Pegasus Magazine Spring 2015

The Magazine of the University of Central Florida

Homeless in College What can be done to help this invisible population?

SPRING 2015

On Oct. 24, UCF’s first Homecoming fireworks show lit up the night sky over Memory Mall. The 10-minute, 348-shot display was choreographed to music by Taylor Swift, Journey, Avicii, Icona Pop and Knights fans’ favorite — Zombie Nation’s “Kernkraft 400.”

Hello, UCF.

P E G A S U S shines a light on our C H A R AC T E R S ,

AC CO M P L I S H M E N T S and P E R F O R M A N C E S

to I N S P I R E the H E A RT S

of all

KNIGHTS.

READ ON.

VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 3 • SPRING 2015

PEGASUS

MAILBOX

PUBLISHER University of Central Florida CREATIVE DIRECTOR Patrick Burt, ’08 MANAGING EDITOR Michelle Fuentes ART DIRECTORS Lauren Haar, ’06 Steve Webb EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Eric Michael, ’96 COPY EDITOR Peg Martin PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Chen Steven Diaz Jessica Keller Bernard Wilchusky PRODUCTION MANAGER Sandy Pouliot ONLINE PRODUCER Roger Wolf, ’07 WEB PROGRAMMERS Jim Barnes RJ Bruneel, ’97 Jo Dickson, ’10 Brandon Groves, ’07

IMAGE COURTESY OF KAREN GEARHART, ’92

I AM A SEVENTH-GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER whose students just completed building a prosthetic arm. They used simple materials (paper towel rolls, string, wooden dowels, paper clips, etc.), and the results were impressive! Before the students constructed their model, they studied the muscular and skeletal systems and developed a research plan. One of the articles my students studied was “Kid-Approved” from the Fall 2014 issue of Pegasus. I was very proud to share the article highlighting the work of UCF alumni!

Karen Gearhart, ’92

UPDATE: “KID-APPROVED” Since we brought you the story of 6-yearold Alex Pring and his $350 3-D printed prosthetic arm created by a group of UCF volunteers, the Limbitless Solutions team

I JUST FINISHED READING THE FALL 2014 PEGASUS and wanted

to tell you all that your magazine is absolutely wonderful and insightful.

I am very proud to be an alumnus of a school that puts education first with its athletes. The story of the boy with the prosthetic arm was very inspiring.

Jack Schryer, ’75

has received requests for assistance from more than 20 countries. Through email and Skype, team members have consulted on dozens of cases and designed custom prostheses for three children in need, including a 6-year-old Lynchburg, Virginia, girl to whom they delivered a new hand just in time for Thanksgiving. As for Alex, the first-grader received an amazing Christmas gift from the team — an updated arm with

WHAT A THRILL IT IS to learn about the many ways that UCF

students and alumni are influencing our world. I especially enjoyed the articles “Kid-Approved,” “Culture Shift” and “Pegasus Unleashed.”

I am a proud alumnus and have a Pegasus tattoo based upon the UCF seal, so it was great to read about the origins of our beautiful and inspiring seal.

Clarice Evans, ’96

Solutions, visit limbitless-solutions.org.

Opinions expressed in Pegasus are not necessarily those shared by the University of Central Florida.

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Email

PEGASUS ADVISORY BOARD Barb Abney, ’03 Chad Binette, ’06 Anne Botteri Richard Brunson, ’84 Cristina Calvet-Harrold, ’01 Jeff Garner, ’89 John Gill, ’86 Michael Griffin, ’84 Mike Hinn, ’92 Zack Lassiter Gerald McGratty Jr., ’71 Michael O’Shaughnessy, ’81 Karl Sooder Dan Ward, ’92

Mailbox Submissions

Emails to the editor should be sent with the writer’s name, graduation year, address and daytime phone number to pegasus@ucf.edu.

a working elbow. For more on Limbitless

Pegasus is published by UCF Marketing in partnership with the UCF Foundation, Inc. and the UCF Alumni Association.

CONTRIBUTORS Jim Abbott Joe Adams Brian Boesch Kjerstin Dillon Regan Dunnick Susan Frith Terry Helms Peter Kerasotis Geoff Levy, ’13 Angie Lewis, ’03 Roger Moore Masumi Palhof Roger Pynn, ’73 Melvin Rogers Matt Saunders Terry Ann Thaxton A. Dale Whittaker

pegasus@ucf.edu

Mail UCF Marketing P.O. Box 160090 Orlando, FL 32816-0090 Phone 407.882.1247

©2015 University of Central Florida. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Pegasus is a registered trademark of the UCF Alumni Association.

Cert no. SW-COC-002556

Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium. Due to volume, we regret that we cannot reply to every letter.

Moved recently? Changed your email address?

Update your contact information: ucfalumni.com/contactupdates

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CONTENTS In Focus Sonic Branding On Campus Briefs “Trouble in Paradise” Investing in Faculty Charged Up Bench Strength Invisible Struggles On the Road Showtime AlumKnights Remembering President Colbourn Back in the Day

6 12 13 14 16 17 18 20 24 28 30 36 45 46

UCF dancers, musicians, actors and artists will take over the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando for six days of free entertainment, education and exhibits during UCF Celebrates the Arts, April 10–15.

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PE GASUS MAGAZI N E

IN FOCUS

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FOCUSED ON VICTORY The UCF volleyball team clinched the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship with a winning record of 25-8. Other conference honors went to senior DeLaina Sarden, who was voted Player of the Year, and head coach Todd Dagenais, who was named Coach of the Year. In addition, the American Volleyball Coaches Association named Sarden, Kaye-Alese Green, ’13, and sophomore Kia Bright Honorable Mention All-Americans.

“I’m proud of our players for not cutting corners.

They did everything they could to build a championship culture, then fully seized the chance to make history when the opportunity presented itself.”

—T odd Dagenais, UCF volleyball head coach Redshirt senior Kaye-Alese Green lines up a spike during the Knights’ 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats Nov. 26 at The Venue at UCF. Green, who is working toward a master’s degree in applied learning and instruction, was awarded UCF’s highest student honor, Order of Pegasus, in 2014.

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PE GASUS MAGAZI N E

INSIDER’S VIEW Rising high above the campus landscape, the UCF water tower has been a university icon since the 1960s. The elevated tank — a Horton Waterspheroid manufactured by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company — employs gravity to create enough pressure to transport potable water to buildings, fire hydrants and fire suppression systems across the 1,415-acre property. Rather than using expensive, high-powered pumps, this system significantly reduces the cost and amount of energy required to distribute water.

BUILT

1967 HEIGHT

120 feet DIAMETER

37 feet CAPACITY

200,000 gallons WEIGHT OF WATER IN FULL TANK

1.7 million pounds

During a routine inspection and refurbishment, workers climbed inside and to the top of the tower and gained these rare perspectives of the UCF landmark.

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IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS

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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT On Jan. 13, the UCF Downtown Community Outreach Team toured the Parramore Heritage Community, an Orlando neighborhood adjacent to UCF’s planned downtown campus.

The group of faculty, staff and community leaders discussed how UCF can work with the community by developing partnerships with schools, businesses and civic organizations.

“I believe that everyone went home with a renewed awareness of why building a community-university partnership that truly strengthens the community, and creates opportunities for its young people and their families, is such a critical component of UCF Downtown.”

— Michael Frumkin, dean of the College of Health and Public Affairs

Clockwise from top left: A UCF bus transported the team to key locations, including Jones High School, where a panel of seniors shared their aspirations to attend college; the Parramore Community Garden, where volunteers grow and share organic produce; the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture, which displays artifacts celebrating the area’s rich heritage; and Sunlite Grocery, where Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill explained a city program that encourages the store’s owners to provide fresh fruits and vegetables.

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S OUN D INFLUENC E

SONIC BRANDING

PHOTO BY GEOFF LEVY ’13

How brands use sound to convince us to buy.

For Tyler Gray, ’97, co-author of The Sonic Boom: How Sound Transforms the Way We Think, Feel, and Buy, much of what we hear every day holds hidden meaning.

W

hen you hear the phrase “sizzling fajitas,” what restaurant comes to mind?

The answer is Chili’s, and that’s not by accident.

Others may have invented the popular Tex-Mex dish, but the casual dining restaurant chain became famous for it — simply because of its sound.

“Larry Levin had the idea to do a version of sizzling fajitas,” says Tyler Gray, ’97, author of The Sonic Boom: How Sound Transforms the Way We Think, Feel, and Buy, which he co-wrote with sound consultant Joel Beckerman. Fajitas became a hit, and Chili’s — Levin’s Dallas restaurant — went national. “In their first-ever commercial, [Levin] put the sound of the sizzling fajitas in. Now they sell millions of pounds of fajita meat a year. Fajitas are all about sound.”

A company’s sound can be as important to its brand identity as its logo or latest ad campaign, according to Gray, who runs the creative newsroom at PR giant Edelman, and Beckerman, whose Man Made Music company teaches businesses such as AT&T about sonic branding. Savvy companies

understand the significance of sound, which is why Harley-Davidson spent the 1990s trying to copyright the distinct rumble of its motorcycles, and why others create what Gray describes as “sweeping brand anthems” that are incorporated into everything from power-on tones to commercial jingles. And whether we realize it or not, sound can influence what we consume and how we feel about a product.

Sonic Boom is full of examples of sound-related successes and failures. In 2007, Ford Motor Company was about to release a new Mustang in tribute to the one Steve McQueen drove in the 1968 movie “Bullitt.” Ford executives realized that the muscle car lacked the throaty exhaust note of McQueen’s car, and subsequently, engineers went back to the drawing board.

“We talked to a guy at Ford … whose title is Mustang noise and vibration engineer,” Gray says.

“His whole job is to tune the sound of the exhaust for Ford Mustangs.” Similar automotive engineers make sure a Mercedes door sounds like luxury when it closes.

Some companies, including Apple, go as far as employing neuroscientists to design the distinct start-up sounds their computers and smartphones make. We may not notice, but these sounds influence our purchases, says Gray.

Sounds can also influence our behavior, explains Gray. Supermarkets “play music to move you through the experience faster,” he says.

“Restaurants play upbeat music because they want you to hurry up and finish so they can seat the table again.”

But in case all of this makes you feel paranoid, Gray says that being aware is the first step in resisting the subtle tactic. “The good thing is that you don’t have to actually fight the power,” he explains. “If sound makes you feel positive [about commercials, products, shopping or dining environments], you should think about what part of that message — their story — you liked.” And maybe, he says, you should wonder, “Is it the whole story?”

Your Sounds May Be Giving the Wrong Impression The subtle sounds we create in our everyday lives can have unintended consequences.

