MOSAIC 2020: Annual magazine of the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida by USFHonors

The annual magazine of the

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE at the University of South Florida

MOSAIC 2020

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

ELCOME TO MOSAIC 2020, a review of the highlights of the year 2019 in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. And what a year it was! In a ceremony on May 22, USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft and her husband Steven Greenbaum announced their transformative gift of $20 million toward the cost of a beautiful new home for the college, to be located in the heart of the Tampa campus. When completed, this stunning structure will stand as a powerful testament to USF’s commitment to academic excellence, and provide a dynamic learning space for the future leaders of our state, our nation, and the world. At a gala event held a few days later to mark her retirement from the presidency, and to celebrate her outstanding legacy, Dr. Genshaft and Mr. Greenbaum announced another gift of $3 million to endow the dean’s position in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. I am proud to write this message as the Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean, and the holder of the only endowed honors college deanship in the nation! These gifts have drawn well-deserved attention to USF and to the Judy Genshaft Honors College from other university honors programs and from high school guidance counselors across

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Florida and throughout the country. President Emerita Genshaft’s confidence in our students and their promise has established us in the front rank of American honors colleges, and moved us well along the path toward our goal to be recognized as the very best honors college in the country. As everyone knows, 2020 has so far been very different from 2019, and as I write this letter the whole world is dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will have much more to say about the pandemic in Mosaic 2021, but I want to take this occasion to say how proud I am of the faculty, staff, advisors, and, most of all, the students of the Judy Genshaft Honors College for their resilience through some dark days and months. I hope that you will read the following pages in light of subsequent events and appreciate the ways in which our stories illustrate the characteristics that have proved to be so important this year: a passion for excellence, perseverance in challenging circumstances, faith in the value of knowledge, and an unstoppable commitment to build a better world. Please keep this issue of Mosaic near at hand as 2020 continues. These stories of the creative, idealistic, caring, and resilient people of the Judy Genshaft Honors College should give us all strength for the present, and hope for the future. Charles Adams Judy Genshaft Endowed Dean Judy Genshaft Honors College University of South Florida

MOSAIC C O N T E N T S 2020 2-3

Dean’s Letter, Table of Contents

USF Sees Record Number of

4-5

A Historic Convocation

Gilman Scholars

6-9

A New Name and a New Home

Two Honors Students Named

Staff Spotlights

2019 Goldwater Scholars

Jenkins Scholars Enjoy Homecoming

Game with Publix Super Markets

44-45 Nine USF Students Earn Fulbright Awards

Charities

46-47 Honors Home to Successful IT Incubator

Holcombe Scholars Defend Title in

Visiting Distinguished Faculty Brings Rich

Charity Volleyball Game

Background of Experiences to College

12-13 Provost’s Scholars Receive Warm

Working with Community Partners

to Offer Service Learning to Students

Welcome from President Currall

42-43 USF Celebrates Fulbright Program

14-15 Meet the Faculty, Faculty Spotlights

50-51 USF Celebrates Phi Beta Kappa Chapter

16-17 Honors Faculty Research & Leadership

Honors Students Flourish at Undergraduate

18-19 Medical Humanities

Research Conference

20-34 Study Abroad

52-53 Global Health Catalyst Summit

22 Botswana

54-55 Honoring Graduates and Recognizing

23 Dominican Republic

24 Exeter

26 Germany

27 Japan

New Dean’s Circle of Merit Members

56-57 Remembering a Champion of Education

and Friend of Our College

Alumni Give Back Through

Speaker Series

28 London

A Family Calling

29 Martinique

60-61 Celebrating our 7-Year Medical

30 Montreal

31 Panama

62-63 Honors Alumni Updates

32 Peru

33 Thailand

34 Vietnam

International Day

Program Alumni

36-37 Honors Photo Competition 38

National Scholarships Success

Recent Alum Flourishes

at Cambridge

Photo: From left, USF President Steven Currall, Provost Ralph Wilcox and Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams lead hundreds of new students to the annual Honors Convocation.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 3

A HISTORIC CONVOCATION

UST A FEW MONTHS after its official naming ceremony, the Judy Genshaft Honors College welcomed its first cohort of students. More than 700 freshmen participated in the college’s convocation ceremony, the first under the leadership of President Steven Currall who took office in July. The students kicked off the long-standing tradition of processing across the MLK Plaza to the Marshall Student Center’s Oval Theater, accompanied by executive leadership and music from the Herd of Thunder’s Horns Up brass marching band. This momentous occasion was especially significant as the student participants are members of the most academically qualified entering class in the history of the honors college, with an average high school GPA of 4.35, ACT score of 31

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(the 95th percentile nationally), and SAT score of 1386. The new class is geographically diverse as well, representing 34 states and 19 countries. Honors Convocation marks the beginning of the students’ journey in college and motivates them to take advantage of all the unique opportunities they receive as honors students. Speakers included President Currall, Provost Wilcox, and Stephanie Roberts, President of the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council. Stephanie, a senior Biomedical Sciences major pursuing dual minors in Sociology and General Public Health, reflected on the opportunities she found in Honors and encouraged the new students to get involved early in their college career.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 5

About the building: Above and at right, The new five-story Honors building will be home to classrooms, an event space, collaboration and conference rooms, study areas, computer labs, music, culture and art studios, advisor and faculty offices, a cafĂŠ, and more. Opposite page: Surrounded by Honors College students and honored guests, benefactors USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft and husband Steven Greenbaum celebrated the naming announcement for the Judy Genshaft Honors College.

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A NEW NAME AND A NEW HOME

HORTLY BEFORE HER RETIREMENT in 2019 after 19 years as the university’s leader, USF President Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, made a transformational gift, donating $20 million to name the Judy Genshaft Honors College and provide funds for its new home, a five-story building to be constructed in the next few years on the Tampa campus. The couple also announced a $3 million gift to create an endowment for the deanship of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “We want to ensure that the leadership of the honors college has the ultimate support to be the national role model,” Genshaft said. “To our knowledge, this makes our Honors College the only one in the country with an endowed deanship.” Genshaft formally established the USF Honors College in 2002 and consistently supported its growth and evolution during her nineteen-year tenure as president. She and her husband also personally supported Honors students by funding two separate study abroad scholarships. Hundreds of Honors College students have traveled the world as recipients of the Genshaft/Greenbaum International Honors Study Scholarship and the Genshaft Global Presidential Scholarship. At the College naming announcement then-USF Foundation CEO and senior vice president of advancement and alumni relations Joel Momberg said: “Based on our research, Dr. Judy Genshaft has given more to the university in the past 19 years than any sitting university president in the United States. This is indeed a historic moment for USF and American higher education. We are so grateful for all President Genshaft and Steven Greenbaum have done for our university.” President Genshaft spoke at the event about the personal significance of this gift. “We are so passionate about this university. It has been such an important part of our life and our family. It’s only natural that we would do whatever we can to ensure its continued success. Having a world-class Honors College is just one more way USF will distinguish itself as one of the most elite and forward-thinking institutions in the world. The Honors College is special because of its inclusiveness, representing the best and brightest students from all academic units across all of our USF campuses.” The Judy Genshaft Honors College enrolls over 2,200 high-achieving students from every major who are part of a close community that provides specialized experiences and advanced educational opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in global experiences through study abroad, undergraduate research, and hands-on community service projects, along with professional development opportunities. In addition to strengthening USF’s ability to recruit the best students in Florida, the new building will greatly enhance ef-

forts to recruit nationally and internationally by raising visibility and overall awareness. The new facility will feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and advisor offices, event areas, a computer lab, and numerous collaborative spaces – expanding the range of academic opportunities for students and giving them a true “home” on campus. It will be built just north of the Muma College of Business along the recently renamed USF Genshaft Drive (formerly USF Maple Drive). “This wonderful new facility would be impossible without the support of Judy and Steve, and it is just the most recent of their many positive impacts in the Honors College,” said USF’s Judy Genshaft Endowed Dean Dr. Charles Adams. “I can only imagine how many more students’ lives will be forever changed for the better thanks to their tremendous generosity.” Upon President Genshaft’s retirement, Dr. Steven Currall became USF’s seventh president. At an event unveiling new JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 7

renderings of the building he thanked President Emerita Genshaft and Mr. Greenbaum for their leadership and generosity, and echoed their appreciation of Honors education.

• A food and culture studio with a full kitchen where faculty can teach classes about global issues and diverse cultures through the medium of cooking

“A strong Honors College helps us attract and retain the dreamers, those who believe that the future holds opportunities yet to be realized,” said Currall. “This is essential to advancing the trajectory of USF to become an overall top 25 public university and member of the Association of American Universities – the top 65 research universities in North America.

• Additional studios designed specifically for art, music, technology, and audio/video productions

Honors students, faculty, and staff have been involved in the design of the building from the start of the project. “Our new home has been designed with students in mind at every turn,” said Adams. The architects are Tampa-based Fleishman/Garcia Architecture, and New York-based Morphosis Architects, which is led by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne. Some of the specific highlights of the building include: • A breathtaking five-story atrium with views of the bustling activity on each floor • A beautiful second floor covered terrace that connects the building interior to the open air and offers a space for both gatherings and reflection • A 150-person event space perfect for holding distinguished lectures, student presentations, and collaborative events • A wide amphitheater staircase designed for an outdoor classroom experience, musical performance, or guest lecture 8 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

• Large student study lounges on three different floors, each designed specifically for Honors students • A café with seating both inside and outdoors • Forty-four learning lofts, semi-private small group gathering spaces that seem to be projecting into the atrium on the second through the fifth floors • A dedicated conference room specifically for the College’s student leaders to meet and plan programs and events • Flexible classrooms that will be packed with the latest technology and allow Honors faculty members to design the best possible space for their individual courses. “Our College is currently located on the second floor of the John and Grace Allen building, which is a very charming and historic building, as it was the very first built on campus more than fifty years ago,” said Adams. “However, we have outgrown this space, and I am eager to see how our highly-talented Honors students will flourish in our new home. The possibilities are endless.”

Dean Charles Adams, Vice President for Advancement Joel Momberg, President Emerita Judy Genshaft and husband Steven Greenbaum were all smiles at the College naming event in May 2019. A crowd of more than 400 USF students, staff and friends crowded the tent at the event. USF alumna and medical student Indira Ranaweera â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17, pictured at the podium, spoke about her Honors College experience.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 9

SPOT LIGHT

Staff Dr. Catherine Wilkins Judy Genshaft Honors College faculty member, Dr. Catherine Wilkins, was given the prize for “USF Community Engaged Teaching” at the annual Outstanding Faculty Awards ceremony and presented with a commemorative plaque by USF President Dr. Steven Currall and Provost Dr. Ralph Wilcox. Dr. Wilkins is deeply engaged in service-learning and community-based teaching practices. She offers two signature Capstone courses in the College. Connections is a program offered in partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art in which students learn to facilitate experiences with art for museum visitors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, and depression. How to Make History allows students to work with the St. Pete Beach Public Library to help digitize the collection of the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, create exhibits, and collect contemporary histories for a web-based archive.

