College of
AR TS, SOCIAL SCIE NCES AND HU MANIT IE S 2014-2015
Year in Review
Studying the Past to Thrive in the Present and Build a Better Future
Message from THE DEANS
College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Since last fall, the college has:
• Enjoyed strong growth in the numbers of faculty members and students engaged in high-impact practices, including collaboration on undergraduate research projects; • Hired 14 new faculty colleagues who will join us during the fall term, 2015; • Engaged the community through the Downtown Lecture Series; • Relocated the Women’s and Gender Studies program to strengthen faculty and student efforts and expand the program’s impact upon the entire institution; • Received significant increases in external funding, designed to benefit the activities of several departments and provide scholarship assistance for a large number of students; • Celebrated promotions of faculty colleagues to full professor as they presented inspirational and thoughtprovoking lectures for the Rite of Passage Series. Numerous other accomplishments receive greater attention in articles found elsewhere within this report.
Dr. Steve Brown, Dean The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of West Florida brings together a wide array of disciplines devoted to intellectual growth and development of our students through a broad liberal arts education. Courses and programs in CASSH explore human experience through cuttingedge scholarship and creative activities and give back to the region through meaningful professional service. CASSH has witnessed tremendous growth and success during its inaugural year. The 2014-2015 Year in Review highlights the achievements of our faulty, programming and partnerships. These are components that set our university apart and make our students distinctive.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
All these activities, and others not mentioned here, lead to a pair of conclusions: first, there is an extraordinary level of commitment and accomplishment within CASSH, benefiting our students, our university and our region; and secondly, the heightened visibility that is so important for the growth and development of our college is being created each day. The successes and accomplishments of the college are a result of the work done by our faculty members, department chairs, staff members and especially students within our academic departments. Our donors and community partners have also played an integral role in supporting liberal arts education through their generosity and collaboration. If there is one overarching message to be found in a review of the past year in CASSH, it is that excellence, devotion and creativity abound within the college. It truly is wonderful to be able to represent this college, and I remain continually grateful for the commitment and outstanding service of all those working for the growth and development of the college.
Dr. Jocelyn Evans, Associate Dean UWF is unique in so many ways. Tucked away in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida, it is a regional comprehensive public university that values small class size, experiential learning, applied research, community engagement and high impact practices. The faculty and staff in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities make huge investments of time and energy in developing the whole person of each student in our programs. From advising new majors, to foundational work with sophomores, to collaborative projects and intense intellectual engagement with juniors, to professional development of seniors, our departments drive students toward academic excellence and personal growth. This work is meaningful and transformative. The stories on the pages to follow reverberate with energy, enthusiasm and excellence. We are proud to celebrate and share the accomplishments of CASSH for the 2014/2015 academic year.
INSIDE Who We Are: Mission, Vision and Values
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Distinctive Programming: Our Students
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By the Numbers
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Data Analytics Lab
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Distinctive Faculty
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Committed to Quality
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Distinctive Faculty: Dr. Alfred Cuzán
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Experience UWF Downtown
Distinctive Faculty: Dr. Athena du Pré
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History’s Next Exit
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Distinctive Partnerships
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Distinctive Programming: Our Departments
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Thank you to our staff and faculty for contributing to this publication, which we are proud to present on behalf of the college.
2014-2015 Year in Review
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Who We Are VI SION
MI SS ION
The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities aspires to be the first choice of students interested in a high-impact learning environment with quality faculty committed to academic excellence in teaching, in scholarly and creative activities and in service to the broader community. We are committed to the educational enrichment and professional development of students. The college’s mission is to provide distinctive:
Faculty. Programming. Partnerships.
VALUE S
Together, our faculty, programming and partnerships uphold the values that make our college and university distinctive.
Collaboration
Distinctiveness
Inclusiveness
Innovation
Integrity
Quality
Relevance
Stewardship
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By the Numbers O U R FAC ULTY AND STAFF 13 Part-Time Staff 12 Full-Time Staff
92 Adjuncts 58 Graduate Assistants
74 Student Employees
80 Full-Time Faculty
Total Employees: 329
G E N E R A L O P ERATING BUD GE T A N D ST UD ENT E NRO LLM E NT $11.2 Million
1,890 Students Majored in CASSH Programs
2014-2015 Year in Review
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Distinctive FACULTY
Recognizing Faculty Achievements
Division of Anthropology and Archaeology and the Florida Public Archaeology Network Roz Fisher was named the 2015 recipient of the UWF Mary F. Rogers Women’s Studies Faculty Award. Dr. Della Ireton-Scott received the Florida Department of State 2015 Senator Bob Williams Award.
Department of Art Valerie George received a Quality Matters national certification for the work on her fully-online course, History of Photography. Amy Bowman received a Quality Matters national certification for the work on her fully-online course, Western Survey II: Baroque to Contemporary.