FASHION POLICE: The clothes you wear, especially shoes, often send messages through sound. You may think that wearing hard-soled shoes emulates the determined thunk of an executive walking, but they could also be a distraction to your colleagues.

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VOICE LESSONS: Vocal fry, the low throaty vibration made famous by the Kardashians, can have a negative effect on speakers, especially women.

And uptalking, an upward inflection that makes statements sound like questions, can make you sound unsure of yourself.

SMARTPHONE ETIQUETTE: Using personalized ringtones or quirky sound prompts can be personally entertaining, but consider how those around you might take them out of context to form unwarranted negative opinions.

JA N .

JA N .

17

Students from Volunteer UCF help young Scots-in-training toss kid-size cabers at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games.

12

In the new College of Engineering and Computer Science Idea Lab, a film crew from Microsoft interviews Limbitless Solutions team members for a documentary about the prostheses they design for children in need.

FEB.

JA N .

13

The Gala of the Royal Horses features acts of equine grace and athleticism at the CFE Arena.

30

Knights demonstrate physics in action by smashing cinder blocks over two volunteers on a bed of nails during STEM Day, a universitywide event that invited over 1,000 K–12 students for lab tours, hands-on exhibits and more.

PE GASUS MAGAZI N E Approximately 1,415,040 feet

Briefs Air Time

It took just 15 minutes for Alan Eustace, ’79, to skydive from the edge of space and into the record book for the highest free-fall

Terabits per Second

parachute jump. In October, Google’s senior vice president of knowledge was

Researchers at UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics and their partners at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed a new type of fiber optic cable that enables a record-breaking data transmission of 255 terabits per second. That’s approximately 21 percent more bandwidth than current communication networks allow.

tethered to a helium-filled balloon at a remote airstrip in Roswell, New Mexico.

He floated to a height of 135,890 feet before plunging back to Earth in a specially designed space suit at speeds topping 822 miles per hour, generating a sonic boom.

135,890 feet 128,100 feet

Season’s Givings

102,800 feet

In December, 20 colleges, departments and registered student organizations throughout UCF contributed 900 toys to the annual Toys for Tots charity effort.

37,000 feet 29,029 feet

1,776 feet

2,722 feet

1 World Trade Center, New York

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

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Mount Everest

30,000 feet

Cruising altitude of commercial jet

Highest 1960 record 2012 record recorded free-fall free-fall flying bird, parachute jump parachute Rüppell’s

by Joseph jump by Felix vulture Kittinger Baumgartner

2014 record free-fall parachute jump by Alan Eustace

Altitude of International Space Station

IMAGE COURTESY OF PARAGON SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CAN YOU EMAIL ME THAT WRENCH? In December, Mike Chen, chief strategy officer of Made in Space — a company co-founded by Jason Dunn, ’07 (see Pegasus Spring 2014) — overheard International Space Station Commander Barry Wilmore express the need for a specialized ratcheting wrench during a radio communication.

In response, Made in Space emailed design instructions to their onboard zero-gravity 3-D printer, which printed the wrench in four hours. It was one of 20 objects built by the 3-D printer on its maiden voyage aboard the station.

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Maya Come to Life A life-size diorama immerses visitors in an ancient tomb discovered by UCF archaeologists Diane and Arlen Chase at “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed,” a traveling exhibit currently showing at Boston’s Museum of Science. The recreation of the tomb of the Great Scrolled Skull at Santa Rita Corozal in Belize is designed to look exactly like it did when the husband-and-wife team first opened it, and includes artifacts such as an intricate jade, shell and obsidian mask that the ruler likely wore as an ornament on his belt or necklace. Another exhibit features a 3-D map of the Maya city of Caracol, which the Chases created using laser remote sensing technology to discover ancient agricultural terraces, roads and structures covered by thick jungle.

The exhibit, which runs in Boston through May 3, continues at the San Diego Natural History Museum, June 12 to Jan. 3, 2016.

IMAGE COURTESY OF SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

TOP HONOR

21st-century Library

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized UCF as one of 25 public universities in the U.S. to receive its highest award for community engagement and research activity. The designation recognizes UCF students, faculty and staff for service to the community.

“These are campuses that are improving teaching and learning, producing research that makes a difference in communities, and revitalizing their civic and academic missions.”

— John Saltmarsh, Carnegie Foundation partner and director of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education

Emmy Knights

A team from UCF won the 2014 Suncoast Emmy Award for best historical documentary for “The Committee.” The film explores the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee’s persecution of gays and lesbians in the 1950s and ’60s. It was co-directed by associate professor of film Lisa Mills, ’99, and associate professor of history Robert Cassanello, and edited by Aaron Hose, ’03, from the Center for Distributed Learning.

A plan to improve the John C. Hitt Library will help students, faculty and alumni benefit from updated technology. Housed in a fourstory addition to the north side of the building, the automated retrieval center will offer fast access to 1.2 million print volumes via a mechanical system that delivers books in minutes. Preliminary construction is scheduled to begin this year.

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A FOUR-ACT P LAY

Faculty Trouble in Paradise

A poem by Terry Ann Thaxton, associate professor of creative writing I. Open Curtain

III. The Dance

There’s nothing to say about her. She stains my garden with an unlived story, glides from a past to our present; her words hide beneath leaves. I am jealous. But I’ll hang

From our second story bedroom, the brown world is a letter to not throw away, and he is the warbler ready for play — I’ll be the wren hoping that my new sound

on like the sun in the summer solstice, like saw palmetto buried in the woods — a woodpecker that clings to the hollow

will last beyond the boardwalk over scrub and beyond the pine trees that ache to crawl toward the sky. I could become a dirt road,

tree. Can’t he see that she is a temptress instead of an ancient and cherished book?

She’s a room filled with poems I’ll never know.

or an emerald fish in an open tub, or lie beneath the wild camphor tree. I’ll dance with him. Hold hands, even when we’re old.

II. The Setting in the Trees

IV. Final Scene

She’ll never be part of a saw palmetto that cannot, with twenty shovels, be budged nor has she stood with him at dusk on mud flats, watching geese that left behind the snow.

leaves of red, its white stamen, will have lulled the pine tree to remain with us, but still the gardenia never blossomed. To kill it, I mixed its dirt with women who called

He brought back to me a soft roseate spoonbill feather from the marsh, a bouquet of weeds from the roadside of his hometown.

and I threw them out. I am the one in charge of this garden. Here were tears, oak trees fell and some flowers died. There will be no more

We found a box, and in it, clothes that fit us, we dipped our fingers into red paint, we were no longer pots turned upside down.

to say about intruders to our yard.

We’ll enclose the back porch. The only bell: woodpeckers tapping words on our front door.

These blinds are always open. In their veins Florida is filled with grass like a tiled green journal dotted with moss and pine needles that have fallen during the rains.

ILLUSTRATION BY MATT SAUNDERS

There’s a room filled with poems she’ll never know: Florida polished green, its vines and shrubs, burgundy toenails that I use to grab his back on our bed. Birds out the windows.

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There was no need to turn pots upside down; instead at my window, I watched, each day an oak grow, then lean, still holding blue jays, and moss winked at a mating pair of owls.

I’ll dance, hold his hand, even when we’re old waiting in line at the store to buy cookies and milk.

The arbor we built years before will be rotting. The bougainvillea, its bold

From The Terrible Wife, copyright ©2013 Terry Ann Thaxton. Reprinted by permission of Salt Publishing.

Terry Ann Thaxton is an associate professor and the director of the M.F.A. in creative writing program in the Department of English. This poem appears in The Terrible Wife, which was awarded the 2013 Florida Book Award in Poetry bronze medal. Her first book of poems, Getaway Girl, won the 18th Annual Frederick Morgan Poetry Prize in 2011. She has also written a textbook, Creative Writing in the Community: A Guide.

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Investing in Faculty A great university is built by great faculty. In just more than 50 years, we’ve grown to become the nation’s second-largest university, with researchers and professors whose impact reaches far beyond our Orlando backyard.

BY A. DALE WHITTAKER, PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Our faculty touch countless lives, nurturing future leaders and thinkers in everything from engineering and health sciences to education and digital arts.

And now we have an unprecedented opportunity to build on our strengths by hiring 200 faculty members to join us by Fall 2015.

We’re excited to be hiring research, teaching and clinical faculty in each of our 12 colleges and in more than 60 departments across campus.

Of UCF’s 200 faculty hires, 100 positions will replace departing or retiring faculty members. The other 100 hires are new faculty positions — almost all tenure or tenure-earning — made possible by state performance funding awarded to UCF in part because of our high graduation rate, admissions standards and graduates’ success in landing high-paying jobs.

The new positions will address areas where UCF has experienced high-enrollment growth over the past decade, including the rapidly growing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. UCF awarded nearly 2,000 undergraduate degrees in STEM fields last year — the second-largest number in the State University System of Florida.

We expect to hire another 100 faculty members for the 2016–17 academic year, contingent upon additional state performance funding.

These new faculty members will help enhance the university’s areas of strategic emphasis, such as emerging media, big data and sensor networks. They may help us lead newly created faculty clusters — interdisciplinary teams of faculty members that we are developing to research and teach issues of local, national and international relevance. Similar faculty clusters at other leading research institutions are exploring topics such as biophotonics and digital humanities.

Bringing in new faculty members means exposing students to new academic opportunities, new ways of learning and different lived experiences. It’s part of becoming more inclusive and diverse — one of President Hitt’s five goals — because diversity among our faculty, as much as among our students, enhances excellence in everything we do.

Ultimately, each new faculty member will join us to help shape the next 50 years, making an even greater impact on our students and community.

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DISCOVERIES IN P R OG R ESS

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS Lithium ion batteries take up a lot of space in cellphones, tablets, etc. Replacing the heavy power source with wires allows for lighter, thinner designs.

WIRED FABRIC Flexible battery wires could be woven into garments and accessories, enabling electronic devices to be charged with clothes, backpacks and handbags.

CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE One of the most limiting factors of renewable energy methods is the expense. This type of wire could make home solar systems far more affordable.

A UCF nanotech researcher and his team have developed an innovative supercapacitor that could change electronics forever.

Copper wires power our lives. The simple electricity-transferring cables, used since the 1820s, bring energy into our homes, connect our telecommunications and make our electronic devices work. And now assistant professor Jayan Thomas of the NanoScience Technology Center has found a way to improve a regular copper wire and transform it into a supercapacitor cable. “This device can change the way we power the world,� says Thomas.

ELECTRIC CARS By substituting large, heavy, expensive batteries with supercapacitor cables, electric cars could become lighter, roomier and more affordable.

