Connection Fall 2021

Connection Fall 2021 | Alumni & Friends Magazine

The Benefits of a Beautiful Campus P.15

RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION COLLIDE

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UWF CHEERLEADING TEAM CELEBRATES FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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BLM MURAL SPARKS CONVERSATION ON EQUALITY

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Inside 2 CONNECTION MAGAZINE Fall 2021 PRESIDENT Dr. Martha D. Saunders VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Howard J. Reddy ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Missy Grace ’10 Claire Stewart Katie Schutts

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brittany Sherwood ’14 MANAGING EDITOR Margaret Roberts ’12 PRODUCTION EDITOR Colton Currier ’18 DESIGN STRATEGY AND LAYOUT Jennifer Peck ’08 DESIGN Lacey Berry ’12 PHOTO DIRECTION Joe Vinson PHOTOGRAPHY Morgan Givens ’18 WRITERS AND EDITORS Allison Morgan Jenny Pedraza Margaret Roberts ’12 Leonor Roper ’18 Brittany Swinford ’11

CONTACT US

Q&A WITH THE PRESIDENT

3 LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

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NEWS & NOTES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH UWF TRADITIONS FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DIANE SCOTT

15 THE BENEFITS OF A

BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS

CHEERLEADING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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BLACK LIVES MATTER MURAL

26 ALUMNI EVENTS 27 ALUMNI PROFILE: WEN MUENYI

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ALUMNI PROFILE: PATRICIA IZBICKI SNAPSHOTS CLASS NOTES

Email alumni@uwf.edu Phone 800.226.1893

TO GIVE Online uwf.edu/give

UWF Connection is published semi-annually by Alumni Relations and Institutional Communications.

The purpose of Connection is to communicate and engage with UWF alumni, donors, friends and others interested in the activities of UWF.

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Fall 2021

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21 UWF ATHLETICS:

Web uwf.edu/alumni

Mail UWF Alumni Association, 11000 University Pkwy., Building 12, Pensacola, FL 32514

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15 A connection to nature helps the UWF campus community see the sunshine in a time of social distancing.

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Q&A with President Saunders

Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, UWF’s expansive campus shone during the season of social distancing with its natural beauty for all to safely enjoy. UWF President Martha D. Saunders discusses how Argos have been able to immerse themselves in the pretty campus during every season.

What do you feel makes UWF’s campus so special? UWF’s 1,600-acre campus welcomes us every day to immerse ourselves in Florida’s natural beauty. The majestic canopy of trees creates a stunning setting for living and learning here. We’ve

been designated a Tree Campus Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation and our gorgeous camellia garden on campus has been listed on the National Camellia Trail.

When taking a break from your busy schedule, what is your favorite thing to enjoy on UWF’s campus? Surrounding myself in nature has a positive influence on my disposition. On any given day, I find that a stroll across campus or a visit to one of our gardens can make me instantly feel refreshed.

How do you believe the beautiful scenery on campus helps build a sense of community? Our 25 miles of trails invite community members to visit and find adventure, discover new areas of campus, or just enjoy places already known and loved.

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V P L E TTE R

News & Notes Letter from the

Vice President

Recent news from the University of West Florida

BY LEONOR ROPER ’18

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,

We continue to explore the power of possibility at the University of West Florida. We are inspired by the renewed life and energy that has returned to our campus and by the Argo Spirit that has only strengthened throughout the last year.

As alumni and friends, you offered support when our students needed it most and broke records along the way—the University had the most alumni donors ever during the 2021 fiscal year.

You have demonstrated an enthusiastic commitment to your University and continue to share with us the invaluable impact UWF has made in your life and in the communities we collectively serve. We have resumed inperson events, so please join us this fall at a football game, on campus for a tour of our new facilities or at a Homecoming event in October.

Your engagement fuels our success. Help us shape the future of this incredible force for good.

With gratitude,

Howard J. Reddy Vice President for University Advancement

New location, new tradition for Spring graduation After a year of virtual events and celebrations, 2020 and 2021 graduates were invited to celebrate their accomplishments in person during the Spring 2021 commencement ceremony at the Blue Wahoos Stadium in downtown Pensacola. During the ceremony, graduates were also given their first Argo Dollar, a new tradition provided by Members First Credit Union of Florida, and invited to give back to the University.

DIEDRE JOHNSON ’21 poses outside of the Blue Wahoos Stadium before commencement on May 8.

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N E WS & N OT ES

Protecting the blue and green with the COVID-19 vaccine In partnership with the Florida Department of Health, the University of West Florida offered the COVID-19 vaccine during Argo Nation Vaccination Day. The vaccine events were held on April 28 and May 26 at the UWF Field House. UWF nursing students helped administer the vaccine. Though the vaccine is not required, the University strongly encourages the UWF community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

New UWF Board of Trustees members welcomed Dr. Paul Hsu and William “Paul” Bowers were recently appointed, and Lewis Bear Jr. and Robert Jones were reappointed, to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. Bear and Jones have served on the board since 2010 and will return for a new five-year term. Bowers and Hsu filled vacant positions.

Day of Giving donors received Argonautbranded socks.

Dr. Paul Hsu

William “Paul” Bowers

Record-breaking number of donors during third annual Day of Giving UWF celebrated its third Day of Giving on Thursday, April 15 and raised more than $125,000 from 1,170 donors worldwide.

The University surpassed its goal of 1,000 donors, recording the highest number ever during the 24-hour fundraising event.

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NEWS & NOTE S

UWF student leaves lasting legacy, creates community partnership to help coral reefs A recent University of West Florida graduate is taking a class project to the next level and making a lasting impact through community partnership. Cliff Richardson, a Spring 2021 marine biology graduate, came up with the innovative idea to create a relationship between Buff City Soap and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium for the “Conservation in Practice” assignment in the Biology of Coral Reefs course.

45 years of helping small businesses grow The Florida Small Business Development Center Network celebrates 45 years of helping small businesses grow and succeed. The Florida SBDC Network started in 1978, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is one of eight SBDC pilot programs in the country and is now one of the largest SBDC networks in the country.

UWF named Military Friendly® Spouse School The University of West Florida was recognized as a Military Friendly® Spouse School in the large public school category for 2021-2022. This ranking distinguishes UWF as an institution committed to sustained success for veterans, active-duty members of the armed forces, future Army and Air Force officers and other militaryaffiliated students.