Department of Communication Arts Dr. Disraelly Cruz authored a chapter in Communication and the Volunteer Experience: Exploring the Organizational Dynamics of Volunteering in Multiple Organizational Contexts by Peter Lang. The publication won the NCA Applied Communication Edited Book of the Year Award. Dr. Athena du PrĂŠ was named a UWF Distinguished University Professor. Dr. Tressa Kelly received the Quality Matters Seal of Excellence for the online-format design of her Gender Communication Course.
Dr. Della Ireton-Scott and Mr. Ken Detzner, Florida Secretary of State Photo courtesy of Florida Department of State
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COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
Department of English and World Languages The Florida Foreign Language Association (FFLA) recognized Spanish Instructor Laura Arguea for her contributions to the profession. She was a recipient of the 2014 Most Valuable Teacher Award, during the FFLA conference in October, 2014. Judy Bennington-Dykes was named recipient of the 2015 Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award by Dr. Martha Saunders, UWF Provost and Executive Vice President.
Department of History Dr. William “Steve” Belko won the 2013 Phi Alpha Theta Best Subsequent Book Award for The Triumph of the Antebellum Free Trade Movement. Dr. Marie Thérèse Champagne won the UWF Faculty Internationalization Grant, a UWF Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity Grant and a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar Grant. Dr. Daniel Miller received the UWF Faculty Scholarly and Creative Activity Grant.
Jonathan Fink’s leadership was responsible for the Department of English and World Languages’ launch of a new book series last year, in partnership with the University Press of Florida.
Dr. Patrick Moore was named the New Mexico State University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Mamie Hixon, UWF Writing Lab Director, was chosen as the Grand Marshal of Pensacola’s MLK Day parade for 2015. She was also named as one of the seven recipients of the Living the Dream Award.
Dr. Brian Hood provided high quality and impartial evaluations of project proposals submitted for state sponsored research grants. For his work, Hood has been recognized by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation.
Shannon Holst was awarded the SGA’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Department of Government Dr. Alfred Cuzán, UWF Distinguished University Professor of Political Science, received a 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. scholar grant for his study and research. Dr. Jenna Emery was named as one of Pensacola’s “Rising Stars” for 2015 by Pensacola’s Independent Weekly. Dr. Jocelyn Evans presented a Rite of Passage lecture in February, 2015, “Naked and Afraid: A Survivor’s Tale.”
Department of Philosophy
Department of Music Dr. Hedi Salanki -Rubardt was appointed as a visiting professor and overseas advisor for the Music Department of Zinghai Normal University in China, while completing her third concert tour in China. Dr. Joseph Spaniola’s residency and collaboration with Oklahoma State University faculty yielded seven new musical works.
Dr. Michelle Williams presented a Rite of Passage lecture in November, 2014, “Climbing Every Mountain to Do What You Love and Love What You Do.”
Congratulations Faculty Tenure and Promotions
Dr. Sheila Dunn, Chair, Department of Music, and Joseph Herring, Department of Art, have received tenure and have been promoted to associate professor. Jim Jipson, Department of Art, has been promoted to full professor.
2014-2015 Year in Review
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“I am proud to be part of this institution.” Dr. Alfred Cuzán Dr. Alfred Cuzán, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science
DR. ALFRED CUZÁN NAMED A 2015 FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, has selected Dr. Alfred Cuzán, UWF Distinguished University Professor of Political Science, to receive a 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. scholar grant for his study and research. “Receiving the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant at this point in my career is both a delight and an honor,” says Cuzán. “I’m grateful to have had strong support of colleagues through the application process and my entire time at UWF … I am proud to be part of this institution.” The Fulbright program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Since then, the program has awarded grants to approximately 310,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, scientists and other professionals from the United States and abroad. The funding gives recipients the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Annually, the Fulbright Scholar Program provides approximately 1,200 teaching and research grants to faculty and experienced professionals from the United States. The Council for International Exchange, a division of the Institute of International Education, administers the program. The council administers a competitive selection process of candidates who lecture and conduct research in their respective fields abroad.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
Cuzán’s Fulbright scholarship will enable him to teach at the University of Tartu in Estonia, one of the oldest universities in northern Europe, and the largest and most highly ranked institution of higher learning in Estonia. He will also be associated with the Estonia School of Diplomacy in Tallin, the capital. When asked why he chose to work in Estonia, Cuzán expressed his intrigue by the nation’s experience under Soviet rule and its recovery of independence in 1991. Cuzán will be teaching courses in American politics and Latin American politics during the spring semester 2016. He says he hopes to have a great experience interacting with Estonian scholars and students. Cuzán looks forward to learning more about the country’s political system and culture while contributing to the University of Tartu’s Political Science program. A native of Cuba who arrived in the United States in 1961, Cuzán has been at UWF for 35 years. During his time at the university, Cuzán has chaired the Department of Government for two decades, served or chaired numerous committees and taught a variety of courses. Serving as a professor of political science, he also has published many articles in political theory, American presidential elections and comparative and Latin American politics that have been cited nationally and internationally across a wide range of disciplines. Cuzán has won numerous awards and fellowships including being named a Fulbright Fellow in 1983, when he completed a summer of study and research in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has earned a master’s and a doctorate in Political Science from Indiana University, and a bachelor’s in Government and Economics from the University of Miami.
