ICUF Report June 2006

Transcription

1 tion. ED H. MOORE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (850) ICUF Report June 2006 Representatives Pickens and Mealor attend ICUF Meetings During two recent ICUF Council of Presidential meetings, Reps. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka, and David Mealor, R-Lake Mary, who played a key role in increasing the Florida Resident Access Grant to $3,000 this year, expressed their support for ICUF s continued role in providing access to Florida s students. Pickens, the chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee, spoke at ICUF s annual retreat in Tampa. Mealor, chair of the Colleges and Universities Committee, was the luncheon speaker at the Council of Presidents annual meeting in Orlando. Both men praised ICUF s work in higher education in Florida and pledged to continue to partner with ICUF in FRAG and House leaders address ICUF presidents Rep. David Mealor, left, spoke at the annual meeting of the ICUF Council of Presidents, and Rep. Joe Pickens, right, spoke at the annual retreat. For other photos of the meetings see page 2. PSAG policies. We need to make sure we don t lose the FRAG momentum, Pickens said. He praised House Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, for leading the fight to increase the FRAG to $3,000. Mealor emphasized his goal of including the ICUF schools as full partners in programs designed to meet the state s higher education and workforce needs. Mealor played a key role in sponsoring legislation that allows ICUF institutions to participate in the state s Centers of Excellence program. The program is designed to use the resources of public and private universities to develop technology-based businesses in Florida. NAICU leader warns of congressional threats to higher education programs Speaking at the annual retreat, Dr. David L. Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, warned that higher education proposals pending in Congress could devastate federal financial aid programs. The good news, he said, is that a divided Congress is spending little time in session and doesn t want to vote on anything, with midterm elections coming up in November. Higher education is caught in this crossfire, Warren said. Issues about which we care deeply are largely issues which have been held up for action. That may change after the elections, he warned, when in the House could see renewed attempts to cut financial aid programs, impose price controls on tuition, require outcome measures and put the states in charge of accreditation. A trustee at Eckerd College, Warren used it as an example of the havoc proposed financial aid cuts would wreak on independent colleges and universities. He said Eckerd receives $12 million a year from federal aid programs. If Congress eliminated Go to Meetings, page 3

2 Above, Nova Southeastern University President Ray Ferraro, Jr., left, receives a print of Florida s Old Capitol from ICUF Executive Director Ed H. Moore. Ferrero was honored for his service as the past chair of the Council of Presidents. Above, Rep. David Mealor discusses his views on involving independent colleges and universities in state higher education policy. He was the featured speaker at the Council of Presidents annual meeting. Left, Rep. Joe Pickens receives a plaque from ICUF Executive Director Ed H. Moore at the retreat. Saint Leo University President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., the new chair of the Council of Presidents, is at left. Right, Rep. David Mealor receives a plaque from ICUF Executive Director Ed H. Moore at the annual meeting. Nova Southeastern University President Ray Ferrero, Jr., is at left. Page 2

3 New Scholarship for Community College Graduates The new ICUF Presidential Access Scholarship program awards $500 grants for up to two graduates from each community college who enroll at an ICUF institution. The students are selected by their community college president. It s ICUF s way of expressing support for Florida s 2+2 students while emphasizing the ICUF commitment to Florida higher education relationships. One partner, Tallahassee Community College, expressed their appreciation by posing a thank you message on the electronic bulletin board at the entrance to its campus. (See above) The TCC graduates are David Clark and Tracy Cummings, both of whom enrolled at Flagler College, which operates bachelor s degree programs at the TCC campus. Meetings, from page 1 those programs, Warren said, Eckerd would need a $240 million endowment invested at 5 percent to raise the same amount of funding. He told the ICUF presidents that their support is essential in fighting off attempts in Congress to cut higher education funding and impose onerous new controls on private institutions. When House leaders announced on a Thursday this spring that they intended to take up a bill that was strenuously opposed by NAICU on the following Tuesday, 402 of 435 representatives had committed to vote for it, Warren said. NAICU immediately sent out a call to action, urging independent college and university presidents nationwide to contact their members of Congress to oppose the bill, he said. By the day the bill was scheduled to come up, the number of supporters had dropped to 220 and House leaders put the measure in limbo, where it remains. Action by presidents made the difference, Warren said, thanking ICUF presidents who urged members of the Florida delegation to oppose the bill. He said he is working closely with ICUF Executive Director Ed H. Moore and Louisiana officials to restore the eligibility of private colleges and universities for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief funds. Other community college graduates who received scholarships are: Brevard Community College, Seth A. Price, University of Miami Broward Community College, Janelle Kenny and Peter Freystaetter, Nova Southeastern University Central Florida Community College, Terrina B. Lazio and Jason Pohlsen, Saint Leo University Daytona Beach Community College, Mark Convoy, Bethune-Cookman College, and Dean Reubel, Stetson University Edison Community College, Amber M. Bryant, International College, and Omar Ale, Barry University Hillsborough Community College, Benny W. Rhodes, Jr., and DeVonna E. Prinzi, The University of Tampa Indian River Community College, Joshua W. Patton, University of Miami, and Shanna A. Ward, Florida Southern College Lake City Community College, Justin A. Bellot, Saint Leo University Lake-Sumter Community College, Danielle Shaw, Saint Leo University Manatee Community College, Kyle Butcher, Nova Southeastern University, and Roszena L. McCollough, Ringling School of Art and Design Miami Dade College, Liliana Cecilia Pinto Torres and Eric J. Eves, University of Miami North Florida Community College, Norman R. Brightwell and Leslie B. Greenlee, Saint Leo University Okaloosa-Walton College, Jennifer Gager, Flagler College Palm Beach Community College, Shailyne C. Berges, University of Miami, and John L. Boswell, Barry University or Nova Southeastern University Pasco-Hernando Community College, Heidi J. Weyde, The University of Tampa St. Johns River Community College, Christina Sandford, Jacksonville University, and Seth S. Godfrey, Eckerd College St. Petersburg College, Lisa L. Lamppert, The University of Tampa, and Henry Owusu Ansah, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Valencia Community College, William Hiegel, Flagler College, and Catherine Tocco, Rollins College Congratulations to all of the scholarship winners, and a special thank you to our friends in the Florida Community College System. Page 3

