ICUF 2014 LEGISLATIVE ALUMNI. Kat. House Speaker Will Weatherford. Florida Senate. Jeff Brandes Florida Southern College

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1 INDEPENDENT & COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES OF FLORIDA ED H. MOORE, PhD PRESIDENT (850) Inside this issue: ICUF 2014 LEGISLATIVE ALUMNI FMU NAMES FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT BEACON INAUGURATES THIRD PRESIDENT CIC AWARDS $5,000 GRANT TO FICF AMU ANNOUNCES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER CCC ANNOUNCES NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP NSU TO OPEN $80 MILLION DOLLAR RESEARCH CENTER ECKERD VP APPOINTED HONORARY CONSUL HODGES NAMED IN TWO NATIONAL POLLS ERAU INSTALLS $1M TELESCOPE FLORIDA TECH EXPERIMENT OPERATING ON SPACE STATION FLAGLER STUDENTS PRESENT HEALTH COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN FSC Offers First Doctoral Degree KU HOLDS STATEWIDE COMMENCEMENT WEBBER ANNOUNCES MERGE PBAU LAUNCHES APP LYNN AND ITUNES U STETSON IN TOP 5 AT FAMILY ENTERPRISE CONTEST STU CELEBRATES MAJOR ENERGY PROJECT UT RECIEVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION ICUF 2014 LEGISLATIVE ALUMNI Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera Kat Florida Senate House Speaker Will Weatherford Jeff Brandes Florida Southern College Aaron Bean Jacksonville Univeristy Joseph Abruzzo Lynn Univeristy Lizbeth Benacquisto Palm Beach Atlantic University Thad Altman Rollins College Charles S. Dean Rollins College Andy Gardiner Stetson University FEBRUARY 2014 Joe Negron Stetson University Jack Latvala Stetson University Tom Lee The University Of Tampa Miguel Diaz de la Portilla Bill Galvano Rene Garcia Denise Grimsley Warner University Maria Lorts Sachs Geraldine F. Thompson

2 Page 2 February 2014 Florida House of Representatives Florida House of Representatives Florida House of Representatives Matt Hudson Barry University James W. Waldman Nova Southeastern University David Richardson The University of Tampa Kathleen M. Peters Eckerd College Richard Corcoran Saint Leo University Lori Berman Ben Albittron F Southern College Frank Artiles St. Thomas University Jose Felix Diaz Manny Diaz Jr. Nova Southeastern University St. Thomas University Jose Oliva St. Thomas University Perry E. Thurston, Jr. Heather Fitzenhagen Nova Southeastern University Sharon Pritchett St. Thomas University Ricardo Rangel Jared Evan Moskowitz Nova Southeastern University Cynthia A. Stafford St. Thomas University Ronald Renuart Nova Southeastern University James Grant Stetson University Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida THANK YOU For the FRAG!

3 Page 3 February 2014 FMU Names First Woman President Florida Memorial University, South Florida's only historically black university, has named Roslyn Clark Artis as its new president, the first woman to hold that position in its 135-year history. Artis has been interim president of the private Miami Gardens school since July, having arrived from Mountain State University in West Virginia, where she was provost. Artis has been embraced by students, employees and the community in the past six months, college officials said. "I am impressed with her adept administrative and people skills," said Charles George, chairman of the Board of Trustees. "She has hit the ground running and brings superb qualifications and leadership skills to FMU." Artis has set major goals including boosting enrollment, academics and fundraising efforts. "We have the challenge of serving students who don't come with significant means," she said. "We have to increase fundraising to develop more scholarships and improve our PR to let more people know we're out here. Florida Memorial University s history is indeed rich and its future is bright," Artis said. "I am confident that the best is yet to come." Rev. Wendell Paris, university chaplain and a professor of religion at FMU said Artis is well respected on campus, and he's glad she's staying. "I think she's the best choice," he said. "She's done a yeoman's job so far, and I honestly think she has what it takes to take this university where it needs to go." Student Roodney Murat, 21, agrees. "It's about time they made her president," said Murat, a junior computer science major from Miami Gardens. "The feedback by students has been nothing but positive." President Roslyn Clark Artis Beacon Inaugurates Third President The inauguration of Dr. George J. Hagerty took place in late February. Despite the overcast weather, the ceremony was beautiful. Dr. Hagerty s inaugural address focused on the unique mission of Beacon College, with an emphasis on appreciating the history of the College and those who helped ensure its success, while also recognizing the vision for the future. While the College may be growing and changing, Dr. Hagerty noted in his speech, We have prevailed and grown as a liberal arts institution because our focus and purpose has remained unaltered and at the core of all that we do. The crowd gathered for the ceremony included current students, parents, alumni, and members of the Board of Trustees and the extended College community, as well as members of the public and the media and the major of Leesburg, the Honorable John Christian. A formal reception was held after the ceremony. A Gala Dinner was held at Mission Inn as special thanks for those who have contributed significantly to the success of the College. In the days leading up to the inauguration, events, which were all open to the public, were held on campus and included the opening of the Kristin Michelle Mason Art Gallery with an inaugural faculty exhibit and an academic discussion panel on the topic Replacing Superstition with Science. The inauguration coincided with the 25 th anniversary of the College, and the event acted as the kickoff to what will be a year-long celebration. The ceremony was an important milestone for the College as it was a first in its history. Eileen Marinakis, Chair of the Board of Trustees, bestows the chain of office on Dr. George J. Hagerty.