Distinctive | FACULTY FACULTY RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED HONORS
Dr. Athena du Pré, Distinguished University Professor
She’s a best-selling author in the academic world, consultant, coach and advisor for more than 1,500 hours in communitybased projects a year. But to her students, Dr. Athena du Pré is a mentor dedicated to fostering academic and professional success in those whom she guides. She stands out as a leader who is committed to the excellence of her profession. “Her passion for communication and student development shine in her work. I can think of no one more deserving of the Distinguished University Professor title,” Annina Dahlstrom says of du Pré, Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Communication Arts. The department named Dahlstrom a 2014-2015 Outstanding Student Graduate before graduating with her M.A. in Strategic Communication and Leadership in May 2015. Dr. du Pré is a two-time winner of the annual Distinguished Teaching Award, presented by UWF students. Additionally, UWF awarded her the title of Distinguished University Professor in April 2014. The Distinguished University Professorship recognizes professors who hold a distinguished record in teaching, scholarly and creative projects, community service and notable contributions to UWF. Award winners receive an annual $7,500 stipend for three years and a $10,000 annual budget for each of the three years to enhance the recipients’ work. du Pré is using the $30,000 in budget allocations to fund 25 writing fellowships for UWF students interested in working with her to publish their work. “Dr. Athena du Pré embodies knowledge and professionalism, promotes student development and teaches her students how to flourish as communication professionals,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber Marketing and Communications Specialist Rebecca Stauffacher. “She has a successful track record of building leaders in the classroom and the community, and I am proud to be her former student and a graduate of the Strategic Communication & Leadership master’s degree program at UWF.” In addition to her roles as faculty director of graduate studies, du Pré also directs UWF’s Leadership Enhancement Activities and Development (LEAD) Program, which fosters leadership development among full-time university staff members. Distinguished University Professorship recipients receive monetary benefits for three years, but they retain the title for the duration of their careers at UWF. Dr. Al Cuzán, professor in the Department of Government, and Dr. Hedi-Salanki Rubardt, Director of Chamber Music and the Piano Program, each received the honor in 2012.
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Distinctive
PROGRAMMING Class Notes and Highlights
Division of Anthropology and Archaeology and the Florida Public Archaeology Network The Society for Historical Archaeology awarded FPAN the 2015 Daniel G. Roberts Award for Excellence in Public Historical Archaeology during the 48th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology. The Florida Division of Historical Resources awarded UWF’s Division of Archaeology and Anthropology a Special Category Grant Award for $293,000 to continue the excavation and analysis of the Emanuel Point II shipwreck.
According to Dr. John Bratten, associate professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology, more than 4,000 artifacts have been recovered from the two Spanish vessels.
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Department of Art In partnership with The Art Gallery (TAG), Artel Gallery and the Foo Foo Festival, ACE, Inc. and PaintScaping brought the first 3D mapping performance to the Pensacola and regional community. UWF graduated its first class of majors with a BFA in Graphic Design. Two students received awards during the Pensacola ADDYÂŽ Awards for their work in the program.
UWF’s oldest academic events. This year, the event welcomed competitors from 14 colleges and universities and featured 11 different public speaking events, including parliamentary debate. Dr. Steve Brown, Dean of CASSH, commented on his experience as competition judge, “It was highly enjoyable to hear such accomplished students in a broad range of speech and debate categories. The level of preparation and refinement exhibited by these competitors provides strong evidence of excellent coaching and guidance.”
“Ripe” for Design This year, UWF’s Department of Art’s BFA in Graphic Design program was proud to present its “ripe” inaugural graduating class, which launched in August 2014. In May, under the leadership of program director Joseph Herring, eight graphic design students presented “Ripe,” the 2015 BFA Graphic Design Exhibition, in partnership with the UWF Innovation Institute. After nine months in development, the exhibition reflected the fruit of what began as a dream for the graduating class. Students of the BFA in Graphic Design program recognize that contemporary culture thrives off of visual elements. They understand that the components of graphic design are constantly at work creating dialogue with audiences while sharing information within the commercial, social, public and political landscapes.
