industrial-Organizational Psychology; Linnabery was named partner at Vantage Leadership Consulting.

2010s

’10 & ’16 Will Franklin Condon, B.A. Communication Arts & MSA; Condon was named president of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola.

’10 Dr. Cole Dillon Gross, B.A. Philosophy; Gross joined the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry as an assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management.

’10 & ’12 John David Huddleston, BSBA Accounting, BSBA Finance & MAcc; Huddleston was promoted to senior vice president, chief financial officer at Pen Air Credit Union.

’11 Lindsey Ryan Smith (Daso), M.Ed. Educational Leadership; Smith was named principal of Fort Walton Beach High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

’12 Matthew Lance Aldred, M.S. Health, Leisure and Exercise Science; Aldred was promoted to assistant head coach/ director of basketball performance for men’s basketball at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

’12 Jessica Ann Hornbuckle (Hayslip), B.A. Legal Studies; Hornbuckle was named associate at Burr and Forman LLP in Mobile, Alabama.

’13 Kara Nicole Hilt, B.S. Health Administration; Hilt joined Goldberg Segalla, LLP in Orlando, Florida, as an attorney.

’13 Erika Ashley Martinez, B.A. Legal Studies; Martinez was named associate at Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn and Dial in Atlanta, Georgia.

’14 Heather Jean Moynihan, BSN; Moynihan was named associate chief nursing officer at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

’14 Tiffany Alexandra Barroso, B.A. Journalism; Barroso was chosen to be a part of the SMARTStart Incubator Program in Orlando, Florida.

’15 German Dalmagro, BSBA Management; Dalmagro was named head women’s tennis coach at the University of Nebraska. Dalmargo spent the 2023 season at Arkansas State, and has previously coached for the Huskers’ Women’s Tennis team as an assistant coach.

’15 Kenneth Henry Jordan, BFA; Jordan was the featured artist for downtown Pensacola’s July Gallery Night, themed ‘‘Sustainable Summer.”

’16 Natasha Forbus (Auriemma), M.Ed. Educational Leadership; Forbus was named principal of Lamarque Elementary School in Sarasota County, Florida.

’17 Joshua Daniel Laatsch, B.S. Sport Management; Laatsch was named director of extracurricular activities for Bay District Schools in Florida.

’18 Jan Aurand, M.Ed. Educational Leadership; Aurand was named assistant principal at Beacon Cove Intermediate School in Jupiter, Florida.

’18 The Honorable Donald Edenfield, M.S. Criminal Justice; Edenfield was appointed to the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Edenfield is currently the Jackson County Sheriff and an adjunct instructor at Chipola College, Florida Panhandle Technical College and the Florida Public Safety Institute.

’18 Reese Furlow, B.A. Communication; Furlow was named sports multimedia journalist for South Georgia Television News, WSEGCBS44 & WSST-TV55.

’18 William Eric Kemmler, B.S. Sport Management; Kemmler was named manager of building operations for the St. Louis Blues professional ice hockey team.

’18 Zachary Andrew Johnson, B.A. Legal Studies; Johnson was named associate attorney at Robinson Bradshaw in Charlotte, North Carolina.

’19 & ’23 Tayler Allison McCarty, B.A. Political Science, B.A. Philosophy & M.A. International Affairs; McCarty joined the Institute for Defense Analysis as a research associate in the Strategy, Forces and Resources Division of the Systems and Analyses Center.

’19 Brien Patrick Moffitt, M.Ed. College Student Affairs Administration; Moffitt was promoted to associate coach of Florida International University’s Swimming & Diving program.

2020s

’20 Deneisha Selena Blackwood, B.S. Sports Management; Blackwood represented Jamaica at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Blackwood is Jamaican-born and raised, and was a two-time All-American while playing soccer for the Argos.

’20 Clifton Durbin, M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction; Durbin joined Pasco County Schools in Florida as a 5th grade STEM teacher at Anclote Elementary School.

’20 Dr. Gregory Joseph, MBA; Joseph joined CFD Research in Huntsville, Alabama, as the vice president of corporate development.

’20 William Kober, BFA; Kober was selected by the National Hockey League to photograph the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

’21 Matthew Gotel, BGS.; Gotel was signed to the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, then made the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Gotel was a member of UWF’s 2019 national championship football team.

’21 Mia Martin Nonnenberg, M.S. Physical Education and Human Performance; Nonnenberg was named Princeton University’s Men’s Swimming and Diving assistant coach.

’21 Clifford James Richardson, B.S. Marine Biology; Richardson was named executive director and CEO of NAUI Worldwide and the NAUI Services Group. NAUI Worldwide is a globally recognized diving association that provides diver education and community engagement.

’22 Nathan Isaac Harmon, MAcc; Harmon was promoted to assurance services senior at Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs in Tallahassee, Florida.

In Memoriam

Alumni

’69 Randall T. Richardson, B.S. Chemistry

’70 Kate E. Baldwin (Blue), B.A. Elementary Education

’70 Rebecca A. Player (Handel), B.A. Elementary Education

’70 Shirley A. Davis (Heisner), B.A. Elementary Education

’71, ’77 & ’78 Clater J. Sommers, B.A. Accounting, B.A. Management & MBA

’71 Mack C. Palmer, B.A. Accounting

’71 Robert K. Gebing, B.A. Accounting

’72 Hildreth E. Simmons, B.S. Systems Science

’72 James W. Gilmore, B.A. Psychology

Alumni Benefits Program

Did you know that the UWF Alumni Association sponsors an Alumni Benefits ProgramSM as a service to our alumni? The program o ers a variety of attractively-priced products, most of which are available to alumni, students, faculty and sta , as well as their spouses, domestic partners, children, parents and siblings.