MASS TRANSIT Since supercapacitors are key to electric buses, trains and airplanes, the cable device could replace heavy, expensive components that power vehicles, making them more economical.

SPACE TRAVEL By saving weight and enhancing performance, supercapacitor cable technology could play an important role in making travel to Mars and beyond a reality.

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WHY NANOWHISKERS? “As you enhance the surface area, it can store a lot of energy. So we converted the outside surface of that copper wire into an energy-storing device.”

— Jayan Thomas, NanoScience Technology Center

Growing nanowhiskers on a 1-centimeter cube can increase its surface area to that of a soccer field.

HOW BIG IS A NANOWHISKER? The average size of the copper oxide nanowhisker is 15 micrometers (15 millionths of a meter) in length and 100 nanometers (100 billionths of a meter) in diameter.

The diameter of a copper oxide nanowhisker is 1,000 times smaller than the average human hair.

COVER

To protect and shield the coaxial cable, a layer of insulation is added.

OUTER ELECTRODE

SEPARATOR

NANOWHISKERS

WIRE CORE

At the core of the coaxial cable, a copper wire conducts electric current from one point to another.

By heating the copper wire to 500 C, nanoscopic copper oxide “whiskers” are grown on the exterior, increasing the surface area, insulating the wire and preventing the loss of transferring electricity.

NANOWHISKER COATING

Since copper oxide does not conduct electricity, a conductive coating of a metal and a thin layer of manganese dioxide are added to the nanowhiskers, allowing them to hold a positive charge.

Porous plastic is wrapped around the core wire and coated with an electrolyte gel that acts as glue and allows ions to transfer between layers.

A second layer of nanowhiskers is grown on copper foil that is coated with the electrolyte glue and wrapped around the separator. These outside whiskers hold a negative charge, and the combined sets of whiskers complete the electrical circuit.

BATTERIES VS. SUPERCAPACITORS Thomas’ device holds the potential to bridge the gap between batteries and supercapacitors.

While both devices are designed to hold an electric charge, the way the power is stored and dispersed differs greatly.

BATTERY • Provides a low amount of power • Delivers low levels of energy over a long period • Offers limited recharging capability

SUPERCAPACITOR • Provides a large amount of power • Delivers a large burst of energy in a short period • Offers greater recharging capability

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN BOESCH

Brendan Suhr, director of program development, UCF men’s basketball

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BENCH STRENGTH With a pair of NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal, why is Brendan Suhr coaching at UCF?

B

rendan Suhr opens his desk drawer and begins rummaging.

“What is my job title?” he asks rhetorically. He finally finds a business card and reads, “Director of Program Development.” Suhr smiles.

At age 63, he’s beyond worrying about titles or courting the spotlight.

Not that he’s ever been concerned with such things — ask his boss. “He coaches coaches,” says Donnie Jones, UCF’s head basketball coach. “He’s a servant-leader. What I mean by that is that Brendan Suhr has the power to lead from behind. And he’s been like that everywhere he’s [worked].”

In the basketball world, Suhr seemingly has worked everywhere.

Yet even with his decorated and diverse background in the sport, he’d rather be at UCF than anywhere else.

“People sometimes ask me, ‘Why are you doing this?’” he says. “I’m honored to do this. Sure, I could be on an NBA staff. ... I’m here because I want to be here.”

Suhr (pronounced “sir”) has been a key participant in some of the most prominent basketball moments of the past few decades. He was Chuck Daly’s assistant throughout the Hall of Famer’s coaching career, which includes back-to-back NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. Suhr also was the head scout who put together the USA’s gold-medal winning “Dream Team” for the 1992 Summer Olympics — a team that included

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird — which has been called the greatest assemblage of talent in any sport in history. In addition to the Pistons, he’s coached for the Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic. He’s also been a head coach, general manager and owner in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

So how did Suhr’s path lead to UCF? Friendship.

Pick some prominent names in the coaching ranks — NCAA or NBA

“Here is a guy who could be sitting on any NBA bench in the country. This is a guy who knows what it takes to win a championship at the highest level. Having him here, and having him as a mentor, is priceless.”

— and Suhr likely has a relationship with them. One of those coaches is the University of Florida’s Billy Donovan.

When Suhr was an assistant coach with the Magic in the late ’90s, he’d occasionally visit Donovan.

“Brendan is one of the best coach-teachers I’ve ever been around,” says Donovan, who has won two national championships at UF. “He makes you think about how you want to [coach]. … It’s an incredible gift, because if the decisions you make are not authentic … it’s not going to come across well.”

One of Donovan’s assistants at the time was a young coach named Donnie Jones. “The first time I met him, I was in awe,” says Jones. “I knew who he was, and I was intimidated.

He’d come up to talk ball with Billy, and I just wanted to sit and listen. But Brendan is so approachable. … Here he was, this guy with such a great résumé, making me feel like I was important.”

Jones and Suhr became friends, and Jones often consulted Suhr for advice, especially after becoming Marshall University’s head coach in 2007. And three years later when UCF courted Jones to take over its program, he again turned to Suhr for input. “It was a tough decision to leave Marshall and come here,” Jones admits. “I remember talking to Brendan, and he had a great vision of what this job could be. He knew what a wonderful city Orlando is and the impact of it

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T H E COACHES’ COAC H

being an NBA city. He had a big vision for UCF. And let me tell you, it’s been everything he said it would be and more.”

After Suhr sold Jones on UCF, Jones had to sell Suhr on something — joining him. Suhr was overseeing two companies at the time, and though they dominated a good chunk of his energy, Jones’ offer was impossible to refuse.

“It’s not too often in life that you get to work with your best friend,” Suhr says. “Every day we learn something new basketball-wise and life-wise. We’ve created a culture of getting better.”

In three of their first four seasons together, UCF won 20 or more games.

Suhr mostly stays behind the scenes.

“I try to help all the coaches on the staff,” he explains. “I help them in their development as coaches, in their personal development. I’m a sounding board, an adviser.”

Offseason, Suhr focuses on speaking and consulting as the founder and president of Off the Court, while also working with motivational speaker Kevin Eastman.

He and Eastman created Coaching U LIVE, which offers development in leadership and all other aspects of the coaching profession.

“It’s not too often in life that you get to work with your best friend. Every day we learn something new basketball-wise and life-wise. We’ve created a culture of getting better.”

22 | SPRING 2015

“The best coaches can change lives,” says Suhr. “You’re not teaching basketball; you’re teaching leadership.

That thought struck me about 10 years ago — it was an epiphany.

With what I do, and especially with Coaching U, I have the ability to change thousands of people’s lives through coaching.”

Jones still can’t believe his good fortune.

“Here is a guy who could be sitting on any NBA bench in the country,” he says. “This is a guy who knows what it takes to win a championship at the highest level. Having him here, and having him as a mentor, is priceless. Brendan gets such a sense of self-satisfaction from helping other people, and he doesn’t care who gets the credit.”

Jones pauses at that last statement.

“Actually, he does care,” he adds. “He gets great joy in seeing other people succeed while he remains in the background.”

Others have benefited from Suhr’s generosity as well. If not for Suhr, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers might never have gone into coaching. “I drafted Doc Rivers to the Atlanta Hawks in 1983,” Suhr remembers. “He was the 31st pick out of Marquette. We gave him a two-year contract; he ended up playing 13 years in the NBA.” When Rivers’ playing career ended, he transitioned into broadcasting.

Suhr, however, thought he was better suited elsewhere. “I told him that I thought he’d be a terrific coach,” he says.

Rivers wasn’t interested. Undeterred, Suhr invited Rivers to try working for a few days with his CBA team in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rivers accepted and had a change of heart. Since then, he’s expressed on several occasions that “when I was playing, I didn’t think I’d find anything I’d enjoy more, but I found it.”

Few people know this backstory about Rivers, who now has an NBA championship under his coaching belt, and Suhr is fine with that. He’s

“The best coaches can change lives.

You’re not teaching basketball; you’re teaching leadership.” quick to deflect any credit, saying instead, “We’re so lucky to have someone like Doc Rivers in coaching.

I’m so proud of him.”

And Rivers is just one in a long list of NBA legends he has influenced.

Suhr coached in two NBA All-Star Games while also helping to develop league luminaries such as Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Dominique Wilkins, Penny Hardaway and Kenny Anderson. A defensive mastermind, he helped develop the infamous “Jordan Rules,” a strategy used to counter the offensive prowess of Michael Jordan.

His friendship with Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is especially tight.

Thomas once said this about Suhr’s pro coaching credentials: “Brendan is definitely a guy who’s been in the fire.

He’s coached in championship games, and he’s been a part of organizations from startups to completion. So he understands how to roll up your sleeves and get dirty.

“I guess the most important thing is that he understands how to respond to being down. This is a league where you’re going to be down, but you’re going to have to have the resiliency to respond and come back. Brendan understands that and is capable of doing that. He’s an extremely hard worker, and his X and O knowledge is beyond question.”

It almost sounds like a job evaluation, but it falls short. How do you quantify an impact on a person’s life? How do you put something like that into words — much less on a business card?

SUHR’S ALL-TIME STARTING 5 Of all the superstars Suhr has coached, these five stand out.

1. Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons: “Inch for inch, pound for pound, Isiah is the best player I’ve ever seen. He was extremely competitive, had a genius basketball IQ, and he was a consummate leader. … When you look at the other best players of his era — Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan — he beat every one of them in a playoff series, and with a lesser team, many times.”

2. Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks: “[Dominique is] the human highlight film, the most exciting player I ever coached. He was the best dunkerfinisher I ever had in the NBA. … At his peak, Dominique and Jordan were on par. When they faced off against each other, it provided some of the most memorable plays I’ve ever seen.

He and Michael propelled the use of the dunk in the NBA and made them ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ highlights.”

3. Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons: “He was the best rebounder — offensively and defensively — I’ve ever seen, as well as the best defender.

And he came from nowhere, going from a second-round pick to a Hall of Famer. He was one of my favorite guys ever to coach — such a unique personality with a genius basketball intelligence. And the big thing about Dennis was that his will to win was unsurpassed.”

4. Derrick Coleman, New Jersey Nets: “Derrick was the prototypical power forward, 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, with an outstanding inside and outside game. … As a great power forward, Derrick was right there with Karl Malone and Charles Barkley.”

5. Bill Laimbeer, Detroit Pistons: “A really unique player — a 6-foot-10 physical center with a 3-point shot.

His will to win, his intelligence and his competitiveness separated him from the rest of the pack. And he was one of the best teammates I ever had on a team. Everyone in the league hated Bill Laimbeer, but when you coached him he was one of your favorite players.”