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Honor Roll

2020

UWF named ‘Great College to Work For’ The University was named a 2020 “Great College to Work For,” marking the institution’s eighth appearance on the list. UWF earned honor roll recognition in the following categories: Collaborative Governance; Professional/Career Development Programs; Compensation & Benefits; Facilities, Workspace & Security; Job Satisfaction; Work/Life Balance; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Supervisor/Department Chair Relationship; Respect & Appreciation; Tenure Clarity & Process (Faculty Only); and Teaching Environment (Faculty Only).

N E WS & N OT ES

UWF teams place in top 5 in national competition Two student teams showcased their artificial intelligence skills on a national stage during the prestigious AI Tracks at Sea Challenge, hosted by the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and the Naval Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Coordination Office. The UWF teams each placed in the top 5 out of 32 teams from public and private institutions across the country.

CyberSuccess program launches, preparing veterans for cybersecurity workforce Regions Foundation sponsored UWF CyberSuccess, an innovative University of West Florida cybersecurity workforce development program. The program is designed to train veterans across Northwest Florida and South Alabama to prepare and transition veterans into rewarding cybersecurity jobs along the Gulf Coast. The program’s first class graduated in July.

Argo Spirit celebrated in new, safer ways Argos came together virtually and in person for a week full of laughs, good times and true Argo Spirit for ArgoFest, presented by the UWF Homecoming Executive Board. The festivities kicked off with teams decorating the campus in UWF blue and green for Transform Fest and included comedy and music shows, among other events. ArgoFest concluded with the annual Dance Marathon, where the 2020 Mr. and Miss UWF were announced.

NEWS & NOTE S

UWF receives high marks in Florida Board of Governors performance metrics The University of West Florida is No. 1 in the Florida State University System for Metric 1 of the Florida Board of Governors’ 2020-21 performance-based funding model. More than 79% of UWF bachelor’s graduates are employed or furthering their education one year after graduation.

UWF partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters for college and career sessions The University of West Florida partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida to provide virtual college and career information sessions for high school students. The virtual sessions explore options for students to consider beyond high school, with a special emphasis on paths to earn a college degree affordably.

Dance Marathon raises nearly $43K for Children’s Miracle Network Held outdoors for the first time to prioritize the health and safety of the participants, the ninth annual University of West Florida Dance Marathon raised nearly $43,000 on March 20 in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

For more UWF news, visit news.uwf.edu.

ENIKO UJJ ’13, UWF alumna and local muralist, took the lead on the execution of the UWF spirited mural. Follow her projects on Instagram @enikoujj.

UWF installs spirited institutional mural Designed and coordinated by the Office of Institutional Communications, a spirited institutional mural was installed right outside of the University Commons patio. Alongside Argie and our Evolving Nautilus Shell, this mural highlights campus icons such as Annin’s Cannon, the “Arch” Cantor al Sol and beloved “Argodillo.”

This wall aims to become a point of interaction for students, faculty, staff and visitors for years to come. Cheers to our #prettycampus.

UND E R GRAD RE S EARCH

SANTOS GARCIA, senior engineering major at UWF, is developing a solar car for his research project.

STORIES RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION COLLIDE, PROVIDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS

BY MARGARET ROBERTS ’12

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he University of West Florida prides itself on collaboration in many aspects, but in Spring 2021, 27 students, two professors and one alumnus forged a new avenue for student-based partnership that the University had never seen before.

The UWF Office of Undergraduate Research facilitates and supports undergraduate student engagement in research and scholarly activities. Regularly, the department involves faculty and student 9

Fall 2021

collaboration in original research that should result in some tangible product, but its most valuable contribution is the development of students in ways not possible in a traditional classroom setting.

“Over the last couple of years, we have been trying to help our research students build their communication skills,” said Dr. Allison Schwartz, director of OUR. “It’s not just enough to be a great researcher. You have to also be able to sell your research, talk about your research and share your

research with people who may or may not know anything about the subject matter.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic withheld the students’ ability to go out and present their research, Schwartz teamed up with UWF communication instructor, Paul Pilger, and recent communication graduate and videographer, Robert Gill ’20, to create an alternative option benefitting both undergraduate research and communication students.

“We created a program so that production students from Paul’s communication class could document OUR student research,” Schwartz said. “Historically, the production class would produce videos on various make-believe concepts. We brainstormed how we could collaborate and give these students a chance to use their learned skills in real-world action.”

Through this interdisciplinary collaboration, teams of students were created where the communication students documented, through film, the OUR students’ research.

“Most detailed projects that try to discover something, create something or invent something are a team effort and will be collaborative,” Pilger said. “Getting students to understand that they can bring their strengths to the table, discover the strengths of other students at the table and put those together to do something that creates a

better chance for success or discovery improves the project all the way around.”

Thatiana Rodriguez, a senior art major, said that while it was a learning experience doing something new, it gave her confidence in her research in a way she never had before being a part of this collaboration.

“I hope that when people see students working together from all different departments and with different majors, they open up to the idea of collaborating and take that leap of faith to see if they can do that too,” she said.

At the end of the semester, the communication students produced mini films, or stories, of the OUR students presenting their research. The cross promotion that the students were able to provide each other was so effective, both Schwartz and Pilger now plan to continue providing students with this collaborative opportunity in future semesters.

Senior engineering student, Santos Garcia, was grateful for the opportunity to have his research on developing a solar car documented and said he encourages anyone who can take part in this collaboration to do so.

“I think it went really smoothly and the communication was great between the two disciplines,” he said. “They were able to provide a lot of value to us in documenting our research and now we can use that to help get the word out in ways we couldn’t before.”

Pilger and Schwartz echoed their students in sharing the success of the partnership.

By providing hands-on opportunities in a collaborative environment, the program creates a stepping stone for UWF students to gain a realistic advantage in real-world experiences outside of the classroom.

“Hopefully it gets them used to the idea that finding people to work with, where you can have a goal in common, is a really good thing,” Pilger said.

“I hope that when people see students working together from all different departments and with different majors, they open up to the idea of collaborating and take that leap of faith to see if they can do that too.”

—Thatiana Rodriguez, Senior Art Major

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DEFINING UWF These traditions and events help shape what it truly means to be an Argo and provide past and current students with an unforgettable college experience.