For more information, visit uwf.meyerandassoc.com or contact Meyer and Associates, the Program Administrator, at 800.635.7801.

LIFE INSURANCE

MEDICARE EXCHANGE

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

REAL ESTATE BENEFITS

ADVISORY SERVICES

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ID THEF T COVERAGE

AUTO/HOME INSURANCE

PET INSURANCE

DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE

SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE

’72 William R. Lindahl, B.S. Systems Science

’73 Jane E. Wheat (Salter), B.A. Elementary Education

’73 Thomas P. Painter, B.A. Accounting

’75 Pamela M. Fortune (Roberts), B.A. Elementary Education

’75 Belinda M. Roark (Mayo), B.A. Social Work

’75 Virginia W. Chasey (Wilbanks), M.A. Early Childhood Education

’76 Cynthia Taylor (Stamitoles), B.A. Special Education

’76 James A. Wyckoff, B.S. Systems Science

’77 James B. Harrison, B.S. Management

’78 James H. Dickerson, B.S. Management

’79 David P. Dunlap, B.S. Management

’79 Gary Edward Lovelace, B.A. Interdisciplinary Social Science

’79 German Emilio Hoyos-Caravjal, B.A. Social Work

’79 Robert M. Hughes, B.S. Systems Science

’80 Edna P. Tatum, B.A. Interdisciplinary Social Science

’80 James A. Gordon, B.A. Social Work & B.A. History

’81 & ’85 Edward F. Sienicki, B.A. Accounting & MBA

’82 Milton G. Wynn, B.S. Leisure Studies

’83 Debra Sears Graham, MBA

’83 Jack C. Moberly, B.S. Industrial Technology

’83 Kimberly Anne Glorioso Theodossiou (Koko), B.S. Cell & Molecular Biology

’84 Dorthy Paul Hudson, B.A. Art Education & B.A. Studio Art

’85 Charlotte F. Branch, B.A. Social Work

’85 Peter Edward Nash, M.Ed. Educational Leadership

’86 Carolyn V. Allen (Petrey), B.A. Elementary Education

’90 Amy D. Chatwood, B.S. Computer Science

’91 Majorie T. Hencely, M.A. Elementary Education

’96 Joseph K. Flanagan, MBA

’99 Bryan Donald Lowe, B.S. Environmental Studies

’01 Shawn Marchetti Henning III, B.A. Communication Arts

’02 Elaine Timothy Smith, MBA

’09 Lisa B. Whitmire (Butler), B.A. Criminal Justice

’10 & ’12 Cheryl Marie Riggs (Glarner), BSBA Accounting & MAcc

’11 John Frederick Shiefer, MSW

’13 Dennis Charles Schroeder, BSBA Management

Individuals

Ann Elizbeth Fell, Friend of the University

Dr. Candice Clemenz, Friend of the University

Curtis Combs Drenan Boone, Friend of the University

Daniel S. Murray, Friend of the University

Fred Gassman, Friend of the University

John C. Broach, Former employee

Linda Childers, Friend of the University

Mary Walsh Williams, Friend of the University

Dr. F. Norman Vickers, Friend of the University

Patricia Buchanan Wright, of the University

Patricia Patterson Langhorne, Pensacola Museum of Art and West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc./ UWF Historic Trust board member

Dr. Paul V. Hamilton, Former faculty member

Dr. William Baars Phillips, faculty member

2023 Spirit of Alumni

The following alumni were recognized:

Outstanding Young Alumni

’08 Adelin Gasana

’16, ’19 Kesley “Kali” Richardson

Alumni Inclusion

’87, ’89 MiChele Stevenson

’80, ’13 Dr. Michael F. Summers

Alumni Community Spirit

’07 Hong Potomski

’98 Chris Roney

Distinguished Alumni

’73 William “Bill” McGinnis

’86, ’89 Lindsley Armstrong Smith

Chambered Nautilus Award of Merit

Organization — Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC

Individual — ’85 Collier Merrill

Community Engagement Educator — ’97, ’13 Dr. Patricia Barrington

Community Innovation — Dr. Tiffany Jackman

Community Impact — ’23 Monica Woodruff

Research and Scholarship — Bonita Johnson

Workforce and Career Development — Booz Allen Hamilton

Public Service and Education — ’01

FACULTY MEMBER

Tom Stritch rides a motorcycle on campus on graduation day in 1978.

Connection

University of West Florida

11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 uwf.edu/alumni

“UWF is a place where you can turn your dreams into reality with the help from staff and mentors in every aspect of your life on campus.”

Darien Gilbert Economics, ’25

Grow in ways you never thought possible.

FIND EVERYTHING YOU WANT AND ALL OF WHAT YOU NEED AT UWF.

At the University of West Florida, our spirited learners are exploring limitless possibilities and finding real value in everything we have to offer. Find a campus community, new friends and an unparalleled education — all at UWF.