a short-term time segment, so I chose stocks based on their performance in the next few months instead of the long term,” explains Harper. Students started their portfolios with $100,000 each and had to follow Regulation T, the Federal Reserve Board rule designating a 50-percent margin requirement on initial stock purchases. They were then free to trade in any of the seven industry sectors: Basic Materials, Capital Goods/ Industrials, Consumer, Energy, Financial Institutions, Health Care, Technology, and Media and Telecommunications. To determine the overall ranking, analytical data was compiled on six investment factors: net benchmark out-performance, volatility, balance sheet impact, net exposure impact, long alpha and short alpha. —Janie Graziani
A few years ago, the AT&T Foundation gave Stetson University’s chemistry department a grant to fund the development of a new online learning resource for introductory chemistry. One of the big successes of that project was the development of an online game called Mahjong Chem. And just last year, the chemistry department hosted its Third Annual Mahjong Chemistry Tournament. “I don’t have any plans to make a version available for purchase,” says William “Tandy” Grubbs, Ph.D., chemistry professor and chair. “One of the main reasons that the game has been such a big hit in the science education community is because it is free. My father was fond of reminding me ‘you get what you pay for.’ “I finally proved him wrong.” Since its release in fall 2010, new developments of the game now include free app versions for the Android and Apple phones and tablets. However, the online computer version, according to Google Analytics, has been accessed by more than 150,000 users from 178 different countries (including all states and territories in the United States) and is still being used worldwide. To play the game, go to www2.stetson.edu/ mahjongchem. Android app downloads total about 5,000 while Apple app downloads total about 50,000. “The iPhone and iPad numbers are pretty impressive,” says Grubbs. With its tremendous popularity, the idea of promoting Mahjong Chem internationally was long overdue. During the past six months, Grubbs worked with Luciano Violante, a chemistry major at Stetson, as well as a collaborator in Brazil, to create translated versions of the game. Languages include Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. — Kim Charles
Photo by David Hansen
Business Professor K.C. Ma (standing at right) and his Roland George team win again.
Mahjong Chem Goes Viral
Classical guitarist Stephen Robinson celebrates 30 years at Stetson. His new CD is titled Imagine.
Robinson Celebrates 30 Years For everything that worldrenowned classical guitarist Stephen Robinson has accomplished — and that list is quite impressive — teaching for 30 years at Stetson certainly is a feather in his cap. But he might say his greatest joy in life was marrying a true partner, Patrece, who shares his busy life that includes four sons, a recording career, guest lecturing, hosting workshops, teaching at Stetson, and performing at numerous concerts around the globe. A New York native, Robinson began playing guitar when his parents took him to pick out an instrument for his ninth birthday. “This was a time in history when the Beatles were emerging in America, and everything related to guitars and rock was very cool,” Robinson explains. “But in college, a friend of mine took me to a classical guitar concert,” he adds. “From that point on, I changed my focus on the guitar from rock to classical performance.” Robinson went on to do graduate study at Yale University and returned to FSU, where he and Patrece earned master’s degrees. He earned the first-ever doctorate in guitar performance from FSU as well. Robinson founded the guitar program at Stetson in 1983, his inaugural year on campus. Over the years, he has accumu-
lated many awards, including two National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalists Awards, a National Endowment for the Arts Recording Award, a Fulbright Fellowship for Performance and Research in Canada, and two Stetson Hand Awards for Excellence in Research and Creativity. He received the first Hand Award for his outstanding work with children and seniors, and the second for his unparalleled performances and recordings. Even with all the accolades, the Robinsons remain grounded. “The most important thing to both of us is family and maintaining balance with everything we juggle,” he says. “As a professor, I strive to teach not only music but life skills — much like a parent. The best lesson many of my students tell me I’ve given them is understanding how to ‘do it all’ and be successful.” “What his students admire most is the balance with performing and teaching at such an incredibly high level,” explains Patrece. “This is evident in the quality of students he’s taught and the fact that they are still in contact with him over his 30 years at Stetson. That’s his legacy.” “When I look at what I do, it’s a privilege,” Robinson points out. “I get to go to college and work with talented students every day. I get to practice guitar every day. I married my best friend, and we enjoy working together every day. I am a very lucky guy!” —Trish Wieland STETSON
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