The Board of Governors on Thursday appointed Mike Griffin to lead the University of South Florida Consolidation Planning Study and Implementation Task Force, which is developing recommendations to phase out the separate accreditations of USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Griffin replaces Dr. Jonathan Ellen, who resigned as chair. [Read more…] about New appointments made to USF consolidation task force
University of South Florida
Five Florida universities rank in the top 35 public universities granted U.S. patents
Five State University System institutions are ranked among the Top 35 public universities granted U.S. utility patents in 2017, according to a new report by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.
Among all public universities in the United States, University of South Florida ranked fifth with 116 patents, University of Florida Research Foundation ranked sixth with 111 patents, Florida International University ranked 26th with 42 patents, University of Central Florida ranked 28th with 39 patents, and Florida State University ranked 34th with 34 patents.
“Florida’s public universities continue to exemplify the incredible impact that research and innovation have on the state of Florida,” said Alan Levine, chair of the Board of Governors’ Academic and Research Excellence Committee. “I’m pleased to congratulate the universities on this prestigious list and to thank them for advancing so many important discoveries and inventions that benefit humankind and fuel our economy.”
The report utilizes data acquired from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to highlight the important role patents play in university research and innovation.
“The institutions on this list are doing incredible work promoting academic innovation and incubating groundbreaking technologies which exemplify the importance of technology transfer to institutional success,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors. “We are proud to collaborate with the Intellectual Property Owners for the sixth consecutive year, and it is a privilege to showcase the vital contributions to society made by universities.”
The five universities are Member Institutions of the National Academy of Inventors, as are all 12 universities in the State University System of Florida.
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions. The headquarters are located in the University of South Florida Research Park in Tampa. The Intellectual Property Owners Association, established in 1972, is a trade association for owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.
“University patents help to ignite a culture of growth and innovation which in turn stimulates local, regional and global economies and generates funding for future research initiatives,” said Mark W. Lauroesch, the Intellectual Property Owners Association Executive Director. “The Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents is a report which demonstrates the critical role universities play in patents, licensing and commercialization.”
The National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners have published the report annually since 2013. The rankings are compiled by calculating the number of utility patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that lists a university as the first assignee on the issued patent. For the purposes of the report, a university is defined as an institution that grants undergraduate-level degrees.
The full report of the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Patents in 2017 can be found here.
Board of Governors appoints Dr. Jonathan Ellen as chair of USF consolidation task force
The Board of Governors on Monday appointed Dr. Jonathan Ellen, president and vice dean of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, to lead the “University of South Florida Consolidation Planning, Study and Implementation Task Force,” which will develop recommendations to phase out the separate accreditations of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee.
“Dr. Ellen has an excellent track record of leadership at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and is well regarded by those who have worked with him,” said Ned Lautenbach, chair of the Board of Governors. “He will play a critical role in ensuring that USF’s transition happens smoothly and efficiently and that it further improves service to students.”
Dr. Ellen is a visionary leader at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, transforming the facility from a regional referral center to a pediatric academic health system and national leader in research, teaching and patient care. Among other initiatives, he oversaw the launch of an innovative new pediatric residency program, continues to recruit world-class physicians and scientists, will soon open a $95 million research and education building dedicated to pediatrics in the heart of St. Petersburg’s innovation district, and worked with the leaders at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine to strengthen the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital-USF affiliation. His full biography is available here.
“Consolidated accreditation will increase educational opportunities for students across all the USF campuses by reducing barriers to collaboration among graduate and undergraduate programs, enriching the faculty, and improving strategies for recruitment and retention of students from all backgrounds,” Dr. Ellen said. “The result of the enhanced integration should elevate the innovative and scholarly impact of USF on the Tampa Bay region and country.”
The task force will submit recommendations to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees by February 15, 2019. Its responsibilities include identification of specific degrees in programs of strategic significance, including healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics and other program priorities to be offered at the University of South Florida – St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee and the timeline for development and delivery of programs on each campus. Other task force goals include engaging faculty, developing the research capacity at each campus, and ensuring a seamless transition for students.
“Having Dr. Ellen, a well-regarded business and community leader in the Tampa Bay region, chair the consolidation task force is an important step in this process,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Brian Lamb. “His commitment to ensuring a successful outcome for USF, our students, and faculty as set forth by the Florida Legislature is valuable to the entire region.”
More than 1,200 Floridians Attend CRC Public Hearing in Tampa Bay Area
More than 1,200 Floridians attended a public hearing held by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on Tuesday, March 13th at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP). The public hearing marked the sixth and final public hearing held on the CRC’s 2018 “Road to the Ballot” public hearing tour. The CRC has held a total of 15 public hearings since 2017.
At the public hearing, more than 430 individuals requested to speak before the CRC and more than 1,200 attended the public hearing. The public hearing lasted more than 10 hours (1:00-11:30 PM) and all Floridians who attended the public hearing and wanted to speak were given an opportunity to be heard.
To watch the public hearing held in St. Petersburg, visit the Florida Channel’s website which has a page dedicated to all CRC public hearings and meetings. A complete transcript of the public hearing, appearance forms and documents received will be available online at flcrc.gov/Meeting/PublicHearings as soon as possible.
The CRC will begin its floor session in Tallahassee on Monday, March 19th. Visit flcrc.gov/Meetings for additional details on the CRC’s upcoming schedule and to view documents from previous CRC public hearings held in 2018 and 2017.
CRC Rules and Administration Committee Meeting
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Rules and Administration Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 PM at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Please note that this meeting is scheduled to take place immediately before the CRC public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 from 1:00-7:00 PM at the same location.
WHAT: Public meeting of the CRC Rules and Administration Committee
WHEN: Tuesday, March 13 from 12:00-1:00 PM
WHERE: University of South Florida St. Petersburg, University Student Center, 200 6th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