Mark Friday The Judy Genshaft Honors College was thrilled to celebrate Mark Friday, our staff assistant, as he received a University of South Florida “30 Years of Service” award! Mr. Friday has been dedicated to our College since it began as a program in the late 1980’s under the leadership of Dr. Stuart Silverman. He has seen Honors grow on the Tampa campus, and has welcomed thousands of students and guests with his happy and helpful personality. “When I speak with alumni from throughout the years, they fondly remember Mr. Friday’s warmth and welcoming smile,” said Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “Whether they participated in the Honors Program during the 1990’s or were part of the College during the 2000’s, whether they visited us in our former home in the Student Services Building or our current home in the John and Grace Allen Building, one constant comment is that they were sincerely greeted and assisted by Mr. Friday. The College is deeply grateful for his service to our students and staff during the past three decades!”

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Dr. Wilkins was also the recipient of the 2019 USF Community-Engaged Educator Award presented by the university’s Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships. “We are very grateful to Dr. Wilkins for her dedication to these important community partnerships,” said Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “Her work not only assists these great partners, but also offers our Honors students the chance to grow both academically and personally through experiential learning and service.”

HOLCOMBE SCHOLARS DEFEND TITLE IN CHARITY VOLLEYBALL GAME

NE OF THE COLLEGE’S MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS is the annual spring volleyball game between the Holcombe Scholars and the Jenkins Scholars. The Holcombe Scholarship is for first-generation college students at USF who have a strong commitment to community service. It was founded and is funded by Brad and Terry Holcombe. The Jenkins Scholarship is funded by Publix Charities and is for high-achieving students with the strength to overcome adversity. The goal of the volleyball competition between the two scholarship groups (both housed in the Judy Genshaft Honors College) is to raise funds and awareness for a charity which changes each year. The winning group chooses the charity, and the donors for the losing group donate $500 to it. This year, 11 Holcombe Scholars defended their title against 12 Jenkins Scholars. Jessica Bay, a third-year Holcombe Scholar, says her favorite part of the day wasn’t winning but was when they “all huddled together to support each other and get one another excited for the game.” She says the Holcombe Scholars are a family. Isaac Glener, a senior Holcombe Scholar, says he was “proud to represent the Holcombe Scholarship group, and to help raise money for their charity of choice after winning.” Together, they decided to honor a Jenkins Scholar who was recently diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis by choosing the Cystic Fibrosis Walk as the recipient of the Jenkins Scholarship’s $500 donation.

JENKINS SCHOLARS ENJOY GAME WITH PUBLIX CHARITIES

ACH YEAR, THE JENKINS SCHOLARS Program hosts its students for a special homecoming event with representatives from the scholarship’s donors, Publix Super Markets Charities. The students and donors watch the USF Homecoming Football game from the Skybox Suite at Raymond James Stadium. This past year, 17 Jenkins Scholars watched the USF Bulls defeat the BYU Cougars. They bonded as a scholarship group, learned school chants and songs, and cheered the Bulls to victory. Mary McAnnally, a second year Jenkins Scholar, says that “participating in the homecoming game makes each scholar feel special and important,” adding that “it is something I look forward to every year now.” Those who attended the game also had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mrs. Tina Johnson, Treasurer of Publix Super Markets Charities. Interacting with Mrs. Johnson was McAnnally’s favorite part of the day. “She is truly someone who I know supports me,” she says, “and will be there for me for a lifetime.” JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 11

PROVOST’S SCHOLARS PROGRAM RECEIVES WARM WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT CURRALL

One of the student speakers, Huong Le, is set to complete two majors (Accounting and Business Analytics with a Cybersecurity concentration) in just three years. She talked about how PSP helped her to accomplish this goal. “I am proud to say that I am completing my undergraduate career

“

TUDENTS IN THE PROVOST’S SCHOLARS Program (PSP) had the honor of attending their 2019 “welcome back” dinner with a very special guest, USF President Steven Currall. The annual event was held in the Marshall Student Center with Provost Ralph Wilcox in attendance along with Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, where the accelerated three-year Provost’s Scholars Program (PSP) is housed. More than 70 well-attired students attended the dinner to officially kick off the program’s ninth year. In his opening remarks, President Currall mentioned how impressed he was by the number of talented and

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driven students in the program, and congratulated them on their determination to graduate in just three years.

From left: Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams, President Steven Currall, Huong Le, Matthew Gallot-Baker, Avalon Jade Theisen, and Provost Ralph Wilcox.

These students are not just graduating a year early, they are compiling a diverse and enriched portfolio of research, global experiences and professional development activities ...” – Dean Charles Adams

with the ability to obtain my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and start my professional career a year early,” says Le. “I have secured an Audit & Assurance Associate position after graduation with Deloitte, the number one accounting firm in the world.” Also grateful for the opportunities that PSP provides was Avalon Jade Theisen, a third-year student majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in Environmental Policy. She talked about how much she values the leadership and community engagement activities of the program, and how grateful she was for the study abroad support. “Through the PSP study abroad scholarship I was able to participate in the Grand Challenges Program at the University of Exeter in England this summer,” she says. “We focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ways to increase responsible consumption and production, as well as climate action.” “I continue to be impressed by the caliber of students in the PSP program,” says Dean Adams. “These students are not just graduating a year early, they are compiling a diverse and enriched portfolio of research, global experiences, and professional development activities that give them a real advantage as they pursue their longterm academic and career goals.”

NEW STAFF

Renea Forde, PSP Director Renea joined PSP as its new Director in 2019. She has more than a decade of experience in student affairs, and most recently worked with USF’s First Year Science and Pre-Health Professions students. As a first-generation American and college student, Renea understands the unique struggles of first time in college (FTIC) students. This perspective allows her to assist in developing and navigating individualized academic and co-curricular journeys. Renea earned both her B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and her M.A. in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She is passionate about connecting students to opportunities available for professional development, global engagement, service, and leadership.

Deborah Graña, PSP Advisor Deborah joined PSP as the Program Advisor in 2019. She previously worked for the USF Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, overseeing the “Work and Serve” Program as well as coadvising the “Bulls Service Break” board. She earned both her B.S in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in College Student Affairs from USF. Deborah is passionate about equitable education and ensuring that all students gain access to resources that will help them succeed. JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 13

MEET THE

Faculty

Dr. Alan Bush

Dr. Michael Cross

Dr. Lindy Davidson

Dr. Holly Donahue Singh

PhD Community and Regional Planning, University of Texas at Austin

PhD Applied Physics, USF

PhD Communication, USF

BS Computer Science, University of Texas at San Antonio

MDiv Divinity, Reformed Theological Seminary

PhD and MA, Anthropology, University of Virginia

MS Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan BA Global Politics and Economics, Pomona College As an educator, researcher, and facilitator, Dr. Bush is committed to helping students, organizations, and cities develop the capacity to make sense of complex conditions and thrive amid uncertainty. His focus is immersive, project-based courses that allow students to stretch their ambiguity tolerance within a safe-yetedgy environment. These courses include; “The Resilience Practicum,” “Cities Heterotopias and Science Fiction,” and “Cities of Compassion.” Prior to USF, Dr. Bush’s work spanned four continents on projects fostering community resilience.

In the 2019-20 school year, Dr. Cross led the Office of Undergraduate Research at USF to engage students—from admissions to graduation—in the high-impact practice of undergraduate research. He also serves as a faculty member in the Judy Genshaft Honors College where he designs and teaches courses focused on the philosophy, practice, and process of research, innovation, and creativity. He lives on campus in Maple Hall as a facultyin-residence with his two children.

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BA Communication Arts, Belmont University Dr. Davidson teaches courses in medical humanities and is the Judy Genshaft Honors College Coordinator of Experiential Learning. She facilitates internships for students and incorporates research, service, and international partnerships into her courses. She developed the servicelearning opportunity in the Dominican Republic, where over 150 Honors students have learned about culture and health since 2016. She also led the Honors Semester in Exeter in the Spring of 2020.

BA Religious Studies, Kenyon College Dr. Donahue Singh leads courses such as “Fertility and the Future,” and “Histories of Healing in South Asia.” Her long-term research in northern India grounds her scholarly work in the broad areas of culture and health. Dr. Donahue Singh regularly draws on global and applied perspectives from social science, literature, and music to help students explore the variety of contemporary and historical human experience.

Professor Atsuko Sakai

Dr. Ulluminair Salim

Dr. Catherine Wilkins

Dr. Benjamin Young

MArch Architecture, University of New Mexico

PhD Sociology, University of California San Francisco

PhD Interdisciplinary History, Tulane University

PhD Philosophy, USF

BA Environmental Design, Kyoto City University of Arts

MPH Public Health, Johns Hopkins

MA Art History, Tulane University

Professor Sakai teaches courses designed to study the world around us and the ways we live through the lens of art, design, and architecture. Her classes include: “Mandala - the art and science of composition,” “Home - designing where we live,” “Design Formula – human/nature/objects/ideas,” and “Illumination Installation - playing with light and shadow.” She also teaches Acquisition of Knowledge, manages the Honors Thesis courses, and leads an education abroad program to Japan in conjunction with her Geographical Perspectives course.

BA Social Welfare, University of California Berkeley

MA Library Science, USF

Dr. Salim examines representational politics as a window into the social imaginary. By inviting students to question and challenge oppressive ideologies, she aspires to create more inclusive, compassionate, and emancipatory social institutions. Her signature courses, “Social Autopsy” and “Narrative Cartography,” leverage the study and practice of art to cultivate self-awareness and social responsibility. Her emerging courses, “Survival and Imagination” and “Compassionate Cities,” instill an ethic of care and blur the boundaries between self and society.

BA Humanities, USF Dr. Wilkins teaches Arts and Humanities and communityengaged Capstone courses in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. She is also the director of the Medical Humanities curriculum for the USF Morsani College of Medicine. In all her classes, Dr. Wilkins demonstrates how the arts reflected and shaped the evolution of societies in the past, as well as how creativity, innovation, and service are ways that students can make an impact on our culture today.

BA Psychology and Philosophy, Eckerd College Dr. Young aims to encourage student research that explores those aspects of our lives that are closest to us— emotions, desires, memories, anticipations and imaginings, perceptions, habits, cognition, etc.—and how all these can be shaped through understanding, especially when such inquiry is guided by questions concerning the good, the beautiful, and the true. Ultimately, both his research and teaching are guided by a concern for cultivating the good life for both individuals and communities.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 15

HONORS COLLEGE FACULTY RESEARCH & LEADERSHIP DOMESTIC PRESENTATIONS: Baltimore, Maryland: Dr. Lindy Davidson served on a panel presentation of “Tales of the Tensions and Joys of ResearchParticipant Relationships” at the National Communication Association Annual Conference. Delaware, Ohio: Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Gender and Reproduction: An Example from India” to the Ohio Wesleyan University Department of Sociology/ Anthropology. Gambier, Ohio: Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Political Economy and the Globalization of Reproduction” to the Kenyon College Department of Anthropology. Lake Mary, FL: Dr. Ulluminair Salim co-presented “Customizing a Study Abroad Experience to a Course Syllabus” at the Florida Consortium for International Education (FCIE). New Orleans, LA: Dr. Ulluminair Salim facilitated the “Narrative Cartography: Dismantling Walls and Removing Masks” workshop at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Annual Conference. New York, NY: Dr. Catherine Wilkins presented “Where You Come From is Gone: Re-inhabiting the Ruins of the Native South” at the College Art Association Annual Conference. Tampa, FL: Dr. Lindy Davidson, Dr. Holly Donahue Singh, and Dr. Benjamin Young presented “The Art of Cross-Cultural Communication” at the USF Humanities Institute. Tampa, FL: Dr. Ulluminair Salim moderated the 2019 University Lecture Series at USF and interviewed Mr. Raymond Santana of the Exonerated Five. Wilmington, NC: Dr. Catherine Wilkins presented “Connections” as a workshop director at the Cameron Art Museum. 16 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

PUBLICATIONS: Dr. Charles Adams

INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATIONS: Osaka, Japan: Professor Atsuko Sakai presented “Intro to Architecture & Children” at a professional workshop for designers and educators hosted by Architecture and Children Design LABO Kansai and Architecture and Children Network of Sendai. Sendai, Japan: Professor Atsuko Sakai presented “K-12 Design Workshop” at the Sendai City Dainohara Elementary School. Vancouver, Canada: Dr. Holly Donahue Singh presented “Men Hide Themselves Away: Evasive Partners in Journeys through Infertility in India” as part of the panel “Seeing Men Where They Already Are: Ethnographies of Men and Pregnancy/Childbirth” at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meetings.

