ED H. MOORE, PhD ICUF PRESIDENT (850) ICUF REPORT September ICUF Members Pledge Up to $36 Million in Aid to Veterans

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1 I NDEPENDENT C OLLEGES U NIVERSITIES of F LORIDA & ED H. MOORE, PhD ICUF PRESIDENT (850) emoore@icuf.org ICUF REPORT September 2009 ICUF Members Pledge Up to $36 Million in Aid to Veterans Twenty ICUF members participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the expanded GI bill for post 9/11 veterans, have pledged up to $36 million in annual financial aid to vets who enroll at their on- and off-campus programs. Our members that are participating in the Yellow Ribbon program are reporting a great deal of interest from veterans, and we are expecting several thousand former service members to enroll for the fall term at ICUF institutions, said ICUF President Dr. Ed H. Moore. It will be several weeks before we have an exact count on the number of veterans our members have welcomed to their campuses, but early indications are very positive. In addition to grants based on the tuition at public institutions, veterans who attend ICUF institutions will receive financial assistance from the schools they attend. Those grants, ranging from $2,408 to $15,300 a year, depending on the institution, will be matched dollar for dollar by the Veterans Administration. Moore said the basic GI Bill benefits will range from about $3,300 to about $4,100 in Florida, relative to the number of credit hours the veterans take. Hodges University recently became the 20 th ICUF member to join the Yellow Ribbon Program. The university, which has campuses in Naples and Fort Myers, has pledged $2,970 a year in aid to up to 200 veterans. Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program will further help our nation s veterans receive a top-tier education and career-focused degrees at Hodges, said Hodges President Dr. Terry McMahan. Our learning culture provides the flexibility and support that can help veteran students succeed. These funding options will make a degree a reality for many more veterans and service members. For additional information on the ICUF institutions participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program please go to the July 2009 Newsletter at Eight ICUF Members Rated as Military Friendly Schools G.I. Jobs magazine has rated eight ICUF institutions as Military Friendly Schools, putting them in the top 15 percent nationwide in recruiting and retaining military and veteran students. They are: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler College at Tallahassee Community College, Florida Institute of Technology, Jacksonville University, Saint Leo University, St. Thomas University, The University of Tampa, and Webber International University.

2 U.S. News Ranks Rollins No. 1 Master s University in South, Miami Ranks Among Top 50 in National Universities Category In its annual America s Best Colleges rankings, U.S. News & World Report magazine has rated Rollins College the No. 1 Master s University in the South for the fifth consecutive year. Stetson University ranked third in that category. The University of Miami, meanwhile, continued to move up in the National Universities category, ranking No. 50, a gain of 17 places over the last eight years. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University s aerospace engineering program was ranked No. 1 in the nation for the 10 th straight year. National rankings are gratifying validations of excellence, said Rollins President Dr. Lewis Duncan. We salute the faculty and staff who produce the Rollins experience that wins us these recognitions they are indeed #1. Stetson Provost Dr. Elizabeth Paul said the University s No. 3 rating in the South celebrates Stetson s deep commitment to academic excellence and integrity. The university community takes great pride in the personalized and rigorous learning experience afforded to each and every student. UM Executive Vice President and Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc said Miami s rapid rise in the National Universities category reflects UM s continuous improvement in admissions, retention and graduation rates. In addition to leading the nation in aerospace engineering, Embry-Riddle ranked 12 th in the Master s University South category. The University of Tampa ranked 23 rd. Florida Southern College ranked ninth in the Baccalaureate Colleges South category, and Flagler College ranked 11 th. Flagler and Florida Southern ranked in the Top 11 in their category in graduation rate. Webber International University was one of 11 schools listed in the Schools with a Specialty Business category. Lynn University led the Master s University South category in the percentage of international students enrolled 14 percent. The Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine ranked 25 th nationally among private medical schools in the amount of financial aid awarded to students and 22 nd in graduating the most primary care residents. St. Thomas University ranked second in diversity in the Master s University South category. The article praised Ringling s ability to graduate students who get good jobs in the art field. Citing companies such as Pixar and DreamWorks that actively recruit Ringling graduates, the article said Many students say the industry connections are why they chose the school in the first place. 2