H OMELESS IN CO L L EG E

Homeless college students hide in plain sight.

I

n Spring 2012, sophomore Shanequa Bernard stood on the Theatre UCF stage

sporting a long skirt, mustardgold blouse and a mood as jaunty as the beat playing in the background: “Gettin’, Gettin’, Gettin’, Ready Rag” The cast of men and women took turns dancing and catcalling as they urged a Harlem musician to follow his heart and dreams: “You gotta find your girl, Coalhouse/ And win her back!”

24 | SPRING 2015

“That was one of the best times of my life,” Bernard recalls now. The Bright Futures scholar was an ‘A’ student with a double major in theatre and legal studies and had won a role in the university production of “Ragtime.”

The high point was a long climb from her senior year of high school in Ellenton, Florida, where Bernard’s family became homeless after her mother lost her job. They moved from hotels to relatives’ homes; stability was lacking, and college represented a way out of that desperate situation.

“I thought, ‘I’m doing exactly what I want to do with my life. I finally made it to college, and from here on everything is going to be wonderful.’ ” Then the lights dimmed.

A year later, Bernard was struggling to play the role of a successful college student. She’d lost some financial aid, and her expenses piled up. Soon she couldn’t make rent. So she packed her belongings in two zebra-print suitcases and moved from student housing to a cheaper apartment she shared with three roommates. When she could no longer afford that, she slept on friends’ couches. “I’d go to school every day with a smile on my face while I wondered where I was going to sleep at night,” she remembers.

Fighting to manage the demands of school, a part-time retail job and her uncertain housing situation, Bernard stopped participating in theater and other activities. She considered dropping out of school altogether. But another voice told her to keep going, that nothing — not even homelessness — would prevent her from earning her degree. “Because you’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your family,” she says.

Bernard wasn’t alone. An estimated 58,000 college students across the nation (and about 3,500 in Florida) reported being homeless in 2013 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Determined to improve their lives through higher education, they slept in cars or shelters, camped in the woods, couch surfed or sought shelter in darkened campus buildings. Determining accurate statistics on homelessness is difficult, but at UCF, advocates are working to document this invisible population so the university can find ways to better serve those facing a financial crisis.

“I’d go to school every day with a smile on my face while I wondered where I was going to sleep at night.”

H OMELESS IN CO L L EG E

“There is a lot of shame associated with being homeless, and students try to hide it if they can.”

Seeing a Hidden Problem Homelessness among college students has existed almost undetected for years, according to UCF experts. “[Homeless students] blend in with other college students; they’re all wearing jeans and T-shirts,” says Amy Donley, assistant professor of sociology. “There is a lot of shame associated with being homeless, and students try to hide it if they can.”

When Donley learned that one of her former students had lived in the woods while taking her courses, she was disturbed. “My students know I study homelessness, and [that student’s situation] was never brought up,” she says. “When students do disclose, it is typically because their grades are suffering and they feel like they have to explain their situation.”

“People don’t realize how prevalent it is,” says biology instructor Pam Thomas. Through gentle inquiry, she has discovered at least a dozen students in her classes who’ve faced homelessness over the past three years. “Sometimes they come into my office to talk about their grades, but they just look like they’ve seen a ghost.”

Homelessness can strike college students at any time and for a variety of reasons: Financial aid is delayed.

A poor choice is made. A car breaks down. A parent gets sick. Sometimes a door has been shut.

“A very large subset of youth have been kicked out [of their homes],” says Barbara Duffield, director of policy and programs for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). “They have no relationship with their parents and can’t get the information [they need] to apply for financial aid.

“Most are students who have had very challenging lives and yet see education and college as the way out,” Duffield says. “And that’s really the marvel, the miracle and hope in all that. The kind of persistence and tenacity [they show] to really keep going despite all the obstacles.”

“People assume if you have enough money to afford tuition, you should have enough money to afford housing and all the associated costs,” says Lauren Cantrell, UCF’s first homeless student resource liaison for AmeriCorps VISTA. “That is just not the case. Many [students] are coming from a background without the lifeskills training, parental support or monetary resources they need.”

To measure the extent of the problem, Cantrell, a graduate student in the College of Health and Public Affairs, is working with Donley to survey at least 500 UCF students about their experiences and knowledge of homelessness on campus. She is also creating community resource guides for all UCF campuses and an interactive online map to help students locate the closest shelters.

Though some universities have created programs to help their homeless students, this age group typically doesn’t receive the same protections from the federal government as schoolchildren. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, K–12 school districts must document homeless students, enroll them without delay, and provide transportation to and from school.

There are about 12,000 homeless students in Central Florida’s K–12 public schools, according to Thomas Bryer, director of UCF’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Management.

Center members began working with AmeriCorps VISTA to help ensure that these schoolchildren have what they need to succeed, but then expanded the partnership’s focus to include higher education and to create Cantrell’s new position. “In talking with our colleagues at UCF, it became clear that [homelessness] is not just an issue that affects K–12 students,” Bryer says.

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Offering a Helping Hand

Overcoming society’s stigma is one of the first obstacles to helping homeless college students, says Pam Thomas.

Since students are often guarded, she has learned to ask the right questions.

“I want to make sure you have a place to stay,” she says. “That you have food, you’re in a safe place, and you’re not exposed to any violence.”

She points struggling students to campus resources such as Student Care Services (SCS), which helps students in distress respond to challenges from homelessness and hazing to mental illness and domestic violence.

SCS care manager Ann Marie Palmer says her office sees five to 10 homeless students each semester, along with 20 to 40 students facing financial hardship; however, there could be more. “Only in the last year have we really tried to start marketing [university support programs] to students,” she says, and many are still unaware of the services available to help them.

SCS connects students with campus resources such as career services, tutoring, campus jobs and counseling. Homeless college students in Florida can apply for a tuition waiver, and Palmer’s office guides them through the process.

If approved, the student can apply any federal financial aid they already receive to housing or other necessities. SCS also refers them to community organizations, including the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Covenant House Florida.

For some students, housing troubles are a temporary setback, but those with a background of chronic homelessness often face a more challenging journey. “We try to meet students where they are developmentally, emotionally and academically, and our role is to give them as many options and resources as possible,” Palmer says.

UCF, for example, is one of the few universities in the country to run a food bank, according to Donley. The Knights Helping Knights Pantry

allows individuals to select up to five food items a day, from canned soup to cereal to kale grown at the UCF Arboretum — no questions asked.

It also provides basic toiletries and clothing. Students made more than 11,000 visits to the pantry last year.

Bernard was grateful for the pantry, though she acknowledges being ashamed to go there at first. “But after a while, you break down and think, ‘You know what? I’m really hungry, and I know I can’t keep on going to McDonald’s.’ ” Two semesters of couch surfing took a toll on her. “You’re gaining weight, you’re not healthy, and you don’t have energy,” she says. “Any time that you can, you’re trying to sleep, but you really don’t get any sleep.”

Then her car broke down, and so did Bernard. She recalls weeping in the parking lot of the shopping plaza where she worked. It wasn’t just a car.

It was “the thing that’s helping you get the money to at least survive and pinch pennies to get something to eat.

This is your means for everything,” she explains.

Bernard decided to move to Washington, D.C. to stay with her fiancé while she worked to save money and completed an internship at a radio station. She took two semesters off from UCF before returning to her studies via online courses. Bernard wishes she had tapped into other campus resources — she was unaware of the tuition waiver and other opportunities for assistance.

What kept her going was faith that she was doing the right thing.

“You’re gaining weight, you’re not healthy, and you don’t have energy. Any time that you can, you’re trying to sleep, but you really don’t get any sleep.”

Creating a Safety Net

At NAEHCY, Duffield is focused on several initiatives to make college more accessible to students who are struggling financially. Her organization supports a bill that would require colleges and universities to provide a single point of contact to help homeless and foster youth navigate the system of support services. It also would require a plan to help homeless students find housing during school breaks and give them priority in the Federal Work-Study Program, among other directives. Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia and Massachusetts have successfully implemented some or all of these programs, she says.

“We are seeing exciting and promising practices develop as higher education becomes more aware of these unique challenges and tries to respond to them.”

Through her own research, Cantrell has found that 21 colleges and universities offer emergency assistance grants to financially distressed students, generally in amounts between $500 and $5,000.

She proposes creating a similar fund through the UCF Foundation, which would be supported by donations from alumni, parents, students and friends of the university.

“We have the second-largest student population in the country, so there’s no reason we wouldn’t be able to [accomplish this].”

Donley believes that documenting homelessness on campus is a critical next step. This could be accomplished through the registration process each semester. “It would also let students know that there are resources for them if they do experience homelessness,” she says.

Once the magnitude of the problem is known, UCF can accomplish much by working closely with local agencies, Donley says. “I don’t really think anybody is going to have to create anything from scratch.”

Bryer agrees. “The university is not a social service agency,” he says. On the other hand, it should take steps to ensure that students don’t fall through

“If we don’t help those students get through whatever challenge they’re experiencing, we’re doing a disservice not only to the university but the broader society.

We would fail in our mission for education.” the cracks. “Can the university potentially develop a one-stop entity through Knights Pantry or another place where we know students are likely to go? I think we can learn from agencies in the community that are integrating these services already and try to replicate that model, at least in miniature, on campus.”

Whatever programs are in place, adds Bryer, it’s essential to educate the UCF community so they know where to send students in trouble.

“If we don’t help those students get through whatever challenge they’re experiencing, we’re doing a disservice not only to the university but the broader society. We would fail in our mission for education.”

Reaching the Final Act

Bernard needs to complete two more courses to graduate this semester.

She’s taking them online while staying with relatives in Tampa. Not only is her degree in sight, her confidence has returned. She sent a poster-size résumé to a radio station, telling them why they should hire her as an intern.

“They called me within an hour of receiving it.”

Now her dream is to become a radio personality as well as a public speaker, so she can inspire others with her experience.

“The struggle is so real, but it is the struggle that makes me appreciate my degrees so much more,” Bernard says. “Someone can take away your home, your money and your physical possessions, but they can’t take away your knowledge.”

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In June, Johnathan Allen climbed aboard a big green RV for a cross-country road trip that would change his life.

alking out of a southern California airport after his first-ever plane flight, junior Johnathan Allen didn’t know what to expect. The first-generation college student from Winter Haven, Florida, had volunteered for a PBS series called “Roadtrip Nation.” Along the five-week, 4,000-mile journey from Los Angeles to New York, the cast interviewed a diverse group of leaders — from CEOs to Grammy-winning musicians — all of whom were also the first in their families to attend college. The trip challenged Allen, 21, to overcome his fears and achieve personal milestones, including bungee jumping, driving a massive recreational vehicle and learning to live with strangers. But the biggest lessons came from the interviews. Here are the highlights of Allen’s road to self-discovery.

