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Inside ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ — October 20, 2023

The Boathouse has a new look

By Byron E. Jones
 
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ campus has grown exponentially in its more than 50 years, but there is one place that past, present and future Ospreys are sure to know — The Boathouse.
 
Three men chatting in the original ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Boathouse restaurantNamed for its proximity to one of the campus lakes, now known as Boathouse Lake, the eatery has a brand-new look.  
Originally designed in 1972 as a snack bar to supplement the small cafeteria, The Boathouse doors officially opened in early 1973 with a menu consisting of light snacks such as sandwiches and pizza, and quickly became the “go-to” spot for ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ students and employees to enjoy a quick slice and relax.
 
“It was a reliable place to go grab a bite for lunch,” said longtime faculty member Dr. Jay Coleman, who arrived on campus in the fall of 1988 — just four years after the University began admitting freshmen. Coleman said there was not as much land development around Beach Boulevard when he started at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ as there is now, nor was the Town Center in existence, which contributed to The Boathouse serving as a premier campus destination for years.
 
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Boathouse restaurant circa 1982Since then, The Boathouse has gone through considerable changes from its early days serving buffet-style food and with indoor and outdoor seating. The original structure, which was made of wood to complement the natural landscape, was destroyed by a fire in 1978. Resurrected in 1980, it was a substantially larger building with a sloping roof and a deck overlooking Boathouse Lake. It continued to serve as a primary meeting location for campus clubs and sports teams and as an entertainment venue that frequently hosted open mic nights, comedy shows and musical performances.
 
“It was the place to go,” recalls ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ alum Bo Brooks, class of ’96. “Fraternities would rent it out and have parties. You could go out on the deck and enjoy the lake.”
 
Brooks also recalls The Boathouse serving as a place to see up-and-coming comedic talent such as Wendy Liebman during his days as a student.
 
The Boathouse at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ in the 90sIn 2002, the Boathouse was rebranded as Wackadoo's Grub and Brew, a full-service restaurant with booths, a serving bar and upgraded entertainment features including video games and a projection screen. Then in 2007, the building was named ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Boathouse Grill before closing its doors in 2008 to make way for construction of the John A. Delaney Student Union.
 
A new rendition of The Boathouse opened its doors in May 2009 — this time as a space within the second floor of the Student Union East Building. Thanks to a growing student population and the University’s desire for The Boathouse to remain a campus staple, discussions began in the summer of 2022 to upgrade the space.
 
“There had been no substantive changes to the venue since opening in 2009 and it was time for a major refresh,” said Vince Smyth, associate VP of administration and finance. “The ultimate goal is to make a more inviting, modern space with a theme that will be a destination of choice for students and other members of the University community.”
 
Thanks to the combined funding and planning efforts of Student Government and Dining Services, a full renovation project by Auld & White Constructors, LLC began prior to the fall semester.
 
New sign inside of The BoathouseThe one-of-a-kind venue now has self-order kiosks, multiple flat screen TVs, a projection screen, a bar, a game room and beautiful views of the campus. Patrons will enjoy the wooden, nautical theme throughout the restaurant – most noticeably expressed by a re-imagined canoe light fixture near the front doors. The open space includes signs of the namesake made of rustic lightbulbs, a plethora of hanging light fixtures, several comfortable booths and a wall mural of the original Boathouse.
 
The menu features many delicious choices from juicy burgers to fresh salads, and the campus favorites everyone loves — including the Osprey Burger, chicken tenders and wings.
 
Many favorite entertainment activities from the previous venue will continue, including small live performances, trivia, karaoke and game nights. Sports fans are in for a fun treat as The Boathouse plans to host watch parties for many ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ team games and major sporting events.
 
If you’re looking for the perfect spot to unwind, chat with friends, watch sports or shoot pool, look no further than The Boathouse.

For the Love of Shakespeare

By Joy Batteh-Freiha
 
Professor WIll Pewitt sitting on a stoolWhen it comes to thinking outside the box, William (Will) Pewitt is all for it.  
 
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ English professor and Hicks Honors College faculty fellow, says he’s been thinking outside his box for most of his professional career and, wouldn’t have it any other way.   
 
“I’m always imagining something different and unique like global cultures and narratives not easily found or taught in mainstream America,” Pewitt said.  
 
One of those unique global cultures Pewitt took an interest in is Arabic. Pewitt has had an interest in studying historical influences between Middle East and French society in the early modern period, something he considers studying if he were to return to graduate school. “But, as someone with a background in creative writing, I decided to take bits of Arabic poetry that I love, go back to the sources and translate into English,” Pewitt said. “It’s such gratifying work."
 