Dr. Chris Fenner has served as UWF’s Director of Forensics for the past two years and is currently in his seventh year serving as the vice president of the Florida Interstate Forensic Association, which runs the Florida State Championship. In 2014, Fenner was voted president of the Novice National Association, which runs the largest tournament in the country for first year competitors. “In every field, students who write well and speak well enter the workforce poised to succeed,” Dr. Fenner says of the importance of an education in public speaking. During the 2014-15 season, the UWF Forensics team, which was comprised of three returning and twelve new competitors, competed in a total of fifteen tournaments. UWF will host Novice Nationals in 2017.
Department of English and World Languages
The BFA in Graphic Design empowers students to enter into and excel within a competitive job market. CASSH is proud to offer this program and present the fruit of its talented and accomplished graduates to the communities their skills will serve.
Pandhandler Magazine launched Pandhandler Books, an initiative of the Department of English and World Languages. University of West Florida Press’ new imprint launched its first print publication in Spring 2015 with Jason Ockert’s Wasp Box. Students participated in cross-cultural, educational opportunities in London, Berlin, Prague, Paris and Salamanca.
The CASSH Annual Year in Review features the design work of Rachel Wright, BFA in Graphic Design major and 2015 graduate.
Writing Lab
Department of Communication Arts Nearly twenty students received awards and recognition in competitions representing the disciplines of journalism, public relations, advertising and speech and debate. Students in Business and Professional Communication and Leadership Communication classes gave over $680 to five community non-profit initiatives.
The Writing Lab collected over 1,200 books for its fifth annual “Books for Little Readers” book drive and donated these books to Newpoint High School, Newpoint Academy and Five Flags Academy. This year, the lab continued to serve the university and local communities. In addition to providing ongoing resources, the Writing Lab supported scholarship competitions hosted by 100 Black Men of Pensacola, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Northwest Florida Foreign Language Association.
Speech and Debate UWF was proud to host the annual Marks Invitational Forensics Speech and Debate competition. The competition is one of
2014-2015 Year in Review
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Department of Government Thanks to a $280,000 tech fee grant project, the Department of Government will pilot the use of a Data Analytics Lab, currently under construction. Dr. Evans’ Government’s Honors Core II course partnered with UWF’s GIS Lab to create a Public Space Index community resource for evaluating Pensacola’s public parks.
Women’s Studies Collective The Women’s Studies Collective, guided by student leadership, achieved several notable accomplishments. Among these, the Collective launched Feminist Iconography, its first art exhibition, hosted UWF’s 14th annual Women’s Studies Conference featuring Angela Davis, an internationally recognized activist, and won UWF’s Breakout Organization for 2014-2015.
Department of History UWF and the Next Exit History ™ app signed a licensing agreement with Historical Research Associates to execute operations on behalf of the project.
Center for Fine and Performing Arts UWF’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts serves to educate audiences, enrich and engage the Northwest Florida community and inspire the creation of art in all of its forms. Housed in the Departments of Art, Music and Theatre, the CFPA is the heart of artistic expression for the university and a primary destination for arts and culture in Northwest Florida. Here are a few of this year’s highlights: • During the 2014-2015 academic year, the CFPA engaged over 30,000 students and community members through events both on-campus and within the surrounding community.
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Dr. Jodi Magness visited UWF in March and presented to the academic and Pensacola community her latest excavations and research. She is a professor with University of North CarolinaChapel Hill and an internationally known scholar on the archaeology of the Qumran site.
Department of Philosophy This year, the Department of Philosophy welcomed into its programs the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities with a specialization in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Department of Music The Department of Music’s 2015 bachelor of Music Education majors had a 100% pass rate on their competency tests. According to past successes, the department anticipates a 100% placement rate in the coming year. Five graduates gained acceptance into elite graduate programs at conservatories including San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music.
• The Departments of Music and Theatre hosted over 100 performances, including guest performances by ensembles such as the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants. • The Department of Art featured over 150 days of art shows and public display art exhibitions, including a guest exhibition by Patrick Jacobs, UWF alumnus and award winning artist. • The CFPA facilities hosted over 20 UWF and community events including lectures by Von Glitschka, illustrative designer, and Dr. Jodi Magness, internationally recognized archaeology scholar.
Distinctive | PROGRAMMING
Department of Theatre The Emerald Coast met the Emerald Isle as sixteen students participated in “The Irish Experience.” In May, students traveled to Ireland to join the Carlow Arts Festival in partnership with the Carlow Little Theatre. In addition to presenting All In the Timing, a production by David Ives, students received training and professional insight from artists such as Bryan Burroughs, award-winning actor and director. This is the second year UWF students have participated in the “The Irish Experience.”