Felipe Hernandez University of California, Irvine Jasmine Johnson University of South Carolina Johnathan Allen University of Central Florida Jennifer Rogers Mississippi State University

IMAGE COURTESY OF ROADTRIP NATION

CASTMATES

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FLAGSTAFF

LOS ANGELES

Louie Pérez, musician “I had never heard of Los Lobos, but [their] music is really nice.

The advice [Pérez] gave was life-changing: ‘Don’t let anyone turn you away from your dreams.

Be the person you want to be.

You’ve got to find your own road in life to reach your dreams.’ Now we’re friends on Facebook and Instagram, so we still keep in contact.”

“That trip made me realize that I needed to shed the noise of conformity and just find my own road in life by having the courage to do what inspires me.”

Nikki Cooley, Fifth World Discoveries “Nikki was the first Navajo to get a Colorado River guide license, and she runs a nonprofit that trains other Native Americans to become guides. Her story of overcoming so many problems growing up reminded me of my own experiences. She made me stop and think that there are people out there who have been through a lot worse than me. She broke down on camera, and to me, showing that weakness is what makes her the leader she is. She’s not a CEO, but she has the same skillset to be successful in a role like that.”

SEATTLE

Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO “I expected him to walk in with a bunch of public relations people, but he walked in by himself [and knew our] names and backstories. We were shocked. He said, ‘Take away the title, take away the job, and we’re all the same.’ He grew up in the Bronx and it was rough for him. .… That was an eye-opener because it made me believe that even with my background, I could one day be a CEO. His story honestly changed my life.

Then he gave us autographed books and free coffee.”

DALLAS

Randall Stephenson, AT&T CEO “Both of the CEOs we met were breakthroughs for me because they have impressive titles but also backgrounds with similarities to ours. Stephenson, for example, told us about going to college and [interacting with] people with different colored skin. It made him realize there was more out there in the world than what he was used to. I think the main thing I learned from him was not to be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone.”

NEW ORLEANS

Leah Chase, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant owner/chef “She is living history. She’s fed President Obama, Martin Luther King Jr. and lots of civil rights activists in her restaurant, which has been open since 1941. And she was really not afraid to speak her mind. A piece of advice I took from her was that there’s no one to blame for your problems except yourself. Then she fed us. I had gumbo, and it was amazing.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Arne Duncan, secretary of education “We were actually at the Department of Education interviewing Alejandra Ceja [the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics], and after we finished, some interns came up to our RV and said, ‘Everyone saw your RV and word got all the way up to Arne Duncan, and he wants you to interview him.’ … [Duncan] told us, ‘Try and figure out over time what you would do every day because you love to do it.’ ”

NEW YORK

John Legend, musician “We went to his studio, and he had just finished recording. He said, ‘Hi, I’m John.’ And I [replied], ‘Hi, I’m John.’ I had to do it; it was kind of funny. He’s a smart guy. He went to college at 16, graduated at 20 and actually did music as a gig at night. His advice was to follow your own road in life, and don’t let others turn you away from what you want to do. He was also one of those people with a big title, big name, who was very human.”

U C F. E D U / P E G A S U S | 2 9

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SHOWTIME 1,000 Knights, 24 performances, 6 days and 1 new festival featuring UCF talent in downtown Orlando

W

hen the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opened in November, UCF leaders saw the $500 million, state-of-theart facility in downtown Orlando as an important opportunity — to put on a show.

“We have access to [performance] spaces that are the best in the southeast,” says Jeff Moore, director of UCF’s School of Performing Arts. “UCF Celebrates the Arts allows us to showcase the breadth and depth of our arts programs.”

From musical theater to dance events, symphonic concerts, jazz cabaret shows, visual art displays, film screenings, interactive gaming and more, this free showcase will offer Central Floridians a diversity of experiences.

“Our faculty and students are very excited about showing the products they create and the processes that they go through to a much broader audience,” says Moore. And the event “will allow us to highlight all of the wonderful science, technology, engineering

and mathematics that are integrated into our presentations, so people will understand the scope of our university.”

In addition to entertainment, the celebration will also include educational workshops lead by UCF faculty members for invited charter and public school arts programs, and opportunities for young performers to showcase their talents. But for most festivalgoers, it’s an opportunity to try something new.

“Come for the things you know you like, and find the things that you didn’t know you appreciated.

A celebration like this allows for that discovery.”

U C F. E D U / P E G A S U S | 3 1

UCF CELEBRATES T HE A RTS

UCF Celebrates the Arts 2015 — a free, family-friendly festival at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts taking place April 10–15 — will showcase the university’s best in theater, music, dance, and visual and digital arts to the Central Florida community.

PHYSICS AND PERFORMANCE UNITE

What began as the fantasy of a pair of UCF scientists — to bring to a campus stage a complex and celebrated multimedia performance that combines ancient mythology with theoretical physics and sets it to live music and video — will be the gala opening for UCF Celebrates the Arts.

“Icarus at the Edge of Time,” based on the book by physicist Brian Greene and scored by composer Philip Glass, is a sci-fi re-imagining of the Greek classic. A boy in a spaceship of his own design confronts a black hole, “the most mysterious, compelling and extreme thing in the universe,” explains Greene. “A deep, dark hole

32 | SPRING 2015

in space that anything that gets too close — even light itself — gets pulled in? A hole that actually slows the passage of time? No Hollywood screenwriter has ever come up with anything that equals the majesty and mystery of that.”

“This very ambitious piece has been in the works for more than a year,” says Moore. First suggested by associate professor of physics Costas Efthimiou and engineering professor Debra Reinhart as an event to support UCF’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) initiative, Moore suggested waiting for the celebration to present it. “[Icarus] matches perfectly with the idea of

synthesizing science and the arts,” says Efthimiou.

At the April 10 event, Greene will introduce the performance, which features narration by actress Kate Mulgrew (aka Captain Kathryn Janeway from “Star Trek: Voyager”), film by Al + Al (and NASA), and musical accompaniment by the 55-member UCF Symphony Orchestra.

“This is a piece about getting a feel for how wonderful and weird the universe is, without feeling like you’re in a classroom,” Greene says.

“You’re going on a journey, and by virtue of going on that ride, you learn something because you experience it.”

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VOICES IN HARMONY

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of America’s infamous war between the states, “Civil War Voices” — a collaboration between UCF’s theatre and music departments and the Orlando Repertory Theatre — will feature dramatic readings set to historical music.

The performance uses “letters, newspaper articles from the era and diary entries and puts those stories onstage along with music from the period to create a tapestry of memory,” says Jeff Revels, artistic director at The REP. “Voices” is also a chance for the public to “discover the quality of education and the training that actors and production crew get at UCF,” says Theatre UCF artistic director Earl Weaver. The students will perform on a thrust stage in a

ARTISTS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

For the UCF visual and digital artists contributing to the festival, presenting their works in a facility as large and open as the Dr. Phillips Center provides challenges they don’t typically face.

“We can’t do what we do in the ways that we normally do it,” says School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) director Byron Clercx. “What we’re trying to do is adjust our outcomes to fit a facility with such a grand scale.”

For the students from SVAD and the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) engaged in art forms from architecture to film, digital media, video game design, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography and printmaking, the answer was to employ new strategies, technologies and scalable materials to engage

state-of-the-art theater unlike any available on campus, and theatergoers will get a taste of the talent UCF is developing.

For those interested in opera, an open rehearsal of Puccini’s “Tosca” by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will offer a rare behindthe-scenes experience. A master class will follow, giving UCF performers a chance to learn from lead soprano Keri Alkema, plus an opportunity to sing and be critiqued by the director and cast professionals.

But aside from all the great performances, Weaver says, these shows are an excellent recruiting tool for future talent. Showcasing the best performers on campus in a new arts center will be alluring to aspiring artists hoping to start their careers with college training.

festivalgoers in and around the performances.

Visual artwork will be enlarged onto giant banners and hung in strategic locations to create compelling sightlines for visitors.

A live game jam will challenge students to create a video game during the event and present the results in real time. Digital projectors will screen student projects during an all-day film festival. Artists in costume will create living pictures of classic works through a technique called tableau vivant. Faculty will present lectures on art history and visual culture. And interactive exhibits will showcase the processes behind digital character animation and game design.

“It’s all about creative and critical problem-solving,” says Clercx.

“Intellectually, it’s good for us to face these challenges.”

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UCF CELEBRATES T HE A RTS

ACTING IN A DRAMATIC COLLAGE

To showcase the wide range of productions that Theatre UCF puts on each year, the department will present a collection of content from their annual schedule during the celebration. Highlights include Broadway and gospel fare by UCF vocalists, dramatic readings by student nominees for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, staged combat scenes and a sprawling musical number from a Tony Award-winning production.

Kicking off what Weaver has dubbed the “collage of performances” is the opening scene from “Nine,” the 1982 Tony winner based on Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film “8½.” The musical, which runs on Theatre UCF’s main stage March 19–29, revolves around an Italian film director whose midlife crisis stifles his career and launches a series of romantic entanglements in the 1960s.

34 | SPRING 2015

“It’s a beautifully composed artistic piece, and it’s a very challenging acting piece as well,” says Weaver.

“This isn’t fluff. It’s a very strong book and musical storyline, with very well-crafted characters. Plus there’s a lot of historical research for the students to tackle.”

Musically, the score is technically and physically demanding for the cast, which includes 21 women.

“It’s very operatic in nature,” says assistant professor Tara Snyder, ’07, the show’s musical director. “Almost all of the women in the show are singing almost all of the time.”

Cast member Ashley Taylor, a junior musical theatre major who plays the director’s long-suffering wife, Luisa, says the production may surprise audiences used to more traditional musicals. “The script isn’t what most people expect from musical theater,” she explains.

“There’s something for the audience to think about in this.”

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DANCING TO EXPRESS A VISION

More than 40 students pursuing a dance minor at UCF will present original choreography in their showcase, “Simply Dance.” That group represents nearly half of the roughly 90 students in the program, which offers a foundation of dance techniques, history, composition and performance.

Although it’s not uncommon for theatre majors to audition for the dance minor program, the curriculum appeals to a wide array of students.

“The majority are students who have danced all their lives, whether as competitive dancers or otherwise,

MUSIC ACROSS SPACE AND TIME

For music lovers, UCF Celebrates the Arts will present a gamut of styles from classical compositions to enduring pop culture tunes. Featuring roughly 300 students representing majors from music education to jazz studies, the university’s orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, choirs and chamber ensembles will perform at multiple venues, offering a wide variety of content throughout the event.