Mostly self-taught, the Austin, Texas native has translated written Arabic poetry over the past eight years to “give himself more language efficacy.” He’s currently working on a book translating classical Arabic poetry written by Andalusian women who lived and wrote poetry more than 1,000 years ago.  
 
Gratifying and useful, as Pewitt is now putting his Arabic translation skills to good use, directing this year’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, “Othello.” In addition to Arabic, the rendition incorporates four other languages – English, Italian, Spanish and Greek. 
 
Organized by the English department, the play features students, representing various majors, who are members of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shakespeare, along with alumni and others. The play makes its debut today at MOCA Jacksonville.   
 
“This play is known as Shakespeare’s most cross-cultural play, so it was a natural to incorporate the linguistic diversity,” said Pewitt. “We started working on this adaptation of the play in January, with the help of translators from each of the languages to ensure the language is true and authentic when spoken by the actors. It’s one of the many threads we’ve been working on to hold onto the integrity of the work. By far, this play has been the most challenging of the five I’ve worked on at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ,” Pewitt said. 
 
Professor Will Pewitt sitting on stage in the Lazzara Performance HallGrowing up with an appreciation for the arts
An instructor for five of his 12 years at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, Pewitt has taught a variety of classes and currently teaches creative writing, literature courses, a theatre class and of course, the Shakespeare class. He also teaches an experiential learning course he designed for first-year Hicks Honors students. In addition, he serves as an advisor for the biannual Talon Review, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s literary student journal and works with students submitting essays for Constitution Review.
 
He readily admits, that while he grew up in a family that appreciated the arts, he didn’t grow up with a great affinity to studying Shakespeare and that he “came about” it approximately 10 years ago in his 30s, after rereading one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays, the Roman tragedy, “Coriolanus.”
 
“I’m sure maturity had a lot to do with it, but after I reread ‘Coriolanus,’ it was like reading Shakespeare for the first time,” Pewitt said. “I was blown away. I stepped into the play and read the words for the words. It opened up a whole new level of appreciation for the literary work and it made me realize how much of this Shakespearean poetic beauty resonates with our society today.”
 
After this Shakespearean awakening, Pewitt said he was hooked and tries to share that passion with his students.  
 
“With ‘Othello’ in particular, it’s refreshing to see the energy from the students – the cast and crew,” Pewitt said. “Watching them mesh together on this project, hone the art they are learning and witnessing the enthusiasm they have for working with each other is satisfying.”
 
“That, along with a relatively short list of things we can do better next time, is what I consider a success.”
 
FACT BOX:
NAME: William (Will) Pewitt
TITLE/DEPARTMENT: Professor, Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences; Faculty Fellow, Hicks Honors College
FAVORITE SHAKESPEARE PLAY: Henry IV, Part 1
IF NOT TEACHING, WHAT? Coaching high school basketball
FAVORITE PERSON(S) TO HANG WITH: My toddler and wife 
HOMETOWN: Austin, Tex.
 
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shakespeare presents a multilingual adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello.” , including times, dates and locations of performances.

Staff Spotlight: Krystina LeFils

Krystina LeFilsLet’s get to know...Krystina LeFils, assistant director of parent and family orientation.
 
Describe a typical workday for you?
Every day looks a bit different with meetings and prep work happening, however, during orientation season, it’s very busy in our office, as we train our Orientation Leaders, welcome new students and their families and manage the day-to-day tasks like emails.  
 
On an orientation day, you can find me running all over campus, but typically I start by capturing any new family member registrations and creating nametags before heading to campus. This past summer, we were in the Lazzara Performance Hall, so we would set up Parent and Family Orientation check-in and then I’d oversee the check-in table for family members who wanted to sign up for the program upon arrival. During the day, parents and students would be in presentations, at lunch, on tours and in breakout sessions, and I’d be around wherever needed – whether to lead a tour, greet and introduce presenters, or getting caught up on emails or voicemails. There’s never a dull day!
 
What led you to this opportunity at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ?
I first came to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ as a student pursuing my MPA and I loved the atmosphere and people I met. Then, I applied to One-Stop Student Services to get an idea of what it was like working in higher education. I learned so much from One-Stop and found myself gravitating towards situations that needed additional attention or, where many pieces needed to come together to create a solution. Interactions where people left a conversation feeling like they’ve been heard and had someone on their side, is what encouraged me to join the orientation team.
 
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Our office gets the opportunity to connect with students and their families early on and I’m so happy to be part of a team that gets to be so pivotal in their ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ welcome. Working with family members specifically is a wonderful opportunity. I enjoy guiding them and acting as a resource as their children start a new phase and become Ospreys!
 
What energizes you at work?
My coworkers! We work hard but also have a lot of fun. The partnerships we create with other campus departments and the excitement that the students and parents bring when we connect with them is the best.
 