University of West Florida Department of Theatre Presents
of
Music, Lyrics & Book by
Rupert Holmes Based on the book by Charles Dickens
The Department of Theatre also produced five productions, performed in the CFPA, including Illyria, by Peter Mills, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes. February 20 - March 1, 2015
TICKE TS 850.857.6285 uwf.edu/cfpa
Original Broadway production produced by The New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer
2014-2015 Year in Review 13
Students of
EXCELLENCE “As a student at the University of West Florida, my life has been transformed.” Timothy Jones Two years ago, Timothy Jones was a homeless military veteran. Today, he is a junior at UWF through the combined efforts of Volunteers of America’s Veteran Transition Program, the Department of Veteran Affairs and the UWF Military and Veterans Resource Center. Student Veterans of America also played a large role in his transition. Jones is thankful for the role UWF has played. “UWF was my first-choice school.” He also says the resources UWF has given him have “changed his life.” Of UWF’s resources and personnel, he says, “They have provided me with the tools needed to grow academically, professionally and personally.” Jones, Executive Chairman of the UWF Men’s Empowerment Network and Vice Chairman for the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, is a Communication Arts Major at UWF. He credits UWF for his transformation. “As a student at the University of West Florida, my life has been transformed.” He entered UWF as a homeless veteran. Today, he is a veteran with a home.
Timothy Jones, Communication Arts Major
Jones was recently nominated as one of three veterans to introduce Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at the 7th Annual Student Veterans of America National Conference. Although he did not receive the opportunity to introduce Vice President and Dr. Biden at the event, he did have the honor and privilege of meeting the distinguished guests. Jones says, “I am truly honored to be a student at UWF, having the opportunity to wake up and work toward a life that is now possible.”
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Janine Velez Vazquez, Anthropology and International Studies
Janine Velez Vazquez, Anthropology major, was selected to join the Proyecto Bio-Arqueológico de Ayacucho in Peru, summer 2015. Under the direction of Dr. Tiffiny Tung of Vanderbilt University, Velez was part of carrying out bioarchaeological research on skeletons from the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1400 AD). One of her team’s objectives was to answer questions related to health and trauma in the ancient populations that lived between the Wari and the Inca Empires. Velez gained her knowledge of human skeletal anatomy through Dr. Kristina Killgrove’s Human Osteology course and Dr. Joanne Curtin’s Forensic Anthropology Field School. Her fluency in Spanish and passion for bioarchaeology contributed to the team’s dynamics. The National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program provided full funding for Velez to travel to Peru and join the research team for four weeks. Velez is a dedicated student committed to scholarly success. She is a double major in International Studies, with a focus in International Business and Anthropology, focusing in Biological Anthropology. Velez is also pursuing a minor in Art History. For the past three years, she has served as a UWF Student Ambassador. She credits her success in the program to her role as a resident assistant. Of her opportunity, Velez says, “I am very blessed and humbled by this amazing opportunity, one that I would have never dreamed of accomplishing at such a young age. I have my parents, the amazing professors and peers at UWF to thank for believing in me and helping me achieve my dreams. Being a Puerto Rican female is already hard in this society, especially in my major. But, being a UWF student and having the support of my professor on this opportunity has given me an abundance of confidence.”
Dawn Calilman-Jongko, Fine Arts Major
The annual UWF Student Scholars Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase features the scholarly and creative works produced through staff and faculty collaboration. This year’s symposium, held in April, featured the work of twelve CASSH students and one faculty member representing six different disciplines. For her work, Art Cats, Dawn Calilman-Jongko, 2015 graduate with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, received two awards: CASSH Best Student Presentation and the Department of Art Best Student Project. Art Cats is a compilation of art masterpieces that take the form of cats. She introduces a rat character to describe to the reader the significance of each artistic rendering. She names him “Vasari” in reference to the first known art critic. In Art Cats, Vasari, the rat and art critic, takes the reader on a journey of artistic periods including the Paleolithic, Impressionistic and Pop Art periods. An artist and educator with Buelah Academy of Science, CalilmanJongko observes the fine arts discipline being removed from the K-12 education system, while the focus on literacy remains. She sees the opportunity to further literacy while promoting art education through her publication. Art Cats, primarily targets elementary and middle school demographics; the work features crayon illustrations, which are easy for students to replicate. Nick Croghan, Director of UWF’s The Art Gallery (TAG), and John Markowitz, Coordinator for the UWF Department of Art, provided Calilman-Jongko with leadership through her research. Calilman-Jongko’s work was featured in TAG’s 2015 BFA Exit Exhibition.