The Arkansas Regulators, by Friedrich Gerstäcker (1846; translated with an introduction by Charles Adams and Christoph Irmscher), Berghahn Books (Oxford and New York). Dr. Catherine Wilkins “’Where You Come From is Gone’: Reinhabiting the Ruins of the Native South.” Art Inquiries 17/4 (2019): 440-455. Dr. Holly Donahue Singh Invited review of “A Transnational Feminist View of Surrogacy Biomarkets India” by Sheela Saravanan in Medical Anthropology Quarterly. (doi.org/10.1111/maq.12496) Dr. Holly Donahue Singh

The Honors College faculty had a very productive 2019. Team members presented their work across the globe and added to their collective list of publications throughout the year. Here is a sampling of their impressive work outside the classroom.

“Numbering Others: Religious Demography, Identity, and the Everyday of Fertility Management in Contemporary India” in Social Science & Medicine, Special Issue, Reproductive Health Ethnography, guest edited by Jan Brunson and Siri Suh. (doi.org/10.1016/j. socscimed.2019.112534)

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 17

CLASS SPOTLIGHT: MEDICAL HUMANITIES

EDICAL HUMANITIES IS A NATURAL subject of interest for the Judy Genshaft Honors College, since nearly a third of all Honors students major in biomedical and health sciences. Defined as “an interdisciplinary endeavor that draws on the creative and intellectual strengths of diverse disciplines, including literature, art, creative writing, drama, film, music, philosophy, ethical decision making, anthropology, and history, in pursuit of medical educational goals,” medical humanities offers a wide variety of topics for Honors faculty to address in their courses. The College’s interest in this area took a giant step forward when a group of faculty members was awarded a $90,000 Humanities Connections Implementation Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to create a Medical Humanities in a Global Context (MHGC) curricular pathway in the College. The three-year implementation grant supports the development of six new and five revised courses that together compose the core of the MHGC pathway, offering students an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between the studies of medical science and the humanities.

“

porary medical practices and the humanities. Courses supported by the NEH Grant and taught by Honors faculty members include: Atsuko Sakai, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C • Spatial Effects: Places for Healing and Well-being • Experience Japan: from Hospitals to Hospitality (Omotenashi) Benjamin Scott Young, Ph.D. (MHGC Principal Investigator and Associate Dean) • Physicians of the Soul: Philosophy, Medicine, and the Good Life Catherine Wilkins, Ph.D. (MHGC Co-Principal Investigator)

This pathway was created to capitalize on the rich perspective that the humanities have to offer the personal, professional, and civic lives of these future medical practioners.”

• Suffering, Death, and Compassion Holly Donahue Singh, Ph.D. • Healing and Everyday Crises in South Asia • Masculinities, Health, and (Dis)Order • Global Health with People First

– Benjamin Young

“This pathway was created to capitalize on the rich perspective that the humanities have to offer the personal, professional, and civic lives of these future medical practitioners,” said Dr. Benjamin Young, Associate Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College and Director of the MHGC project. “Although these students take general education requirements engaging the humanities, there is often a significant thematic breach between the ideas cultivated in these courses and the student’s major course of study in the medical sciences.” The MHGC pathway fills this gap by providing a diverse offering of courses with clear connections between contem-

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Lindy Davidson, Ph.D. • Narrative Medicine: Reclaiming the Stories of Patients from the Institutions of Medicine Ulluminair Salim, Ph.D, MPH • Beasts and Burdens: Survival, Imagination, and the Politics of Risk in the (Global) South • Science, Art, and Justice: A Social Autopsy Fifteen additional courses offered throughout the university were also certified as part of the MHGC pathway, expanding the range of opportunities for Honors students to explore the important field of study.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 19

Study

Abroad

WITH THE HONORS COLLEGE

The Judy Genshaft Honors College hosts a number of study abroad trips each year. These experiences allow Honors College students to travel internationally and participate in academic- and service-oriented experiences.

Montréal, Canada

To accommodate diverse student schedules, these trips are offered in three formats: as part of a semester-long course (with one- to two- weeks of international travel included), as week-long spring break trips that are not associated with a class, and as summer programs that incorporate course work. “Our professors study many regions of the world and offer an impressive diversity of study abroad options for Honors students,” says Reggie Lucien, Director of Advising for the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “We have programs in Africa, Europe, Central America, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. This allows us to offer options that cater to a variety of interests. Global study is more important now than ever before.” Dominican Republic

During the 2019 year there were twelve different Judy Genshaft Honors College study abroad trips:

Martinique

• Botswana Service Trip, June: 6 students • Dominican Republic Service Breaks, May and December: 50 students • Exeter Semester Abroad, Spring: 15 students • Germany Beyond the Classroom, May: 25 students

Panama

• Japan Beyond the Classroom, May: 20 students • USF in London, Summer: 44 students • Martinique Service Trip, May: 10 students • Montreal Beyond the Classroom, May: 20 students • Panama Beyond the Classroom, May: 20 students • Peru Beyond the Classroom, May: 20 students • Vietnam Service Trip, May: 14 students • Thailand Service Trip, May: 8 students Upcoming trips include travel to South Korea, India, Dominican Republic, Florence, Japan, Montreal, Germany, Exeter, and London.

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Peru

“

Our professors study many regions of the world, and offer an impressive diversity of study abroad options for Honors College students ... Global study is more important now than ever before.”

London, UK

Germany Exeter, UK Florence, Italy

– Reggie Lucien

South Korea

India

Japan

Thailand

Vietnam

Botswana

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 21

Botswana

n June of 2019, six Honors juniors and seniors traveled to Botswana to develop a portable energy source for rural Africa. The group, led by USF Physics professor and department chair, Dr. Sarath Witanachchi, collaborated with Botswana International University of Science & Technology students and travelled to the village of Majwanaadipitse to test devices they had researched and built on campus the previous semester. While in Africa, the group had the opportunity to experience the country’s natural beauty and visit several United Nations World Heritage Sites: Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

This trip has really changed a lot about me, and I realized how much there is to experience in the world and how little I’ve seen of it so far. The best part was being able to connect and talk with other students, and see the way that they analyze and tackle problems, and I learned a lot about so many different subjects that has helped me tremendously as an engineering student.”

22 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

– Abby Blocker

Dominican Republic

rovost’s Scholars Program (PSP) students went on a service-based trip in the spring of 2019 to the Dominican Republic where they taught English and cooked meals for children at a local elementary school. They also hosted a river clean-up and helped build a community center during their time there.

A second group of twenty students from the Judy Genshaft Honors College travelled to the Dominican Republic in the fall. They helped run mobile medical clinics where malnourishment is a major problem among children, then assisted with the community’s sustainable farming by planting 40 banana and plantain trees. They were also able to participate in a river cleanup.

“

One thing I took away from this trip was the compassion that the people in the Dominican Republic had for us (20 college students) to live in their houses and use their precious resources for a week. I wanted to be more like them and be compassionate towards others, even individuals I do not know.”

– Cheri Lotfi

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 23

Exeter

hat happens when two globallyfocused and diverse universities from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean decide to partner on a semester abroad program designed to immerse students in a new and captivating culture? According to USF Judy Genshaft Honors College Assistant Dean, Dr. Benjamin Young, great things happen.

Building on an existing partnership with the University of Exeter, Young led a class of 15 USF students for a full spring semester in Exeter in 2019. Located approximately three hours west of London, the university was founded in 1855 and is ranked among the top 10 universities in Europe. It is also a member of the Russell Group, a consortium of elite universities in the United Kingdom, similar to the American Association of Universities (AAU).

“

The University of Exeter is an internationally relevant research center in a historically and culturally rich city, full of bright and motivated scholars from all around the globe.”

– Dr. Benjamin Young

While in Exeter, the USF students took one course with Young and their other courses in their respective majors with Exeter faculty. This allowed them to bond with their cohort while also experiencing British campus life and forging friendships with scholars from all over the world. They joined “guilds” (i.e. clubs), played on the university’s sports teams, and participated fully in the campus and city communities. “Though we were visitors ourselves, we were able to be interwoven into the Exeter culture and way of life,” says Will McClellan, a senior Cell and Molecular Biology major in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “Over the course of those five months, Exeter became home. When we would travel outside of the city, or even outside of the United Kingdom altogether, and arrive back at the Exeter St. David’s train station, there would be a sense of relief of being back home.”

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Located in a corner of that train station is a café where Young held office hours during the semester. “It allowed us to discuss the coursework in a diverse and inspiration-rich location,” says Young. “That train station is an international gateway where people from all walks of life and backgrounds gather.” His office hours were not the only unique component of the Honors course. Young met with the students in a classroom for the first two weeks of school, and after that they convened in different parts of Exeter, the local countryside, and in other cities including St. Ives, Bath, and London. “We went to museums, visited the sea, studied the local geology, took train rides around the country, and went on multiple excursions, all while discussing the ideas of the course, interpreting our experiences, and bonding over good food and shared stories. England itself was our seminar room.” It was important to Young that the students had an opportunity to use his course as a space of connection, interpretation, and personal growth. “They were able to make sense of their experience and disciplinary coursework at the University of Exeter through a globalized lens, learn from each other, and then bring that knowledge back to their studies at USF,” says Young. “It created an opportunity for reflection on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding of diverse views, both personally and culturally.” McClellan valued the opportunity to participate in this semester abroad opportunity and says it solidified to him the importance of a global perspective. “Something really meaningful that I took away from this experience was the true beauty of diversity,” he says. “If our generation wants to accomplish positive changes, we will have to work together on an international scale. That makes it so important to gain a global view of the world.” Young says that our partners at the University of Exeter have been impressed by the USF students and have expressed interest in additional partnership opportunities as the program continues. “The University of Exeter is an internationally relevant research center in a historically and culturally rich city, full of bright and motivated scholars from all around the globe,” says Young. “It is a great opportunity to make connections with other leaders and those who have a shared goal of making a positive difference in our world.”