What’s a work-related accomplishment you’re proud of?
Creating the staff assignments for our Orientation Leaders and trying to coordinate and rotate where 35 Orientation Leaders, 350 students and approximately 190 family members need to be each orientation session takes a lot of planning, but I love the challenge. At the end of the day, everyone got where they needed to be, so mission accomplished.
 
Krystina LeFils, assistant director of parent and family orientationIf you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?
I would love for all families to be able to participate in orientation with their student. Orientation is optional for family members, so while many do attend, I’m always thinking of ways that we can include more families.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like reading, cooking and being outside. Reading has always been my biggest hobby, so that’s what I’m doing most days after work. Hiking and kayaking are my favorite outdoor activities.
 
What was your first job?
A lifeguard at Cedar Point’s Soak City waterpark in Ohio. 
 
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Don’t make assumptions. It’s simple, but it’s important to approach life with kindness because you really just never know. 
 
Who inspires you and why?
There have been many people who have inspired me throughout my life, but currently, it’s the orientation student staff. There are so many amazing and driven individuals on our team and they’re always doing amazing things whether it be in their programs or outside of academics. They are full of spirit and keeping me on my toes. I think they’ve made me a better leader and motivate me to bring my best to everything I do.
 
What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?
I love going to the Riverside Arts Market with my husband. We usually try a new snack or coffee while we’re there and walk along the river. There are so many talented artists and wonderful food vendors. 
 
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
For the last couple of years, it’s been Ireland. I went to Scotland about seven years ago and loved it. If the trip had been longer, I definitely would have extended it to include Ireland. I’m not sure the exact locations I’d like to visit, but it looks so scenic. Since I’m not a fan of heights, Ireland’s less mountainous landscape might be more my speed! 
 
What is one thing about you that others may not know?
I have three pets, two cats- Apollo and Junior, and a dog- Olive.
 
Name: Krystina LeFils
Title: Assistant Director of Parent and Family Orientation
Department: Orientation
How long at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ: Six years
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida

Shakespeare's in the house!

Actors performing a scene on stageThe ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shakespeare program, a student group organized by the English department involving students from all majors, debuts a unique production of William Shakespeare’s “Othello,” TONIGHT, Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at MOCA Jacksonville. 
 
In the works since January, the multilingual adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy will have seven public performances running through Friday, Nov. 17.
 
With a background in Arabic translation, William (Will) Prewitt, English department professor and faculty fellow in the Hicks Honors College, directed, produced and scripted the play incorporating linguistic diversity using five different languages: English, Italian, Arabic, Spanish and Greek.
 
The diverse student cast and crew helped with a myriad of tasks including stage managing, set-building, art directing, scheduling, dramaturgy, acting, designing and marketing. In addition, these students represent varied disciplines throughout ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ including engineering, psychology, biology, film, English, business, classical voice, communication and computer science.
 
“Othello” is the story of Iago, a Venetian soldier and ensign, who is passed over for promotion by Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army who has secretly married Desdemona, daughter of an important statesman in Venice. Partly to be avenged for this slight and partly because of his dark nature, Iago has determined to destroy Othello’s happiness.
 
Don’t miss this compelling and creative version of one of Shakespeare’s most acclaimed plays.  
 
Public performances will be held at:
  • MOCA – Jacksonville – Oct. 20 & Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.
  • Limelight Theatre – St. Augustine – Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday Musicale – Jacksonville – Nov. 10 & 11 at 7 p.m. 
  • Lazzara Performance Hall, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ – Nov. 17 – Performance at 9:30 a.m. followed by Q&A with cast and crew for high school students

Make Personal Info Updates

Benefits Open Enrollment has begun
For employees eligible for benefits through the State Group Insurance Program, the time is here to review your coverage and make any needed changes before Open Enrollment closes Friday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. Any changes you make now will take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
 
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ employee benefits fair
Discover what’s new for 2024
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan Changes
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions and Coverage Limits
  • Cigna Dental rate change
  • Pharmacy Benefits Manager Change
  • Cigna Hospital Supplemental Plans
  • Medicare Advantage Pharmacy Drug (MAPD)
  • Medicare for Disability
Read more .
 
The Open Enrollment Process:
To access Open Enrollment, log in to your People First portal online or call the People First Service Center at 866-663-4735 to make your elections. A and are available if needed. If you have questions, call the People First Service Center at 866-663-4735. ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s Human Resources has also provided information online.

RSVP for Men's Basketball Season Opener

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ men's basketball playersIn appreciation, all ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ faculty and staff are invited to come out and cheer on the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Men’s Basketball team at their season opener against Coastal Georgia on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.
 
Two complimentary tickets are available per faculty or staff member. to claim your tickets.
 