BY LEONOR ROPER ’18

BECOMING ‘ARGONAUTS’ Current students, alumni and others from the UWF community remember the moment they officially became an Argonaut.

The term “Argonaut” was voted from the first student body at the University and was officially announced on Nov. 16, 1967, from the University student newspaper. They selected the term based on a story in the Greek mythology saga of Jason and the Argonauts and their ‘Search for the Golden Fleece.’

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CAB AFTER DARK The annual event CAB After Dark will make a return in April 2022 for its twelfth appearance, bigger than previous years. CAB After Dark is the most significant event hosted by the Campus Activity Board, attracting more than 500 attendees. Members of the UWF community can expect a night full of fun, laughter, connections and celebration of the Argo Spirit at one of the most anticipated events of the year.

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T RA D I T I ON S

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MOVE-IN DAY Every year, University leadership and student volunteers welcome new students to campus. During move-in day, students experience a day full of warm greetings and excitement as they get adjusted to life as an Argonaut.

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TRUE TO THE BLUE AND GREEN Whether you prefer to rock blue and green or green and blue, all Argos look good in UWF’s colors. Did you know that blue and green were chosen to represent the blue of the sky and the green of the sea? Next time you’re repping school colors, whether it be on campus or while you’re tailgating by the bay, look up and down to see the inspiration behind the University’s official colors.

ALMA MATER The official anthem of any educational institution is the alma mater and is played at the University’s most prestigious events, including commencement.

UWF’s official alma mater was composed by Dr. Lynne A. Lauderdale and Dr. Algirt M. (Mike) Yots in 1989.

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FACULTY S POTLIG H T

UWF Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Diane Scott A military family background inspires professor to pursue social work on a broader level, inspiring students and community

BY ALLISON MORGAN

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rowing up in a military family, Dr. Diane Scott moved many places for 40 years of her life. She was born in Kentucky and lived all over the world, including in Puerto Rico, Germany and South Korea. In 1999, she returned to the place Dr. Diane Scott she considers home, Pensacola. is a Kansas “I was still finishing my doctorCity Barbeque ate when my husband and I moved Society judge in to the Pensacola area,” Scott said. her free time “I was working as an adjunct and wanted to continue my career at UWF. When I finished my doctorate degree in 2001, there wasn’t an immediate job opening at UWF so I started interviewing at other places. As I was interviewing at other places, a job became available at UWF and I was hired.”

Since then, Scott has made a great impact on students and those she works closely with. Scott, a licensed clinical social worker, finds her profession as a professor and associate dean in the College of Education and Professional Studies fulfilling.

“I was a social worker by profession and had been working in practice with the military when I went back and got my doctorate in Social Work from Catholic University of America,” Scott said. “It still feels like I’m doing social work but I’m doing it at a broader level.”

Scott received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Kansas State University, and her master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. Her research interests include adoption services and foster care in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, social work with military and veteran populations, and program evaluation and linking social service policy to practice. Among the subjects she has

researched: obesity among children in care; deploymentrelated stress in families of National Guard members; issues and barriers for adoption of foster children; and challenges and solutions for rural social work.

Whitney Jordan ’14, a student of Scott’s, graduated with a master’s degree in social work. She now teleworks for Veteran Affairs in Mobile, Alabama, as an outpatient caregiver support staff member working with wounded veterans. She said her favorite thing about Scott is her strong passion for advocating in a way that is respectful, but powerful.

“She always placed a huge emphasis on the importance of advocating for our clients once in the field and she really practiced what she preached by advocating for us, our school programs, the county and a number of other populations within the community,” Jordan said. “Once you meet her and get to know her, you learn that she is everywhere doing all kinds of great work!”

Scott said UWF’s close-knit connection to the community and students is one of her favorite things about UWF. “I enjoy that we are so connected to the community,” Scott said. “We value students and student experience. I work with people who could go to any institution because they want to teach and care about helping students. It makes a whole region stronger to have a University in the backyard that is as vibrant as we are and interwoven in the community.”

Scott also stays busy sharing her time with the community, serving on several boards. She serves on the Board of Directors of Northwest Florida Council on Aging, Bridges Out of Poverty and Blackwater River Correctional Facility Community Advisory Board. For 12 years, she served as the District 1 member of the Santa Rosa School Board, until her term ended in 2018. She has also served on the Child Guardians board.

In her free time, Scott enjoys participating in sanctioned barbecue contests throughout the region. She is a Kansas City Barbeque Society judge. She also enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.

“She always placed a huge emphasis on the importance of advocating for our clients once in the field and she really practiced what she preached by advocating for us, our school programs, the county and a number of other populations within the community.”

—Whitney Jordan ’14, outpatient caregiver support staff member, Veteran Affairs 13

Fall 2019

“It makes a whole region stronger to have a University in the backyard that is as vibrant as we are and interwoven in the

community.”

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The Benefits of a

Beautiful Campus UWF Community Stays Connected in the Outdoors

BY JENNY PEDRAZA

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ucked behind the University of West Florida Police Department in a greenhouse that was previously used by campus landscaping staff, you can usually find Monica Woodruff ’23. Last spring, she would stop by the greenhouse most days between classes, sometimes taking along a friend to help with projects. There was soil to mix, rows and rows of tomato seeds to plant and a research project that involved growing tabletop aeroponic kale. Sweaty, dirty and armed with an eclectic playlist, Woodruff would lose herself in the physical repetition and sunshine. On Fridays, she would celebrate the end of a long week with a walk to pick blueberries near the University Commons.

UWF’s 1,600-acre campus, bordered by two rivers and a coastal bay and recently designated a Tree Campus Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation, proved to be a welcome respite for Woodruff. An environmental management major, Woodruff was planning to study abroad in Wales last academic year, but like so much of regular life, those plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the UWF Community Garden, you can find a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“Living on campus and having classes online turned out to be very stressful for me—being in one little room, day in and day out,” she said. “I found myself needing to actively search for something to become involved with. I always knew I was interested in the environment and helping people.

I just didn’t yet know how it all connected.”

She would find that connection, along with a much-needed dose of wellbeing, through the UWF Community Garden.