4 The program at TCC will offer a bachelor s degree in criminal justice. Saint Leo will be the fourth ICUF institution to offer bachelor s degree programs at TCC, joining Flagler, Barry and Embry-Riddle. ICUF welcomes new leaders at Lynn and FMU As of July 1, new presidents will assume office at Lynn University and Florida Memorial University. They are Dr. Kevin Ross as Lynn president, and Dr. Karl Wright, who succeeds Dr. Albert Smith as Florida Memorial president. Dr. Wright previously served as the executive vice president and provost for Florida Memorial. Ross, left, and Wright, right, are flanking the new chair of the ICUF Presidents Council, Saint Leo University President Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., in the above photo. Ross, 33, is succeeding his father, Dr. Donald E. Ross, who was Lynn s president for 35 years. Dr. Kevin Ross, who will become ICUF s youngest president, earned his A.B. from Colgate University, his master s from St. John s College in Annapolis, Maryland; and his doctorate from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. He has been serving as Lynn s chief operating officer. Saint Leo starts degree programs at four more colleges Saint Leo University, a pacesetter in offering the last two years of baccalaureate degree programs at community colleges, is opening programs at four more colleges: Tallahassee Community College, Santa Fe Community College at Starke, Pasco-Hernando Community College and South Florida Community College. The college is already offering degree programs on six other community college campuses. The community colleges were interested in offering bachelor s degrees and know of Saint Leo s qualifications, said Dr. Ed Dadez, vice president of continuing education and student services. Eckerd receives $25 million gift Eckerd College has received the largest donation in its history, a $25 million gift from Naples businessman Miles C. Collier, the chairman of the college s Board of Trustees. Eckerd President Donald R. Eastman III said he plans to use the Collier donation to construct a new science complex, match gifts of $25,000 or more to renovate buildings, add teaching positions and fund scholarships. Eastman joked that Eckerd has always been in short supply of everything but ambitions. Now we have a bit more muscle than we had before. Collier said he and his wife, Parker, offered the gift to advance Eckerd College, strengthening and deepening the character of this place, this place that transforms lives... touches and transforms the lives of we who do not call her alma mater. The college also received a $1 million gift from Raymond James Financial Chairman Thomas James and his wife Mary. Their gift will endow a chair in finance. Stetson doubles donations to $15.3 million Stetson University has reported that the $15.3 million it received in donations last year doubled the previous year s total and was the largest amount ever received in a single year. This has been an incredible year for fundraising at Stetson, said President Doug Lee. We truly appreciate our alumni, parents and other donors who affirm what we re doing at Stetson. Our donors give students the opportunity to receive an education that inspires and prepares them to lead great lives. NSU announces $30 million biotech center Nova Southeastern University has announced plans to build a $30 million biotechnol- Page 4

5 ogy incubator designed to launch and nurture new technology businesses to South Florida. The center is viewed as Broward County s major entry into the biotech arena. The new building will house the U.S. Geological Survey s South Florida Science Center, serving as headquarters of the $8 billion Everglades Restoration Project. Edward Waters ramps up recruitment Potential college students, Edward Waters College in Jacksonville wants you. The historically black college has launched a summer recruitment drive featuring radio and television spots, newspaper and magazine ads and billboards. The college wants potential students to know it has room for them and offers special programs such as the CLIMB program for working professionals. Families and students interested should visit the Edward Waters website at Rollins golfers, Tampa baseball team with Division 2 national championships Winning NCAA Division 2 national championships has become a habit for the women s golf team at Rollins College. The Tars won the championship by six strokes over Ferris State College, their fourth straight title. This one was a little exciting since it was so close, but I can t think of a better way to end this amazing run, said Coach Julie Garner. Senior Mariana De Biase, Rollins College golfer Mariana De Biase won the individual championship as the Tars golf team won their fourth straight NCAA Division 2 national championship. Right, The University of Tampa Spartans celebrate The school s fourth Division 2 national baseball championship. a native of Brazil, birdied the last two holes to win individual honors in a championship played under horrid weather conditions at Allendale, Michigan. Fellow senior Charlotte Campbell of Heathrow, a four-time national player of the year, ended her career with a seventh place finish. The Tampa nine came from behind twice to win the baseball championship with a 3-2 victory in 10 innings over Cal State Chico. The Spartans won 54 games on their way to the national championship, a school record. Lee Cruz, an outfielder from Pasco, was named National Player of the Year in Division 2, as well as the most valuable player in the tournament. ICUF members are: Barry University Beacon College Bethune-Cookman College 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 International College Jacksonville University Lynn University Nova Southeastern University Palm Beach Atlantic University Ringling School of Art and Design Rollins College Saint Leo University Saint Thomas University Southeastern University Stetson University University of Miami University of Tampa Warner Southern College Webber International University ICUF Report is written and edited by John C. Van Gieson, Please comments and suggested news items to john@vangiesonmedia.com. Page 5