4 Page 4 February 2014 Council of Independent Colleges Awards $5,000 Grant to the Florida Independent College Fund In December, the Florida Independent College Fund was awarded the Capacity-Building Grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). The Fund s proposal was to create A New Independent Look, a print and online booklet to spark new interest in Florida independent higher education from federal, state, foundation, corporate, and local donors calls for the Fund to reintroduce itself to stakeholders, grantors, and policymakers. The new booklet will highlight the Fund s record of success in Florida in advancing higher education: 31 member institutions awarding one third of bachelor s degrees and above in the state, 135 campus sites, 325 fully online degree programs, and over $5 billion in annual budgets. The brochure will also draw attention to the Fund s highly effective recent grants and projects, including the $1.5 million ScienceMathMaster program and the online e-library. The Florida Independent College Fund is a longtime member of the Council of Independent Colleges. CIC awards the $5,000 grant annually to provide leverage to secure additional grants from targeted local foundations and corporations to support the programs of State Fund Members. CIC is an association of nonprofit independent colleges and universities that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private higher education s contributions to society. Dr. Ed Moore, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Independent College Fund, says, This grant gives us the opportunity to tell our story in 2014 and expand awareness of the Fund s support of higher education in Florida. We are thankful to CIC for its long-standing and vital relationship with the Fund. For more information about the Council of Independent Colleges, please go to AMU Announces Plans for Performing Arts Center Ave Maria University is proud to announce it will build a 1,250-seat performing arts center on its campus, an addition that will give students a muchneeded venue to practice and master their talents and further study the arts. The $10 million performing arts center will feature a thrust stage extending into the audience and also house classrooms, a multi-media studio, office space, practice rooms and an art gallery. Its location will give AMU students the opportunity to experience the arts within a short walk on campus. In addition, the University will now have a first-class venue to host both internal and external events such as graduation and conferences. "We have started a new era," said AMU President Jim Towey. "Our founder, Tom Monaghan, had a great interest in the arts and planted the seeds. More and more of our students, coming from all over the world, are interested in the arts and this new performing arts center will fill that need." Rendition of performing arts center CCC Announces New Criminal Justice Partnership Clearwater Christian College has partnered with the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) in nearby Largo, FL, to supply practical, hands-on experience for students studying Criminal Justice. Since its formation in 1995, NFSTC has been serving the justice community in evaluating, auditing, and improving forensic services in crime labs throughout the United States and internationally. In recent years, NFSTC has completed key projects for the National Institute of Justice including training programs in crime scene investigation, footprint/tire track identification, and latent print examination, and assistance in resource management. This partnership will be helpful as forensic science taught in the CCC classroom is experienced live at NFSTC using the latest and best equipment, techniques, and NFSTC scientists.