Led by Dr. Greg Tomso, director of the Kugelman Honors Program, and Chasidy Hobbs, lecturer in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the garden encompasses about 2 acres of land behind the WUWF Public Media building on the Pensacola campus. Depending on the time of year, you can find citrus, figs, pomegranates, native pears, olives, mayhaws, toma-

toes, lettuces, greens, herbs, grapes and beets being grown and harvested.

Woodruff’s work in the greenhouse later translated into planting the tomato plants she started as seeds. She would spend mornings in the garden, weeding beds, “just waiting to spot shiny new tomatoes.”

In March, Woodruff worked with Hobbs and other students to plant 200 new trees and bushes on UWF’s Pensacola campus as part of the Argos’ Edible Campus program.

They hope to reach a total of 1,000 fruiting trees and bushes on campus by 2024, providing free access to fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables.

The garden and edible campus program help to combat food insecurity and make UWF a healthier place. The garden’s gathering and teaching pavilion, shade structures and new solar installation make

it a destination for students, faculty, staff and community members seeking balance, time outside and healthy food. Interest in garden work days surged during the pandemic, with more than 300 volunteers routinely showing up to roll up their sleeves and take home to eat what they harvested.

“In the garden, you are in your own 20foot bubble yet working alongside others, outside in glorious weather, harvesting organic food with new friends,” Tomso said. “It’s become a much-needed place for people seeking connection—with nature and with one another. We have this incredible natural resource here, and we are starting to see the fruits of that labor (pun intended!)”

Dr. Michele Manassah, executive director for UWF Counseling and Wellness, said a sense of community and connectedness— along with a healthy dose of fresh air—are

The garden sits on 2 acres of land behind the WUWF Public Media building near the main entrance of the Pensacola campus.

The Argos’ Edible Campus program, launched this year, will provide access to fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables, free of charge to students. The first planting event was held in March, with more than 200 trees planted on campus.

Logos provided by the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs

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“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.”

–John Muir

key recommendations for coping during a period of prolonged social distancing.

She easily rattles off a list of recommendations for taking a “nature time out” on or near campus: hiking on the Edward Ball Nature Trail through Thompson’s Bayou; taking a walk through the campus Camellia Garden; playing a round of disc golf on the campus’ 21-hole course; exercising; or going to the beach.

“There is a growing body of research to show that nature is medicine; that being outside can significantly reduce stress and improve your mood,” Manassah said. “We knew even before the academic year began

that we would need to focus on a holistic approach to mental health. We’re being told all the things we can’t do, but instead we want to focus on what we can do. We are lucky at UWF to have so much easy access to the natural world.”

Michael Morgan, UWF’s coordinator of outdoor recreation, echoes the benefits of getting outside, trying something new and participating in something physical.

“I don’t think you could walk across campus last year and not hear the discs hitting the chains on the disc golf course,” he said. “We found ways to create safety protocols that allowed us to be open and

active throughout that quarantine time, and everyone was really taking advantage of all our outdoor activities.”

Morgan said more than 200 people lined up to take part in a Halloween hike through the campus nature trails last October, almost doubling participation for the annual 20-minute, spooky nighttime tradition. Spring brought an easing of restrictions, and Morgan planned popular local adventures for students, including backpacking trips, canoeing on Thompson Bayou, caving in Florida Caverns State Park, tubing in Blackwater River and an Argos Go Green campus clean-up event.

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parkrun UWF is the first university in North America to host parkrun. A volunteerbased nonprofit, parkrun offers free, weekly, timed 5K routes every Saturday morning, year-round. This partnership not only offers a great way to get outside and get active, but it also showcases the beauty of UWF’s campus.

Sophomore marketing major Haylee Garner, was a first-year student last fall, living in an off-campus apartment. She participated in a tubing trip with UWF Outdoor Adventures in the spring.

“Some people came with friends, and some people came by themselves, but by the end, everyone was hanging out, floating down the river together,” she said. “It felt really good to connect with other people who were also interested in the outdoors.”

Senior biology major Jackson Reimer, also took advantage of UWF’s beautiful

campus and began working on a project with Morgan to install more trail markers, signage and educational information throughout the campus nature trails.

Funded by the University’s Green Fee, a 75 cents-per-credit-hour student fee established to support sustainability initiatives, they hope to increase accessibility on the trails.

Reimer also found an escape from the solitude of his apartment through research with Dr. Susan Piacenza, assistant professor in the Department of Biology. About once a month throughout the last academic

year, Reimer conducted sea turtle surveys using a video camera system at piers and reefs across the Panhandle. He was also a regular at the Community Garden, weeding, mowing and performing general maintenance. He built a lean-to and worked on irrigation and plumbing projects.

“I needed that hands-on work—a break from the computer and a way to actually experience life,” he said. “Outside, listening to the bugs and birds with the sun hitting you, it was a sense of normalcy and a muchneeded boost.”

“It felt really good to connect with other people who were also interested in the outdoors.”

—Haylee Garner, Sophomore Marketing Major Students Sara Akerman, Stella Awo Kwogli and Alby Clendennin enjoying the UWF Nature Trail on Thompson’s Bayou.

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STEAM Public Sculptures Those taking a walk in front of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts and the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering on UWF’s Pensacola campus can enjoy permanent sculpture installations, “Constellations” and “Interweaving Futures,” both part of a presidential initiative to commission public art that embodies the mission of the Reubin O’D. Askew Institute of Multidisciplinary Studies.

In Summer 2018, UWF issued a call to artists across the globe for the production of public art with a STEAM emphasis, with more than 120 proposals submitted. Ten semifinalists were chosen to participate in the STEAM Public Art Exhibition, held in 2019, and the final two sculptures were later selected.

FEATURED ON THE COVER, “Constellations” uses geometry, light and shadow to create a space that at night becomes a playful illuminated sculpture displaying constellations of motion.

“Interweaving Futures” was designed to look like a roaring fire.

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ATH L E TICS

GO ARGOS Cheerleading team overcomes odds, perseveres through pandemic to capture first national championship

BY ALLISON MORGAN

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Photo Credit: Action Moments

nown for their spirit, the UWF cheerleading team has proved they are unbreakable. Not even the challenges of 2020 could shatter that spirit. When the odds were stacked against the team amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the squad showed that with commitment and camaraderie, anything is possible.