3 Clinton Picks UM for Global Initiative University Former President Bill Clinton has selected the University of Miami as the site for his annual Clinton Global Initiative University, a gathering where outstanding students from around the world present and discuss proposals to address major global issues. The event is scheduled for April 16-18, We are thrilled for our students, said University of Miami President Dr. Donna E. Shalala. This is a wonderful opportunity to host a world-class conference and show off our campus and community. Former President Bill Clinton The initiative emphasizes five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health. To be admitted students must submit a proposal and have it accepted. About 1,500 students and others are expected to attend. Many students who attend the initiative will participate in a service project benefiting the South Florida community. The project has not been identified at this point. Florida College Holds Inauguration of New President Florida College inaugurated President H. E. Buddy Payne, the fourth president in the school s 63 year history. President Payne gave an inaugural address upon receiving the presidential medallion from Dr. Paul Cook, chairman of the board of directors. He accepted the nomination with a sense of awe at the magnitude of the responsibility, a sense of honor at the privilege of taking my place among those who preceded me in this role, and a spirit of enthusiasm. ICUF President Dr Ed H. Moore made a special presentation to welcome the new president. Moore spoke of ICUF s continual fight to preserve the private institutions of higher learning in Florida, and welcomed President Payne as a new general in our ranks. 3

4 Ten ICUF Members Hold Fund Raising Workshop Ten ICUF members participated in a workshop on Friend Raising and Fund Raising in the Current Economic Environment at Stetson University. Co-hosting the event were Rollins College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Florida Institute of Technology. Rollins President Emeritus Dr. Rita Bornstein provided the keynote address entitled Don t Just Tread Water; Keep Swimming. She discussed the important of reaching out to college and university constituents and continuing to engage them in tough times. Kate Pearce, Director of Annual and Planned Giving at Stetson, said The event provided a one-day, costeffective professional development and networking opportunity for alumni and development staff from ICUF schools within a three-hour driving distance. The other ICUF members that participated in the workshop were: Saint Leo University, Flagler College, Eckerd College, Stetson University College of Law, Bethune-Cookman University, and Southeastern University. ROLLINS PRESIDENT EMERITA RITA BORNSTEIN ADDRESSES FUND-RAISING WORKSHOP Florida Memorial Names Interim President Dr. Sandra T. Thompson has been named Interim President of Florida Memorial University. She succeeds former President Dr. Karl S. Wright, who left the university in August after serving two years. Dr. Thompson previously served as Florida Memorial s provost. It is my intention to uphold the high standards and traditions that have shaped Florida Memorial for the past 130 years and to make sure that during this transition period, the University continues its history of achievement she was quoted as saying. Dr. Sandra Thompson 911 Victims Honored in Day of Remembrance Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University held its first National Day of Service and Remembrance at their Daytona campus on September 11, The day was set aside to remember those involved or affected by the Twin Towers and Pentagon attacks of Students made 24-ft. replicas of the towers and Pentagon, and a wreath was placed at Spruance Field to honor those lost at Shanksville, PA. University President John P. Johnson spoke at the ceremony in honor of the fallen heroes. Embry-Riddle is also devoting this day to service, asking faculty, students and members of the community to give back on September 11, Suggestions include monetary donations to a favored charity, volunteering time at a local agency, or giving blood. 4