The cosmos will be explored in concerts that feature composer John Williams’ “Star Wars” suite; “Jupiter,” a movement from English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite, “The Planets”; and “Beyond,” a work by modern Japanese composer Wataru Hokoyama.

“We’re doing everything from classical works to 21st-century compositions with the theme of space running through them,” says Scott Tobias, UCF director of bands. “[Performing in] the new theater — the Dr. Phillips Center — is a chance for people to get a nice overview of

and want dancing to continue to be part of their lives,” says Judi Siegfried, dance program coordinator. “Some are students in the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, some are biology majors. The interest stretches across the university.”

In one program, junior elementary education major Melissa Folgueras will perform original choreography

by Danielle Engelman, a senior completing her B.F.A. in musical theatre. Classmate Kathryn O’Shea will accompany Folgueras with an original song on banjo. “I’m not an actor,” Folgueras says, “but I feel like through dance I’m able to get into another character.”

what we’re doing and also enjoy some great music at the same time.”

Meanwhile, tradition will flavor the selections by UCF’s Flying Horse Big Band when the 17-member jazz ensemble plays original material inspired by the sonnets of William Shakespeare, featuring singers from the Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

The collaboration will also deliver Broadway standards based on Shakespeare’s work, including songs from “West Side Story” and “Kiss Me, Kate.”

Although the performance at the new Dr. Phillips Center is a milestone, the jazz band isn’t a stranger to audiences outside of UCF. With student-run record label Flying Horse Records, the band has earned a national reputation. Just five years old, the label has landed four albums on the top 50 of industry magazine JazzWeek.

“Relevance is a big deal to us,” says Jeff Rupert, director of the Jazz Studies program. “Being relevant in the industry is important. When our students go out and play at the Dr. Phillips Center — they’re ready.”

For a schedule of events and to reserve complimentary tickets, visit arts.cah.ucf.edu.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF U.S. COAST GUARD

During the worst of Hurricane Sandy in the summer of 2012, the tall ship HMS Bounty began sinking in massive seas more than 90 miles off the coast of North Carolina. The 16 people on board the 180-foot historical replica were in serious trouble. Inside Coast Guard Command Center Sector North Carolina, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Lindsey Neumann, ’09, received the distress call. Her actions contributed to the rescue of 14 sailors.

2014© JEFF JANOWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

Another Day at the Office Grace under pressure helped this UCF alumna earn the honor of 2014 Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year.

SINKING OF THE BOUNTY

“I had never dealt with anything that intense. We got a call that the vessel was taking on water, but they were able to keep up with it. Throughout the night it progressively got worse, to the point where we had to send aircrews because they abandoned ship.”

“With my job it is life or death. You can never be complacent. You always have to be on edge because something can happen at any moment. I treat [everyone as a] family member. What would you do if your family member was in this situation? How far would I go to make sure that my family member was rescued?”

A DIFFERENT PATH

“I was the last person you would have ever thought to join the military.

My senior year of college I was working at a hotel, and I just couldn’t see myself doing that for the rest of my life. … There’s nothing wrong with hotel management, but it just wasn’t as fulfilling as this is to me. My degree in hospitality management has really helped me [become successful in the Coast Guard]. When you’re speaking to people in distress, being polite and having a customer service attitude helps everyone stay calm and communicate more effectively.”

TAKING RISKS

“I had no clue what I was getting myself into going into the Coast Guard, but I love every second of it. Never give up on something because you think it’s going to be too hard or that the change will be too drastic. I used to be very shy and had extremely low self-esteem, and I’ve developed into this person who is confident. I feel like I found myself in the Coast Guard.”

GIVING BACK

“I always felt like I should give back because I’ve been really lucky in my life.

When I came to Wilmington I got involved with the Cape Fear Volunteer Center’s Big Buddy Program. My buddy Victoria was an 8-year-old when I first met her, and she has had kind of a rough life. I would take her out a couple of times a month to do things and be a positive influence on her life.”

Lindsey Neumann UCF degree: B.S. in hospitality management Duties: Planning, control and communications for all of North Carolina’s inland and coastal waters Territory: 3,000 square miles, 301 miles of coastline out to 200 nautical miles Lives saved or assisted: 120 Free time: Trains for and competes in triathlons Volunteer efforts: Leadership Wilmington, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-A-Highway Honors: Navy League’s 2013 Coast Guardsman of the Year, Sector North Carolina’s Enlisted Person of the Year, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon

CLASS NOTES

’70s Denis Noah, ’72, named Fort Myers Real Estate Lawyer of the Year for 2015 by Best Lawyers in America.

Roger Pynn, ’73, selected to serve as president-elect of the Florida Public Relations Association for 2014–15.

Cindy Rubin, ’73, is happily retired and able to spend time with her four grandchildren.

Dr. Sheila Scott, ’74, completed all requirements for licensure in Florida and is now certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Susan McLennon, ’77, promoted to associate professor of nursing with tenure at Indiana University, where she is also the assistant chair of the Department of Science of Nursing Care.

Bettina Pope, ’79, lives in Memphis, Tenn., and is a nationally certified hypnotherapist.

’80s Lee (Johnson) Neugin, ’80, celebrated 35 years working for the Department of Defense at Eglin Air Force Base.

Pamela Stamm, ’81, graduated in May from Saint Leo University in Florida with her M.B.A. Tamara Williamson, ’81, retired after teaching for 30 years in Brevard County, Fla. Paul Bizier, ’82, project delivery manager for water services at Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, was elected as national president for the Environmental & Water Resources Institute.

Robert Major, ’82, commercial litigation attorney for Winderweedle, Haines, Ward and Woodman, was named one of the 2015 Best Lawyers in America.

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George Postans, ’82, awarded 2013–14 Pinellas County (Fla.) Outstanding Middle School Physical Educator.

He’s also a Tampa Bay UCF Alumni Chapter board member.

Ellarea Farwell, ’83, works in corrections nursing at the Orange County (Fla.) jail.

Adedeji Badiru, ’84, selected as the winner of the U.S. Air Force AETC 2015 National Public Service Award.

Farlen Halikman, ’84, appointed to the AICPA Health Care Expert Panel.

John Ralph, ’84, achieved certification in February 2014 as a project management professional. He is a cyber systems engineer manager at Northrop Grumman.

Jean Lynne (Demarsh) Cheek, ’85, is a registered paralegal in Florida, working as a case manager for Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell.

Carol Traynor, ’85, promoted to director of public relations at Valencia College.

G. Nick Henry, ’87, upgraded to captain at American Airlines. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force.

Paul Garcia, ’88, promoted to CEO and head of St. Barnabas Episcopal School in DeLand, Fla., a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Ross Wolf, ’88, associate dean for academic affairs and technology and associate professor of criminal justice at UCF, received the Points of Light Award, an international honor that recognizes volunteer service, for his long-term service to the community as a volunteer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Stan Mikalonis, ’89, named vice president of national accounts for Mack Trucks.

’90s Wayne Larson, ’90, communications and marketing manager for the city of Mesquite, Texas, completed the inaugural Certified Public Communicator program, a partnership between the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers and Texas Christian University.

Joel Snodgrass, ’90, named head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Michael Bywaletz, ’91, became a senior associate at Gresham, Smith and Partners.

Rev. John Ketchum, ’91, elected president of the Chicago Clergy Syndesmos for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and is its representative on the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council.

Krista (Herring), ’92, and Roger Schwabe Jr., ’92, celebrated their 22nd anniversary. They have two children, ages 19 and 12. Krista is on the advisory board for Jaylens Challenge Lakeland and works as a grant writer.

Dan Ward, ’92, partner and vice president at Curley & Pynn, earned a senior-level accreditation in public relations as Certified Public Relations Counselor.

Samuel Haidle, ’93, intellectual property attorney for Howard & Howard, was named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2014.

Lance Ragland, ’93, an attorney at Winderweedle, Haines, Ward and Woodman, and James Rudolph, ’94, of Rudolph & Shivers CPA, co-founded HelpKidsPlaySports.org, which raises funds for sports scholarships for young athletes.

Scott Cookson, ’94, partner at ShuffieldLowman, was selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America for 2015.

Chris (Wargo) Deatrick, ’94, is a tenure-track professor of nursing at Valencia College. Chris also earned two additional UCF degrees and served as an assistant coach for the UCF women’s crew from 1994–2001.

Carrie (Schindler) Kerskie, ’94, received the Congressional Record for her work on identity theft and data privacy efforts on behalf of Florida’s citizens.

Jacki (Schneider) Nardone, ’94, is a social worker at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Fla. Leslie Kidwell, ’95, started LK Creations, her own business creating signs out of reclaimed wood, in Ormond Beach, Fla. Kenneth Boyd, ’98, took the West Orange High School jazz band to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December.

Susan Wilburn, ’99, announced as the South region sales manager for Advanced Disposal.

’00s Colleen Ice, ’01, hired as senior interior designer for HKS. Charles “Duncan” Wall, ’01, moved to open a new Hyatt Place in Washington, D.C. Andy Bauer, ’02, and his partner, Dave Gugel, competed in ABC’s “The Great Halloween Fright Fight,” which aired Oct. 28, with their display, Terror at Tee Lake.

Karen Cowden, ’02, a professor of reading and faculty fellow at Valencia College, designed and wrote two instructor’s manuals for Pearson Education in the adult literacy division.

Elliott Grozan, ’02, promoted to chief operating officer of global affiliate network Blue Track Media.

Eric Kruck, ’02, works in instructional design and is married to Tara (Vaccarello), ’99.

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Heather Peña, ’02, is chief operating officer of the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association.

Donna Marino, ’03, joined the Florida Bar Foundation as its development manager.

Tia (Jones) Reed, ’03, launched Props! Photo Booths in Jacksonville, Fla. Stuart McCutcheon, ’04, named chief of the Auburndale (Fla.) Fire Department in February 2014. He also served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Stuart and his wife, Valerie, welcomed their second son, Aaron, in July.

“Zoe and I have completed marathons, but they were nothing in comparison to the mentally exhausting challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro. The view at the summit was breathtaking as we gazed over the glaciers and other mountains peeking through the clouds.”

— Elizabeth Windfelder, ’08 In June, Elizabeth Windfelder and her daughter, Zoe, reached the 19,341-foot summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, during a sevenday trek to celebrate Zoe’s high school graduation.

Jeff Brown, ’05, mechanical project manager for TLC Engineering for Architecture, was announced as a new associate.