The link to claim your complimentary tickets closes on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Love at First Sight

By Byron E. Jones
 
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s naturally beautiful landscape is known to be a draw for prospective students when they first visit the 1,300-acre campus.
 
That certainly was the case for senior political science major and ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Student Body President Johnny Grosso. He fell in love with the campus at first sight.
 
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ student body president Johnny Grosso“It was the tour that locked me down 100% — ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s campus is gorgeous,” Grosso said.
 
The South Florida native, who plans to attend law school following graduation in spring 2024, can be described as the ultimate ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ champion. He’s involved in multiple organizations in addition to student government. 
 
Although Grosso said he initially had no plans to participate in student government (SG) during college, considering he served as class president during his high school days at Jupiter Christian, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that changed his plans.
 
“All of my classes got moved online, so I was in my dorm all day with nothing to do,” said Grosso. “I had to find something to get involved in.”
 
Seeking a way to stay engaged on campus during that time of uncertainty, he joined the Kappa Gamma Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, which also prompted him to participate in SG. Since joining SG, he has served in several positions including senator, attorney general and vice president in 2021 before being elected to his current role as student body president and head of the executive branch of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ SG in April 2023.
 
Grosso said he takes his role as student body president very seriously and credits many people along the way who guided and helped him to this position he now holds. One such person is ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Student Affairs Community Council member Willie Gonzalez.
 
After meeting Grosso at a council event, Gonzalez says he was quite impressed with his candor about the state of the student body and where support was needed.
 
“He represented himself well and I found him to be articulate,” said Gonzalez. “We had a nice chat and he shared his desires and the things he was interested in doing.”
 
That encounter led to an internship with Congressman John Rutherford’s office in Washington, D.C. — an opportunity Grosso said he’s grateful for.
 
“It was a great experience and one that has helped in my role as student body president,” Grosso said.
 
One of his goals as student body president is to focus on community engagement with the hopes of increasing student awareness about the benefits of SG and its influence on a quality college experience.
 
“I feel like a lot of students don’t necessarily know how their student government works for them, from The Boathouse renovations to different dining options on campus to the university-wide committees we all sit on that have student input,” he said.
 
To maintain engagement with the campus community, Grosso and other SG representatives prioritize meeting with different university departments and student organizations to identify students’ expressed concerns. Additional outreach efforts include utilizing surveys to solicit student input on campus matters.
 
Grosso is also committed to helping the University and its students grow in every way possible, including assisting in lobbying for more campus and student funding and improving ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s presence in the local community through programs such as Swoop & Save — a student discount program with local retailers.
 
Aside from his SG duties, Grosso serves as interfraternity council president and official spokesperson for the fraternity community. When asked how he balances being a student and taking on other responsibilities, he admits it’s not easy, but focuses on what’s important. “To be totally honest, I struggle at times. I just remind myself of why I’m here.”
 
With his impending graduation in sight, Grosso is looking forward to attending law school to further explore his interests in international law and foreign affairs. After law school, he hopes to commission in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) — fulfilling a lifelong dream to serve in the U.S. military. However, when further discussing his long-term goals, he isn’t ruling out a return to The Nest.
 
“If I ever had an opportunity to work here, I would take it in a heartbeat,” said Grosso. “It’s given me everything.”
 
 
FACT BOX:
Name: John Grosso
Class: Senior
Major: Political Science with a concentration in public law
Favorite places on campus: Student Union, Bamboo Garden and the library
Favorite activities: Playing golf
One person you would like to meet: Don Shula — “I’m a huge Dolphins fan.”

Let's hear it for Health!

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Brooks College of Health Building¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s nutrition and dietetics program was recognized as one of the top 14 programs in the nation in the Best Master’s in Dietetics Online of 2023 ranking by Forbes. Forbes analyzed 14 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online master’s in dietetics degree programs in the U.S. using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. The program was selected for its unique combination of coursework and internship experience, which effectively prepares graduates for the RDN credential. The program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning through internships in food service management, clinical dietetics and nutrition research. Additionally, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's program is accredited by ACEND, ensuring the highest standards of quality in education and training. 
 
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's Health Administration Program has been named one of the top 50 schools and one of the top three by EduMed.org. ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s online programs in the medical field earned top honors for their overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success. To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. Just 6 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position.

Looking Up

Children and ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ professor looking up at solar eclipse with a telescopeThe ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Physics Department and Astronomy Club invited the community to a free viewing of the partial solar eclipse on The Green this past Saturday.
 
Approximately 50 people showed up to watch the partial annular solar eclipse over North Florida and Southern Georgia. Knowledgeable students and faculty were present to guide viewers through the event.

Book it!

Stack of booksThanks to a generous grant from the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, the Taylor Leadership Institute’s new Leadership Lending Library is now open and offers students and the wider campus community an opportunity to access and check out a variety of popular leadership books and resources.
  