The program was first forced into uncharted waters in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic. It was just the beginning of an unusual season that would end up being one of the most rewarding. It started with head coach Brooke Ciolino and assistant coach Shantell Taylor holding virtual tryouts due to social distancing guidelines that were put in place. Then, during the fall semester, only half of the members could attend each practice. When it became clear the team would not be able to cheer on the sidelines of any games in the fall, Ciolino saw an opportunity to train for a competition and brought a proposal to Athletics Director Dave Scott. With Scott’s approval, the

team began training for the National Cheer Association College National Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“University operations were remote from Thanksgiving break until January 2021 so we could not choreograph our routine until everyone returned in January,” Ciolino said. “At that point, the competition was only a few months away in April. Most teams we were up against go to the competition every year and had been training for months.”

While the season brought several obstacles, it also came with many firsts. It was the first time UWF has ever participated in a cheer competition and it was the first collegiate competitive cheer competition for these coaches and this squad.

“Despite the challenges we faced, we felt positive about it,” Ciolino said. “We thought we had a really good chance to win. We watched some teams in our divisions and we had a lot of good talent. We felt like our entire squad was in it with us and we went in wanting to have the best experience of their lives.”

THE UWF ’20-’21 SQUAD consisted of 26 cheerleaders, with 11 returning members and 15 new to the team. Many of the new members had never cheered on a college sideline before.

“OUR ATHLETICS ARE GOOD AND NOT EVERYONE RECOGNIZES WHAT POWERHOUSES UWF’S TEAMS ARE.”

brought so much more attention to UWF.” Ciolino said since becoming head coach in 2018 her goal has been —Brooke Ciolino, Cheerleading Head Coach to build the program They walked away with an unforgettable and carry on the revamped program that experience. former head coach Kathleen Norwood had “When they announced UWF winners of started in 2015. the NCA Game Day (Open Division) Col“She wanted to make the program lege National Championship, we just went known,” Ciolino said. “Our athletics are crazy,” said team captain Celine DeJong. good and not everyone recognizes what “Even though we knew our score was really powerhouses UWF’s teams are.” good, we didn’t know we were going to win.

Other athletic teams also made headlines There were girls crying and hugging their in the 20-21 season. Men’s golf went on to families. It’s definitely one of things you the NCAA Division II National Championthink is never going to happen, then it does.” ship, softball made it to regional finals, just The UWF squad consisted of 26 falling short of a trip to the national chamcheerleaders, with 11 returning members pionships, and baseball won the Gulf South and 15 new to the team. Many of the new Conference Tournament, making it to remembers have never cheered on a college gional finals. Men’s and women’s tennis also sideline before. made it to regional finals.

“Prior to winning, no one knew UWF,” No matter what the season brings, UWF DeJong said. “All of the colleges had names for themselves. We were excited because it is always building champions for life.

CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE SPRING ATHLETICS ACCOLADES MEN’S GOL F NCAA Division II National Championship Finalists S OF TBALL Regional Finalists BAS EBAL L Gulf South Conference Championship Winners Regional Finalists MEN’S TENN IS Regional Finalists WO MEN’S TEN N IS Regional Finalists

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Black A Lives Matter

mural created by students sparks conversation on equality

BY ALLISON MORGAN

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lively community area of the John C. Pace Library now rings loud with a voice for equality through a public piece of art. A mural that serves as a collective response to the Black Lives Matter movement is now on display in The Great Good Place on the second floor of the John C. Pace Library.

The Kugelman Honors Program at the University of West Florida provided 15 students the opportunity to create history in the form of a public mural as part of its ongoing Equity and Diversity Initiative, which emphasizes a strong commitment to social justice and developing curriculum and programs that showcase the diversity of UWF students and the Northwest Florida region.

“UWF has a tradition of using public art on campus to engage students, faculty, staff and visitors, which we want to continue,” said Dr. Gregory Tomso, director of the Kugelman Honors Program. “I think the value in public art is ensuring the conversation about racial justice will be ongoing, even after this particular moment in history has passed.”

Fifteen highly motivated and passionate students were selected to create the piece of art that serves as a collective response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The students were involved in all stages of production, including research, planning, design, community feedback, site preparation, painting and preservation.

Marzia Ransom, art student advisor and adjunct instructor, served as the lead artist for the project. She said that she and the students discussed “having a voice loud enough to help those who cannot be heard” as they completed the mural.

BL M M U RAL

“The metaphorical content of our work is intended to bring awareness and understanding, as well as being able to come together and assess through art the racial injustices that we are experiencing today,” Ransom said. “The mural is a collective statement of friendship and brotherhood as we work together trying to fight racism in every form.”

Nelly Arnett, junior communications major and graphic design minor, joined the project because it represents a commitment to change and a hope for a promising future.

“When I first joined the project, I was concerned about painting a mural that was nothing but words with empty promises,” Arnett said. “However, we’ve discussed that our entire goal of the artwork is to create something powerful and inspiring to make a loud statement that Black Lives Matter.

I learned about how murals relating to the Black Lives Matter movement were covered up and how several cities were painting their own murals with no intention to create actual change, and my passion for this project grew.”

Hannah Lowe, a recent UWF grad and a current graduate student, said she hopes the

completed mural is a spark for action among the UWF community.

“I hope others gain the ability to be openminded to the injustices that happen around and in front of us,” Lowe said. “I want the mural to create an area or topic of discussion and a call to action for any bystanders who may believe institutionalized racism isn’t an issue affecting our country, neighbors, friends or families.”

Stephanie Clark, Dean of Libraries, says the mural fits really well in The Great Good Place, a third place meant for talking about issues of the day. It is the first mural in the room.

“I think it’s a powerful piece and I find myself looking at it and thinking about the images and touch points of the piece from the past year,” Clark said. “It definitely has sparked conversation with library faculty and staff. We’re excited to hear more of those conversations come fall when there are even more students in the library.”

For more information on the UWF Kugelman Honors Program, visit uwf.edu/honors.

The students were involved in all stages of production, including research, planning, design, community feedback, site preparation, painting and preservation.

Fall 2021

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“UWF’s history of support for military affiliated students influenced my decision to become an Argonaut.”

Nick Hoyt General Biology, ’22

Find your future at UWF.