Ashley (Dillman) Bruce, ’05, an attorney with Berger Singerman in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., spoke at the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 19th Annual Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop in Amelia Island, Fla., July 25.

Datasha Dukes, ’05, was hired as the dean of instruction at a Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District high school.

Jason Fagnano, ’05, became an assistant state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Krista Peckyno, ’06, chosen as an ATHENA AWARDS of Greater Pittsburgh Young Professional nominee for 2014.

Jessica Wade, ’06, celebrated six years as owner of Jessica Wade Inc., a communications agency.

Asher Wildman, ’06, is the new lead sports anchor at WCTV in Tallahassee, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Beth (Yankee), ’06.

Todd Bryant, ’07, founded Signature Wealth Advisors in Orlando with Daniel Smith, ’96; Brian Lubel, ’05; and Ron Gruninger, ’08.

Sarah Grace, ’07, graduated in May 2013 with her J.D. from Pace University in New York. She now works as an attorney for Estate Planning and Legacy Law Center in Maitland, Fla. Kerry Martin, ’07, a communications strategist for Curley & Pynn, was installed as the Florida Public Relations Association’s Orlando Area Chapter president.

CHEERS, KNIGHTS! On Jan. 18, the UCF cheerleading squad took second place at the 2015 College Cheerleading National Championships.

Former cheerleaders Kim Lalys Molnar, ’83, and Robert Molnar, ’87, joined their daughter Ashley — the first second-generation cheerleader to join UCF’s squad — on the field during the Homecoming football game against Tulane.

Michael Williamson, ’07, owner of Kind Love, a medical marijuana center, and Michael Boyd, ’05, business development manager for water treatment company Desalitech of Newton, Mass., teamed up to bring a highefficiency water treatment unit to Kind Love’s 80,000-square-foot indoor hydroponic cultivation center in Denver.

Kamran Siddiqui, ’08, has been traveling around the world with his wife and playing poker.

Ryan Cimino, ’09, president of Sunset Studios, announced the worldwide release of motion picture “KRUEL.”

Jennifer (Feely) Baker, ’08, celebrated her fourth wedding anniversary with her husband, Joshua, June 16.

Danielle Mezardjian, ’09, moved to Charlotte, N.C., after accepting a position as the Clare Bridge Program coordinator/department head and manager for Brookdale, an Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility.

Bridget Healy, ’08, named director of community impact for United Way of Washtenaw County in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Victoria Moll-Ramirez, ’09, moved to Atlanta to work as a crossplatform associate producer for CNN.

Ricky Ly, ’08, a civil engineer and Orlando food blogger, and his wife, May (Wong), ’07, were featured in a segment about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival for ABC’s “The Chew.”

Jamaal Tatum, ’09, relocated to Santa Ana, Calif., with his wife, Darolyn, to work in human resources for Orange County in Calif.

Casey (Martin), ’08, and Greg Courcy, ’07, celebrated their oneyear anniversary Aug. 10.

JaVonté Mottley, ’08, promoted to program analyst at the U.S. Social Security Administration.

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Brian Whittaker, ’09, graduated from law school in May 2014.

’10s Presley Adamson IV, ’10, hired as an associate producer for the Science Channel at Discovery Communications in Silver Spring, Md. Katherine Liu Bruce, ’10, received her master of divinity degree in pastoral ministry in May from the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School. She established Christian Arts Ministries as founder, pastor and professor.

Jeanette Castro, ’10, is a membership assistant at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

Daniel Davis, ’10, appointed to a term on the Florida Bar Clients’ Security Fund Committee and argued a case in the Florida Third District Court of Appeal.

Jennifer Glantz, ’10, started a new business called Bridesmaid for Hire, a professional personal assistant service for brides.

Steven Goldstein, ’10, CPA, promoted to assurance senior associate at McGladrey.

Raul Gutierrez, ’10, is a Spanish teacher and assistant soccer coach at Ridgeview High School in Orange Park, Fla. Keith Metz, ’10, received his J.D. from the Charlotte School of Law and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam.

Matthew Neff, ’10, received his J.D., magna cum laude, from FSU College of Law and is an associate at Allen, Norton & Blue in Winter Park, Fla. Max Rousseau, ’10, premiered his M.F.A. thesis film, “Pembroke Circle,” at the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Nov. 12.

Alyssa Badalamenti, ’11, is a Florida marketing associate for McGladrey and is on the 2015 board for the Orlando Regional Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Christian Betancourt, ’11, selected as a direct accession officer in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps as a health care administrator.

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Joshua Kenna, ’11, is an assistant professor in curriculum and instruction at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he lives with his wife, Felicia Zabel, ’09.

Tim Nethers, ’11, celebrated his third anniversary with his wife, Paige (Rhoades), ’11.

Stephanie Osman, ’11, moved to Tallahassee, Fla., to take a job as an assistant public defender.

Leah Fowlkes, ’12, started a new job as a human resource specialist at Valencia College.

Kristin Gola, ’12, promoted to event specialist with Courtyard by Marriott.

Elouisa Hewkin, ’12, is a graduate research assistant and volunteers with GrowFL. Mathew Adamira, ’13, hired by Dewberry as a civil/structural engineer in the firm’s Orlando office.

Alex Brown, ’13, works as a teacher for United Cerebral Palsy.

Ariel Brown, ’13, works as a digital marketing analyst for Darden.

Bradley White, ’13, a senior associate in GrayRobinson’s Melbourne office, received his license as a CPA. Mark Berrios-Ayala, ’14, is a first-year student at Florida International University College of Law. Akilah Fields, ’14, is a project coordinator for Truck Brokers, a company that provides transportation exclusively for the motion picture and TV industries.

Ali Fitkin, ’14, hired as a coordinator in the integrated marketing communications department at Universal Orlando Resort.

Julien Meyer, ’14, is CEO of College Stack, a member company of the UCF Business Incubation Program.

Gala B L AC K & G O L D

The following alumni were honored at the UCF Alumni Association’s 2014 Black & Gold Gala Oct. 23.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Natalie Nazon, ’14, hired as a medical administrative assistant at Sebastian River Medical Center in Palm Bay, Fla. Carrie Woodell, ’14, received the Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award from the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing: The Institute for Public Procurement, and was inducted into the Orange County (Fla.) Wall of Fame by Mayor Teresa Jacobs.

Ashley Tinstman, ’13, hired by Curley & Pynn as a communications specialist.

James Norman, ’82 College of Medicine Mary Merrell Bailey, ’85 College of Business Administration Gwen Griffin, ’85 College of Sciences Pam Stewart, ’85 College of Education and Human Performance David Huffaker, ’97 The Burnett Honors College Michael Mielke, ’00 College of Optics and Photonics Vinod Philip, ’00 College of Engineering and Computer Science Rob Schaer, ’02 College of Arts and Humanities

In Memoriam

Ronald Thomas, ’77, passed away Aug. 22.

Thomas McElroy III, ’85, passed away April 16, 2014, after a long battle with malignant melanoma.

Burt Baptiste, ’96, managing director, Recruitment Solutions — North Asia, Talent2 and Allegis Group, passed away in a boating accident in the South China Sea. He was a member of UCF’s Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity as well as UCF O-Team.

Steven Sotloff, a UCF student from 2002 to 2004, was kidnapped and killed by Islamic State group militants on Sept. 2.

CLASS NOTES

Send us your announcements and high-resolution photos (minimum 3 megapixels, 300 dpi). Submissions are included as space permits. Class notes may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium.

Jean-Marc Chanoine, ’07 College of Health and Public Affairs Stuart Newmark, ’08 Rosen College of Hospitality Management Patricia Celano, ’10 College of Nursing DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD Lesa Roe, ’91 DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD Cynthia Florentino, ’14 SERVICE TO UCF AWARD Melanie Fernandez, ’86

Email knights@ucfalumni.com

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800.330.ALUM (2586)

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Weddings & BIRTHS

1. Chris Pashley, ’94, and his wife, Gina,

welcomed their son, George C., June 5.

2. Eamonn Donlyn, ’01, and his wife, Orla,

welcomed Oisín Kai Fitzgerald March 16, 2014.

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3. Adam DeMarco, ’02, and Marian Clark, ’07,

welcomed their first child, Madelyn Josephine,

Aug. 30.

4. Aimée (Madlangbayan), ’03, and her husband,

Doug Webster, ’03, welcomed their first son,

Conrad, June 15.

5. Marshal Blessing, ’04, and his wife, Jessica,

welcomed their first child, Lazarus Wolfgang,

Oct. 26.

6. Sarah (Walden) Hamilton, ’04, announced the

birth of Henry Walden Aug. 21.

7. Steven Young, ’04, and his wife, Kristen, ’05,

welcomed their second child and first son,

William Bryant, Oct. 14.

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8. Brian Berlan, ’05, married Meika (Garner), ’05,

June 7 in St. Petersburg, Fla. 9. Christopher Collings, ’06, married Allison

(Gallagher), ’08.

10.

Erin (Considine), ’07, married Wes Feldman June 28 in Winter Park, Fla. UCF alumni in the wedding party included John Kelly, ’03; Sarah (Lewis) German, ’04; and Megan Morrison, ’07.

11. Jillian (Fleury), ’07, and her husband, Brian

Waters, welcomed Asher Thomas Jan. 17, 2014.

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12. Brian Griffin, ’07, and Ashley Griffin, ’08, were

married Aug. 30 in Grand Haven, Mich.

13.

Lisa (Zittel), ’07, and Andy Graber celebrated their marriage March 15, 2014, at The Resort and Club at Little Harbor in Ruskin, Fla. UCF alumni in the wedding party included Risa (Lockenbach) Epstein, ’06; Meagan (Best) Ducharme, ’07; Theresa (Ierardi) Duplain, ’08; and Kelly (Zittel) Drew, ’09.

14. Christina (Kouimanis), ’09, married Jorge

Yero, ’09, Oct. 4 in Tampa, Fla. UCF alumni in

the wedding party included Christian Diaz, ’08;

Steven (Tylar) Heintz, ’09; MaryFrances

Papadakis, ’09; Francisco Valderrama, ’09;

Michael Wagener, ’09; and Michael

Bianco, ’10.

15.

Jillian (Pavlica), ’09, and Vincent Ramos, ’10, were married Oct. 4 at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Fla. Their officiant was Michael Heim, ’09. UCF alumni in the wedding party included Randy Brown, ’07; Kelly Ferguson, ’09; and Drew Cutaia, ’10.

16.

Jen (Rosen), ’09, married Matt McKinley, ’09, May 3 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Fla. Stephanie Neubert, ’10, served as bridesmaid.