Stop by the TLI lobby (Building 9, Room 1103) to grab a cup of coffee and peruse the many books on offer. Contact: Korie Hilliard at korie.hilliard@unf.edu or (904) 620-5698.

Don't Miss Out

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ faculty laughing while attending employee mixerCatch up with your friends and meet new colleagues at the next Faculty and Staff Mixer, Thursday, Nov. 2, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Talon Room, Osprey Commons (Building 16), 4th floor.

Enjoy FREE light bites and beverages as you end your day visiting with fellow ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ employees. 

Police Praise

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ UPD officers receive a plaqueKudos to the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Police Department who were reaccredited recently after an extensive review by the standards of the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc.
  
In addition, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵPD was awarded “Excelsior” status, that recognizes the highest level of achievement of accreditation a criminal justice agency can receive in Florida as well as a demonstrated level of commitment to the Florida Accreditation process unparalleled in the criminal justice profession.
  
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵPD first received accreditation in 1999 and has been continuously accredited since 2005 with 2023 being the first time it received Excelsior status.

Pink Attitude

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ president Moez Limayem and student-athletes wearing pinkPresident Moez Limayem is an ambassador this year for the American Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink campaign. 
  
Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the movement encourages leaders from across the country to wear pink in support of the American Cancer Society’s mission to end breast cancer and improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families.

FinTech Wrap Up

Mayor Donna Deegan addressing the audience at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ FinTech SymposiumThe inaugural ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ FinTech Symposium held on Thursday, Oct. 12 was a huge success. A joint collaboration between the Coggin College of Business and the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction and sponsored by Mendix and Dun & Bradstreet, the symposium highlighted advances and innovations in cybersecurity, AI and the latest trends and entrepreneur opportunities.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan was in attendance along with numerous other leaders in business and technology. 

 

Ready, Set, Action - Spotted on Campus

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ student and film crewProducers with , an award-winning TV series hosted by Alex Boylan, has been on campus all week to film an episode featuring ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. The episodes feature 10 of our students who were selected through an audition process.
 
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ episode will run in the spring on Amazon Prime, be shared on social media and available on ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s website.
 
Stay tuned for the air date announcement. We appreciate the campus community welcoming the College Tour hosts and production team to campus and supporting the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ students appearing in the show.

Drive With Osprey Pride

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ license plateSwitch to the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Tag and Get Your Wings On
 
University license plates are a unique representation of the University’s commitment to education, the community as well as school pride.
 
When you purchase a ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ license plate, a portion of the funds received from the sale supports scholarships, student programs and strengthening the value of a ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ degree.
 
Purchase your ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ license plate at a or by mail.

Faculty and Staff News

Osprey FountainBrooks College of Health
Dr. Marie Smith-East, director of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program and assistant professor and Dr. Bethanie Simmons-Becil, assistant professor of nursing, presented on the innovative interdisciplinary simulation work they have implemented with the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students via telehealth at the National American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Jocelyn Gonzalez Etheredge, instructor, also presented.
 
College of Arts and Sciences
Mathematics & Statistics 
Dr. Michelle DeDeo, professor of mathematics and statistics, along with co-author C. Williams, published “Digital Communication Use Before and During Covid Among Residential Older Adults,” in Geriatric Nursing, Aug. 2023.
 
Music 

Dr. Michael Vincent, a visiting assistant professor of musicology, recently published an open-access article centered around the film "Chevalier," which depicts the life of Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an 18th-century Parisian composer of African descent who was almost forgotten to history.

Dr. Timothy Groulx, associate professor of music education, published his manuscript “Creating the Canon of Wind Band Literature – A History of the National Contest Literature Lists, 1924-1943.” Dr. Groulx also presented this research in May at the Gender Relations in Wind Music conference in Austria.  
 
Dr. Joshua Tomlinson, instructor and area coordinator of music technology and production, had his composition “Olivier's Birds: A Journey to the Mountain,” performed at the VU Symposium in July in Park City, Utah. 
 
Dr. Gary Smart, professor of music had two of his compositions, “Piano Sonata” and “Three Fantasies for string quartet,” accepted for publication by Universal Editions (Vienna). 
 
History
Dr. Alison Bruey, professor of history, published the book, “Justice y Libertad” in Chile, Sept. 2023.
 
Physics
Dr. Devki Talwar, physics research associate with co-author Hao-Hsiung Lin, published “Systematic Assessment of Phonon and Optical Characteristics for Gas-Source Molecular Beam Epitaxy-Grown InP1−xSbx/n-InAs Epifilms” in the journal Crystals; and Dr. Talwar, published “Spectroscopic Investigations for the Dynamical Properties of Defects in Bulk and Epitaxially Grown 3C- SiC/ Si (100)” in the Handbook of Silicon Carbide Materials and Devices.
 