2015 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
2015 OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENTS
Eric Wayne Bencivenga, Maritime Studies Hunter Brown, English-Writing Tyler Bryant, International Studies Sabrina Cummings, Anthropology Jessica Farrell, Political Science/Pre-Law Annastasia Fiala-Gapp, Musical Theatre Patricia Izbicki, Musical Performance Kay Jackson, History Johnson Yager Hannah, Communication Arts Stefini Pilgrim, Studio Art James Simpson, Philosophy Christina Swift, Music Education Rachel Wright, Graphic Design
Annina Dahlstrom, M.A. Communication Arts, Strategic Communication and Leadership Daniel A. Dorman, M.A. Political Science Anthony R. Eberhardt, M.A. English, Literature Erica L. Evans, M.A. Political Science Gregg E. Harding, M.A. Anthropology Jonathan D. Hovell, M.A. Communication Arts, Strategic Communication and Leadership Rebecca A. Namniek, M.A. English, Literature Steven Poulin, M.A. History, Public History William Vittetoe, M.A. History Shevan E. Wilkin, M.A. Anthropology
2014-2015 Year in Review 15
Innovation.Colla TECH LAB STRENGTHENS A N A LY T I C S
UWF is proud to become a flagship institution for hosting a data analytics model for student learning. The UWF Department of Government has been issued a grant to pilot “A Data Analytics Lab Promoting Job Readiness and Skill-Building Beyond STEM Through Hands-On Active Learning Experiences.” Thanks to the $280,000 grant provided in partnership with UWF’s Department of Government, UWF’s Information Technology Services is constructing a Data Analytics Lab that will be available for use beginning in fall of 2015. The funds are part of Technology Fee revenues intended for instructional technology enhancements of unit-wide and university-wide scope. The Department of Government, chaired by Dr. Michelle Williams, will spearhead the pilot initiative for the first two years of implementation. As the facility develops, its use will be open to the wider UWF community to train students in data analytics across disciplines. The Data Analytics Lab will utilize Crestron AirMedia technology, which will provide students a more innovative, collaborative learning environment than the traditional classroom setting allows. By connecting through a unique
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IP address, students will be able to share and collaborate on content from individual computers to a group display. The lab will also house white board walls around the inside of its perimeter allowing for additional collaboration.
Unlike a typical classroom setting, participants will be grouped in learning pods where they can collaborate on data sharing within smaller groups while contributing to the class discussion as a whole. In this high-tech classroom, participants will have the capacity to share data findings as individuals or groups. The technology will allow instructors to choose which content is shared through a wireless handheld tablet controller. Similar classroom design models include those implemented at Columbia University, Duke University and the University of Minnesota. The grant proposal highlighted the growing availability of research data and the changing landscape in data analysis and interpretation. It pointed to the inadequacy of the university’s current classroom model to prepare students for employers’ expectations in data literacy. This has been partly due to available technological systems and facilities. Under the current model, undergraduate students at UWF outside of the science, technology, engineering and mathematical disciplines, do not have access to suitable support for required research methods. Challenges have included limited spatial capacity, computer resources and access to appropriate software for data analysis. Additionally, while students currently work with statistics and data in their curricula and research methods courses, instructors
aboration.Quality alone manipulate the data during class lectures. Under this traditional model, students often struggle with application when guidance is unavailable outside the classroom. The Data Analytics Lab will address the mentioned challenges, while providing a high-impact learning environment for students to develop their data analytic skills. The lab will open the door for additional courses and collaborative projects centering on data analysis.
UWF’s Information Technology Services provided diagrams that show the proposed layout for the Data Analytics Lab. The lab will occupy the space that is currently known as the SAIL Lab (below).
“I am expecting data to come alive in new ways for our students, which is exciting to me.”
“The lab experience is vital to students in majors of Political Science, Pre-Law and International Studies where critical thinking, Dr. Michelle Williams analysis and informed policy development prove central to what we want our students to be able to do,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, UWF Professor and Chair of the Department of Government. According to Williams, the data lab experience is a common part of curriculum at other universities. UWF students need to be able to practice mapping concepts, developing logic or rationales, building causal arguments and working with data in a lab setting to be competitive. While the Department of Government plans to pilot the initiative with its Political Science, Pre-law and International Studies’ undergraduate programs, the longer-term vision is for the lab to expand to meet the needs of other disciplines that perform data analytics. Williams says, “I am expecting data to come alive in new ways for our students, which is exciting to me,” she said. “Students will be able to see real-world applications of data that they can use in problemsolving and policy-making.” In addition to providing a high-impact learning environment, provision for the lab aligns with UWF’s strategic plan. The Data Analytics lab will foster student learning and development, optimizing students’ prospects for personal and professional success. The initiative will increase the capacity for data analytics skill-building, will drive collaborative learning experiences and will lead to expansive, long-term student impact. The lab’s successes will be measured through students’ evaluation of instruction, as well as internship and job placement rates. The new Data Analytics Lab will be housed in the former Student Access Information (SAIL) Lab in Building 79, formerly an open-access computer lab. SAIL Lab
2014-2015 Year in Review 17
Committed to QUALITY Offering a Competitive Edge
After graduating in May with a B.A. in Communication Arts and specialization in Advertising, Jessica Rojas, UWF AdFed Student President, represented the university at the 2015 Admerica National Advertising Federation. The UWF student chapter was highly noted for its 210% increase in membership and named the nation’s top chapter for growth in 2015. This success was a direct result of funding received by the Department of Communication Arts as part of the UWF Quality Enhancement Plan pilot initiative. The QEP enhances educational quality through high-impact student learning initiatives. The implementation of a QEP has better prepared UWF for its reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Over the next five years, UWF’s QEP is focused on empowering
The 850 Innovations presentation team is pictured with Sabrina McLaughlin, lead consultant for the student-led agency.
