Flagler College recognized its best and brightest students in its various majors Wednesday during an Honors Day awards ceremony, organized by the Student Success Committee and College Relations.
Thirty students were presented the “Distinguished Major” award by professors who personally taught and knew them.
“The purpose of Honors Day is to celebrate scholarship and creative activities in the academic life of our campus,” College President Dr. William T. Abare, Jr., said. “We assemble here this afternoon to recognize and honor outstanding students who have distinguished themselves at the college through their hard work, diligence, perseverance and personal sacrifice. I offer each of you my heartiest congratulations.”
From juggling full-time jobs with demanding academic course loads to holding multiple leadership positions and serving others in the community, awardees clearly represented achievement.
Below is the list of “Distinguished Major” awardees:
Art and Design
Art History
Lindsay Fallot
Fine Arts
Adrian Gonzalez
Graphic Design
Michael Maiocco
Business
Economics
Patrick A. Bissell
Finance
Jack M. Kegelmeyer
Business Administration
Nicholas A. Pappas
Accounting
Chloe S. Petito
Communication
Journalism and Media Production
Natalie Alford
Media Studies
Chad Collins
Strategic Communication
Carly Meltzer
Education
Elementary Education
Yasmeen Anis
Art Education
Taylor Nicholson
Elementary Education – Exceptional Student
Cassandra Kelly
Secondary Education – Social Science
Debra Maffeo
Elementary Education – Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Dallas McClellan
Secondary Education – English
Samantha Sharp
English
English
Hannah Betz
Humanities
Philosophy and Religion
Stephanie Austin
History
Logan Brennan
Public History
Ellen Fogel
Spanish
Matheus Cezar Menezes
Liberal Arts
Sarah Strohminger Vaccaro
Natural Science
Coastal Environmental Science
Madison Skidmore
Social Sciences
Political Science
Andrea Hartung
International Studies
Pedro Romero
Psychology
Manon Herbinet
Sociology
Adria Mankute
Criminology
Annie Narducci
Sport Management
Sport Management
Megan Hooks
Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts
Rebecca Woods
ICYMI: WKMG: Gov. Scott Fights for Funding for VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida
“Gov. Scott Fights for Funding for VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida”
WKMG-ORD (CBS) – Orlando, FL
April 12, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Florida Folk Heritage Award Winner Haiqiong Deng to be Honored in Ceremony in Tallahassee
The Florida Folklife Program will honor 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award recipient, Haiqiong Deng, at the Florida State University World Music Concert featuring the FSU Chinese and blues music ensembles at Opperman Music Hall on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public, and recognizes Mrs. Deng’s achievements as a traditional Chinese musician and educator.
“We invite the community to take part in celebrating Ms. Deng’s contributions,” said Secretary Detzner. “Her dedication and life-long commitment to preserving and promoting Chinese culture and music has contributed deeply to Florida’s cultural heritage.”
Haiqiong Deng was born in Lanzhou, China, where she began her studies in Chinese traditional music. She focused on the zheng, an ancient, 21-stringed instrument with a long and rich presence in Chinese culture. After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she travelled internationally as a soloist and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2003. Eventually, she settled in Florida where she serves as the Director of the Chinese Music Ensemble at Florida State University.
Since 2001, Ms. Deng has dedicated herself to teaching Chinese music to a diverse body of students. She uses music as a tool to reinforce knowledge and appreciation of cultural heritage. Among her latest projects is an educational series called Echoes of Nature, which combines three key aspects of Chinese culture: music, calligraphy and art. Through creative partnerships and collaborations with composers, master artists, museums and educational institutions, Ms. Deng actively promotes various forms of traditional Chinese culture, and explores the boundaries of musical expression.
The Florida Department of State presents Florida Folk Heritage Awards annually to citizens who have made long-standing contributions to Florida’s cultural heritage by perpetuating community traditions. Like the National Heritage Awards, the Florida Folk Heritage Awards honor the state’s most influential tradition bearers for excellence, significance and authenticity as folk artists or folklife advocates. Information on how to make a nomination is available here and additional information regarding past recipients, including photos and bios, is available here.
The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For further information about the Florida Folklife Program, contact State Folklorist Amanda Hardeman at 850.245.6427 or visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife.
About the Florida Folklife Program
The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, the program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation.
CRC Announces Public Hearing at University of Florida in Gainesville
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) invites all interested Floridians to participate in a public hearing at the University of Florida in Gainesville on Wednesday, April 26 beginning at 5:00 PM.
Members of the media wishing to attend are asked to bring their press credentials. The event will also be live-streamed by The Florida Channel on www.TheFloridaChannel.org.