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 25

Germany

fter studying German culture as part of the “Germany Beyond the Classroom” course in the spring, 25 Honors students participated in a three-week immersive trip led by the Assistant Director of the Office of National Scholarships, Lauren Bartshe-Hanlen, to explore Osnabrück, Weimar, Dresden, and Berlin. Before travelling they connected with German peers at the University of Osnabrück and discussed each other’s way of living and common issues they face as young adults. When the students arrived in Germany they each met the person they had been conversing with for months. In this way, the program, supported by grants from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Max Kade Foundation, allowed students to make friends before they even set foot in the country.

One thing I really learned from this trip is that the differences between cultures can’t stop any of us from having international friends who teach and learn from each other. I know myself and several of my other friends at USF still talk to the friends we made in Germany, showing that the connections we made were genuine and I think that those connections are important to the development of cultural awareness.” – Kathleen Patrick 26 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

Japan

“

onors Professor Atsuko Sakai led a group of JGHC students on a two-week program to Japan, where they visited historic sites, museums, schools, parks, and Gifu University Hospital. Traveling to six different cities, the students enjoyed breathtaking views from Mount Fuji and from modern skyscrapers in Tokyo, while experiencing authentic Japanese culture.

Coming back to the U.S. after the trip, I felt more well-versed in communicating with others without language (or with as little Japanese as I knew). While I didn’t completely understand the language, I got increasingly better at reading body language and facial expressions, which are universal and makes the world seem a little smaller.” – Stephanie Roberts

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 27

“

I enjoyed sharing my experience abroad with other USF students, and I’ve been able to keep in touch with my new friends since I’ve returned back to campus. I took away a strong desire to travel abroad in the future. After USF in London I’ve found myself wanting to experience other cultures and new places.”

– Sarah Glaser

London I n the summer of 2019, 44 Honors Students spent a month studying in London. While there, they took Dean Adams’ course, “Britishness: National Identity in the Global Age,” which invited students to view London as a place of significant cultural heritage and diversity. Students participated in a variety of excursions, including walking tours and trips to several museums, Parliament and Westminster Abbey, ethnic neighborhoods, and other distinctive sites.

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Martinique

onors students and alumni participated in a summer service trip to Martinique in cooperation with two local organizations, D’Antilles & D’Ailleurs and Mission Locale Nord Martinique. The students learned about the French island’s culture and language, and visited beautiful sights while also teaching business skills to locals. The USF cohort specifically worked with youth who wanted to learn how to develop international businesses to increase employment opportunities for citizens of Martinique and the Caribbean.

“

Although we have many opportunities in college to get in touch with different perspectives and cultures, nothing can replace a study abroad experience. We were able to exchange perspectives and experiences at all times during the trip, which enabled us to enrich our mindsets. This has shaped us and will play a vital role in our ideas for the rest of our lives.”

– Isabella Brandileone Marques

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 29

Montréal

group of Honors students led by Dr. Ulluminair Salim had a great time exploring Montréal, Quebec, and Foret Montmorency in Canada. They went to local markets, monuments, bookstores, and local tours as part of a program to identify and understand disparities and start conversations about societal workings.

“

Personally, this trip assured me in my academic pursuits. Once I was in Montréal, I was enthralled to hear French spoken all around me. I read signs and menus and plaques and magazines; I couldn’t get enough. While French may not be as important to the community that had always surrounded me, it was of utmost importance to these Canadians. They took pride in their language and its usefulness was clearer than it had ever been before.” – Moriah Haley

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Panama

“

r. Lindy Davidson led a group of Honors students on a study abroad program to shadow healthcare professionals in Panama while also exploring unique locations, including an excursion to the Panama Canal.

The key take-away for me was that even though we may be limited in communication, everyone benefits when different cultures can work together to help advance healthcare. Learning about how medicine is practiced in other countries will make me a better physician as I practice on a diverse population of people.”

– Lauren Bettencourt

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 31

D Peru

“

This trip gave me the motivation and pathway to change my major to International Studies with the goal of working internationally, advocating for other countries and experiencing their unique ways of living on this Earth. Another key takeaway for me was my newfound love for Spanish and world languages in general, which has motivated me to seek other opportunities where I can learn a foreign language by immersing myself into that country’s language.” – Gillian Olortegui

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r. Alan Bush of the Judy Genshaft Honors College led a group of students on a service-learning program in Pisac, Peru. They spent two weeks studying the effects of climate change on local agriculture, enjoying breathtaking mountain views, and assisting with ecotourism efforts in the community.

Thailand

onors students participated in a summer service project in Thailand, organized in cooperation with Peacework International. They conducted English workshops and youth empowerment sessions for students at a local high school, participated in a sustainable tree-planting project, visited an ethical elephant sanctuary, and toured various temples and street markets in Chiang Rai.

“

My favorite part about studying abroad was being able to immerse myself in an unfamiliar culture and experience everyday life. I felt like I had the chance to see Thailand at a level that was more intimate and personal than what I would have gotten as a tourist. I had never even heard of Chiang Rai before applying for the trip, but I left the city feeling like I was leaving a piece of my heart behind.” – Richa Bisht

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 33

Vietnam

ix Honors students spent part of the summer in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, providing financial literacy and career-themed activities for local children, attending lectures hosted by UNICEF and Asia Pacific Link, visiting museums and art spaces, and boating in the Mekong River.

“

Every day was an adventure. It is truly hard to pick just one, so my favorites were teaching and interacting with the kids, biking through the islands in the Mekong Delta surrounded by tropical fruit trees and the traditional architecture, and visiting my family whom I’d never met before.” – Catherine Ho

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INTERNATIONAL DAY REFLECTS LEARNING ABROAD The Judy Genshaft Honors College hosts numerous events year-round to introduce students to different cultures and communities around the world. A great example of this is International Day, which takes place each Fall semester. The College celebrated the fourth event in November of 2019, with 88 student presenters, and more than 150 students, faculty, and guests in attendance. For international students, the evening was a time to reflect on experiences from both their home country and the United States, and to recognize both the differences and

connections between these places. For domestic students who traveled with programs sponsored by the Judy Genshaft Honors College or USF Education Abroad, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on their time abroad and how it shaped their academic and professional goals. Some of the countries highlighted this year included Vietnam, India, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, plus many more. Hosted by the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council, the event allowed students to feature countries through posters, videos, art pieces, or other interactive forms. “International education and diversity are very important to our College,” says Honors Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “I am very proud of the students who participate in this event, and promote cultural awareness and appreciation for other countries and ways of life.”

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 35

2020 INTERNATIONAL PHOTO COMPETITION WINNING IMAGE 36 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

HE JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE Student Council again sponsored its annual international photo contest, inviting students to submit a photo taken while studying abroad on a USF program. 137 images were submitted and posted to the College’s Facebook page where the number of “likes” determined the winners. More than 8,500 votes were cast (a record for this competition) and the winning image, (pictured at left) “Gates of Heaven,” was taken by Katelyn

Kent in Bali, Indonesia. “We are always impressed by the stunning images captured by our students,” says Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “The photos provide a glimpse into different cultures and reinforce our commitment to global studies.” Kent won a $100 Honors College scholarship and the top 21 images (selection shown above) were turned into canvases that now grace the walls of the College. JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 37

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS SUCCESS

HE USF OFFICE OF NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS (ONS) provides guidance, mentorship, and support for USF’s high achieving students as they compete for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships across all disciplines. These awards are for creative, engaged, and academically strong students who are leaders inside and outside of the classroom. Each year ONS identifies, recruits, and mentors students who apply for prestigious awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Knight-Hennessy, and Fulbright scholarships. Advisors also work with faculty members to recruit candidates, provide strong letters of recommendation, review applications and essays, and provide mock interviews for applicants. This process ensures that students’ applications are of the highest caliber and reflect the students’ academic and extracurricular excellence. This past year, ONS proudly celebrated two Goldwater Scholarship recipients, fifty-five Gilman Scholars, a Rangel Fellow, and the university’s second Gates Cambridge Scholar. The full list of winners and finalists for the year include: • An AMGEN Scholar Recipient: Natasha Ram • Two Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Recipients: Keller Blackwell and Willie McClinton • Fifty-Five Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Recipients: Katelyn Agosto (United Kingdom), Patrick Atlasik (Italy), Zoubeida Ben-Mohamed (Japan), Victoria Bromley (United Kingdom), Niatikqua Brooks (Italy), Dajah Burks (Italy), Alondra Cepeda (Italy), Jennifer Cervantes (South Korea), Sheldon Cooper (Japan), Jaqueena Cousin (Italy), Julian Cruz (Italy), Michael Cummings (Italy), Freadrika Curry (Italy), Allison Deocampo (United Kingdom), Rocquel Donofrio (Italy), Ariana Fernandez (United Kingdom), Karina Garcia (United Kingdom), Bridget Godsil (United Kingdom), Gviana Goldberg (Spain), Jamisse Gordon (Czech Republic), Brenda Jiang (United Kingdom), Valrie Jules (Colombia), Carine Kambou (Italy), Nicole Kantchev (Costa Rica), Madeleine Kraft (Italy), Pei Lin (Italy), Paige Livingston (Japan), Abigail Long (Italy), Melanie Margolese (Italy), Keanu Masuda (France), Annabel Meyer (Italy), Juanita Morales (South Korea), Samantha Morancy (Romania), Vanessa Morejon-Campos (Italy), Anna Mott (Romania), Raquel Ogletree (South Korea), Amanda Parrilla (Italy), Ivan Pineda (China), Emily Rodriguez (Italy), Richelle Samuels (Italy), Olivia Sciandra (Costa Rica), Eth Shaddaily Louissaint (Italy), Chelsea Sherwood (Italy), Ashley Sizemore (France), Sabrina Soltau (Italy), Christy Sorto

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(Costa Rica), Vongkham Crystal Sourivong (South Korea), Nicholas Stewart (Australia), Rhianna Sullivan (Romania), Bryce Tapp (Italy), Derryk Theberge (South Korea), Chyenne Tran (Germany), Brianna Waldrep (Italy), Aniah Williams (Costa Rica), and Morgan Woods (Romania) • Three Boren Award Recipients: Frank Plageman, Mabel Proenza, and Logan Woods • A Department of State U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program Recipient: Mabel Proenza • A Frost Scholarship Program Recipient: Stephanie Bauman • Two Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program Recipients: Eric Kastelic and Megan Mascheri • Nine Fulbright U.S. Student Program Recipients: Jaclyn Dell (Study Grant to the United Kingdom), Sophia Eyerman (English Teaching Assistant to Columbia), Renee Fonseca (Research Grant to Columbia), Allyson Hoffman (English Teaching Assistant to Norway), Adrian Iordache (Research Grant to Romania), Brittany Perry (Research Grant to Finland), Faye Ricker (Research Grant to Kenya), William Serrano-Garcia (Research Grant to Singapore), and Angela Zhu (English Teaching Assistant to Indonesia) • A Gates Cambridge Scholarship Recipient: Shawn Zamani • A Harvard-Kennedy Public Policy Leadership Conference Recipient: Emmanuel Harvey • A Marshall Scholarship Finalist: Shawn Zamani • A National Institutes of Standards and Technology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (NIST-SURF) Recipient: Usmann Siddiqui • A National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program Recipient: Daniel Icenhour • A National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention: Misha Fini • A University of Oxford Allan and Nesta Ferguson African Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Awa Ndiaye • A Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) Fellowship Recipient: Tessy Jacques • A Rangel Graduate Fellowship Recipient: Monica Edwards • A Schwarzman Scholars Finalist: Alex Hayden

USF in 2016 thanks to a Jack Kent Cook Scholarship. This award is the nation’s only prestigious scholarship for transfer students. Once at USF, Zamani began working on research projects tied to reshaping smoking policies on campus. He has published research on the effects of these policies as well as work related to risk factors for various cancers. He was admitted to the highly competitive Amgen Scholars Program (which has an acceptance rate of less than three percent) for the summer of 2018, which allowed him to conduct epidemiological research on upper gastrointestinal cancers at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Zamani, a Public Health major, was named USF’s Outstanding Graduate in December 2018, and earned a 3.97 GPA. While at USF Zamani served as a research assistant in the Department of Cancer Epidemiology at Moffitt Cancer Center and Director of Public Health at the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, a student-run free clinic located on USF’s campus.