5 B-CU Names New Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sarah Williams has been named Vice President of Academic Affairs at Bethune-Cookman University. She comes to B- CU from Texas, where she was head of the Department of Social Work and Sociology at Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Williams said she was attracted by Bethune-Cookman s excellent reputation and by the legacy of its founder, Mary McLeod Bethune, a woman I have held in awe since I was eight or 10 years old. Dr. Williams is exactly the right person to help lead Bethune-Cookman into the 21 st Century while maintaining our founder s legacy of faith, scholarship and service, said B- CU President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed. From left to right, B-CU President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, Dr. Sarah Williams and Trustees Chairman Larry Handfield Dr. Michael Fields Nova Southeastern Names New Business Dean Dr. Michael Fields has been named Dean of the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. He comes to NSU from Central Michigan University where he was Dean of the School of Business Administration. Dr. Fields experience with faculty development, academic enhancement and accreditation fits perfectly with the goals of the Huizenga School as it moves to the next level of excellence, said NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr. B-CU Professor Wins Full Scholarship to Oxford Conference Dr. Warren D. Ashby, Assistant Professor of English at Bethune-Cookman University, has been awarded a full scholarship to attend the English-Speaking Union s Annual International Relations Conference at Oxford University in England. I am very excited about going to England, Dr. Ashby said. The conference addresses a variety of issues relating to both international relations and to Britain s international role in the world today. The conference s mission is to give participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Britain and to widen their outlook on world issues. Dr. Ashby is the only American recipient of the scholarship. Dr. Warren Ashby 5

6 Tampa Recognized as a Storm Ready Community The University of Tampa has been designated a Storm Ready Community by the National Weather Service, one of only thirty-three colleges and universities around the country given the distinction. UT was recognized for putting special operations in place to monitor and react to severe weather events, including hurricanes and tornados. The university has a 24-hour emergency operations center; emergency communications procedures to alert students, faculty and staff of dangerous weather events; and a formal hazardous weather response plan. Protecting our campus community in the case of a weather emergency has always been a high priority for the university, said Rod Plowman, Vice President for Administration. And now, with the help of the National Weather Service, our emergency weather preparedness has been taken to a new level. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Tampa Public Television Features Saint Leo President Saint Leo University President Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., has been featured in a half-hour interview on WEDU-TV, the public television station serving the Tampa area. He was interviewed in depth by Geoff Simon, host of the program Suncoast Business Forum. Dr. Kirk and Simon discussed Saint Leo s financial turnaround and the business aspects of higher education. A webcast of Dr. Kirk s interview is available at the station s website, Geoff Simon (lft) and Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., Nova Southeastern Leads Nation in Minority Doctorates Nova Southeastern University ranked No. 1 nationally by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, for the number of doctoral degrees awarded to African-Americans and Hispanics. Nova Southeastern ranked 3 rd nationally in master s degrees awarded to Hispanics, and 5 th in master s degrees awarded to African Americans. The school awarded 289 doctoral degrees to African-Americans last year and 81 to Hispanics. It has always been our mission to provide higher education opportunities to people of all races and ethic backgrounds, said NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr. We are very proud of what the rankings represent and will continue Ray Ferrero, Jr. our outreach to minority communities. 6

7 Florida Southern Dedicates New Residence Hall Several hundred alumni and friends attended the dedication of Nicholas Hall at Florida Southern College, the second residence hall in the Barnett Residential Life Center. The Life Center was fully funded through a transformational gift from FSC alumni Carol Jenkins Barnett and Barney Barnett and Publix Super Market Charities, Inc. The halls are named for the Barnett s sons, Wesley and Nicholas. These marvelous residential halls, designed by America s foremost architect, Robert A. M. Stern, have set a new standard in the living-learning experience for Florida Southern students, who are passionately preparing to achieve their varied and rich dreams, said FSC President Dr. Anne Kerr. Nicholas Hall Embry - Riddle Named One of Florida s Best Florida Trend magazine has named Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University one of Florida s Best Places to Work For. The university was ranked number 20 in the large company category. Embry-Riddle has 1,200 employees in Florida who receive competitive salaries and a full range of benefits. This new honor confirms Embry-Riddle s status as an employer of choice in Florida, said Irene McReynolds, the university s vice president of human resources. Melbourne Beach Couple Endows Florida Tech Programs James and Sara Ortega, who died within a week of each other, left an estate valued at about $2.5 million to Florida Institute of Technology. The donation will be dedicated to the Astronomy and Astrophysics programs. The university received more than $600,000 of the bequest to create the Ortega Endowment for Astronomy and Astrophysics, providing scholarships, fellowships and research opportunities at the Department of Physics and Space Sciences. This gives the department a giant boost, said Kenneth Stackpoole, Senior VP for advancement. Dr. Ortega s gift is a great example of how someone can leave an estate to a good cause while also taking care of family members. On the roof of the F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Bldg, l to r: Terry Oswalt, Depart. of Physics and Space Sciences; Jim Ortega; and Matt Wood, professor of physics and space sciences. 7