At the University of West Florida, we offer a seamless transition for spirited learners dedicated to finishing their education. Explore limitless possibilities and discover all that UWF has to offer, no matter where you are in your journey to a degree.

uwf.edu/apply

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Fall 2021

A LU M N I

MEET

NICOLE STACEY The New President of the UWF Alumni Association HELLO ARGOS! I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new president of the UWF Alumni Association. I graduated in 2009 and I am currently the Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Pensacola.

Anyone who knows me knows I love Pensacola, UWF and meeting new people. Because of these passions, being your Alumni Board President is an honor and a joy for me.

Just like many of you, UWF acted as a launching pad for many current aspects of my life. It is easy to look back and see all of the friendships, relationships, career paths and lifelong passions that were formed on the UWF campus by alumni like us.

Your support is essential to our future success as a University. As an alumnus, there are many ways to connect with your Argo roots and contribute to the success of our beloved alma mater: • Join us for an alumni event near you. Check out alumni.uwf.edu to find our upcoming events.

• C onnect with us on social media using @uwfalumni and #UWFAlumni.

• Become a Sustaining Alumni member.

SAVE THE DATE Join us for Homecoming 2021 the week of Oct. 10-16. To find an up-to-date list of events for you to participate in, visit uwf.edu/alumni/homecoming

I look forward to meeting many of you over the next two years and learning what the University of West Florida has done for you.

TOTAL UWF ALUMNI

Nicole Stacey ’09 President UWF Alumni Association

TOTAL UWF DEGREES CONFERRED

92,717 108,647

Stay Connected with UWF Alumni | Connect.uwf.edu |

/UWFAlumni Fall 2021

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Photo Credit: Vinson Dahn

A LUMNI PRO FIL E S

Wenceslaus ‘Wen’ Muenyi Founder, HercLéon

W

’16

hen most of the world was isolated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring, UWF alumnus Wenceslaus “Wen” Muenyi found himself in the national spotlight. Muenyi, a 2016 College of Business graduate who earned a BSBA in marketing, was invited to pitch his company, HercLéon, on the reality TV series “Shark Tank.” Although he was unable to strike a deal with investors, Muenyi impressed them with his odor-resistant, laundryfree line of products.

“I was lucky enough to discover the fantastic world of materials many years back after a trip to Iceland, where my clothes started to smell horrible, and I didn’t know where to find a laundry machine,” Muenyi said. “After that experience, I decided to find a way to develop products that would allow me to travel the world without any luggage and still be clean and comfortable. I did a lot of research and discovered HercFiber, a material that can be worn for days, weeks and months without having to be washed.”

Muenyi chose the name for his company because of his interest in Greek mythology and African history. Hercules is a symbol of faith, hope and service. He is from Cameroon, so he chose the word lion in French to represent persistence and determination. Fellow colleague and UWF alumnus, Daniel Robar, is the main actor in HercLéon’s Jax Sheets commercials and assists with the developing and fulfillment of the company’s products. Muenyi credits his professors for preparing him for the pressure of the real world.

“Professor C. Scott Satterwhite is probably the single most important teacher I had at UWF, his class’s focus on the Beat Generation characters like Alan Watts is the reason I live such a peaceful life, and in business it’s critical to find internal peace because you’ll always be putting out external fires,” Muenyi said. “If you can’t handle constant stress, then you’re going to hate being an entrepreneur.”

UWF Alumnus Wenceslaus “Wen” Muenyi showcasing his company’s odor-resistant fabrics on the reality TV series “Shark Tank”

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Fall 2021

Dr. Patricia Izbicki

Medical Science Liaison, Abbvie

nspired after hearing her friend play the piano for the first time as a child, Dr. Patricia Izbicki immediately fell in love with the sound of music.

“I was six or seven years old when my friend who had taken piano lessons played something for me,” Izbicki said.

“I was mesmerized and I really wanted to learn to play.”

She began taking lessons and her love for music exploded. When it became time to go to college, Izbicki connected with faculty at UWF who encouraged her to become a School of Music student.

She recalled being one of few students who also

studied biology, in addition to music.

Today, the University has a Bachelor of Arts in Music & an Outside Field.

“I am so thankful for UWF’s School of Music, now named the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music,” Izbicki said. “The amazing things that keep coming out of the school are a testament to the hard work of the faculty, staff and students. I felt so supported while studying both music and science. It’s a remarkable department and there’s no place like it.”

Before she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from UWF as a Kugelman Honors Scholar in 2014, she completed a thesis that connected music and its impact on the brain. It was after this that she realized

’14

she wanted to study the two more. Izbicki was accepted into graduate school at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where her research focused on understanding the brain mechanisms of complementary therapies, such as music training, in aging adults and persons with Parkinson’s disease.

Izbicki earned a doctorate in 2020 and returned to the Sunshine State.

She now resides in Miami where she works at Abbvie as a medical science liaison and shares her expertise on migraine research and clinical trials with area healthcare providers, nurse practitioners and neurologists. She also continues to work on music publications.

Fall 2021

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SNAPS H OTS

Smile!

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we found ways to safely engage in University events and spread Argo Spirit. Whether it was commencement, a baseball game or fundraising event, Argos everywhere showed their support and appreciation for UWF. These events also provide opportunities to socialize and connect with fellow alumni, current students, staff, faculty and friends of the University.

Don’t miss out! We continue to add new events to the mix. For a look at upcoming events, visit alumni.uwf.edu.

The University of West Florida celebrated the ceremonial transition of students to alumni during the Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony on May 8, at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium. President Saunders conferred degrees upon graduates from five academic colleges as well as the Graduate School.

Students watch one of the acts at Comedy Fest, part of ArgoFest, hosted at Blue Wahoos Stadium on March 18.

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Fall 2021

Kissed in Digital Gloss is fine arts student Anastasia Moray Leech’s installation—focusing on abstracting technological reality through pixelation. The exhibition exists in the physical space of the Pensacola Museum of Art gallery, as an outdoor projection on the museum’s north facade, and as an online video.

Argos came together, responsibly, to visit several food trucks located around campus for ArgoFest, a week full of virtual and in-person events to celebrate true Argo Spirit.

The University of West Florida broke a record during its third Day of Giving on April 15, raising more than $125,000 from donors worldwide.

Those who donated were given Argonaut-branded socks.