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students to sharpen their communication skills for greater professional success. This initiative will strengthen verbal and written communication skills through high-impact learning practices. By participating in these practices, students will become more prepared to achieve their professional goals, including entry into graduate studies, the public workforce or private industry. During the 2014-2015 academic year, CASSH made great strides toward fulfilling these objectives. The first initiative funded by QEP allowed students to participate in a national marketing and communications campaign. The second initiative will focus on developing professional writing skills for workforce readiness. In January, 20 students from the Integrated Communication Campaigns and the Public Relations Campaign Management classes collaborated to form 850 Innovations.
The Certificate in Public, Technical and Workplace Writing will be offered beginning in August 2015.
Sabrina McLaughlin, Communication Arts Instructor, guided the efforts of 850 Innovations, the studentled marketing communications agency. The agency’s objective was to produce a marketing communications campaign on behalf of its client, Pizza Hut, and present recommendations at the 2015 American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition. To participate in this past April’s national competition in Orlando, the AAF required that student competitors hold membership status with the student chapter. The $5,000 received in QEP funding covered the costs of the students’ membership, allowing them to participate. This high-impact learning experience offered UWF key returns including alignment with college and university strategic plan initiatives and national exposure. Students walked away from the experience with feedback from leading industry professionals on written, oral and creative communication skills. The competition outlet also gave the students the opportunity to build a national-level integrated communication campaign for their portfolio. As part of its social media campaign, Pizza Hut has utilized one of 850 Innovations’ primary message concepts on Instagram. Thanks to QEP funding, even Pizza Hut has taken cues from our students. Of the experience, one student said, “It will help me secure a position in my field by giving me a real-world experience of how an agency really works. The skills I’ve learned will go with me to every job I will ever have.” Another student expressed, “This class helped me get a feel for how real the advertising world is. It isn’t Mad Men. It’s hard work. This class prepared me to work harder and do better.” McLaughlin shared, “You can’t emulate that type of experience inside a classroom… It’s real world. By producing a whole campaign, they understand how their part fits in.” Thanks to another $5,000 in QEP funding, CASSH’s Department of English will offer a Certificate in Public, Technical and Workplace Writing, beginning in August
2015. With professional writing skills in great demand, the department recognizes the need to focus on improving students’ professional communication skills in addition to offering the traditional English major. The certificate will provide students with a competitive edge while equipping them with workplace readiness. Through the program, students will learn to employ a variety of writing tools across digital media. They will be required to demonstrate proficiency in editing and document revision while producing public, technical and workplace documents for a variety of audiences. Of the initiative, Leslie McGill, project manager, says, “Writing skills and experiences are often the deciding factors as to who is hired and who is not.” Regarding his view on the importance of the QEP metrics, Steve Brown, Dean for the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities says, “The improvements found in so many of these performance-based metrics are a direct result of the hard work of faculty and staff members across the university. CASSH faculty and staff members have been active in implementation of initiatives and programs designed to improve our standing on these metrics.” Together, these two initiatives attest to CASSH’s commitment to the academic excellence and professional success of our students. We look forward to the new high impact experiences our institutional QEP funds will support in the coming year.
To learn more about UWF’s Quality Enhancement Plan, visit uwf.edu/qep.
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Distinctive
PROGRAMMING Experiencing UWF Downtown
area holds a burgeoning arts community and has desired to see this community’s continued growth. His vision for the expansion of the arts and humanities and continued investment has contributed to the series’ establishment and growth.
Sebastian Junger, internationally acclaimed, best-selling author and journalist was the featured speaker in March. Photo courtesy of Greater Talent Network.
This year, CASSH became UWF’s host for the Experience UWF Downtown series. Founded in 2012, the series showcases scholars of outstanding prominence who promote the value and role of the liberal arts in building and sustaining contemporary culture. Since its inception, the series has featured the talents and research of UWF faculty from a cross-section of disciplines that have celebrated the integral role of the arts in Pensacola’s downtown community. The series not only celebrates the arts, but also serves as a bridge, bringing together multiple facets of the Greater Pensacola Area community. Experience UWF Downtown began in 2012 thanks to the generous support of Dr. Wayne Adkisson, M.D., founding sponsor. Adkisson has recognized that Pensacola’s Downtown
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CASSH has been working this past year to bring the series to life. In November, Dr. Steve Belko launched the 2014-2015 season by highlighting several historic wars that have impacted Pensacola’s history. The new year welcomed Dr. Athena du Pré in January as she shared the integral role that humor plays in both healing and the healthcare system. Using the framework and methods of science and technology as the canvas for his artistic practice, in February, Thomas Asmuth, M.F.A., blended the disciplines of science, technology and art while sharing the progress and pitfalls of his creative form. In March, the series closed out the year by welcoming Sebastian Junger, internationally acclaimed, award-winning journalist and bestselling author, as he shared his perspective from 20 years of reporting around the world. The Experience UWF Downtown series has also welcomed additional prominent speakers such as U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Tretheway. CASSH looks forward to launching the 2015-2016 series in the fall. Thanks to additional sponsors and supporters from the community, UWF and CASSH look forward to presenting an equally if not more robust program in the coming year.