8 St. Thomas, Miami Dade College Form Partnership St. Thomas University and Miami Dade College have formed a partnership leading to Master of Science degrees in management for graduates of MDC s Bachelor s Degree program in Public Safety Management. The program targets Miami-Dade County students who dual enroll at the college while still in high school, complete a Bachelor s Degree at Miami Dade and pursue a Master s Degree at St. Thomas. The joint academic initiative will develop our community s potential leaders though a mixture of theory and practice in organizational change and management, said STU President Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale. MDC graduates have the opportunity to increase their strategic thinking abilities and bear fruit to our community as ethical decision makers whether in government positions, industry or non-profit circles. Webber s Wade Heads the Sun Conference Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale Dr. H. Keith Wade, President of Webber International University, has been re-elected president of The Sun Conference. Conference members compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. My colleagues confidence is certainly gratifying, Dr. Wade said. Webber firmly embraces NAIA s Champions of Character philosophy. I m very proud of The Sun Conference and its member schools and am glad to be able to serve in some small way. The conference has 11 members competing in men s and women s sports, including ICUF members Edward Waters College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Memorial University, St. Thomas University, Southeastern University, Warner University and Webber. Stetson Launches Community Engagement Program Starting this semester, Stetson University is offering its students a new Certificate of Community Engagement program. Students will be able to incorporate courses in service learning and community-engagement theory into their degree programs. Requirements for earning the certificate include four units of coursework, 100 hours of volunteer community service and an essay reflecting on the experience from both practical and theoretical perspectives. The certificate program will, I believe, encourage students to combine their studies with real-world problem solving and to reflect critically on their community engagement experiences, said Program Coordinator Dr. D. Gregory Sapp. Dr. D. Gregory Sapp 8

9 Lynn Announces Full Immersion Study in China Program Lynn Students Visit Shanghai Lynn University is creating a full immersion China study program in Shanghai and expects 15 to 25 students to enroll in the first class next spring. The students will spend 22 weeks in China, study Mandarin Chinese, live with a Chinese roommate at Donghua University and learn local business practices. The program focuses on globalization in China, said Ann Krift, Director of Lynn s Center for Global Education and Citizenship. Shanghai symbolizes this transformation, not only in a visual sense with its modern cityscapes, but in its global trade and large population. Tampa Students Win National Accounting Competition A team of students from The University of Tampa won first place in the Beta Alpha Psi Best Practice Competition, a national accounting contest. The five students competed in a section on chapter sustainability. The members of the team were Nick Williams, Andrew Argue, Kayla Adams, Jingming Ma and Michael Buckland. 9

10 Warner Hosts Forty Japanese Students Forty girls attending a Church of God high school in Tokyo have participated in the 19 th annual Tamasei English program at Warner University. The Japanese students studied English, attended classes, experienced replicas of American events including a birthday party, Christmas and Easter, and visited Central Florida attractions. Tamasei provides a unique opportunity for the mission field to come to us, said Program Director Dr. James G. Moyer, Chairman of the Communications Arts Department. The Japanese people place a high premium on education and cultural and international experiences. More than 120 students compete each year to participate. Lynn Welcomes Inaugural Ed. D. Class Lynn University launched its Doctoral Degree in education program for 10 Florida education administrators. The program focuses on developing educators to serve in metropolitan schools. We are deliberately keeping the class small, said Dr. Valerie Storey, Director of the program. The new program has four themes; leadership, accountability, diversity and learning, and employs various problem-solving skills to help the students diagnose and solve education problems. Students will complete capstone projects addressing issues currently faced by local schools and local school districts. Students Participate in Lynn s New Ed.D. Program 10