RECENT HONORS ALUM AND PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT FLOURISHING AT CAMBRIDGE

UDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE ALUMNUS Shawn Zamani was one of a select group of outstanding students named a 2019 Gates Cambridge Scholar, earning a scholarship to fully fund his PhD in Medical Science at the University of Cambridge. Zamani was one of only 34 U.S. students to earn the honor last year, and only the second USF student ever to win a Gates Cambridge award, one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship is for students who have demonstrated academic excellence along with a capacity for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Zamani recently completed his first semester at Cambridge. “I am thrilled to study here alongside fellow Gates Cambridge Scholars, all of whom are from such a diverse mix of cultures and backgrounds,” he says. “It’s a unique and incredible opportunity to work with so many talented students who all share a mission of improving lives around the world.” Zamani’s achievement is even more remarkable considering he emigrated with his family to America from Iran in 2012 knowing little English. He entered classes at Gaither High School after arriving in Tampa. “I learned the language through immersion,” he says. “It was sink or swim.” After earning an associate’s degree with a 4.0 GPA from Hillsborough Community College, Zamani transferred to

Now at Cambridge, he studies with Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, a global expert in the field of esophageal cancer. In her lab, Zamani researches the clinical epidemiology of esophageal cancer and works in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic to evaluate U.S./U.K. data related to screening guidelines for this disease. Zamani stays busy outside of the lab as well. He serves as the Deputy Editor in Chief of The Scholar Magazine, the Gates Cambridge Trust’s annual publication featuring stories from its Scholars. “I have also been exploring Cambridge’s rich history,” says Zamani. “I am enjoying my time here, although I do still miss walking along the MLK Plaza at USF.” After obtaining his PhD, Zamani intends to work for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in cancer prevention and policy. “I am very proud of Shawn’s passion to improve human health and wellbeing and his dedication to research and community engagement,” said Ralph Wilcox, USF Provost and Executive Vice President. “I’m grateful to our faculty mentors and to our Office of National Scholarships for helping him compete for this prestigious award. He was well prepared to enter the ranks of Gates Cambridge Scholars and continue his studies at such an elite university.” The Gates Cambridge program was established in 2000 by a donation of $210 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest ever single donation to a UK university. Applicants must be admitted to Cambridge before being considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. While at Cambridge, Scholars pursue a wide range of subjects available at the University and are distributed across its many departments and Colleges. The goal of the program is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 39

USF SEES RECORD NUMBER OF GILMAN SCHOLARS

HE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE provides a transformative opportunity for students through its Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The award, available only for students who receive a federal Pell Grant, provides up to $5,000 for study abroad costs. Through strategic support from USF’s Office of National Scholarships, the university has dramatically increased the number of students receiving a Gilman Scholarship. In one year, from 2016-17 to 2017-18, the number of recipients rose from 16 to 37, the most among colleges and universities in Florida and sixth in the nation. Of those 37 recipients, 29 were racial or ethnic minority students. The 2018-19 year saw yet another significant increase, to 55 USF Gilman Scholars – again, more than any other Florida university. All Gilman recipients study or intern abroad for a minimum of three weeks and have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, languages, and economies. The goal is to

40 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

better prepare them to assume leadership roles with an understanding of international relations. “We are immensely proud of our diverse group of Gilman Scholars and their work to increase USF’s global understanding and impact,” Ralph Wilcox, USF provost and executive vice president, says. “These talented scholars embody USF’s commitment to diversity and access and serve as models for fellow students to engage with USF’s Office of National Scholarships for not only this award but the many other prestigious opportunities available to all students.” ONS works closely with USF’s Education Abroad office and multiple campus partners to increase the number of qualified applicants for the Gilman scholarship and other awards. Of the 55 USF Gilman Scholars in 2019, thirteen students received their awards during the early application window, more than any institution in the United States.

Top to bottom, left to right: Olivia Sciandra studied intensive Spanish and learned about Costa Rica’s conservation efforts with the USF Costa Rica Spanish Language program. Morgan Woods developed skills for her future career as a forensic anthropologist through USF’s Romania Human Osteology and Bioarchaeology program. Raquel Ogletree took classes on the South Korean judicial system for her criminology major during an exchange to EWHA Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. Chyenne Tran collaborated with local university students and learned about German history and culture via the Germany Beyond the Classroom program in Osnabrück, Germany.

TWO HONORS STUDENTS NAMED 2019 GOLDWATER SCHOLARS

WO JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE students, Keller Blackwell and Willie McClinton, were named 2019 Goldwater Scholars, chosen out of nearly 1,300 students nationally who were nominated through a highly selective process. The scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate award in the country for science research and provides $7,500 for educational expenses and research support. McClinton, a Computer Science major, completed two USF research projects. The first involved working with Dr. Marvin Andujar to create technology that will allow patients with ALS to paint pictures using their brains. McClinton worked on the brain computer interface that allows the technology to work in virtual reality, giving artistic freedom to those who are no longer able to create art in traditional ways. In the second research project, McClinton worked with Dr. Sriram Chellappan to create a smart phone app that will allow people to take photos of mosquitos to identify their specific species. “Certain species carry diseases such as Zika and Malaria,” says McClinton. “The goal is to create a way for citizens in mosquito-prevalent areas to identify those mosquitos and take the necessary precautions.” Using artificial intelligence, McClinton ultimately wants to create multi-purpose robots that can perform a wide range of daily tasks. Blackwell, a Pure Mathematics major, completed research under Dr. Gretchen L. Matthews at Virginia Tech that will help protect personal data in the future. His research uses mathematics to create encryption algorithms that will better secure sensitive data online when quantum computers become a reality. A non-traditional student, Blackwell spent many years working full-time in the restaurant industry before starting college. A transfer student from California, he was impressed by the level of caring and individualized assistance he received from professors and staff at USF. “There are specific challenges that you deal with as a non-traditional student,” says Blackwell. “I’ve had such excellent mentors here who have gone above and beyond to help me succeed. My career goal is to become a university professor and give back to others in similar situations.” Both Goldwater Scholars plan to pursue their PhDs. Blackwell and McClinton worked with the university’s Office of National Scholarships (ONS) and its director, Dr. Sayandeb Basu, on their research goals and Goldwater applications. ONS works with USF students to identify prestigious scholarship opportunities and craft competitive applications.

Mathmatics major Keller Blackwell, left, and Computer Science major Willie McClinton were named 2019 Goldwater Scholars, chosen from nearly 1,300 students nationally.

“Both of these students have such bright futures,” says Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Dr. Charles Adams. “Undergraduate research is both valued and promoted throughout our university and I am proud, but not surprised, to see how our faculty and staff have mentored Keller and Willie.” The two award recipients bring USF’s Goldwater Scholar tally to eleven in the university’s history. Previous scholars have gone on to earn other nationally competitive awards and study at internationally prominent institutions as they work on research projects. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Program is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 41

USF CELEBRATES FULBRIGHT PROGRAM

N APRIL 10, 2019, USF CELEBRATED its second annual Fulbright Day, a campus wide event which celebrates international education through USF’s continued remarkable record of success with the Fulbright Student Program (for U.S. and foreign students) and the Fulbright Scholar Program (for U.S. and foreign faculty). The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest exchange program in the world, sending U.S. students abroad for up to one year to engage in an independent research project, undertake graduate study, or teach English. Students interested in applying work with USF’s Office of National Scholarships (ONS) to identify the best options for them and craft application materials. USF was named the nation’s top producer of Fulbright Scholars (faculty) for 2019 by the Chronicle of Higher Education. With 12 faculty members named as scholars, USF was once again placed in Fulbright’s “Top Producer” category nationally. Nine USF students also received Fulbright awards to undertake research, pursue graduate study and teach English in countries including the United Kingdom, Kenya, Finland, and Colombia. USF Fulbright Day consisted of three events: a USF Fulbright Student Alumni Panel, a Celebratory Reception, and a Special Conversation with Mr. Hoyt Purvis, former chair of the Fulbright Scholarship Board and press secretary to U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright.

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The Alumni Panel featured USF student alumni sharing their Fulbright experiences, including why they applied, and how a Fulbright impacted their career goals. Mr. Purvis was a special guest speaker for the Alumni Panel as well. Panelists included: • Jenna Dionisio, Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Malaysia • Mary Wynn Karatal, Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Turkey • Catherine Law, Foreign Fulbright Postgraduate Award Recipient from Scotland • Kevin Orner, Fulbright U.S. Student Program Research Grant Recipient to Costa Rica • Lauren Shumate, Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Serbia • Aroushad Tahsini, Fulbright U.S. Student Program Study Grant Recipient to Spain A celebratory reception at the end of the day brought together students, faculty, and staff to network and celebrate USF and Senator J. William Fulbright. Former faculty and student Fulbright alumni were in attendance, along with USF’s current foreign Fulbright faculty and students. Attendees came away from the celebration with a deeper appreciation of the award’s legacy of international exchange and received valuable advice from Fulbright alumni.

USF Fulbright Day consisted of three events: a USF Fulbright Student Alumni Panel, a Celebratory Reception, and a Special Conversation with Mr. Hoyt Purvis, (pictured directly above) former chair of the Fulbright Scholarship Board and press secretary to U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 43

NINE USF STUDENTS EARN FULBRIGHT AWARDS

INE USF STUDENTS WERE AWARDED GRANTS from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program to spend the 2019-20 academic year abroad teaching English, undertaking an independent research project, or pursuing graduate study.

Renèe Fonseca

The Fulbright Program is America’s flagship international educational exchange program and aims to build lasting ties between the U.S. and other countries, awarding approximately 2,000 grants annually and operating in more than 160 nations across the globe.

• Will identify biomarkers associated with breast and prostate cancers in an underrepresented Afro-Colombian population

Fulbright awardees are selected by a 12-member board appointed by the President of the United States, and selection is based on academic and professional achievement as well as evidence of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.

• Fulbright award to teach English in Trondheim, Norway

Ms. Lauren Chambers, USF Fulbright Program Advisor and Associate Director of the Office of National Scholarships, says that despite their varied academic backgrounds these recipients share a dedication to reaching their potential as a USF Bull.