S N APSH OTS

UWF alumni joined from all over in a week-long virtual scavenger hunt as a part of UWF Founders Week. Alumni were placed on different teams and competed for the top prize with new missions released each day.

The UWF Alumni Association encouraged the UWF community to restock the Argo Pantry during a drive-thru food and supplies drive on the Pensacola and the Museum Plaza in downtown Pensacola. The event was part of UWF Founders Week.

Held outdoors for the first time to prioritize the health and safety of the participants, the ninth annual University of West Florida Dance Marathon raised nearly $43,000 on March 20 in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

In the absence of in-person events, the UWF Alumni Association sent Argie cutouts to members of various alumni networks throughout the U.S. and asked them to share a photo of Argie at a famous site in their city.

As a part of Founders Week, the UWF Alumni Association prepared and delivered 84 teacher care packages for K-12 schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The UWF Baseball team hosted Delta State in the 2021 Gulf South Conference Championship Series at Jim Spooner Field.

The Argonauts dominated in the deciding game three and captured their second GSC title in program history.

Fall 2021

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CLASS NOTE S

Class Notes 1970s

’75 Eric E. Wallace, M.A. English; Wallace published his sixth book, “Mind After Mind,” about a Seattle cartoonist who discovers that he can read minds. ’78 Kenneth M. Kay, B.A. Theatre; Kay was awarded the 2021 Palm Beach Symphony’s Randolph A. Frank prize.

This award recognizes individuals who enrich the quality of the performing arts in Palm Beach County, Florida. ’79, ’98 & ’07 Dr. Laura Dortch Edler.

B.A. Social Work, Ed.S. & Ed.D.; Edler received the Education Leadership Award at the 2021 Trailblazer Awards virtual ceremony. ’79 Dianne M. Krumel, B.A. Studio Art; Krumel received the Trailblazer Award at the 2021 Trailblazer Awards virtual ceremony.

1980s ’89 Gina E. Byrd (Armagost), B.A. Elementary Education; Byrd was appointed principal of A.L. Lotts Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee. ’89 Sallie R. Johnson, B.S. Teacher Education; Johnson was honored during Black History Month at Chipley High School in Chipley, Florida. ’89 Heidi E. Schiller (Hinnant), B.A. Theatre; Schiller was named the new executive director of Oxford Community Arts Center in Oxford, Ohio.

1990s ’90 Lori K. Kelley, B.A. Accounting; Kelley was appointed to the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees by Gov. Ron DeSantis. ’92 Jeffrey Russell Sneddon, MBA; Sneddon was recently named the new workforce training and continuing 31

Fall 2021

education executive director at the College of Eastern Idaho. ’96 & ’98 Jerry E. Delgado, B.A. Accounting and MBA; Delgado was recently named KPMG’s Jacksonville office leader. He has been with the company for 20 years.

2000s ’00 & ’19 David Maurice Williams, M.Ed. Educational Leadership and Ed.S.; Williams retired in June 2021 from Pensacola High School, where he had a 35-year career, starting as a teacher and basketball coach and ending as principal of the school. ’01 Jennifer Marie Wakefield (Williams), B.A. Communication Arts; Wakefield was named president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership in Virginia.

This organization promotes the region and recruits businesses to the city of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. ’02 Kathryn Jean Abel, B.S. Marine Biology; Abel joined the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve in Port St. Joe, Florida, as their education and outreach specialist. ’04 Dane Michael Gass, B.A. Communication Arts; Gass joined the development team at Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center in Sarasota, Florida. ’05 Nicolle Marie Cestero (Szewczyk), M.A. Psychology I/O; After joining American International College in 2011, Cestero was promoted to chief operating officer and executive vice president. In these roles she will oversee day-to-day operations, advise the president, oversee legal matters and support special initiatives. ’06, ’09 & ’14 Vanessa Lashay Phillips, B.S. Health Education/ Community Health, MSA Healthcare Administration & Ed.S.; Phillips received the UWF Alumni Trailblazer Award at the 2021 Trailblazer Awards virtual ceremony. ’07 Dr. Jonathan Todd Cellon, M.Ed. College Student Personnel Administration; Cellon was selected into Troy University’s 2021 Chancellor’s Fellows Program. He is currently the Associate Dean of the John W. Schmidt Center for Student Success at Troy University.

’09 Ashli Nicole Johnson, B.S. Hospitality Resort Management; The Asian American Hotel Owners Association named Johnson as its new vice president of education.

2010s ’10 & ’14 Dr. Timothy Andrew Jansky, B.A. English and M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction; In May 2021, Jansky graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. He accepted a position as assistant professor of English/English education at Northern Michigan University. ’10 David Timothy Raines, M.Ed. Educational Leadership; Raines was recently named head of schools at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia. ’12 & ’14 Carrie Diane Boynton, BSBA Professional Accountancy & MAcc; Boynton, a tax director with James Moore & Co., was a 2021 recipient of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants Horizon Award.

The FICPA Horizon Award recognizes young CPAs at the forefront of their profession. ’12 Dr. Venda Kaye Johnson, Ed.S.; Johnson completed her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. ’13 & ’14 Dr. Samantha “Sam” Schachner, BSBA Professional Accountancy & MAcc; Schachner graduated with a doctorate in accounting from the University of Nebraska in Spring 2021. She was then hired to teach managerial and financial accounting at St. Bonaventure University in New York. ’14 Brittany Sherwood, B.A. Communication Arts; Sherwood was recently named a 2021 Joe Curley Rising Leader by the Florida Public Relations Association. ’16 Christian Viet Dinh, B.A. Studio Art; Dinh is a ceramic artist based in New Orleans, Louisiana. His body of work, Nail Salon, is being featured at New Orleans’ Ogden Museum of Southern Art as part of the FOCUS series that features the work of both established and rising regional artists making an impact with their artistry. ’16 Deacon Bryan Ott, M.Ed Educational Leadership; Ott became

the principal of Cathedral Parish School in St. Augustine, Florida. He has been with the school for the past 20 years, both on the faculty and as the campus minister. ’17 Lacee Leeann Rudd, MBA; Rudd, the public relations manager for Visit Panama City Beach, was named one of Destination International’s 30 Under 30 recipients. ’16 Kaley Ward, M.A. Political Science; Ward has spent the last two years in New Zealand playing in the Women’s Premiership, the nation’s top women’s soccer league. In December 2020, she was awarded the Golden Boot Award for being the top scorer in the league. ’18 Amy Marie Crofts (Ruszaj), B.A. Exceptional Student Education; Crofts was a finalist for Rookie Teacher of the Year at Rimes Early Learning Center in Leesburg, Florida. The award is sponsored by the Education Foundation of Lake County. ’19 Bradley Lowery, MHA Health Care Administration; Lowery was named administrator of Atmore Community Hospital in Atmore, Alabama.