Psychology
Dr. Sara Davis, assistant professor of cognitive psychology, published “Effortful Tests and Repeated Metacognitive Judgments Enhance Future Learning,” in the journal Educational Psychology Review, Aug. 2023.
 
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Dr. Ronald Lukens-Bull, professor of anthropology and religious studies, presented “Scopus Acceleration for Journal Editors,” at Universitas Wijaya Kusuma, Surabaya Indonesia, “The Historiography of Western Views of Java, Indonesia” General Lecture at Universitas Wijaya Kusuma, Surabaya Indonesia, “The Heritage of Inter-religious Interaction: The Meaning for Today” International Symposium on Religious Literature and Heritage, and “The Future of Sci-Tech (STEM) Education: an Anthropological Perspective,” 2nd Annual Conference on Applied Sciences, Education, and Technology: Entering Society 5.0: Transformation and Efforts. University Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia, Aug. 2023. 
 
Dr. Jessica Chandras, assistant professor of anthropology sociology, anthropology and social work, published “(Out)Caste Language Ideologies: Intersectional Raciolinguistic Stigma and Assimilation from Denotified Tribal Students’  Perspectives in Rural India,” in the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 33(2). 
 
Dr. Jacqueline Meier, assistant professor of anthropology, presented a paper titled “A Tale of Two Tali: A Context-Based Faunal Study of the Ritual Landscape of Mycenae in the Late Bronze Age” at the International Council of Archaeozoology in Cairns, Australia. 
 
Dr. Jenny Stuber, professor of sociology, served as a panelist in a session titled "The Dichotomy of Teaching and Research" at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association in Philadelphia, Penn., Aug. 2023. 
 
English
Dr. James Beasley, associate professor of English, published the chapter “Dramatism, Archives and Assembled Trajectories” in the book “Burke in the Classroom/In the Classroom with Burke” (Parlor Press) Aug. 2023. 
 
Dr. Nicholas de Villiers, professor of English and film, presented "Cosmopolitan Sex Workers and Taiwan (Diaspora) Network Films" at the Association for Cultural Studies Institute "De-colonization in the 21st Century," National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, Aug. 2023.
 
Dr. Clark Lunberry, professor of English, published the visual poetry book “Seeking Frozen Sound | Postcard Poems,” Aug. 2023.
 
Jennie Ziegler, associate English instructor, published the essay “Broat” in MAYDAY Magazine, Aug. 2023.
 
Dr. Laura Heffernan, associate professor of English, co-authored the book “The Teaching Archive: A New History for Literary Study,” that won the 2023 Teaching Literature Book Award, a national prize for the best book on teaching literature at the college level. 
 
Center for Community-Based Learning
Susan Trudeau, co-curricular community engagement coordinator, was appointed NASPA Region III Knowledge Community Co-Coordinator.
 
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
Courtenay McLeland, head of digital projects and preservation, was an invited panelist for the Digital Commons North America Conference and presented during the session titled “Out of the Archive and into the Spotlight: Telling the Story of Your Institution Through Digital Exhibits,” Oct. 2023.
 
College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Wanyong Choi, associate professor, director of sport data analytics lab (SDAL) and Executive-in-Residence and Dr. Taeho Kim, assistant professor, leadership, school counseling & sport management,  published their article “Do job-relevance and severity of celebrity athlete’s transgression matter?” in the Journal of Physical Education and Sport, Aug. 2023.   
 
Dr. Terence Cavanaugh, presented at the Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST), Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE) on his experiences as a Fulbright specialist in working with Tuvalu’s Ministry of Education about improving their Science Education program, and at the Sunshine State TESOL conference on Integrating CHAT A is with ESL: Ways it can help in education. 
 
Dr. Terrie M. Galanti, assistant professor, secondary mathematics and STEM integration/computational thinking, along with Dr. Brian Lane, department of physics and Mr. Xavier Rozas, coordinator of professional learning for NEFSTEM, published a paper titled “Physics teachers' motivations to learn computational thinking as a re-novicing experience” in the 2023 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings. 
 
Dr. Terrie Galanti, assistant professor, secondary mathematics and STEM integration/computational thinking and Dr. Nancy Holincheck (George Mason University) published an article titled “Applying a model of integrated STEM teacher identity to understand change in elementary teachers' STEM self-efficacy and career awareness,” in School Science and Mathematics.  
 
Dr. Elizabeth Gregg, professor of sport management, received The Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award for 2023 from the Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington.   
 
Congratulations to Dr. Katrina Hall, associate professor of teaching, learning and curriculum and Dr. Elizabeth Gregg, professor of sport management, who will serve as vice president and membership chair, respectively, of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. Dr. Hall also serves as club sponsor for the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Club. 
 