THE RECIPIENTS: (L to R, top to bottom)

Jaclyn Dell

• Alumna of the USF master’s program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology • Fulbright research grant to Colombia

Allyson Hoffman • Alumna of the USF master’s program in Fine Arts

• Will teach writing and American studies to secondary and post-secondary students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Byåsen Upper Secondary School

Adrian Iordache • Music Education doctoral student at USF • Fulbright research grant to Romania • Will study the notable talent and lack of formal music training among professional musicians in the country and hopes to identify ways to improve teaching methods and student outcomes

• Alumna of the USF master’s program in Psychology

Brittany Perry

• Fulbright study grant to the United Kingdom

• Alumna of the USF master’s program in Medical Sciences

• Will earn her doctoral degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham while researching with Dr. Clayton Hickey, a leader in the field of reinforcement learning and motivated cognition

• Fulbright research grant to Finland

Sophia Eyerman • Alumna of the USF master’s program in Applied Linguistics: English as a Second Language (ESOL) • Fulbright award to teach English in Rionegro, Colombia • Plans to pursue a career teaching English as a second language 44 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

• Will conduct research and examine potential trends of a ground-breaking meta-study of the global impact of the country’s ‘baby boxes,’ a care package offered to all Finnish families as part of the social health and welfare system

Faye Ricker • Geography and Environmental Science and Policy doctoral student at USF • Fulbright research grant to Kenya • Will conduct dissertation field research on gendered

socio-economic impacts of geothermal energy development among Kenya’s Maasai community

William Serrano-Garcia • Electrical Engineering doctoral student at USF • Fulbright research grant to Singapore

Angela Zhu • Alumna of USF with bachelor’s degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Music Studies • Fulbright award to teach English in Indonesia • Will lead community projects and learn the language

• Will continue his dissertation research in the study of organic, conducting, and semiconducting polymers for nanoscale fiber-based electronic devices at the National University of Singapore

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 45

HONORS HOME TO SUCCESSFUL IT INCUBATOR

HE JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE has employed student assistants focused on information technology since 2007, and for the past five years has expanded the program into an IT incubator employing multiple students and providing real-world experiential learning opportunities. The program is led by one of the College’s most experienced and respected academic advisors, Mr. Reginald Lucien. He says that technology is important in today’s society because “it provides an equal playing field to empower everyone to have the opportunity to learn. Technology allows us to be more efficient and enables us to have a more significant impact on our world.” Lucien believes that the Judy Genshaft Honors College is an ideal location for this incubator because “Honors brings the brightest minds together to co-create meaningful solutions for both students and staff.” The current team is comprised of six undergraduate Honors students who are learning about professional development, communication skills, and project management. The students use the Scrum model, which is an industry standard, to help better simulate what projects will look like when they enter the larger workforce. The program is not just for computer science majors. The skills learned are transferable to any major. Past participants have been theater, engineering, and education majors. Erika Winters, an Honors alumna, was one of these students. She is currently working in Japan as an English teacher. She says that while her role is not a technical role, her experiences within the Honors IT program helped her learn communi-

cation and planning skills. “Often, technical roles involve interaction with people who don’t know the technical lingo,” says Winters. “You have to quickly think of ways to explain around a concept or phrase it simply. Living in a country that does not speak English as its primary language introduces a similar communication experience.” Winters also says that her interpersonal skills were refined through the program because of the office setting. “Knowing how best to interact with your coworkers to move toward the next goal while respecting everyone’s respective workloads and responsibilities is a difficult skill to acquire,” she says. “But the Honors College, with its constant events and activity, really helped me develop that ability in a safe, friendly environment.” The IT incubator also offers students the ability to network with Honors staff and USF IT professional staff. “My favorite memory from the program will always be the people I’ve worked with,” says Noah Hamilton, a current student participant. “Whether it be through working with professional staff or other student workers, the assignments have never felt like work (despite the heavy workload) because of these relationships.” Another exciting opportunity for Hamilton and his colleagues was the opportunity to attend the National Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Conference, in the fall of 2019. This was a four-day event that had many technical and professional workshops and networking opportunities. “Some of the skills I learned were technical communication from Boeing, project management from IBM, and personal branding from Goldman Sachs,” says Hamilton. “Most notably I was given the opportunity to interview with a company and secure an internship for Summer 2020 by talking to recruiters at this conference.” Having the ability to attend national conferences is extremely valuable to students because as Hamilton mentioned it allows for students to network on a national level. Other incubator participants have had the opportunity to participate in internships with Intel and Google. Honors and incubator alum Ricardo Carrion now works as a software engineer at HOVER Inc. with a focus on web based real time computer graphics. He compared the Honors IT program to an internship. “To anyone who wants to become a software engineer I would say you really want some work experience by the time you graduate,” he said. “Although internships are useful in this regard, due to their short duration you can be limited in the scope of work you can complete. The Honors incubator

46 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

provides a much larger opportunity to work on multiple projects because it is a multi-year program.” Carrion said he gained experience on the technical side, like becoming familiar with full stack web development technologies, as well as improving non-technical skills like leadership. “My work at the Honors College formed the foundation of my resume and catapulted my professional career,” he says. The Honors incubator has evolved over the years to offer students the best opportunities to learn about the constantly-changing technology industry in both educational and practical ways. “I believe that IT will be decentralized in the future,” says Lucien. “There will be an element of IT in every classroom, every department, and every aspect of society. With technology expanding it will create a growing need for people with knowledge in this field, and our College is helping to prepare students through this program.”

Left: A member of the Honors IT Incubator works on a database project for faculty and staff. Top and Above: Members of the IT Incubator had the opportunity to attend the National Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Conference in the Fall of 2019. The four-day event had many technical and professional workshops and networking opportunities.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 47

VISITING DISTINGUISHED FACULTY BRINGS RICH BACKGROUND OF EXPERIENCES TO COLLEGE

NE OF THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL experiences available to Judy Genshaft Honors College students is the opportunity to learn from talented scholars from all around the world thanks to the Visiting Distinguished Professor program. Created in 2017, the position brings diverse academic and subject matter experts to campus each semester to complement the expertise of the College’s core faculty. In the fall of 2019 the College welcomed Jared Ragland to this role. Ragland, a fine arts photographer and former White House photo editor, taught courses focused on socially-engaged visual storytelling. In November Ragland held a university-wide lecture attended by more than 100 students from a variety of disciplines. The lecture described his longitudinal photo-ethnography docuDuring the event Ragland shared images and stories about the making of the ethnography while reflecting on documentary practices and the emotional toll of his fieldwork. Students were able to ask questions and reflect on the documentary and images. “It was a powerful presentation and film,” said Honors Dean Dr. Charles Adams. “I am so glad that our students were able to learn from Mr. Ragland this year. His combination of international and national experiences created a rich background for engaging with our interdisciplinary College.”

Above: Visiting Distinguished Professor, Jared Ragland, presents to the university community. Above right: Ragland meets with President Obama. Ragland was the photo editor of “The President’s Photographer: Fifty Years Inside the Oval Office.”

menting methamphetamine use in rural Alabama. This work, entitled “Some Million Miles,” combines first-person accounts, interviews, photographs and film, and engages the current conversation about the pivotal political role and cultural identity of the rural American South. It also reveals how people dependent on meth create and communicate a sense of identity as they navigate social and economic marginalization. 48 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

Ragland’s previous work includes being the photo editor of National Geographic Books’ “The President’s Photographer: Fifty Years Inside the Oval Office.” He has also worked on assignment for NGOs in the Balkans, the former Soviet Bloc, East Africa, and Haiti. He is the recipient of a 2017 Alabama State Council on the Arts fellowship. Previous Judy Genshaft Honors College Visiting Distinguished Professors-in-Residence include Carlin Romano, a philosophy professor and recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, Peter Wilson, an internationally-respected climate change scientist from New Zealand, and Jan Fritz, a sociology professor serving on the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women.

“

Our goal is to create meaningful service opportunities that will contribute to students’ experiential learning and have a positive impact on our university community.” – Lindy Davidson

Dean Charles Adams discusses service learning opportunities with students at an annual event held in Juniper Hall.

WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO OFFER SERVICE LEARNING TO STUDENTS Hundreds of Judy Genshaft Honors College students gathered in Juniper-Poplar Hall, home to the Honors Living Learning Community (LLC), for the annual Honors Service Fair. Students networked with local community partners and learned about a variety of service opportunities. Organizations in attendance included WMNF Radio Station, WellBuilt Bikes, AMRoC Robotics Lab, ReDefiners World Languages, University Area Community Development Corporation, Lily Pharmacy, KIC Wellness, and many campus-based initiatives. “Our goal is to create meaningful service opportunities that will contribute to students’ experiential learning and have a

positive impact on our university community,” said Dr. Lindy Davidson, Associate Dean for Curriculum and Instruction and faculty member and Coordinator of Experiential Learning for the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Experiential learning is often defined as “the process of learning through experience, and more specifically learning through reflection on doing.” The ability for students to gain this type of knowledge by participating in diverse internships and service opportunities is one of the factors that makes the College special. “Many of our faculty members also incorporate experiential learning into their courses,” says Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “We have students leading therapeutic tours at the Tampa Museum of Art, shadowing patients in the Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room, preserving historic documents at the St. Petersburg Beach Public Library and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, and much more.”

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 49

USF CELEBRATES PHI BETA KAPPA CHAPTER

PRIL 22, 2019 WAS A HISTORIC DAY for the University of South Florida as it hosted an installation and induction ceremony for its new chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national honor society. Only 10 percent of U.S. colleges and universities (the majority of which are private) have PBK chapters. PBK graduates include 17 U.S. Presidents, 40 Supreme Court Justices (including seven of the nine current sitting justices), and more than 140 Nobel Laureates. The Society was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. The new chapter, designated Eta of Florida, inducted 67 students, selected in accordance with the Society’s stipulation of academic excellence achieved through a broad and rigorous course of study, including demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language. The initiates represent an elite two percent of their graduating class. Guided by President Judy Genshaft, USF had sought to secure a PBK chapter for many years. She was joined on stage for the ceremony by Provost and Executive Vice President Ralph Wilcox, Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles

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Adams, College of the Arts and Sciences Dean Eric Eisenberg, PBK Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence, and PBK President Lynn Pasquerella. Secretary Lawrence acknowledged the significance of the occasion, saying: “At every level of the institution, the University of South Florida is committed to providing an excellent liberal arts education for its diverse student community. We are confident that commitment will stand the test of time, enabling this chapter, and its exceptional students, to shine.” The chapter also inducted several Foundation members, each chosen for their commitment to the ideals of the liberal arts and sciences, including: • Samuel Bell, former Florida House of Representatives Majority Leader, and Betty Castor, the fifth president of the University of South Florida • University of South Florida President Emerita Judy Genshaft and philanthropist Steven Greenbaum • Brian Lamb, member of the Board of Governors of the State University System, and former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida • Paul Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation • Carol and Frank Morsani, founders of the Morsani College of Medicine and the Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare • Pam and Les Muma, founders of the Muma College of Business

• Terrell Sessums, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairman of the Florida Board of Regents • Ralph Wilcox, Provost of the University of South Florida

The first class of USF Phi Beta Kappa members include: • Fernanda Arcay • Aliya Atcha

“We are delighted to honor these tremendous friends of the university and of higher education, along with our remarkable students,” chapter president Charles Adams stated. “This is a very important day in the history of the University of South Florida. Sheltering a chapter serves to confirm our standing as a premier national university, and speaks to the quality of our academic culture and the excellent education that we provide for our students.”