5 Page 5 February 2014 NSU Looks to Open $80 Million Research Center Nova Southeastern University is building a new $80 million facility that could boost South Florida's efforts to become a hub for studies of cancer, heart disease and other problems. The Center for Collaborative Research, which will be housed on the Davie campus, will feature one of the state's largest "wet labs," which can store chemicals, drugs and biological materials, officials said. The center is expected to enhance and expand NSU research in areas such as cardiovascular disease, anti-cancer therapies, chronic fatigue syndrome and autism, officials say. In addition to biotech and medical research, it will house researchers in engineering, math, environmental science and other disciplines. It will also house a private incubator for start-up companies in the field of information security. The center "will provide our world-class team of researchers with the tools they need to continue to make discoveries that will impact the way we all live," NSU President George L. Hanbury said. "From developing new cancer treatments to finding new methods for environmental sustainability, the possibilities are endless." Eckerd VP Appointed Honorary Consul and Honorary Consulate Hodges Named in Two National Polls NSU will break ground on its $80 million Center for Collaborative Research On Friday, February 21, 2014, Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States and Mexico, and The Honorable Sten Schwede, Consul General of the Republic of Estonia officially delivered Letters Patent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointing Dr. Lisa Ann Mets Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia in St. Petersburg (representing Florida s northern counties), officially opening the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Estonia on Florida s west coast. Dr. Donald R. Eastman III, President of Eckerd College, Dr. Peter Betzer, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Mr. Chris Steinocher, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Art Savage, Dean of the Tampa Bay Consular Corps, offered words of welcome and underscored the spirit of collaboration and friendship Estonia may anticipate in its relationship with Eckerd College, the Tampa Bay region, and north Florida counties in the development of programs promoting educational and cultural exchange and business opportunities. The Honorary Consulate is located at Eckerd College, where Honorary Consul Dr. Lisa A. Mets is Vice President and Secretary of the College. Fourteen Honorary Consulates serve Estonians in the United States, two in Florida. Dr. Mets is a first-generation American, raised in a culturally rich Estonian home by parents who were World War II Estonian refugees. Following the ceremony, Ambassador Kaljurand participated in a seminar with Eckerd College students majoring in International Relations and Global Affairs and Political Science. Locating the Honorary Consulate at Eckerd College underscores the value Eckerd College places on educating global citizens. Estonian Consul General Sten Schwede, Pinellas County Commission Chair Karen Williams-Seel, President & CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Chris Steinocher, Estonian Ambassador to the United States and Mexico Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Estonian Honorary Consul Lisa Ann Mets, and President & CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Peter Betzer. Photo: Kalle Kaljurand U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of the best online colleges and universities in the nation, and in the category of Best Online Bachelor s Programs, Hodges University was ranked in the top 200 (#189). The rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, indebtedness of new graduates and academic and career support services offered to students. Meanwhile, SR Education Group, a Kirkland, WA-based company focused on creating authoritative online education and career-related resources, ranked Hodges University #25 in their listing of the Most Affordable Colleges for Online Healthcare Degrees in SR Education Group is focused on helping students find the best school to fit both their budget and educational needs. Because location is no longer a limiting factor in a student s college choice, online education is a great way for colleges and universities to finally compete in a truly customer-driven marketplace, said SR Education Group CEO Sung Rhee.

6 Page 6 February 2014 ERAU Installs $1M Telescope Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has installed a $1 million telescope at its Daytona Beach campus, which gives the school bragging rights as home to Florida's largest university research telescope. Officials hope the 16-foot-tall, 2-ton device will draw more students to the campus and to an astronomy major it plans to start offering later this year. Embry- Riddle is among the colleges across the state and nation that have expanded astronomy programs as interest has grown in recent years. Embry-Riddle student Tyler Parsotan, who was among those watching a crane lift the parts of the telescope into a new observatory, said he can't wait to get his hands on the new equipment. "I am absolutely ecstatic - I have never had any type of opportunity like this before," said Parsotan, a junior majoring in space physics. Embry-Riddle is eager to show off the telescope to the public, too. In the coming months ERAU will begin inviting community members to peer into space at comets, planets and other objects, like, the surface of Mars, dozens of moons around Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. They can look into the Milky Way as well as the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, which is 25,000 light years away, and the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light years away. Installation of the main telescope Flagler Students Present Health Communication Campaign Two strategic communication majors at Flagler College recently presented a social marketing campaign to reduce bicycle and automobilerelated crashes to the Jacksonville Transit Authority. Alyssa Wickham and Brittanie Walko presented the One Road campaign to an audience of local leaders. The One Road campaign is a social marketing campaign that was formed from a partnership between the North Florida Bicycle Club (NFBC) and Flagler College. The two-year goal of the One Road campaign is to reduce bicycle and automobile-related crashes in Jacksonville and the surrounding counties of northeast Florida. From Left: Nathaniel P. Ford, CEO JTA, Brittanie Walko, Alyssa Wickham, Councilman Don Redman, NFBC Founder Dr. Mark Atkins and NFBC Director Bert Shaw Florida Tech Experiment Operating on Space Station An experiment designed by Florida Tech scientists, NASA's Kennedy Space Center engineers and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is among the cargo that recently arrived at the International Space Station on the Orbital-1 cargo resupply mission. The experiment, SPHERES Slosh seeks to study how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity. The data collected from this unique experiment will ultimately be used to design safer and more efficient rockets and spacecraft. The investigation utilizes the Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) to control the motion of a container partially filled with liquid. The container undergoes motions that are representative of the actual motions of large rockets and spacecraft during orbital operations in space. Faculty member Daniel Kirk poses with a model of the SPHERES SloshExperiment FSC Offers First Doctoral Degree Florida Southern College is launching its first doctoral program, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) this summer. The Ed.D. program is designed for teachers and administrators in K-12 schools who want to prepare for administrative leadership positions, such as principal. FSC President Anne Kerr said the Ed.D. degree marks a breakthrough for the college and for higher education in Central Florida. We are very pleased to offer our first doctoral degree. The Ed.D. is the culmination of our efforts to enhance education at all levels in our region. We believe it s appropriate that our first doctoral degree will be in such a critical field, she said.