HISTORY’S NEXT EXIT The idea began in March 2006. Dr. Patrick Moore and Dr. Jay Clune were in search of an early morning cup of coffee, while on a road trip to Tallahassee. With a computer-based GPS in hand and no cup of coffee in sight off of I-10, the dream to develop an application system for tourists and historical enthusiasts was born. The Next Exit History ™ app provides information about historical sites based on users’ locations and interests. Together, Tim Roberts, Dr. Dave Dawson, Dr. Patrick Moore and Dr. Jay Clune developed the concept - a collaboration between the UWF Departments of Instructional Technology and History.
November 5, 2014, UWF and Historical Research Associates (HRA), Inc. signed a licensing agreement with Next Exit History ™, marking the first agreement signed from a social sciences department at UWF. Through the partnership, HRA holds exclusive oversight of Next Exit History™, including building income through partnerships and more. By establishing a Pensacola office, HRA aims to create new job opportunities in the Northwest Florida region for those interested in heritage tourism, cultural resource management and historical research.
“We are excited that our faculty have found a way to convert their passion for history into a commercially viable venture.” Dr. Richard Podemski
Dr. Richard Podemski is pictured with Brad Bowden, President/CEO and senior archaeologist for HRA.
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PARTNERSHIPS Grants
$280,000 in internal funding for systemic and quality enhancement programs $270,000 in private donations
$361,450 in grants from UWF Research and Sponsored Programs
The Florida Division of Historical Resources awarded UWF’s Division of Archaeology and Anthropology a Special Category Grant Award for $293,000 to continue the excavation and analysis of the Emanuel Point II shipwreck. UWF’s Archaeology Institute matched the grant at an additional $146,577. Dr. Gregory Cook, assistant professor of Anthropology, and Dr. John Bratten, associate professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology, will serve as principal and co-principal investigators, respectively. In fall of 2014, Art, Culture and Entertainment Pensacola, Inc. awarded a generous grant of $55,000 to TAG, UWF’s art gallery. Thanks to the grant, in partnership with ACE, Inc., PaintScaping, the Artel Gallery and the Foo Foo Festival, brought the first 3D mapping performance to the Pensacola and regional community.
Sponsored Research UWF’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs provides funding, which enables award recipients to transform basic research into practical, integrated applications for the public’s use. Dr. Joanne Curtin, associate professor of Anthropology, received a grant to provide services in forensic archaeological recovery techniques. Dr. Patrick Moore, associate professor and director of the UWF Public History Program, received funding to work with Historical Research Associates in the development of intellectual property enhancement for the commercialization of Next Exit History ™.
Systemic Grants Thanks to a $280,000 Systemic Project Grant received by UWF’s Office of the Provost, and in partnership with UWF’s Department of Government, UWF’s Information Technology Services is constructing a Data Analytics Lab.
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Thank You to our generous donors.
The Division of Anthropology and Archaeology recognizes and appreciates Mr. Ted Brown and Mrs. Kathy HortonBrown’s generous contribution of $10,000. Thanks to their support, the division purchased dry suits and accessories, enabling students to continue diving and conducting research on the Emanuel Point II shipwreck. Use of the suits began during the 2014-2015 winter months and will continue during the future winter months. Our donors’ generosity is furthering the success of UWF’s maritime archaeological studies.
During the past year Mrs. Val Besser created new scholarship endowments in the Departments of English and History for upper division and/or graduate students. Additionally, she added to an existing endowment in the Department of Theatre that she and her late husband Ron established in 2010. It provides scholarships for theatre majors focusing in production design and technical theatre. In addition to her generosity, Mrs. Besser’s creative handwork and sewing skills are often seen on many of the theater costumes. She is a talented seamstress who is a longtime friend and volunteer in the Department of Theatre.
YOUR GI F TS M A D E A N I M PAC T. A special thank you to all who supported the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and its numerous programs, initiatives and scholarships. Your gifts are sincerely appreciated, and we hope that you will continue your support in 2015 - 2016. Visit uwf.edu/give/cassh to make your donation.
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