WHAT: Public hearing of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC)
WHEN: Wednesday, April 26, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Doors open at 4:00 PM)
*End time is tentative depending upon attendance and public interest in speaking before the CRC. All Floridians wishing to speak before the CRC will be given an opportunity to be heard.
WHERE: University of Florida
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
3201 Hull Road, Gainesville FL 32611
Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/bmauZd9cXzR2
Individuals requiring an accommodation to participate in this public hearing (such as a sign language interpreter) are requested to notify the Constitution Revision Commission five days prior to the scheduled meeting date at [email protected] or 850.717.9550.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)
Once every twenty years, Florida’s Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research, and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit FLCRC.GOV. Follow the CRC on Twitter @FloridaCRC and like the CRC on Facebook @FloridaCRC.
Gov. Scott announces Comcast to create 600 new jobs in Miramar
Governor Rick Scott announced that Comcast will be expanding in South Florida and creating more than 600 jobs at their new Miramar facility. Governor Scott also recognized Comcast for their commitment to hiring members of the military community, including veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. Comcast currently employs more than 30,000 Floridians at more than 300 location across the state.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Comcast will be expanding in Florida and creating 600 new jobs for families in Miramar. I was also honored to recognize some of the many military members and veterans that have built careers at Comcast thanks to the company’s commitment to hiring our brave service members. Today’s announcement shows that our focus on economic development and making Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation is clearly keeping our state on track to becoming first for jobs. I look forward to seeing Comcast’s continued success across the state.”
Reggie Scales, Comcast’s Vice President of Business Services, said, “The 600 new jobs here in Florida are an important part of our commitment to making the customer experience our best product. The investments we are making and the jobs we are creating in Florida will have a positive impact on our customers.”
Carol Eggert, Comcast’s Senior Vice President of Military and Veteran Affairs, said, “Comcast is proud to reaffirm our support for our employees who serve as members of the National Guard and Reserve. We recognize that these men and women are invaluable both to our company and to our Nation’s defense. We highly value their skills and are proud to have thousands of members of the military community in all levels of the organization.”
Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam said, “Comcast truly stands out for its continued investment in both our community and in the families whose lives will be positively impacted by these new jobs.”
Those interested in employment opportunities with Comcast can review job profiles and apply for open positions at jobs.comcast.com. Comcast is an equal opportunity employer and offers extensive career-path options along with competitive pay, medical, dental and prescription benefits, retirement investment options, and free and discounted Comcast services.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
Florida Supreme Court: New Posting, 4/13/2017, 3:10 p.m. ET
New material has been posted to the Supreme Court website in:
- Aramis Donell Ayala v. Rick Scott (amicus brief of Dream Defenders, Florida Immigrant Coalition, NAACP & others)
Follow the links at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org.
Statement by FHCA Following Passage of Senator Kelli Stargel's SB 682
Statement from Emmett Reed, Executive Director of the Florida Health Care Association, following passage of Senator Kelli Stargel’s SB 682 by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services:
“We want to thank Senator Flores and members of the committee for this important vote to remove long-stay nursing center residents from Florida’s managed care program. Our current system of managed care doesn’t work effectively for those residents who cannot take care of themselves or be safely cared for in the community because their medical needs are simply too complex. By making this common-sense change, Florida stands to save $68.2 million in fees the state is charged each year for unnecessary management services. Senator Stargel’s work on this important issue will also ensure nursing centers have access to managed care networks without fear of cancellation, so that residents and their families won’t have to make the difficult choice between their home and a benefits package that fits their needs.”
16.75-pound bass takes lead for TrophyCatch Season 5
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program announces its new Season 5 heaviest catch leader – Dominic Montalto with a 16-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass caught in a private pond in Estero.
This comes close to the current certified state record of a 17-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass caught in Polk County in 1986. A team of FWC biologists verified the accuracy of Dominic’s scale, catch videos and photos.
“When I first saw the fish, I thought it was a log with a volleyball under it – until it moved,” said Dominic. “Once I realized it was a big bass, I started targeting it and just kept trying until it took the bait.”
Dominic was fishing from shore around dusk using a Johnny Morris Titanium 8 heavy-action rod with a Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 7.1:1 reel and a XPS Z9R Perch Swimbait lure in bluegill color.
Dominic is 19 years old and learned to fish from his father, Joe. The Montalto family refers to themselves as a “fishing family,” noting that they made the move from Illinois to Florida a year ago and specifically selected their home based on nearby fishing ponds. Dominic currently attends Florida Gulf Coast University where he is pursuing a degree in physical therapy.