• Mitsy Audate

University of South Florida became the 290th U.S. college or university to shelter a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Installations of new chapters occur only every three years and follow an intensive, multi-year application and evaluation process that includes two rounds of data collection and a visit from members of the Phi Beta Kappa Committee on Qualifications. Among the criteria reviewed are the university’s curriculum, governance structure, library, campus culture, faculty excellence, facilities, and commitment to academic freedom.

• William Ebanks

• Paola Bahena • Pulcherie Bello • Harper Cassady • Mariana Castaneda • Alexis Coiner • Joanne Donovan • Kaley Dovale • Sarah Eldin • Cecilia Estrada • Anna Fennell • Natalie Fulle • Laura Garcia • Bailee Glickman • Zoe Greco-Musters • Jadyn Heffern • Mckenzi Heide • Anna Hemminger

• Teddy Horowitz

• Ashley Phillipson

• Rebecca Howell

• Ivan Pineda

• Kara Keiper

• Alison Pullen

• Ashley Kelly

• Rocio Raggio

• Jeremy Kirey

• Caroline Reges

• Hayley Kunde

• Nicole Restrepo

• Kitija Laksa

• Samantha Santana

• Blanche Langenbach • Kimberly SantosMelendez • Annalise Leclair • Hannah Schwartz • Melissa Lima Gentz • Omar Sey • Jennifer Lopez • Haley Shields • Abygaelle Loubeau • Joel Skaggs • Cassandra Ly • Sebastian Smith • Morgan Malof • Laura Tamayo • Reilly Maxwell • Nicoleta Ursu • Samantha McGilvray • Sarah Usewick • Brianna McGlade • Alexa Valence • Hannah Nelson • Valeria Vallejo • Anh Nguyen • Kimberly Van • Vi Nguyen • Sitara Varughese • Isabella Perello • Alexandra Weber • Andres Perez • Maria Zambrano • Renee Perez • Valeriya Zhuruli

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 51

HONORS STUDENTS FLOURISH: AT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE

F THE MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS presenting their research at the USF Preeminent Undergraduate Research Experience (P.U.R.E.) conference, over 200 were from the Judy Genshaft Honors College. The conference, hosted by the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), allows students to present their work from any discipline in poster, oral, or performing arts formats, and receive feedback from both faculty and peers. The Honors student presenters were mentored by faculty members from every undergraduate college across USF’s campuses, including Honors College faculty. “I am proud to know that our Judy Genshaft Honors College students made up such an impressive percentage of all conference presenters this year,” said Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the College. “Research is a pivotal piece of the Honors curriculum and the skills they learn through performing and presenting research – expanding their knowledge, creating cross-discipline connections and partnerships, fine-tuning communication skills, benefiting from faculty mentorship – all add to the collective undergraduate trajectory toward success.” Among the participants were more than 40 students mentored by Honors faculty member Dr. Lindy Davidson. She encouraged her students to make the most out of the opportunity, and was not surprised when they did. “Presenting their research allows students to articulate what they’ve learned and connect with other researchers across the university. At this conference, our bright and capable students begin to understand their role as key contributors to the academic conversation,” she said. “Bridget Godsil, a student from my course, presented her research examining the intersection of disability and indigenous Australian populations. While at the conference, she engaged with a faculty member from the USF College of Nursing who encouraged her to consider the College’s new PhD program. Bridget, who has since been admitted to the College of Nursing, exemplifies the importance of this event as a catalyst for student growth and exploration.”

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AT GLOBAL HEALTH CATALYST SUMMIT

NE OF THE MOST POPULAR COURSE OFFERINGS in the Honors College curriculum is Dr. Lindy Davidson’s “Cultural Constructions of Disability.” This service-learning course invites students to explore ways that culture affects our understanding of disability across the globe, including in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Davidson’s course is enriched through a partnership with Global Health Catalysts (GHC), a non-profit that supports health initiatives around the world. GHC members collaborated with students in Dr. Davidson’s class to co-produce epilepsy awareness materials for use in Cameroon and elsewhere on the African continent. GHC also organizes the Annual Global Health Catalyst Summit at Harvard Medical School. The Summit’s coordinator, Dr. Lydia Asana, came to USF in the spring of 2019 to talk with students in Dr. Davidson’s class about the challenges facing people with disabilities in Cameroon. Honors alumna

Dhalia Bumbaca had worked on the Cameroon project and joined Asana in conversations with the class about her ongoing work on the project and her experience at the Summit.

ship development workshops, served as support volunteers, and networked with a diverse group of Summit participants and GHC leaders.

Davidson selects a few students to present the class project and their own research projects at the Summit each year. In May of 2019, Kashif Basaria and Matthew Kurisunkal flew to Boston and made a presentation entitled ‘Understanding Epilepsy in Cameroon,’ in which they outlined the findings of the Honors College class for a global audience.

“This type of experiential learning is exactly what makes our College special,” says the Dean, Dr. Charles Adams. “The students in this class are able to learn from Dr. Davidson about challenges facing specific global communities, and then take action on a project to help improve the quality of life for those they’ve researched. I am very proud of the students working on these projects, and I’m delighted with their opportunity to present this work on an international stage at the Global Health Catalyst Summit.”

“The USF Judy Genshaft Honors College was well represented,” said Asana. “We look forward to our ongoing collaboration and to implementing the web-based contributions of this most recent class.” The students at the Summit attended an impressive lineup of workshops led by influential African leaders and focused on current health issues facing various African regions as well as the African diaspora. They also fully participated in leader-

Dr. Lydia Asana (Coordinator of the Global Health Catalyst Summit) visited USF in the spring and spoke with Dr. Lindy Davidson’s class about the challenges facing people with disabilities in Cameroon.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 53

DEAN’S CIRCLE OF MERIT

T THE CLOSE OF EVERY SEMESTER, the Judy Genshaft Honors College hosts a special graduation ceremony for its seniors to highlight the hard work they put into their academics, research, studies abroad, internships, community service and all other areas that make them exceptional. Friends and families are invited to join in the celebration and learn more about the accomplishments of these talented students. Starting in 2017, the College introduced a new presentation during these commencements entitled the Dean’s Circle of Merit. This award celebrates specific Honors students with outstanding accomplishments within the College and its unique curriculum. Sponsored by the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council (JGHCSC), the Dean’s Circle of Merit award is bestowed on students based on the four main values of the College: leadership, service, global engagement, and research. The students are nominated by faculty and staff members of the College and the Office of National Scholarships (ONS). Nominated students are invited to complete an application that includes a creative piece to demonstrate why they think they deserve the award. The winners are then chosen by the Dean and a select group of faculty, staff, JGHCSC, Honors housing, and ONS representatives. During Honors graduation, winners receive a special stole, which they can then showcase at the larger, general USF commencement ceremony. The Judy Genshaft Honors College is proud to provide an environment where students can thrive and become better leaders and global citizens engaged in meaningful research and service projects. The Dean’s Circle of Merit is just one opportunity to recognize exceptional students who embody what it means to be an Honors student.

2019 RECIPIENTS SPRING 2019 Leadership: Jasmine Burnett Demonstrated extensive leadership within the College, and dedicated three years to training future Honors College student leaders. Service: Nader Tabsh Completed more than 1,000 hours of community service for the Art Therapy project within the Tampa Museum of Art. Research: Kilian Kelly Secured and completed multiple impactful research opportunities within the fields of Anthropology and Healthcare. Global Citizenship: Hiwot Zewdie Created study abroad opportunities for other USF students specifically in the African American, LGBT+, and Latinx communities.

FALL 2019 Research: Phillip Barrison Completed significant research in the field of advanced care planning inspired by his Honors interdisciplinary coursework and faculty mentors. Service: Shalini Pandey Served others abroad in the Dominican Republic, and completed research aimed to serve citizens with low access to nutrient-rich diets. Leadership: Kayla Weiss Guided first-year Honors students as an Orientation Mentor, taught an Honors Foundations course, and served as an Honors Peer Mentor Lead. Global Citizenship: Ashley Phillipson Volunteered with immigrant communities in a Texas border town, in community health programs in the Dominican Republic, and human trafficking prevention in Thailand.

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JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 55

“ A CHAMPION OF EDUCATION

NGRAVED ON A PLAQUE at the USF Sessums Mall (the main thoroughfare of the university’s Tampa campus) are the words “a champion of education,” honoring the man for whom the Mall is named. This is a very fitting description of Terrell Sessums, who dedicated his life to public service and the support of higher education. In his influential roles as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and Chair of the Florida Board of Regents, Terrell supported the creation and rapid growth of USF. As a civic leader he also helped create the university’s Morsani College of Medicine and College of Nursing, as well as graduate programs in Architecture and Business.

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His life’s work has improved the lives of countless people, whether or not they know his name, and will continue to do so for a long time.”

Terrell passed away in 2020, just shy of his 90th birthday, and was remembered by leaders throughout the state. “Terrell Sessums was a true public servant, advocate, and dedicated member of our community,” said USF President Steven Currall. “An incredible leader for Florida education, he was instrumental in establishing the University of South Florida and remained invested in our university’s success.” He was a well-known figure in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, often guest lecturing in courses and serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council. In 2019, he was honored as a Foundation Member of USF’s new Phi Beta Kappa chapter, housed in the Honors College. His involvement in the Honors College began shortly after the College’s creation. Motivated by their personal experiences receiving life-changing scholarships, Terrell and his late wife established in 1987

the Terrell and Neva Sessums Regents Endowed Scholarship. Since then, more than $215,000 in funding has been awarded to 308 academically talented Honors students to cover books, tuition, and international study. The couple also generously supported important initiatives at USF Health and the campus libraries. “From his time as a legislator through all his years of public service afterward, Terrell’s steady goal was to create opportunities for all Floridians to have access to a world-class education,” said Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. “His life’s work has improved the lives of countless people, whether or not they know his name, and will continue to do so for a long time.” Terrell, a talented lawyer and veteran of the United States Air Force, received many honors in his life, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, and the Tampa Bay Environmental Excellence Award, a prize that was subsequently renamed in his honor. A Hillsborough County elementary school is named for him, a distinction that particularly pleased him. He also earned the President’s Distinguished Citizen Award and a Class of 56 Award from USF, four honorary degrees from Florida’s universities, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities. The plaque standing in Sessums Mall is well earned, and the Mall appropriately named. “I am honored by the description of ‘champion of education’ because underneath it all that is who I am,” Terrell once said. “My hope is that students will take full advantage of all the opportunities offered by USF, including scholarships. Then later in life they can have the same privilege we have had of paying it forward for others.” Terrell Sessums, pictured left and right, was a champion of education throughout his career. Bottom right, December 1, 1972, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Terrell Sessums (left), Governor Reubin Askew (center) and President pro-tempore of the Senate Louis de la Parte.

JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 57

Alumni

SPEAKERS

ALUMNI GIVE BACK THROUGH SPEAKER SERIES

HE JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE is fortunate to have talented alumni who take the time to share their experiences and advice with current students as part of the Alumni Speaker Series. This past year, multiple alums served as guest speakers, including two successful business leaders who chose different career paths. “This speaker series is unique because it allows students to interact with alumni in a more personal setting and engage in a conversation rather than a lecture,” said Richa Bisht, Biomedical Sciences major and Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council Vice President. In February, April Grajales ‘01, Executive Director of Multinational Corporations for J.P Morgan, visited the College and shared her insight on business, leadership, and relationship building. Grajales spoke with the students about embracing challenges and how to move forward following minor set-backs. She also emphasized the importance of connecting with professors and seeking internship opportunities to further

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professional experiences before entering the “real world.” Student participants asked Grajales questions about her experiences in Honors and beyond, and she encouraged them to take advantage of all the resources available to them. Rick Dominguez ‘98, President of Jordan Glass Machinery LLC, located in Miami, visited a month later, and had similar advice. He motivated the students while sharing his Honors experiences. “Imagine the Honors College as a tool box,” he said. “Find mentors that inspire you, seek experience-filled opportunities, and get up and go for it!” Dominguez specifically mentioned how important his mentor, Dr. Georg Kleine, former Assistant Dean of the College, was in his professional development, and encouraged the student participants to cultivate similar relationships.

be applied to any career path,” she said. “As a pre-med student, I think that hearing the different perspectives offered by the diverse range of professionals has helped me develop a broader viewpoint.” The multidisciplinary nature of the Judy Genshaft Honors College allows students to learn from those both in and out of their career fields. “That is why we offer the alumni speaker series,” says Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the College. “Our students are collaborative by nature and through this program they have a special opportunity to hear from successful individuals in a wide variety of fields who can all say ‘I was once exactly where you are now, and this is the best advice that I can offer you.’”

Photos: Left, April Grajales ’01, shared her

Bisht attended both events. “The speaker series gives students the opportunity to explore potential avenues within their chosen field, connect with Honors alumni, and learn tips for success that can

insight on business, leadership and relationship building with students. Right, Rick Dominguez ’98, pictured with Dean Charles Adams.

SPOTLIGHT

A FAMILY CALLING

ONORS ALUM and ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Nash was called to a career in medicine from a young age. Both his father, an obstetrician-gynecologist who became an ophthalmologist, and his grandfather, a general practitioner, had shown him the positive impact that a doctor could have on the life of a community.

Dr. Eric Nash, an early participant in USF’s 7-year medical program, with his son Marcus, who joined the program in 2015.

“People were so thankful,” says Nash. “I remember being in a store in my hometown with my father and people always coming up to him to thank him for his help. It made me very proud of my family growing up.”

“

While he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine, what Nash did not know then was the importance that a truly interdisciplinary education would have on his life. “I came to USF in 1987 after learning about the new seven-year medical program,” says Nash. The program, now in its 33rd year, allows Honors College students to complete their medical degree in just seven years by counting their first year at the Morsani College of Medicine as their fourth year of undergraduate study. Participating students spend their first three years at USF taking Honors courses along with their major requirements. Nash remembers how important those experiences were for him. “Honors at USF has more of an emphasis on the humanities, offering courses different from those in a typical accelerated medical track,” he says. “The result is a better and more well-rounded education. I was always driven to become a physician, but I didn’t realize what I was missing out on in my education until the inclusion of studies in the humanities.” Nash, who has run his own private practice in Charlotte County since

It is a true calling. I love what I do, and the positive impact I can have on the lives of others.” – Dr. Eric Nash

1998, also remembers how impactful the Honors Program Director (and first Dean of the Honors College), Dr. Stuart Silverman, was on his life. “Dr. Silverman was a great mentor, advocate, and overall person,” says Nash. “He provided me with opportunities that I can never thank him enough for – he changed my life.” Those opportunities were also available to Nash’s son, Marcus, who in 2015 followed his father’s path into the seven-year program, making him the program’s first legacy student. Marcus matriculated into the USF Morsani College of Medicine in 2019.

physicians, including his own children, is to go into the field for the right reasons. “It’s a true calling,” says Nash. “I love what I do, and the positive impact I can have on the lives of others. There is reward and satisfaction from taking care of other people, and even if I had to do it for free, I would. You can’t go into medicine for the money – if you are unhappy in this field you went into it for the wrong reasons. But, if you are truly called to help people and this is really what you want to do, then don’t let anything stop you – where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Nash himself has helped to teach medical school residents in the past, and the advice he has for all future JUDY GENSHAFT HONORS COLLEGE 59

ALUMNI UPDATES

CELEBRATING OUR 7-YEAR MEDICAL PROGRAM ALUMNI The 7-Year BS/MD Program is a long-standing partnership with USF’s Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) that provides Honors students with an accelerated pathway into the MD program. Students complete their first three years of college study in the Judy Genshaft Honors College and the fourth year through coursework in MCOM, allowing them to earn a medical degree in just seven years, provided they meet all program benchmarks, including a successful MCOM admissions interview. We are very proud of the students completing this rigorous program, and are excited to provide some updates on their continued success.

Dr. Elizabeth Melzer ’06 (BS) ’09 (MD) credits her Honors instructors Dr. Specter and Dr. Wallach with inspiring her to become an educator. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at USF followed by a Chief Residency in Quality and Safety at the James A. Haley VA Hospital before joining the hospital as a Hospitalist Attending and Assistant Chief Hospitalist for Patient Safety. She was also recently promoted to Associate Professor, Core Faculty, at USF, and is now a Co-Program Director and Mentor for Chief Residency in Quality and Safety.

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Dr. Michelle Henne ’10 (BS) ’13 (MD) completed a residency in Family Medicine at Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg followed by a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Orlando Health. She then opened a private practice, which is in its third year and continuing to grow in patient volume and staff. She serves as the head team physician for a local NAIA university, a state college, and a high school, and provides physician coverage for elite sporting events. She also helped to develop a quarterly dinner meeting for new physicians in the Polk County area to promote collegiality, decrease burnout, and improve patient care with increased communication.

ALUMNI UPDATES

Dr. Nikki Vyas ’08 (BS) ’15 (MD) is completing a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She will then complete a dermatopathology fellowship followed by a hematopathology fellowship. As she progresses in her career, she gratefully recalls USF as being “always very supportive and nurturing.”

Dr. Abu-Sayeef Mirza ’12 (BS) ’13 (MPH) ’16 (MD) started in the 7-year BS/MD program in 2008, and matriculated into medical school in 2012. He graduated in 2016 and completed an internal medicine residency. He became a Postgraduate Year Four (PGY-4) chief resident and is currently completing a hematology/oncology fellowship at Yale in New Haven, CT.

Dr. Robert Ackerman ’14 (BS) ’17 (MD) is currently a resident in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He says that he is “forever grateful and appreciative of my early experiences at USF.”

Dr. Patrick Mullen ’16 (BS) ’19 (MD) was awarded a 2019 medical student scholarship from the Hillsborough County Medical Association. He is currently a Resident Physician at the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine, practicing in the Department of Family Medicine.

Dr. Nicole Le ’15 (BS) ’20 (MD) is completing her final year of medical school, where she had the opportunity to work on several infectious disease and public health research projects, collaborating with mentors at the USF College of Public Health. She also completed a Master in Public Health degree with a focus on global health from Yale University. After graduation, she will pursue a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, with the ultimate goal of working in the emerging field of global surgery. In the future, she hopes to help address surgical access in under-resourced communities throughout the world, beginning in her home country of Vietnam.

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ALUMNI UPDATES

Debbie Allen, ’98 BA Special Education, went on to pursue her Masters in religious studies and for the last 19 years has served as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She now serves as the executive pastor of a large congregation and the statewide mentor for new and young clergy in the Methodist denomination.

Randy Clark, ’96 BS Biology, is founder of St. John-Clark Pain Treatment Center in St. Petersburg, Florida where he and Paul St. John, along with four certified neuromuscular therapists, currently serve the needs of an international clientele. Clark also co-founded Neurosomatic Educators, the teaching branch for the field of Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy, as well as the Center for Neurosomatic Studies with a 1,278-hour training program that prepares students to work as Certified Neurosomatic Specialists, Corrective Exercise Specialists, and Licensed Massage Therapists.

62 UNIVERSITY of SOUTH FLORIDA

Dale Cusumano ’96 BS Psychology, ’00 EdS Educational Specialist, ‘05 PhD School Psychology, has worked in education at the early childhood, school district, university, and state levels as a researcher, nationally certified school psychologist, program coordinator, and evaluator. After earning an educational specialist degree in 2000 and a doctoral degree in 2005 from USF, Dr. Cusumano has advanced her career and currently serves as a Senior Implementation Specialist at the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) and as Co-Director of the State Implementation and Scaling-up of Evidence-based Practices (SISEP) Center at the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill.

Kathy Dorf, ’08 BA Mass Communications, is a public relations professional with ten years of experience in the corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. She currently works for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, supporting eight hotels at one of the country’s top destinations. Since graduating, she has been active in the USF Alumni Association, previously serving as president of the Washington DC Regional Alumni Chapter and board member on the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Brandon Faulkner, ’04 BS Industrial Engineering, is a Litigation Partner with Holland & Knight LLP. He is currently an attorney in the firm’s Tampa office and practices in the areas of complex commercial and appellate litigation. Prior to his legal career, Faulkner worked as an advanced manufacturing engineer for Honeywell International, managing the production of integrated electronic guidance and navigation systems for the defense industry. As a USF undergraduate, he served as President of Alpha Pi Mu and received an Outstanding Graduate Award.

Jonathan Gude, PA-C, ’09 BS Biomedical Sciences, is a Physician Assistant and the Chief Quality Officer at Pioneer Medical Group, which provides hospital medicine and post transition care to Florida hospitals in the west and central Florida regions. Gude prides himself on being able to help bring compassionate quality care to the community.

ALUMNI UPDATES

Chloe Horsfall ‘17 BS Biomedical Sciences, recently completed her first year as a dental student studying at the University of Aberdeen Dental Institute in Huddersfield, England. During her time at USF, Chloe was involved in several mentoring programs including the Judy Genshaft Honors College Peer Mentor program.

Dr. Nisha Krishnan, ’06 BS Biomedical Sciences, is the President and founder of Beverly Hills Foot and Ankle, P.A. Dr. Krishnan is a Podiatrist who aims to provide exceptional patient care through tailored treatment plans and patient education.

Olga Perone, ’19 BS Civil and Environmental Engineering, works for 3M in their largest US manufacturing facility as an Environment, Health and Safety engineer in continuous improvement projects. She uses the lean six sigma methodology to identify and address any opportunity gaps – including a recent project to reuse foam pads resulting in both environmental improvements and a financial savings of $100,000 per year.

ATTENTION Dr. Ajay Koovackal, BS ’13, MS ’14, DBA ’19 is a Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Missiles and Fire Control, in the Advanced Programs Division. After serving six years active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Koovackal graduated from USF with a Bachelors in Computer Science and a Masters in Computer Engineering. He then continued his studies, receiving a Doctorate in Business Administration at Saint Leo University. In his current role he is proudly pursuing his passion developing next-generation technology for cybersecurity, military defense, and space exploration.

Alex Lanfranconi, ’14 BS Psychology, was recently promoted to Director of Communications for the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Lanfranconi was previously the Press Secretary and has been with the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017.

HONORS ALUMNI We want to stay connected with you. Please email us at alumni@honors.usf.edu with your updated contact information and any news you’d like to share. We are proud of our alumni and want to promote your accomplishments. Want to learn more about what’s happening in the College? Connect with us on: • LinkedIn • Facebook • Instagram Be on the lookout for upcoming Honors alumni news and events. Go Bulls!

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Location:

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Telephone: (813) 974-3087 Online: usf.edu/honors