11 Dolphins Linebacker Headlines Florida Memorial Gala Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor will be the special guest and honoree at Florida Memorial University s 130 th Anniversary Gala. Taylor will receive the university s Community Leadership Award for his commitment to service and contributions to education through his Jason Taylor Foundation. Taylor was the 2007 recipient of the National Football League s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Jason Taylor Florida Tech Receives $5 Million Gift for Business College Florida Institute of Technology has received a $5 million donation from Tampa businessman Nathan M. Bisk and is renaming its College of Business in his honor. A lawyer and accountant, Bisk is the owner of Bisk Education Inc., which partners with Florida Tech in offering degree programs online. The university has about 4,000 students enrolled in its online undergraduate and MBA degree programs. Mr. Bisk s generosity comes at an extremely opportune time for Florida Tech, said Reporter Paula Schroeder interviews Nathan M. Bisk President Dr. Anthony Catanese. As we conclude our $50 million Golden Anniversary capital campaign next month, we are looking for new and innovative ways to offer nationally respected business and online learning opportunities. UM Genomics Institute Receives $20 Million Research Grant The University of Miami s Miami Institute for Human Genomics received a $20 million research grant from the John P. Hussman Foundation. UM is renaming the institute the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics. UM plans to use the grant to research the medical mysteries behind autism and other diseases. Dr. Pascal J. Goldschmidt, Dean of UM S Miller School of Medicine, called the gift a commitment to the eventual eradication of certain diseases. It will accelerate the growth of the institute and we will become the most important center of its kind anywhere in the world, said UM President Dr. Donna Shalala. Hussman, the father of an autistic son, is the president of Hussman Econometric Advisors, an investment firm that manages the Hussman Funds. Miller School Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D. (left) and John P. Hussman sign gift agreement. 11

12 Flagler Trustee Heads Prepaid College Board Jacksonville businessman Duane Ottenstroer, a member of the Flagler College Board of Trustees, has been elected chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Board, which oversees the program where parents can save for future college expenses. The $8.7 billion prepaid plan is the nation s largest. Ottenstroer said he is committed to providing the best, most cost effective, financially sound college savings plan and program possible. "Duane Ottenstroer is a exceptional individual, a terrific board member, and a sound thinker, said Flagler President Dr. William T. Abare, Jr. He understands investments and places great value on the importance of higher Duane Ottenstroer education as an economic engine for the State of Florida. He is an exceptional leader who is passionate about helping students reach their goal of earning a college degree and improving their opportunities for advancement in the future." Barry Doctoral Counseling Program Accredited The Barry University Doctorate in Counseling program has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The program specializes in marriage, couples and family counseling therapy. We have always been very proud of our counseling program and its graduates, said Dr. Terry Piper, Dean of Barry s Adrian Dominican School of Education. I am pleased to have it recognized by a highly respected national accreditation body. ICUF members are: Barry University Beacon College Bethune-Cookman University Clearwater Christian College Eckerd College Edward Waters College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Flagler College Florida College Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Florida Institute of Technology Florida Memorial University Florida Southern College Hodges University Jacksonville University Lynn University Nova Southeastern University Palm Beach Atlantic University Ringling College of Art and Design Rollins College Saint Leo University St. Thomas University Southeastern University Stetson University University of Miami The University of Tampa Warner University Webber International University ICUF Report is written by John C. Van Gieson, Edits, layout and visual formatting by Melissa Armstrong. Please comments and suggested news items to johnvg@comcast.net. 12