TrophyCatch is a partnership between FWC biologists, anglers and fishing industry leaders, such as Bass Pro Shops, that rewards the catch, documentation and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. In order to be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catch to TrophyCatch.com, showing the fish’s weight on a scale, before releasing it back into the water. FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data for bass research, to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries, and to promote the catch-and-release of trophy bass.
Dominic’s trophy bass qualifies him for the TrophyCatch Hall of Fame Club, which offers rewards for catches weighing 13 pounds or heavier. Hall of Fame Club catches are celebrated at a ceremony each year and club members receive $100 gift cards to Bass Pro Shops and/or Rapala, a fiberglass replica mount from New Wave Taxidermy, a $50 SpiderWire merchandise credit code, and a Fitzgerald Rod, among other prizes. Since the beginning of Season 5 in October 2016, 12 Hall of Fame bass have been approved. Dominic’s catch also puts him in the lead for becoming the TrophyCatch Champion, which is awarded to the angler with the heaviest catch of the season. Anglers have until the end of Season 5 on Sept. 30, 2017, to submit their catches and try to take the lead.
Anglers are also eligible to win the TrophyCatch Grand Prize, which is awarded to the angler with the heaviest combined weight of approved catches throughout the entire season. The Grand Prize includes a Shimano prize pack of G. Loomis and Metanium combo, and a Lake County tourism prize pack of a three-day, two-night stay in Lake County with a fishing trip guided by professional angler Tim Frederick. Second prize includes a Shimano prize pack of Expride and Chronarch MGL combo. Third prize includes a Shimano prize pack of Exage and Casitas combo.
The FWC encourages anglers to join TrophyCatch as citizen-scientists to assist in fisheries management and the conservation of Florida’s lakes and rivers. A new TrophyCatch mobile app is available for download on both Apple and Android devices. For more information about the TrophyCatch program, email Amber Nabors at [email protected].
Shark Tank Competition in Germany for Engineers Earns Kudos for UCF
UCF engineering students earned praise and some job offers after they competed at Siemens Global University Challenge in Germany this month.
Engineering giant Siemens sponsors the three-phase competition every year. It pits teams of the best engineering students in the world against each other for a shot at the top prize – a trip to Germany to showcase their project and meet potential future employers. Siemens is based in Germany and successful plans are implemented at the company’s Berlin plant.
UCF was one of the five teams and the only U.S. team selected from 33 to travel to Germany for the final phase of the competition this year tagged “Enabling the Digital Twin.” For non-engineers, that’s a real-time way for teams to communicate during the conceptual, design and prototype process in product development.
The final round is a week-long process that culminates with a shark-tank-style innovation hackathon. Officials from the company were the judges.
The teams didn’t have to build a whole system, referred to as the digital twin. They only needed to present a working prototype of an idea that would enable the digital twin and that could be seamlessly incorporated within Siemens established manufacturing and quality-assessment process.
“There was no actual winner or ranking,” said Marcel Otto, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at UCF and one of the team members. “We were all winners just being there.”
He described the final leg of the year-long competition as professional and exciting.
“I liked the supportive culture between the teams, the unique insight we got on-site in Siemens’ largest turbine-manufacturing facility worldwide. We worked late into the nights, coding, discussing our solution and models,” Otto said.
Connecting the engineering plan to a business plan and being able to sell it was the biggest challenge, for team member Kevin Bauer-Escalante.
“Being mentored in the art of presenting an effective elevator pitch was probably the most valuable takeaway from this unique experience,” Bauer-Escalante said. “We had to learn the lingo that connects the engineering idea with the business impact. Nowadays it is necessary to build this bridge in your head between the two different schools of thought, the technical and the business.”
Bauer-Escalante, who is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, is also a graduate research assistant at UCF’s Center for Advanced Turbomachinery & Energy Research. He said he is still in awe of the experience and the opportunity the competition gave him to talk to some leaders in the industry. The trip also was his first one to Europe.
Team member Itza Beltran will graduate from UCF with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in May. Beltran said the competition was a way to get hands-on experience.
“The competition was open to any major, with an emphasis in engineering and business,” she said. “Collaborating between different fields is a key to success. I highly recommend students to get involved in projects or competitions where they can work with people from other disciplines. It is a rewarding experience.”
Jayanta Kapat, CATER’s director and team coach, said participating in competitions like these benefits students because it gives them real-life feedback and opportunities to connect with industry.
“UCF did very well,” Kapat said. “Our team just came back, with multiple job offers.”
Florida Supreme Court: New Posting, 4/13/2017, 10:00 a.m. ET
New material has been posted to the Supreme Court website in:
- Dale Lee Norman v. State of Florida (order denying rehearing in “open carry” case)
Follow the links at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org.