2020s ’21 Haleigh Renee Watkins, MSW; Watkins recently published her first book, “Daring to Date Differently,” which provides a perspective on dating in a way that glorifies God. It is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and WestBow Press.

In Memoriam ’68 Grace A. Madison, B.A. English ’68 Lulu S. Watson (Singletary), B.A. Elementary Education ’69 Robert A. Ray, B.A. Political Science ’71 Carl H. Belk, B.S. System Sciences ’71 Leler S. Murphy (Bedenbaugh), B.A. Elementary Education ’72 Saga B. Buie (Palm), B.A. Elementary Education

’75 Odie M. Eddins, B.A. Criminal Justice

’87 Francesca Lyliston (Schwetz), B.A. Psychology

’75 Irene K. Frazier (Kilcoyne), B.S. Management

’87 David B. Van Dyke, MPA

’75 Frank Janczlik, B.A. Communication Arts ’76 Randle G. Danley, B.S. Management ’76 Beverly J. Elkins (Tinsley), M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’76 Ann C. Walker (Fain), B.A. Elementary Education ’76 Patricia A. Williford (Wynn), M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’77 Carol L. Carmichael, B.A. Special Education ’77, 78 & 84 Mary E. Nicholas (Reynolds), B.S. Marketing, B.A. Elementary Education & M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’77 Frances D. Pattison (Davis), B.A. Elementary Education ’77 & ’83 Arthur T. Pugh, B.S. Marketing & B.A. Accounting ’77 Virginia C. Seal (Cobb), M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’77 Warren L. Williams, B.A. Accounting ’78 Rob A. Nachtigal, B.A. Philosophy ’78 Martha A. Stringer (Musgrove), M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’79 Linda S. Nevin (Price), B.A. Elementary Education

’88 & ’93 Barbara A. Atterberry (Hibbets), B.A. Communication Arts & B.A. English Education ’89 Gerald E. Hutchins, B.A. Psychology ’92 Carolyn M. Hudspeth (Chapman), M.A. Reading ’93 Kathleen A. Ivie (Matthes), B.A. Elementary Education ’96 Melinda-Jo Birringer, B.A. Studio Art ’98 Lcdr. Orris E. Burns, B.S. Computer Science ’99 Sandra Dennison Menge, M.Ed. Elementary Education ’01 Sheila Renee Peterson, M.Ed. Educational Leadership ’17 Melissa Ann Santos, B.S. Health Sciences ’19 Howard W. Penton, B.S. Biomedical Sciences ’20 Laura Kimberly Tribo, B.S. Network Systems Operations

Individuals Dr. Robert Bradford Pyle, Friend of the University

’82 Imogene Kennedy (Smith), B.A. Interdisciplinary Humanities & BFA

Mary Cunningham, Friend of the University

’82 Larry A. Titus, B.A. Elementary Education

Dr. Melvin “Mel” Droubay, Retired Faculty

’82 & ’83 Bernard G. Weimer, B.S. & M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology

Beverly S. McConnico, Friend of the University

’83 Madeleen J. Obermeyer (Main), B.A. English

Quentin Black, Friend of the University

’84 Donald L. Etheridge, M.Ed. Educational Leadership

Patricia M. Kerr, Friend of the University

’84, ’92 & ’05 Dr. Elaine Luna Martin, B.S. & M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, Ed.D. ’84 Leon E. Ramsey, B.S. Management ’85 Michael E. Daling, MBA

Jerome Francis York, Former Employee Thomas G. Carpenter, Former Employee Thomas J. Hayes, Friend of the University

’72 Louise W. Nolan (Walker), B.A. Elementary Education

’85 Herminio Hernandez, M.A. Psychology

’73 Thomas E. Nolan, B.A. Philosophy

’86 Dr. Mark A Lambert, B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology

Alice Marie Klingaman USAF Ret. (Auguston), Friend of the University

’86 Billie K. Lanier, B.A. Communication Arts

Priscilla M. Myers, Retired Employee

’74 Betty N. Jackson (Sherrer), B.A. Special Education ’74 Patricia K. MacSweeney (Ryals), B.S. System Sciences

’87 Linda C. Dye, M.S. Biology

Rev. Zebedee Nicholson, Retired Employee Fall 2021

32

CLASS NOTE S

Harold E. “Hal” Marcus 1934-2021

Hal Marcus embodied the Argo Spirit.

Harold E. Marcus was a revered figure in the Pensacola community. He could often be found cheering on the Argos at UWF football games, hosting bingo nights at the Azalea Trace Retirement Community or attending services at Temple Beth-El. As a longtime supporter of the University of West Florida, Hal gifted $5 million to UWF in 2016, creating the first named college, the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.

Throughout the years, Hal, and his late wife Pat, generously provided scholarship support and funding resources for UWF initiatives including the Archaeology Department, the Research Experience Away Program and the Pat & Hal Marcus Excellence Scholarship.

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Fall 2021

I have made numerous investments over the years, but the investment in education is the best one I have ever made.

RIDE WITH

ARGO PRIDE Get $20 when you switch to a UWF plate.

Let everyone know you support the Argos by sporting the UWF license plate tag in the state of Florida. For a limited time, UWF will provide a $20 rebate when you make the switch.

If you already have your plate—thank you! If not, don’t miss this chance to get yours for less by applying for your tag before June 30, 2022.

Learn how to make the switch by visiting

uwf.edu/licenseplate Fall 2021

34

Connection University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 uwf.edu/alumni

Together, we endure.

TOGETHER, WE WIN.

We are a community of passionate scholars, athletes and leaders blazing beyond what was thought possible to shatter expectations.

We’re proving that winning in life and on the field starts by creating a vision, and having the grit and determination to go after it. uwf.edu/NoLimits

Coach Pete Shinnick UWF HEAD FOOTBALL COACH