17. Jaclyn (Penix), ’10, and her husband, Nicholas

Schiegner, ’10, moved to New Jersey for his job. They welcomed their son, Jackson, in April.

18. Andrea (Wright), ’10, and Timothy O’Reilly, ’10,

welcomed their son, Declan James, Sept. 3.

His grandparents, Thomas O’Reilly, ’73, and

Nanci, made it back from the UCF football

game in Dublin just in time! elissa (Palmer), ’11, and Paul Baker, ’12, were M married May 3.

19. Christine (Conde), ’13, married Scott Rifkin

Oct. 16 in Winter Park, Fla. 20. A yesha Pittendreigh, ’13, and her husband, John, ’05, welcomed their first child, Ryan Nicholas, July 22.

21. Lauren Sullivan, ’13, married David Newcomb, ’11, Aug. 8 in Orlando. UCF alumni in the wedding party included Bruce Bejger, ’11; Mark Renaud, ’12; Ali Castro, ’13; and Brian Sullivan, ’14.

22. Julius Wynn, ’14, married Lyndria White

Sept. 13 at Holy Trinity Reception Center in

Maitland, Fla.

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Authors

ALUMKN IGHTS

A L U M N I

Patrick Morley, ’72, authored The Man in the Mirror. With more than 3 million copies in print, this best-selling book was re-released as an updated 25th anniversary edition. It has challenged and encouraged men worldwide and was selected as one of the 100 most influential Christian books of the 20th century.

Cindy Waldron, ’72, a retired Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools principal and adjunct professor at Santa Fe College, published Mosquito County.

Set in the late 1800s, Mosquito County is a hauntingly beautiful debut novel, richly layered with family secrets, mystery, passion and revenge.

Steve Rajtar, ’73, and his wife, Gayle Prince Rajtar, ’74, wrote Gone Pro: Florida, the story of the nearly 700 University of Florida alumni who have gone on to careers in professional sports and/or the Olympics.

William Griffith, ’74, published the children’s book The Legend of the Hill-Bitties, in which the Bittie family is called upon to save their environmental home for themselves and other forest creatures.

Edgar Stewart III, ’76, published his novel, Abduction in Haifa. His previous novel, Reclothing the Emperor, was published in 2006.

John White, ’76, authored the novel Prodigious Savant. In 1962 Gavin Weaver survives a dreadful explosion and awakes possessing multiple savant talents, including art, music, mathematics and memory. His internal and external conflicts keep him from what he wants most: the girl he’s loved since childhood.

Dawn (Swanson) Roberts, ’79, authored Warnings of Disease: Your Body Uses Symptoms to Communicate, a book describing how junk food, drugs and toxic products cause inflammation and disease. It features 15 years of scientific research, more than 100 references and her personal story of healing through diet and lifestyle changes.

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Charlotte Truesdell, ’81, wrote and illustrated her first published book, Steinway Kitty, a true story of what happens to a cat and its favorite place to sleep, a Steinway piano, after its owner passes away.

Bobby Mercer, ’86, wrote Junk Drawer Physics: 50 Awesome Experiments that Don’t Cost a Thing, which was named a finalist for The American Association for the Advancement of Science Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the hands-on science category. It’s also been featured in The Science Teacher and Science Scope magazines.

Jim Webster, ’89, co-authored America: Farm to Table with celebrity chef Mario Batali. The book includes recipes, stories and photos from farmers around the U.S. Jim is a copy editor for The Washington Post and an Oviedo, Fla., native.

Enid Jackowitz, ’91, published her first children’s book, Maya And The Magic Swing, the story of a young girl who goes on a metaphorical journey where she discovers no one is perfect.

Rick Gangraw, ’96, is the author of Deathly Silent. Erik Johnson was wronged by corruption years ago and returns to his hometown, leaving death and his own vigilante justice in his wake.

Kelley Powell Barcellona, ’99, coauthored Secrets of the Seven Stars: Elly’s Awakening. Elly, 10, is furious with her three horrible brothers and her clueless parents. In a fit of rage, Elly is thrust out of her living nightmare and into a magical place, but soon realizes that with magic comes darkness, and she has to face things far worse than any brother.

Luiz Bravim, ’05, published Purple Has an Afterglow, a young adult novel set in the punk rock scene of South Florida. The protagonists, John and Amy, come of age in the time before smartphones, high-speed Internet and social networks.

Rachelle Killian, ’06, wrote the children’s book Roxy and Maddie: Ready to Race. Maddie encourages her best friend, Roxy, to do an obstacle course race, but Roxy is worried she won’t be able to complete any of the obstacles and everyone will make fun of her.

Brad Rosa, ’06, authored How to Thank a Teacher.

Ricky Ly, ’08, authored the Food Lovers’ Guide to Orlando: The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings.

Because of its strong tourism industry, Orlando is often stereotyped as a place known for its many chain restaurants, but it’s a world-class destination that offers a diverse culinary landscape.

From neighborhood specialty restaurants to a huge food truck scene and an increasing number of farmers’ markets, Orlando is a food lover’s delight. Get the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy and celebrate these culinary treasures.

Ashley McGrath, ’08, wrote her inspirational autobiography, UnabASHed by Disability. Born with a rare genetic disorder, Ashley’s prognosis was not good. Despite 15 surgeries and being a wheelchair user, she managed to set and achieve goals for herself, travel, meet celebrities and excel in her studies.

Remembering President Colbourn On Jan. 13, UCF’s second president, H. Trevor Colbourn, died at the age of 87. Known as the “Scholar President,” the Australian-born historian is best known for changing the name of Florida Technological University to the University of Central Florida in 1978, but his legacy includes many pivotal changes that shaped the future of the university.

“Change is what higher education is all about. This institution has a distinguished past and will have a much more distinguished future.

It’s been a lot of fun, some anguish and certainly no regrets.”

— President Emeritus Trevor Colbourn

Distinguished Alumnus Roger Pynn, ’73, recalls the leader who guided UCF through one of its greatest periods of expansion.

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’ll always remember the moment Trevor Colbourn asked me, “What would you think of playing football?” The question came over lunch at a Red Lobster restaurant near campus, just before he went public with the idea in January 1979.

I answered, “I think you’re crazy. Where can I get season tickets?”

And then there was the name change. I was opposed and told him it would probably be easier to beat the University of Florida on the gridiron than it would be to get FTU alumni to support such a change. But he twisted my arm, saying he needed a public relations person who understood research to help determine if he could get the alumni support

he’d need for the new moniker. I ended up making the motion for the Alumni Association to support changing FTU’s name to UCF because the research proved him right.

Trevor could talk anybody into anything. But what will always stay with me was the ever-present twinkle in his eye.

He made friends easily, but wasn’t necessarily good at small talk. He would come to a discussion well prepared, knowing what he wanted but always willing to listen. Trevor could be swayed, but not by pressure or friendship. And when it came to raising money, he knew it was an important part of his job and did it very well. Trevor understood that people

gave money not just to help fund the university but also to fulfill their dreams of helping to advance something special — such as scholarships, research, athletics or theater — or to honor someone important in their lives.

Trevor had a special touch with people and made them feel important. My wife, Shelley Kiefer Pynn, ’74, and I were young professionals in those days and weren’t considered major donation prospects. But when UCF Foundation executive director Jim Donovan showed us a way to give through a small life insurance policy, Trevor took the time to call us to say how much it meant to the university. It was a personal touch we’ll never forget.

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B ACK IN THE DAY

Legacy of Help THE LIFE OF JOHN T. WASHINGTON

BY MELVIN ROGERS

J

ohn T. Washington’s legacy is much more than a name on a building. The pioneering associate professor of sociology was one of UCF’s first African-American faculty members, and before he died in 1983 at age 42, Washington left a lasting impact on the

many Knights he mentored. Associate Dean Melvin Rogers of the College of Health and Public Affairs remembers one of the university’s earliest and most ardent advocates for diversity.

I can never forget when I first met John T. Washington.

In the summer of 1982, I visited UCF to consider a job opportunity as the student government business manager and was feeling alone because there weren’t many people around who looked like me.

Dr. Washington spotted me in front of the library and introduced himself. He made me feel like someone was interested in my well-being on campus. “I’m always here to help you,” he said. “Whatever you need, you let me know.” The encounter played a major part in convincing me to accept the position. I remember him calling me a week later and saying, “How are things going? Let’s have a cup of coffee.” And every couple of weeks he would touch base to make sure I was OK. As one of the first African-Americans at UCF, Washington truly was a trailblazer. Coming from the University of Nebraska where I was one of only about 100 African-Americans in a student body of more than 30,000, I knew what it was like to feel lonely on a campus and to not have any mentors. He believed that everybody should be welcomed and embraced, and he paved the way for others. To make sure that all students had faculty representation, Washington became one of the first advisers to the Black Student Union. He reached out to everyone, regardless of race, to help

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build a better university — one that truly believed in diversity among students, faculty and staff. It only takes one person to build a village, to create an environment where everyone is truly part of the family. He made me feel that way. That was Dr. Washington.

“I’m just here for the students,” he would say. “If it wasn’t for students, none of us would be here at all.”

Dr. Washington was a visionary. He was very strong in his belief that we should have resources for all students to help them be successful, especially those who are new to the university. Part of our role as administrators and professors is to ensure that we are giving every student the tools they need, not just in the classroom, but also in every other aspect of their college experience. And he believed that students should also be helping and teaching each other how to become the leaders of the future.

Every time I walk through the Student Union and see students of color, I think about Dr. Washington.

If he could look around and see the diversity we have achieved on this campus, he would smile. We do not want what he started to perish. He lived a rich life because he gave so much back to UCF and to the community of Orlando. Today his name lives on, not only with the John T. Washington Center, but also through the deeds of those he inspired.

• Born in 1940 in Immokalee, Florida • Served in the U.S. Air Force • Earned undergraduate and master’s degrees at Rollins College; earned his Ph.D. at the University of Florida • Integral in the development of UCF’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and the Office of Multicultural Academic and Support Services • Volunteer to many Orlando organizations, including Meals On Wheels, Orlando Crime Prevention Commission, Central Florida Committee of United Negro College Fund and the Mayor’s Minority Business Task Force • Founded the First Church of Peace in Orlando and served as a pastor and counselor • Won a Jefferson Award for his leadership and community service • A scholarship, a community service award, an honor society and a campus building all bear his name

ILLUSTRATION BY REGAN DUNNICK

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Fall 2014 Commencement In a growing trend of self-expression, graduating Knights share emotions and aspirations, ranging from joy and gratitude to relief and hope, by customizing their mortarboards.