Jeania Jones, M.A.Ed., co-curriculum area director, was awarded the Council of Professors of Instructional Supervision (COPIS) 2023 Blumberg-Pajak Scholar Award and will present her study virtually at the 2023 COPIS Annual Conference.  
 
Dr. Rakesh K. Maurya, assistant professor, published a study on “The qualitative content analysis of ChatGPT’s client simulation role-play for practicing counseling skills,” in Wiley online research, Counseling & Psychotherapy Research.  
 
Dr. Paul Parkison, associate professor, was elected the president of the American Association for Teaching and Curriculum (AATC) for the 2023-2024 term.  
 
Dr. Amanda Pascale, associate professor, published an article titled “Who is sitting in the chair? Job satisfaction of women and men department leaders,” in The Review of Higher Education (ASHE flagship journal).

Free Things to Do

Art with a Heart in Healthcare: Daydreamers
Exhibit on view now through Jan. 14, 2024, MOCA Jacksonville
MOCA Jacksonville continues its partnership with Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH), a nonprofit organization that provides personalized art experiences to support the healing process for patients and families at local hospitals. Through the years, the program has developed different themes to encourage the patients to express themselves creatively, helping them to articulate their feelings, ideas and experience through art. Learn more . 

Contemporary fiber artist Rowland RickettsProject Atrium: Rowland Ricketts
Exhibit on view now through Jan. 28, 2024, MOCA Jacksonville
Rowland Ricketts is a contemporary fiber artist who creates immersive site-specific installations using handwoven and hand-dyed cloth. His approach follows the long history of art’s engagement with the natural world through an unconventional and highly personal perspective, emphasizing the relationship between nature, culture, the passage of time and everyday life. Learn more .

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Shakespeare presents "Othello"
Friday, Oct. 20 - Sunday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.) and 1 p.m. (Sun.), MOCA Jacksonville
Led by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ English Professor Will Pewitt, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ students perform an original multilingual version of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy "Othello." Learn more .

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Astronomy Night
Friday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Science and Engineering Building (Room 1102)
New ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Physics Professor Dr. Marina Kounkel presents "GAIA space observatory" — a short public talk about her research into stars using the GAIA space observatory followed by an hour of stargazing. Learn more .

Walter Isaacson on “Elon Musk” - Distinguished Voices Lecture Series
Monday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Lazzara Performance Hall
Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author and biographer of several books including, “Elon Musk,” in which he spent two years chronicling the SpaceX founder and CEO, as well as other biographies including “Steve Jobs,” “Leonardo da Vinci,” “Einstein: His Life and the Universe,” to name a few. Learn more and register to attend this upcoming lecture.

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ orchestra performing on stage¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Orchestra presents: Beethoven Pastoral Symphony and Vivaldi Trumpet Concerto
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theatre
Featuring the Miami Arts Studio Orchestra and Dr. Randy Tinnin, trumpet. Learn more about this upcoming concert performance.

Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Photo Lab (Building 45D)
Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment by artist Kija Lucas examines the objects we carry through our lives and the memories and meanings we attach to them. Learn more .

Celebrate Vote Early Day with the Center for Community-Based Learning and Ospreys4Change
Thursday, Oct. 26, noon - 3 p.m., Peace Plaza
Join the CCBL and Ospreys4Change to celebrate Vote Early Day with cider, donuts, and pumpkin painting. Learn more .

Annual Harvest Fest
Friday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ogier Gardens
Enjoy the great outdoors and mingle with fellow Ospreys at this annual event featuring live music, food, activities, giveaways and more! Learn more .

Dateline

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Dateline balloonsMilestones
The August anniversaries below were not included in previous editions in Inside ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. Congratulations to the following employees for their service:
 
35 Years
Denis Bell, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Jay Coleman, Professor, Management
Jingcheng Tong, Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
 
30 Years
Jason Mauro, Associate Professor, English
Jeffry Will, Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
 
20 Years
Mark Ari, Assistant Professor, English
Elissa Barr, Professor, Public Health
Bernadette Buckley, Associate Professor, Clinical and Applied Movement Science
Keith Cartwright, Professor, English
Richard Chant, Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Jeffrey Durfee, Associate VP and CISO, Information Security
Miguel Gabertan, Associate Controller, Controller
Andres Gallo, Professor, Economics
Matthew Gilg, Professor, Biology
Christoph Guess, Professor, Psychology
Gregory Gundlach, Professor, Marketing and Logistics
John Hatle, Professor, Biology
Dag Naslund, Professor, Management
Stephynie Perkins, Associate Professor, Communication
Zornitza Prodanoff, Professor, School of Computing
Gordon Rakita, Professor, Faculty Development and Research
Jane Sander, Nurse Practitioner, Counseling Center
Maria Schonning, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Oliver Schnusenberg, Professor, Accounting and Finance
Simon Shiao, Associate Professor, Music
Jillian Smith, Associate Professor, English
Ma Teresa Tuason, Professor, Public Health
Bart Welling, Associate Professor, English
 