7 Page 7 February 2014 KU Holds Statewide Commencement Keiser University held its second annual statewide commencement ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of its graduates throughout the state of Florida and those that attended classes online across the nation. The Honorable Cary Pigman, Florida State House of Representatives, delivered the commencement address before nearly 400 graduates and more than 2,000 guests. The statewide graduation ceremony was undoubtedly the most fulfilling moment for all of us as we share in the celebration of hard work, accomplishment, and commitment of our students, and their families, said Belinda Keiser, Vice Chancellor. At Keiser University, we encourage lifelong learning, leadership, and community service to prepare each individual student to make a real impact in their professions and communities. We are extremely proud of Keiser University s graduates, she added. In an unprecedented three way tie, Marcia Bygrave of West Melbourne earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Christopher Hoffman of Palm Bay earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, and Sinia Espinoza of Cutler Bay earning her Bachelors of Art degree in Business Administration, were named Valedictorians. Webber Announces Merger Webber International University and Virginia Intermont College (VI), located in Bristol, Virginia, announced that the schools have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the intent to merge effective July, Both Webber and VI have a history of strong academic programs and are long-standing teaching-centered colleges. Extracurricular learning, community service and character-focused athletics are important components of the student experience at the two institutions as well, and both are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) athletic conference. In addition, both VI and the St. Andrews campus of Webber are known for their championship equestrian teams. In the academic year, VI served approximately 500 students. WIU s enrollment, including the Laurinburg campus, is approximately 1,300 students. The banding together of student-centric schools that have complementary academic programs, and share a common vision of relevant, individualized education, is the best way for small institutions to serve their students by offering them the broadest possible range of opportunities. We are very excited about our future together. While much work remains to be done and many approvals remain to be secured, we are making great progress, said President Dr. H. Keith Wade. Lynn and itunes U L to R: Graduates Christopher Hoffman, Marcia Bygrave, The Honorable Dr. Cary Pigman, and graduate Sinia Espinoza PBAU Launches App Palm Beach Atlantic University takes another step in its commitment to remaining on the leading edge of higher education technology with the launch of the University s free mobile app: Palm PBA. The app was designed with the PBA student in mind and to augment our general internal communications capabilities, said Vicki Pugh, University vice president for Development. However, we hope PBA parents, alumni, prospective students, donors and all those with an interest in PBA will find it useful and convenient. Palm PBA currently is available for smart phones and tablets running Android 4.3+ and ios 6 and 7. A version for Blackberry (BB 5+) soon will be released and a version for Windows-based devices will be available this summer. Lynn University will phase out its learning management system for the next stage of its tablet-centric evolution. Beginning this fall, the university s daytime undergraduate courses will be managed through Apple s course management software, itunes U. The move makes Lynn one of only a handful of institutions that offer more than a select few courses through itunes U. Apple has developed pieces of something that could resemble an education strategy. Its laptops and tablets are ubiquitous on college campuses, thanks in part to an educational discount, and each new device comes pre-installed with iwork, Apple s answer to Microsoft s Office and Google s Docs. Faculty members can build courses through itunes U s Course Manager, which can import custom-made textbooks from Apple s ibooks app.