15 Years
Beyza Aslan, Associate Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Chitra Lakshmi K Balasubramanian, Professor, Physical Therapy
James Beasley, Associate Professor, English
Michelle Boling, Professor, Brooks College of Health
Sherri Charles, Coordinator of Athletic Business Operations, Intercollegiate Athletics
Maria Fernandez Cifuentes, Associate Professor, Languages Literatures and Cultures
Pieter de Jong, Professor, Accounting and Finance
Nicholas de Villiers, Professor, English
David Deeley, Associate Instructor, Communication
James Gelsleichter, Professor, Biology
Lakshmi Goel, Professor, Management
Caroline Guardino, Professor, Exceptional Deaf and Interpreter Education
Nuria Ibanez, Professor, Languages Literatures and Cultures
Aiyin Jiang, Professor, Construction Management
Beven Livingston, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
Samuel Mathies, Associate Instructor, Communication
Traci Mathies, Associate Instructor, Communication
Ryan Shores, Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia
Alicia Sitren, Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Robert Slater, Associate Professor, Accounting and Finance
Madalina Tanase, Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Brenda Vose, Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
John White, Professor, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Pingying Zhang, Professor, Management
 
10 Years
Joshua Baker, Assistant AD Development, Intercollegiate Athletics
Ernestine Baldwin, Accounts Payable Receivables Associate, Small Business Development Center
Chiradip Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Economics
Carlos Corrales, Custodial Worker, Osprey Fountains
Raphael Crowley, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
Misty deSmit, Production Manager, Fine Arts Center
Nicole Dix Pangle, Assistant Scientist, Biology
Russell Dubberly, Director, Student Accessibility Services
Laura Jackson, Assistant Director Online Course Development, CIRT
Alireza Jahan-Mihan, Associate Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics
John Kantner, Professor, ORSP
Donna Kirk, Senior Associate Athletic Director, NCAA Compliance
Stephen Perkins, Assistant Athletic Coach, Men's Basketball
William Pewitt, Instructor, English
Swapnoneel Roy, Associate Professor, School of Computing
Patricia Richards, Assistant Professor, Student Health Services
Andrea Snell, Coordinator Events Planning, Fine Arts Center
Tara Sunquist, Assistant Athletic Director, Athletic Academic Support
Leigh-Ann Thompson, Associate Director Research Development Cont Administrator, ORSP
Zhiping Yu, Associate Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics
Jennie Ziegler, Associate Instructor, English
 
5 Years
Amber Barnes, Assistant Professor, Public Health
Leidy Barrero, Instructor, Languages Literatures and Cultures
Maryrose Bass, Instructor, Leadership SC and SM
Erin Bodnar, Associate Professor, Music
Laura Boilini, Clinical Assistant Professor, Leadership SC and SM
Wanyong Choi, Associate Professor, Leadership SC and SM
Tanem Coskun, Coordinator Online Learning Supp, CIRT
Cristy Cummings, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Leslie Cunningham, Senior Procurement Associate, Procurement Services
Touria El Mezyani, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering
Rachel Frieder, Associate Professor, Management
Yisu Jia, Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Statistics
Brynna Jones, Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Matthew Leon, Associate Professor, Management
Maureen McCluskey, Instructor, English
Joseph Oliva, Police Communications Operator, University Police Department
David Reynolds, Lecturer, Biology
Hanieh Sardashti, Assistant Professor, Marketing and Logistics
Lance Vickery, Associate Professor, Art, Art History, and Design
Zuopeng Zhang, Associate Professor, Management
 

Swoop Summary

Swoop Madness Oct 26 7 pm unf arenaSWOOP Madness at The NEST - FREE EVENT!
SWOOP Madness is ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ basketball's annual preseason kickoff event. SWOOP Madness '23 will combine ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Basketball Fan Day with the annual student event, being held Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Arena. Admission to the event will be free of charge.
 
SWOOP Madness gives fans an opportunity to meet the members of the men's and women's basketball teams, and giveaways will be available for fans. Learn more .

Support your Ospreys! Here are a few more upcoming events:
Softball vs. UCF
Sunday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.  |  ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Softball Complex  |  Free Admission
 
Volleyball vs. Austin Peay
Saturday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.  |  ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Arena  |  Free Admission
 
Men's Basketball vs. Coastal Georgia
Monday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.  |  ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Arena  | 
 
Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Baptist
Thursday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.  |  ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Arena  |  Free Admission