8 Page 8 February 2014 Stetson in Top 5 at Family Enterprise Contest A team of family enterprise majors from Stetson University finished fifth out of 20 teams in the undergraduate competition of the Family Enterprise Case Competition (FECC). Hosted by the University of Vermont s School of Business Administration, the FECC is the premier competition in family business and features competitors from rigorous business schools around the globe. The event allows students to apply their knowledge from the classroom to complex family business problems. Each round there are four -- features a presentation of ideas and solutions to the tough problem by each team, which are then judged by a panel. Participation in this event demonstrates the Holistic Model framework that is the foundation of all Stetson family enterprise endeavors a focus on the students with a synergistic approach to teaching research and outreach. Frank Barbera, Ph.D., professor of family enterprise, prepared and trained the team: Ben Lazarus, 14, Emma Campbell, 15, Sara Poulx, 16, and William Hollis, 14. (l to r): Ben Lazarus, 14, Emma Campbell, 15, Sara Poulx, 16, William Hollis, 14; Frank Barbera, Ph.D., professor of family enterprise, prepared and trained the team STU Celebrates Major Energy Project The Archdiocese of Miami has a 30 year sister-diocese relationship with the Diocese of Port-de-Paix, Haiti (the poorest region of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere). In 2006, St. Thomas University began an initiative to leverage its faculty research and student learning resources into Haitian-led, long-term socio-economic development projects in the region. One of these efforts was to collaborate on a long-term solar energy system for the Cathedral and community center complex of Port-de-Paix. For the last three years a team of St. Thomas university faculty, staff and students have worked with Haitian partners on the installation of an 18kw solar energy system for the complex, as well as on hundreds of individual solar energy systems in the rural village of Ma Wouj. The projects were completed in December, 2013, and are now providing free, sustainable electricity to an area with no roads, little water, and no public electricity. St. Thomas University Energy Project UT Receives National Recognition The University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center adds to its list of accolades the Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Program Award from the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The award is given annually to recognize programs that have been in existence for three years or less or have undergone a major revision during the same time period. Programs are judged on: innovation, quality, potential viability, comprehensiveness, depth of support, sustainability and impact. The top four schools were invited to present before a set of judges. UT s program, which boasts 250 undergraduate and graduate students, has undergone a transformation recently from a focus on family businesses to a more comprehensive emphasis on the entrepreneurial mindset, appealing even to students who aren t interested in starting their own business. "We focus on building intellectual capital," says Rebeca White, director of the Entrepreneurship Center and professor of entrepreneurship at UT. "We certainly want to have businesses come out of the program, but the real focus is on building entrepreneurs." White feels that strong support from the university is key to UT s winning the award, noting that the university wants to be known for entrepreneurship. "We have a lot of great momentum," says White. "We were able to prove our ability to do what we say we re going to do."

9 Page 9 February 2014 Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida S P OT L I G H T on this month s Preferred Vendor SunTrust 200 S. Orange Avenue, SOAB6 Orlando, FL SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of June 30, 2013, SunTrust had total assets of $171.5 billion and total deposits of $127.6 billion. Through its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, the Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the highgrowth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves clients in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through its various subsidiaries, the Company provides mortgage banking, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. Primary Contacts: Mr. Brian Orth, Commercial Relationship Manager 200 S. Orange Avenue, SOAB6 Orlando, FL brian.orth@suntrust.com

10 A d v e n t i s t U n i v e r s i t y o f H e a l t h S c i e n c e s A v e M a r i a U n i v e r s i t y B a r r y U n i v e r s i t y B e a c o n C o l l e g e B e t h u n e - C o o k m a n U n i v e r s i t y C l e a r w a t e r C h r i s t i a n C o l l e g e E c k e r d C o l l e g e E d w a r d W a t e r s C o l l e g e E m b r y - R i d d l e A e r o n a u t i c a l U n i v e r s i t y E v e r g l a d e s U n i v e r s i t y F l a g l e r C o l l e g e F l o r i d a C o l l e g e F l o r i d a I n s t i t u t e o f T e c h n o l o g y F l o r i d a M e m o r i a l U n i v e r s i t y F l o r i d a S o u t h e r n C o l l e g e H o d g e s U n i v e r s i t y J a c k s o n v i l l e U n i v e r s i t y K e i s e r U n i v e r s i t y L y n n U n i v e r s i t y N o v a S o u t h e a s t e r n U n i v e r s i t y P a l m B e a c h A t l a n t i c U n i v e r s i t y R i n g l i n g C o l l e g e o f A r t a n d D e s i g n R o l l i n s C o l l e g e S a i n t L e o U n i v e r s i t y S t. T h o m a s U n i v e r s i t y S o u t h e a s t e r n U n i v e r s i t y S t e t s o n U n i v e r s i t y T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f T a m p a U n i v e r s i t y o f M i a m i W a r n e r U n i v e r s i t y W e b b e r I n t e r n a t i o n a l U n i v e r s i t y Please comments and suggested news items to: marmstrong@icuf.org.